St. Augustine

Introduction

Day 135 - Inlet from Lighthouse

© jl98584

St. Augustine, Florida, is one of the oldest cities in North America and is the oldest European City in North America. Just 30 minutes south of Jacksonville in Northeast Florida, St. Augustine is full of romantic ambiance and old world charm. It is best known for its remarkable historic streets and attractions, Spanish-style architecture, and panoramic bayfront views.

The walkable downtown is made up of narrow colonial streets lined with interesting locally-owned shops and outstanding restaurants. A trio of grand hotel buildings built in the late 19th century by railroad magnate Henry Flagler tower over the smaller, reconstructed historic houses, but the tallest building in town is just seven stories. One of Flagler's former hotels is now home to a small, private liberal arts college whose students add a sense of pulsating life to the centuries-old town.

In St. Augustine you can dine on terraces overlooking narrow brick streets, view excellent art at unique galleries, and visit historic sites older than the United States itself. But the town is more than history and high culture. Feel like going parasailing over unspoiled beachfront or listening to famous bands play under the stars? St. Augustine has that too.

Sights and Activities

• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, 1 South Castillo Dr, ☎ +1 (904) 829-6506. Su-Sa 8:45AM to 5PM. A large coquina limestone fort constructed by the Spanish in the late 1600s to defend their small colony. Inside, certain rooms are open to the public, including the chapel, guard quarters, and the powder magazine. The top deck of the Castillo is also open to visitors and allows great views of the city and the bay, as well as up-close encounters with authentic cannons. There are living history demonstrations on weekends, including the firing of those cannons...an incredibly powerful (and loud!) experience. Lower level is handicapped accessible. Adults $15, Children (under 16) free.
• Fort Matanzas National Monument, 8635 A1A South, ☎ +1 (904) 471-0116. Su-Sa 9AM to 5:30PM. This small watchtower was built in the 1740s on a small island south of the city to control access via the Matanzas River. Eight ferries a day take visitors from Anastasia Island to the marsh where the fort sits. Free passes for the boat can be picked up at the visitors center there, where a half-mile boardwalk nature trail loops through the woods and dunes (a good way to spend the time waiting for the next ferry). Free admission.
• Flagler College, 74 King St, ☎ +1 (904) 823-3378. Rotunda open Su-Sa 9AM to 4PM, Tours depart at 10AM and either 2PM or 3PM depending on season. Located on 19 acres downtown, this college campus' Spanish Renaissance architecture is highlighted by the grand Ponce De Leon Hotel building. Built in 1885 by Henry Flagler, with an interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the hotel faced years of decline in the mid-20th century before being saved and converted into the liberal arts college in 1968. Tours: Adults $12, Children (under 10) free, Seniors $10.
• Oldest House Museum Complex, 271 Charlotte St, ☎ +1 (904) 824-2872. Su-Sa 10AM to 5PM, tours every half hour. A historic house just south of downtown that is believed to be the oldest house in the city, constructed under Spanish rule in 1723. The property, run by the St. Augustine Historical Society, also includes two museums, an exhibition gallery, an ornamental garden, and a store. Adults $8, Seniors $7, Student (6-18 & College) $4, Family (2 adults and their children under 18) $18.
• Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, 14 St. George St (near the City Gates), ☎ +1 (904) 824-0192. Su-Th 9AM to 6PM, Fr-Sa 9AM to 9PM. Over 300 years old, this one room schoolhouse has stood through the rise and fall of two empires and the birth of the United States. Self-guided tours are offered daily, and an animatronic teacher and student provide a history of the building.
