St. Augustine Live Cam

Traveling in St. Augustine

St. Augustine, the Oldest City in the United States! St. Augustine is rich with History, there are lots of things to do and see in this old city. Take a stroll back in time as you walk along the cobblestone roads through the Historic District wondering through the many shops, cafes, bars and seeing how blacksmiths, candle makers, etc. replicate the old way of life. You can’t go wrong taking a vacation here. You will will have so much fun you won’t even realize you’re learning.

Things to do in St. Augustine

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Fort built in the 17th century (1600’s) and is made of a limestone called coquina. It has a mote just like you would vision any fort to have but this forts mote was only filled up one time with water. It was then that the Spanish inhibitors of this fort realized that coquina absorbs water and it flooded the whole fort so they never used the mote again. Fort Castillo de San Marcos is a ‘walk in’ park so you can view it at your leisure but there are people dressed in the eras costumes that walk around answering questions about the forts history.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not is on the same side as the fort just a few blocks down. This is the original Ripley’s, housed in a real castle built in 1887 as the winter home of William G. Warden. You will see some of the strangest things at Ripley’s, some of them so strange it will be hard to believe even with your own eyes seeing it. This is a three story castle filled with things like a replica of the worlds tallest man to shrunken heads. There are many exhibits, artifacts and replicated models that you can see and touch; you can even sit in a real electric chair! They also offer Red train tours and Ghost train tours.

Since I’m on the topic of ghosts, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a beautiful historic building built in the late 1800’s replacing the original light tower from the 1500’s. Walking up the 219 steps will tire you but you won’t regret it when you get to the top and look way out over the beautiful blue Florida coastline and see the old city from a panoramic view that will surely be a memory that you will keep in your mind forever. They have their own ghost tour at night time as well. This lighthouse has been on a ghost hunting show on TV called Ghost Hunters. They say at night there is a spirit that runs up and down the stairs in that old building and that you can sometimes see it. They’ve actually caught it on camera. YouTube that!

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the oldest attraction in our nation. It is America’s First Colony ; the actual site of the first 1565 Menendez settlement! There are beautiful gardens, hands on exhibits, and much more on this water front 15 acre property. You can visit a living History Timucua Village and drink out of the Fountain of Youth that Ponce de Leon discovered back in 1513.

The list can go on and on for things to do in this old city. More places to visit include: The Old Jail (there is an actual gallow sitting outside of it that they used to use), The Potters Wax Museum, The Old School House, Flagler College, the Oldest House in America, the Lions Bridge, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, For Matanzas and the Lightner Museum are just some to mention.

This city is truly beautiful and is a history buffs dream come true. You will experience a one of a kind vacation here. You can walk freely down roads in the Historic District listening to the one man bands playing in the streets or explore all the great museums in the city and see how people lived in the 1400’s and 1500’s and relax on the beautiful beaches that are just a rock throw away. You will not go wrong spending some time in this great old city; there is something for everyone and every taste here.

Tips:

• Make sure you pick up a coupon book at any restaurant or hotel for great savings.
• Visit websites to places you plan to visit, a lot of them have printable coupons on their pages.
• Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and take plenty of water; you’re in Florida and it gets hot in Summer.