5 Things to do When Exploring St. Augustine

As a long-time Florida resident, I’ve visited the beautiful city of St. Augustine, Florida several times over the years. It is a quaint, walkable little city with great food and shopping. If you’re looking for a local solo trip this is an excellent choice.

It’s only hours away from anywhere in Florida or southern Georgia and worth the travel time from anywhere else. From water sports on the beach to ghost and trolley tours, there is plenty to do for every age. Like a small European town, St. Augustine has a host of activities and several Bed and Breakfast locations to choose from. If you’re planning a trip here and wondering what to put on the agenda, no sweat I’ve got you covered. Here are the 5 of my favorite things to do in St. Augustine.

1. Boat tours

One of my favorite things to do upon arriving in St. Augustine is finding a boat tour. I love a good boat ride and this city has a variety of choices. There are day cruises, dolphin tours, sunset boat tours, and even a pirate ship adventure.

Black Raven Adventures is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Check out the Rum Runner tour. The night pirate ship cruise is adults only and offers plenty of alcoholic beverages and dirty jokes. That’s my kind of party at sea! But if that’s not your thing, try any of the more family friendly boat tours. The Black Raven has a kid-friendly day tour as well.

Aside from the boats, the St. Augustine bayfront and beach areas provide many water sport options. There’s parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking adventures, and floating tikis to name a few. During peak season, it’s best to book these ahead of time.

2. Trolley tours

A popular staple of St. Augustine is the Old Towne Trolley Tour. Another alternative is the Red Train Tour. Both offer a hop-on-hop-off option and ghost tours at night. These are fully-narrated tours and convenient ways to get around town.

The trolleys stop at St. George Street, the fort, the Old Jail, the winery, and many other must-see attractions. The Old Towne tours typically run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost to ride is about $27 for adults, $10 for kids 6 – 12, and free for children 5 and under. The Ripley’s owned Red Train Express costs $20 per adult, $10 for children 4 – 11, and free for kids under 4.

3. Ghost tours

Among the popular attractions in the Old City is the ghost tour. Many tour companies offer walking and trolley tours of what are believed to be haunted locations through the town. These paranormal tours give a glimpse into the life of some of St. Augustine’s deceased residents.

Tour guides give guests a historical view of the city during these spooky tours. These ghost and vampire tours make for great sightseeing or “frightseeing” as some call it. The tours typically range in price from $15 to $60 with most being about $25 per person.

4. Shopping on St. George Street

The historic St. George Street has several attractions, local shops, and eateries. It has a special small-town feel. Start at the Old City Gate and work your way down the street lined with boutique shops and great eats. Have a alcoholic beverage at one of the many pubs and restaurants along St. George Street.

This pedestrian-only street is walkable from most downtown B&Bs and hotels. Here you can also purchase tickets to the trolley, boat, and ghost tours. Vacationers can also check out the Oldest Wooden School House, The Medeival Torture Museum, Sheriff’s Ghost Walk Tours, and the Colonial Quarter all on St. George Street.

5. Night of Lights

This event is seasonal, happening during the Christmas season. It normally runs from November to early January. This year the event will be held from November 20, 2021 to January 30, 2021.

During Night of Lights, St. Augustine downtown business stay open later to allow visitors to view their display of lights. Trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours taking guests by the beautiful light displays around the city. Other specialty tours let visitors see the lights from the water or from the air. This event is family friendly but is also great for couples and solo travelers. It offers many photo opportunities throughout the downtown area, the bayfront, and the Christmas tree in the center of the Plaza de la Constitución.

There you have it; my top 5 favorite things to do in St. Augustine. Of course this is not an exclusive list. Almost anything you choose to do in this city will be fun, informative, and exciting! My honorable mentions go to the St. Augustine lighthouse, the beach, and the Alligator Farm.

*Looking for where to stay? St. Augustine Bed and Breakfasts are the best option. There’s a limited amount of quality hotels in the historic district so B&Bs are your best bet. However, the Casa Monica hotel, located in the historic district near Flagler College, is a nice luxury experience that I recommend as well. Comment down below and tell me your favorite things to do and places to stay in the Old City.