• St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, 81 Lighthouse Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 829-0745. Su-Sa 9AM to 6PM (Summer: to 7PM). Built in the 1870s on the northern end of Anastasia Island, this working lighthouse sat abandoned for many years before restoration efforts in the 1990s. Today, visitors can climb the 219 steps to the top for a stunning view of the city and the surrounding waters, including the Atlantic Ocean. The associated museum is located in the former Keeper's House at the base of the tower and contains exhibits about living and working at the light station. Adults $13, Children (under 12 and over 44" tall) $11, Seniors $11.
• Potter's Wax Museum, 31 Orange St, ☎ +1 (904) 829-9056. Su-Sa 9AM to 6PM. A fun and educational family attraction with over 160 wax figures, including a wide range of fictional characters, famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, sports stars, and more, both past and present. Established in 1948, Potter's is the oldest wax museum in the United States. Adults $10.60, Children (6-12) $7.40.
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 824-1606. Su-Sa 9AM-8PM. The original Odditorium of the famed American purveyor of the strange and unusual was opened in the historic Castle Warden hotel in 1950. Three stories worth of exhibits include a mummified cat, a two-story scale model Ferris wheel made out of Erector sets, life and death masks of famous celebrities (including Abe Lincoln), shrunken heads, and an iron maiden. Rumored to be haunted, the opening credits and various segments of the most recent Ripley's TV series were filmed here. Adults $16, Children (5-11) $9.
• St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, 12 S Castillo Dr, ☎ +1 877-467-5863. Daily, 10AM-7PM.
• Colonial Quarter (Spanish Quarter), 33 St. George St, ☎ +1 (888) 991-0933. Su-Sa 10AM to 5PM. This recreated garrison town allows guests to visit with a blacksmith, learn to fire a musket, and stand watch on a lookout tower. You'll see costumed historical interpreters tell the story of everyday life when the city was a remote outpost of the Spanish Empire. The property also includes a British pub, a Spanish taverna, and a seafood restaurant, all of which do not require admission. A rustic outdoor stage set under an old oak tree hosts free weekend concerts also open to the public. Adults $13, Children (5-12) $7.
• Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, 11 Magnolia Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 829-3168. Su-Sa 9AM to 6PM. A 15 acre waterfront attraction touted as the 1513 landing site of Ponce de Leon, the discoverer of Florida. Although no evidence has been found to support this, the park is the location of the first Spanish settlement in St. Augustine. Guests can explore a recreation of a Timucuan Native American village, witness a cannon firing, view archeological digs, and even drink from the supposed "Fountain of Youth", a natural spring. Adults $15, Children (6-12) $9, Seniors $14.
• World Golf Hall of Fame, 1 World Golf Place. Mo-Sa 10AM to 6PM, Su 12PM to 6PM. The centerpiece of the master-planned World Golf Village, this hall of fame and museum center celebrates the greats of golf history. The expansive property located about 15 minutes north of the city also includes a hotel, convention center, an IMAX movie theater, two award-winning golf courses, and a restaurant owned by actor Bill Murray and his brothers. Adults $21; Children (5-12) $5; Seniors, Military, and Florida Residents $20; Students (13+ with ID) $10.
• Alligator Farm Zoological Park, 999 Anastasia Blvd, ☎ +1 (904) 824-3337. Su-Sa 9AM to 5PM (Summer: to 6PM). One of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, this zoo features all 24 species of crocodile (including the American alligator) in addition to a range of other reptiles, mammals and birds. Educational demonstrations and activities like zip-lining are also offered. Adults $26, Children (3-11) $15, Guests in Wheelchairs $13/$7.50, 10% off for AAA, military, and seniors.
• Fort Mose Historic State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail (Set back behind a neighborhood off of U.S. 1), ☎ +1 (904) 823-2232. Grounds: Su-Sa 9AM to 5PM; Visitor Center: Th-Mo 9AM to 5PM. This park preserves the site of the first legal free black settlement in America. It was established in 1738 by the Spanish for escaped black slaves seeking asylum from the British colonies. The former site of the community, long forgotten but rediscovered in 1968, is located about two miles north of St. Augustine. Grounds free; Visitor Center: Adults $2, Children (under 6) free.
• Plaza de la Constitución.

