A coquina watchtower completed in 1742 stands at the heart of Fort Matanzas’s history: it defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of Saint Augustine. At the same time, the fort protects about 300 acres of coastal landscape, including dunes, marshland and maritime forest, along with their flora and fauna. A raised boardwalk leads through a barrier island habitat. In Saint Augustine, you can encounter traces of its defensive history alongside museums and nature-focused attractions, and choose what to explore based on your interests.
Forts and Spanish Heritage
The Castillo de San Marcos was built by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. It preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and offers insight into more than 450 years of cultural encounters. Founded in 1565, Saint Augustine is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States founded by Europeans. Its Spanish heritage is reflected in its architecture, courtyards and historic squares, narrow streets, and coquina buildings.
The Fort Mose Historic State Park offers another perspective: The 40-acre historic site is located on the waterfront and includes a reconstruction of the original fort. The fort was built to protect the first legally recognized free African settlement in what would later become the United States. The site’s history adds a different community and historical purpose to the story of Spanish fortifications.
Museums and Architectural History
The Lightner Museum is located in the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler. Today, the museum offers a comprehensive experience centered on art, architecture, history and design. Visitors interested in historic buildings can compare it with the Villa Zorayda Museum, where antique collections belonging to Franklin Smith and A. S. Mussallem are on display.
Historic Tours of Flagler College also lead to interpretive exhibits in the rotunda and courtyard of a former hotel. The Spring House at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is home to Ponce de Leon’s Spring of Eternal Hope, a name from historical legend. The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios dates back to 1565, and the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is designated a National Historic Landmark.
Nature and Activities
At Anastasia State Park, visitors can observe wildlife from a canoe or kayak and along the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail. The St. Augustine Lighthouse grounds also include the Maritime Hammock Nature Trails and a scavenger hunt. Built in 1874, the lighthouse tower offers a self-guided climb up a spiral staircase with 219 steps. Visitors must be at least 44 inches tall to participate. As visitor conditions can change, it is recommended that you check the latest information before planning a climb.
For a different kind of view, the Colonial Quarter features a 35-foot reconstruction of a Spanish watchtower overlooking the Castillo de San Marcos and the Saint Augustine waterfront. At the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the 600-foot Founders Riverwalk leads to views over the water. Crocodile Crossing at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park combines climbing and zip lines over alligator and crocodile enclosures; check the participation requirements in advance.
Walking Tours and Practical Information
UF Historic St. Augustine provides maps and self-guided walking tours of the city. You can use them to plan your own walk; routes and access to individual sites may change. Tours at the St. Augustine Wild Reserve are led by a wildlife specialist who explains the species and the origins of each animal. Reservations and schedules may change, so check them before planning your visit.
The Historic Downtown Parking Facility is a short walk from St. George Street, the pedestrian street in the heart of downtown, as well as from most of the city’s museums and attractions. Check the information for the Historic Downtown Parking Facility before your trip. Which visits you combine will depend mainly on whether you want to spend your time exploring forts and museums, architectural history or nature.
Discover more destinations: Fruit Cove, Vilano Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Wauchula, Saint Johns
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