Visit the Historic, Beautiful Ancient City of St. Augustine

Posted by bandbbeachfront on July 6th, 2019

Just 40 miles down the coast from Jacksonville, Fl. is the oldest city in the United States. St. Augustine, known as the Ancient City, is a must-see destination with beautiful white sand beaches and exquisite old-world architecture.

Spanish Founding: 1565

St. Augustine was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565 when Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles sighted the land from the ship. On the spot he named the future settlement San Agustin. The city served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years. If you can spend a few days, or for even just one night, it is recommended that you stay in a beachfront hotel in St. Augustine, FL, for easy access to the historical sites, beaches, of course, but also the many shops, cafes, and bars along the cobblestone streets of the historic district.

Castillo de San Marcos

Be sure and check out the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest existing Spanish Fort in the United States. It was built in 1672 in Spanish military architectural style. Based on its sea-facing position, the fort was impenetrable. It was attacked many times by European forces with no success. The fort includes guided tours as well as self-guided tours with historical facts on placards positioned throughout the fort. At the visitors center you can even watch live battle re-enactments. The Castillo de San Marcos was declared a national monument in 1924.

St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

Set in a historic building, the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum offers a peak into the pirate life along the Florida coast. The museum has the world’s largest collection of authentic pirate treasures and artifacts. The museum also has many multimedia exhibits such as Blackbeard’s last battle. Get up close and touch a real pirate treasure chest and other shipwreck treasures gleaned from the bottom of the ocean by the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

And what trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without an alligator sighting or two? The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park began as a small reptile show in 1893. Today it is a fully accredited zoo featuring all types of wildlife from Florida’s many habitats. Located on Anastasia Island, the zoological park has all 23 species of the crocodilians alive in the world today. You can even get an aerial view from a zip line that stretches over the entire park. Flying through the air you’ll see all the various crocodiles, mammals, and tropical birds.

In this historic area of the Ancient City, as you spend a night or two in a beachfront hotel in St. Augustine, FL, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.