Events and Festivals

Holidays

• New Year’s Eve - The US celebrates the outgoing of the old year and incoming of the New Year quite dramatically. Every state boasts its own parties to ring in the New Year, but none is more extravagant than New York’s Time Square, which sees people overflowing into the neighboring restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
• St Patrick’s Day - March 17 celebrates the US’s large Irish population. Many cities around the country boast boisterous parades and Irish-themed parties, especially New York and Chicago, where the river is dyed green. Be wary of the drunkenness that dominates as this is definitely a party-day.
• Memorial Day - Memorial Day is an important holiday throughout the United States, but not for crazy festivities. Parades commemorating wartime heroes are often held and the day is also the ‘unofficial’ start of summer. Most visitors follow the crowds to parks and beaches, which are capped off with informal BBQs.
• Independence Day - Also known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrates the US’s break from the British during the 18th century. Barbecues, street parties, beach trips, and weekend getaways are commonplace to appreciate freedom.
• Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is recognized as a federal holiday. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.
• Halloween - Halloween is a fun holiday on October 31 for all generations to dress up in costumes and relive their youth. Children walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating for candy, while adults attend parties. Other seasonal events include haunted houses, pumpkin farms and carving, and corn mazes.
• Thanksgiving - On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is held in almost every home in the US. Tourists will have a hard time finding anything to do as the country essentially shuts down in observation. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie commemorating the original Pilgrim’s feast at Plymouth Rock.
• Christmas - On December 25, Christians celebrate Christmas as the pinnacle of their calendar by attending church and opening gifts from Santa Claus. Almost everything shuts down to promote family togetherness. The northern regions hope to experience a “white Christmas,” with trees and festive lights blanketed by snow.

Sport

• Super Bowl Sunday - the world’s most watched sporting event and one of the highest grossing TV days of the year, Superbowl Sunday is a spectacular extravaganza. Held the first Sunday in February, the Superbowl is the final playoff game between the NFL’s top two teams. The venue rotates every year around America, yet the local parties seem to remain. Pubs, bars and restaurants are great places to enjoy the Superbowl or locals throw their own parties with different variations of betting.
• The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff, and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. As the series is played during the fall season in North America, it is sometimes referred to as the Fall Classic.

Weather

St. Augustine has a humid subtropical climate, with mild weather during winters and hot weather during summers. Average high temperatures vary from 18 °C in winter to 33 °C in summer. High heat indices ("feels like" temperatures that take humidity into account) are not uncommon during the summer months in the St. Augustine area. Like much of Florida, it's common for daily thunderstorms to erupt during summer afternoons. These are caused by the daytime heating of the land and water combined with the high humidity.

During winter, the area can experience hard freezes during the night. Such cold weather is usually short lived, however, as the city averages only fifteen nights below freezing. Even rarer in St. Augustine is snow. When snow does fall, it usually melts before touching, or upon making contact with, the ground. Most longtime residents of St. Augustine can remember accumulated snow on only one occasion - a thin ground cover that occurred a few days before Christmas 1989.

St. Augustine has suffered less damage from hurricanes than most other Floridian cities. The city has only received one direct hit from a hurricane since 1871, although it has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions more than a dozen times due to storms traveling across the state or up the coast and brushing the area. The strongest effect on St. Augustine was from Hurricane Dora in 1964. That storm, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Hurricane Irma in 2017 all caused extensive flooding in the city.

Rainfall averages around 50 inches a year, with the wettest months being June through September.

Getting There

By Plane

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX IATA) is the closest major commercial airport, 40 minutes to the north. It is served by nine airlines, including the three main American carriers: United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB IATA) is located adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway, about an hour south, and is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue.

Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA) is a major airport serving Central Florida, and is located about two hours south of St Augustine. International flights are limited (except for Canada, Mexico, and South America) but connections are available from almost every major American city.

From any of the above airports, a rental car, taxi, or rideshare is necessary to continue onwards to St. Augustine.

St. Augustine does have a small airport within the city limits: Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST IATA). It is mainly utilized by private aircraft. Limited commercial service operates to and from Rochester, Minnesota on Elite Airways and seasonally to and from Charlotte on ViaAir.

By Train

Jacksonville is the nearest large city with a full-service Amtrak station; it is served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes that connect Miami to New York City.

Palatka is closer and is served by the same two Amtrak lines, however onward transportation to St. Augustine is difficult and limited to ridesharing apps (approx. $35) or local taxi service (approx. $50). Palatka's station does not have luggage service, so if you're carrying anything more than a backpack, you would need to disembark in Jacksonville.

By Car

St. Augustine can easily be reached by car, as Interstate 95 passes just west of the city. From the north (Jacksonville), take exit 318 for S.R. 16, then travel east to U.S. 1 or Business U.S. 1, then turn right. From northbound I-95, take exit 298 for S.R. 207, then travel north to U.S. 1 and turn left to reach the downtown/attractions area.

