A Visitor’s Guide to the Oldest City in America
It’s summer, and that means it’s the perfect time to travel! If you are sitting at home and dreaming about future vacations, I have the perfect city for you to add to the list. There are many historic cities in the United States, but one stands out as being the oldest city in the country: St. Augustine. Recently, I explored the historic city and got the scoop on the best things to see and do there. This city has much to offer, from historic buildings to great restaurants. Come along as we take a virtual tour through St. Augustine.
Best Historical Sights:
Castillo de San Marcos — an old Spanish fort downtown. This fort was created in 1672 by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. There are entrance fees for the fort, but they last an entire week, so you can return to the fort to explore more whenever you want. If you aren’t interested in paying for a ticket to explore inside, you can walk around the fort for free and see old canons as well as the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Photos: National Park Service
St. Augustine Lighthouse — located on a separate island, the lighthouse is a great place to learn about the history of the city as well as maritime history.
Flagler College — an architectural marvel in the middle of the city. Originally a hotel, Flagler College has a long history that includes U.S. presidents, the military, and ghost stories.
Anastasia Island — a barrier island where the lighthouse is located. It is a state park, and historically, the island contained the building materials used to build the fort Castillo de San Marcos. This is also a great place for watersports and bird-watching.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine — a beautiful Catholic church in the city that was built in the late 1700s. It is a mix of Neoclassical and Spanish mission architectural styles. It was declared a national historic landmark in 1970.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Beaches — St. Augustine is known for their beautiful beaches that offer great surfing opportunities. Some of the more popular beaches are St. Augustine Beach, Crescent Beach, or Vilano beach. There are many state parks and national parks in the area as well where you can surf, paddle-board, or just enjoy laying on the beach.
Best Eats:
The Floridian — a Southern-style restaurant with a great atmosphere. They are known as a great brunch spot with unique salads like a beet and berry salad!
Photos: The Floridian
Llama Restaurant — a delicious Peruvian restaurant that offers unique Japanese-Peruvian food, as well as a drink menu with exotic fruit ingredients.
City Bistro — a cafe that serves the best coffee in town. It’s a small cafe that also serves sandwiches, burritos, and snacks. If you are looking for a pick-me-up, this place is perfect.
Historic St. Augustine bars — there are several bars in St. Augustine, including one that conducts business in an old ice plant. The city is known for its creative and fruit drinks.
Photos: Ice Plant, The Chatsworth Publick House
Being the oldest city in America, St. Augustine is also home to ghost stories and urban legends. Watch America House’s newest video exploring some of the city’s most haunted places:
Vocabulary list:
“Get the scoop” (idiom) — to get information about something or someone
Maritime (adj.) — relating to the ocean
Marvel (n.) — something that causes wonder
Barrier Island (n.) — Landforms of sand that are a result of waves bringing sand parallel to the mainland
Neoclassical (adj.) — revival of ancient architecture that focuses on balance and simple shapes
Spanish Mission (adj.) — an architectural style with arched corridors, bell towers, and undecorated wall surfaces
Atmosphere (n.) — a feeling a person has about a place or person
Brunch (n.) — a mix between breakfast and lunch
“Pick-me-up” (n.) — something that restores or stimulates you
“Conduct Business” (v.) — to perform a job or task
Urban legend (n.) — a story about a town, usually scary, that is shared throughout the town
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Breese is a third-year student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida pursuing a double major in History and Political Science with a minor in Russian language. She is currently working on her post-graduation plans which include joining the Peace Corps to work with youth in Ukraine. In her free time, you can find her reading, exploring her city, or watching films. She aims to work in public diplomacy, travel far and wide, and eventually own her own sustainable farm.