The gate of Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine is still being guarded today but now by volunteers that will explain daily life as it was lived by the resident soldiers. The fort was last used for defensive purposes in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.

Other Interesting Things to See & Do In Florida

Times & Distances Are From St. Augustine

• St Augustine Holiday Nights of Lights – Walking or Trolly Around Town
• Zipline The Canyons in Ocala – 1 hr 42 min – 80 miles
• Disney Springs Orlando – 2 hrs – 123 miles
• Cedar Key Laid Back Island Town – 2 hrs 40 min – 133 miles

The cannon firing demonstration at Castillo de San Marcos is an impressive reenactment to see and hear. The soldiers march from the lower level of the fort, up the steps, and over to the cannon placements. When you watch the cannon firing demonstration you will be warned to cover your ears when they are about to fire the cannons, heed the warning…it’s loud!

The City Gate of St. Augustine, Florida

The City Gate of St Augustine stood to protect the citizens of St. Augustine. Still today, the old district retains its 16th century Spanish Colonial walled town appearance. The colonial buildings in the old district date from 1703 to 1821.

The oldest wooden school house in St. Augustine was built by hand over 200 years ago. It was small, had no electricity, running water or bathrooms. You can take a tour of the school house to see just how different life was with no modern conveniences.

The historic streets of St Augustine remain today much as they did hundreds of years ago. You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled back in time in this picturesque town.

The Mission of Nombre de Dios

The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine is on the grounds of the Mission of Nombre de Dios. St. Joseph is pictured overlooking the Chapel. A visit to this Chapel is always on our list when we visit St. Augustine.

The Great Cross, standing as a sentinel over the Mission, is a stainless steel structure rising two hundred and eight feet above the marshes of the Matanzas River. In 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles placed a small wooden cross in Florida’s soil and founded the Mission of Nombre de Dios, the site of the first Mass. It is believed that here is where the first Thanksgiving in the New World was celebrated. The Great Cross erected in 1966, celebrates the Four Hundredth anniversary of the Mission of Nombre de Dios and the City of St. Augustine.

The Fountain of Youth

I met up with Juan Ponce de Leon at the entrance to the legendary Fountain of Youth. I didn’t have time to go inside that day, so I said good-by and wished him luck in his search. He told me the Fountain of Youth could be found just beyond that wall and I was glad that he finally found what he’d been searching for. You can visit the site of the 15 acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, and I bet Juan Ponce de Leon will be waiting to greet you too!

Historical Architecture in St. Augustine

The Casa Monica Hotel, a Moorish Revival-style building was built by Franklin Smith in 1887 and later bought by Henry Flager in 1888. This magnificent hotel features intricate balconies, an arched carriage entrance and hand painted Italian tile.

Flagler College, originally the Hotel Ponce de Leon built by Henry Flagler in 1888. It is one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture in America. In 1967 the hotel was turned into Flagler College. Daily tours are given. This is a must see when in St. Augustine.

Memorial Presbyterian Church was built by Henry Flagler in 1889 as a memorial to his only daughter. It is Venetian Renaissance Architecture with a dome that is more than a 100 feet high. Henry Flagler and his daughter are buried in the mausoleum.

Fort Matanzas in St Augustine, Florida

Fort Matanzas in St Augustine, FL was built in 1720 to guard the southern approaches of the Matanzas inlet. You can take a ferry boat to the fort where volunteers in authentic costume reenact daily routines at the fort and explain how life was for the soldiers that lived there.

Standing guard at Fort Matanzas. Located approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine, this small fortification was vital in protecting the inlet of Matanzas and the city of St. Augustine.

Sunset in St. Augustine, Florida

This sunset in St. Augustine was amazing! We were walking around town, just about to head back to our hotel, when the sky lit up in this incredible display of color. I wonder if sunsets in St. Augustine are like this every night. If so, there’s another reason to love it here!

Come experience St. Augustine and you will see why people have been in love with La Florida the “Place of Flowers” for over 500 years. You can find lodging deals for any season in St. Augustine on Booking.com.

Have you been to St. Augustine?

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