By Bus

Greyhound has a limited bus stop here, located at 1 South Castillo Drive in downtown St. Augustine, adjacent to the city's parking garage. Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the full-service terminal in Jacksonville.

By Boat

Various private marinas, and the city's Municipal Marina, operate docks both near downtown and on nearby Anastasia Island. The largest private marina in the area is at the Conch House restaurant and motel complex.

Getting Around

By Car

Downtown St. Augustine is rather inhospitable to cars, as the streets are narrow and often clogged with trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, and tourists on foot and bike all sharing the same roadway. However, to reach most of the hotels, chain stores and restaurants, and outlet malls around St. Augustine, as well as the beachfront areas across the bay on Anastasia Island, a car is all but necessary. Alternatively, both tram tours listed above offer hotel shuttles as well as shuttles to the beach attractions.

When visiting downtown with a car, it is recommended to park in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, an enormous, multi-level, state-of-the-art garage that opened in 2006. Located across from the Visitor Center and at the far end of St. George Street, it's in an ideal spot. Parking charge is $15/day and the garage is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Limited metered parking can also be found on the street, as well as in the Castillo De San Marcos parking lot ($2.50/hr, limited to 3 hours). An app, ParkStAug, launched in January 2018 and allows visitors to pay for and reload parking meters via smartphone by entering a four digit code found on signage near parking spaces. A few private lots exist downtown, and charge around $10-$12/day. Free on-street free parking is rare but can be found further from the downtown core.

Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. For more information about renting cheaper cars and campers, traffic rules and getting maps it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.

By Public Transport

The Sunshine Bus Company operates within St. Johns County Monday through Saturday from 5:30AM until 7:30PM, except on certain major holidays. While there are some designated bus stops in downtown St. Augustine and on Anastasia Island, the bus is usually boarded by hailing the driver as you would a taxi, and can stop anywhere along the route for passengers to exit. One-way fares are $1 and are paid upon boarding the bus, and all day passes are available for $2. Seniors, students, children under 6, and persons with disabilities pay half of the full fare.

By Trolley

There are two main tourist trolleys that provide guided tours of the historic downtown area.

• Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine, 167 San Marco Ave. and 1700 Ponce de Leon Blvd., ☎ +1 (844) 388-6452. Daily 9AM to 4:30PM. Fully narrated hop on & off trolley tram has 23 stops, visiting all major attractions. Offers one and two-day tickets, both include entrance to the St. Augustine History Museum and a free shuttle to the beach attractions. Adults: $25, Children age 6-12: $9, Children age 6 and under: Free. (updated Jul 2018 | edit)
• Red Train Tours, 170 San Marco Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 824-1606, toll-free: 800 226-6545, e-mail: [email protected]. Daily 8:30AM to 5PM, last boarding at 4PM. The original St. Augustine sightseeing tour, offering 24 stops including both Ripley's Believe It Or Not and the Lightner Museum. One and three day tickets are available, and can be combined with tickets for Ripley's and Bayfront Mini Golf. Adults: $22, Children age 5-11: $9, Children age 5 and under: Free. (updated Feb 2019 | edit)

Horse-drawn carriage rides also operate throughout the downtown, and can be accessed by going to the "station" on Avenida Menendez along the bay front.

By Foot

St. Augustine is an extremely walkable and pedestrian friendly city. Walking will allow you to see most of the historical buildings and shops in the downtown with relative ease, and is most definitely the best way to get a true feel for the historic core of the city. Further destinations, such as those on Anastasia Island, are much less accessible by foot, and one of the other methods below are suggested.

Eat

• The Bunnery Bakery & Cafe, 121 St. George St, ☎ +1 904-829-6166. Su-Sa 8am-4pm. Bakery and cafe serving variety of specialty pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads for breakfast and lunch.
• The Hyppo, 70 St. George St, 48 Charlotte St, ☎ +1 (904) 217-7853. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, Fr-Sa 11AM-10PM. Gourmet popsicle outlet started by students from Flagler College; sells a variety of funky flavors at two locations in town.
• The Kookaburra, 24 Cathedral Pl, ☎ +1 (904) 209-9391. Small Australian-inspired coffeehouse offering meat pies with savory fillings. (updated Jul 2018 | edit)
• World Famous Oasis Restaurant, 4000 A1A S, ☎ +1 (904) 471-3424. Su-Th 6AM-9:30PM, Fr-Sa 6AM-10:30PM. This two story diner-style restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a full bar and huge windows on the upper deck.
• Pizza Time, 124 St. George St, ☎ +1 (904) 819-0133. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa-Su 8AM-9PM. Ranked by Tripadvisor as the second-best pizza place in the country, this parlor owned by Brooklyn transplants serves up a mean slice that rivals those in New York.
• The Spanish Bakery & Cafe, 42 1/2 St. George St (Entrance under Whetstone Chocolates sign). Su-Th 10AM-5PM, F-Sa 10AM-8PM. Serves breakfast and lunch featuring freshly-baked authentic Spanish pastries, bread, and soups. Outdoor seating only.
• Beachcomber Restaurant, 2 A St, ☎ +1 (904) 471-3744. Su-Sa 11AM to 8PM (Summer: to 9PM and to 10PM Fr-Sa). This casual spot serves lunch and dinner in a unique atmosphere with an open deck just steps from the beach. $12-$25.
• The Blue Hen Café, 117 Martin Luther King Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 217-3777. Tu-Su 8AM-3PM. Classic Southern comfort food is served up for breakfast and lunch and this bright and airy neighborhood cafe.
• Casa Maya, 22 Hypolita Street, ☎ +1 (904) 823-0787. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa-Su 8:30AM to 10PM. Higher-end authentic Latin dishes served in a converted house located in the center of downtown. $15-$23.
• Gas Full Service Restaurant, 9 Anastasia Boulevard, ☎ +1 (904) 217-0326. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM. Burgers, steaks, seafood and more are piled high in this casual, funky American eatery.
• Georgie's Diner, 100 Malaga St, ☎ +1 (904) 819-9006. Su-Sa 7AM-9PM. Look for the distinctive 1950s-era silver exterior of this authentic diner, serving breakfast all day and lunch and dinner daily, with popular Greek specialties offered alongside the comfort food you would expect.
• Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille, 46 Avenida Menendez, ☎ +1 (904) 824-7765. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Traditional Creole dishes and seafood are served in a converted house and tree-covered outdoor courtyard.
• O'Steens, 205 Anastasia Boulevard, ☎ +1 (904) 829-6974. Tu-Sa 11AM-8:30PM. The "local" favorite and regular winner of Best Seafood Restaurant, this family restaurant features their famous fried shrimp dinner. No alcohol, cash only, long lines outside.
• Salt Life Food Shack.
• Sunset Grille, 421 A1A Beach Blvd, ☎ +1 904-471-5555. 11AM - 12AM. A place that sells American and Seafood Cuisines.
• Amici Italian Restaurant, 1915 A1A Hwy. S. Authentic Italian specialties.
• Collage, 60 Hypolita Street. Artful global cuisine.
• Columbia.
• The Conch House Located one mile from historic St. Augustine, enjoy waterfront dining inside or outside on the decks overlooking tropical Salt Run. Featuring seafood, Caribbean cuisine, steaks, salads, and award-winning conch chowder, The Conch House Lounge offers the best in tropical specialty drinks served in a Caribbean atmosphere over the water and features live entertainment.
• Creekside Dinery, 160 Nix Boatyard Road. North. Florida low country cookin' in a charming, waterfront setting and specialties include fresh local seafood and Florida favorites such as chicken, fish, or steak cooked on a thick oak plank.
• The Floridian.
• Preserved.
• Gypsy Cab Company, Anastasia Blvd. Another local favorites which serves "Urban Cuisine," an eclectic mix of seafood, steaks, poultry, pork, vegetarian items, and pasta dishes influenced by international cooking styles.
• Le Pavillon, 45 San Marco Ave, ☎ +1 (904) 824-6202. Tu-Su 11:30AM to 9PM. The restaurant serves Continental and German cuisine served in the European tradition. Main dishes $23-$29.
• Michael's Tasting Room.
• Old City House Inn & Restaurant, 115 Cordova St, ☎ +1 (904) 826-0113, e-mail: [email protected]. Su-Sa 8:30AM to 10PM. World cuisine with Mediterranean and Southern influences served in an 1873 house turned bed & breakfast, with both indoor seating and an outdoor landscaped patio. Main dishes $20-$35.
• Raintree, 102 San Marco Ave. Florida Trend's 10 Best in Florida Golden Spoon award.
• The Reef.
• Saltwater Cowboys, 299 Dondanville Rd. On the intracoastal waterway in a casual, recreated, turn-of-the-century fish camp surrounded by saltwater marshes. specialties including fresh seafood, delicious ribs, and chicken specialties.

Drink

• A1A Ale Works. King Street.
• Ancient City Brewing, Charlotte Street.
• Ann O'Malleys, Orange street.
• Barley Republic, Spanish Street.
• British Pub, 213 Anastasia Blvd.
• Dog Rose Brewing Company, Charlotte Street.
• Dos Gatos, 10 Marine Street.
• Ice Plant Bar.
• No Name Bar, 10 Marine Street.
• JP Henleys, 10 Marine Street.
• Odd Birds, 10 Marine Street.
• Prince of Wales English Pub, Spanish Street.
• Scarlett O'Hara's. Hypolita Street.
• St.George Tavern, Saint George Street.
• Stogies, Cuna Street.
• Rendezvous, Saint George Street.
• The Tini Martini Bar, 10 Marine Street.

Sleep

• Howard Johnson Historic St. Augustine.
• Anastasia Inn.
• Florida Motel.
• Best Western Bayfront, 16 Avenida Menendez, ☎ +1 (904) 824-4482, fax: +1 (904) 829-8854.
• Castillo Real, 530 A1A Beach Blvd., ☎ +1 904 471-3505.
• The Conch House Motel.
• Marker 8 Hotel & Marina.
• St. George Inn, 4 St George Street, toll-free: +1-888-827-5740. Twenty-five hotel rooms and suites, many with balconies and views of the Intercoastal Waterway, the Castillo de San Marcos and the City Gate. Facilities: internet access, private baths, and a complimentary continental breakfast.
• Casa Monica, 95 Cordova St, ☎ +1 904 827-1888, fax: +1 904-819-6065. The Casa Monica Hotel is a historical hotel that was built in 1888. The hotel features 138 rooms and suites in a Spanish-style décor. The hotel is in St Augustine historic district.
• The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens.
• DoubleTree Historic District.
• Historic St Augustine Hilton Bayfront, ☎ +1 904 829-2277. 32 Avenieda Menedez. Close to numerous Saint Augustine attractions and dining, with reasonable prices for both business and leisure travelers.
• 44 Spanish Street Inn.
• 63 Orange Street Bed & Breakfast Inn (2 blocks from the St Augustine City Gates), 63 Orange St, ☎ +1 904 824-6621. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. This grand 1884 home offers a comfortable combination of charming, elegant Victorian antiques and 21st century amenities with full breakfast. $120 - $220.
• Bayfront Westcott House.
• Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast, 70 Cuna Street, toll-free: +1-800-908-9832. St. This bed and breakfast was built in 2008 and is in the historic district. Weekday rates start at $99. Rates include a full breakfast, beverages, afternoon deserts and parking is on-site.
• Casa de Solana Bed and Breakfast.
• Peace and Plenty Inn Bed and Breakfast, 87 Cedar St, ☎ +1 904 829-8209. A 1893 Victorian home was restored by the Terrell Family to reflect the style and architecture of the Gilded Age. Rates from $99.
• Pirate Haus Inn, 32 Treasury Street, ☎ +1 904 808-1999. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. Pirate-themed inn, is in the middle of the Historic District. All you can eat Pirate Pancakes for breakfast, pirate toys and pirate bedtime reading for the kids. Private room rates from $50, and include free parking. Dorm beds from $20. Right in the middle of the historic district, 150 feet to the bay and 150 feet to St. George Street From $50.
• St Francis Inn, 279 St. George Street, ☎ +1 904-824-6068, toll-free: +1-800-824-6062, fax: +1 904 810-5525. A historic bed-and-breakfast located at the corner of St. Francis and St. George Streets, built in 1791. Private courtyard with gardens, balconies, whirlpool tubs, breakfast, fireplaces, quiet location, free parking and swimming pool.
• Victorian House Bed and Breakfast, 11 Cadiz St, ☎ +1 904-824-5214. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Located on the oldest street in St. Augustine, this beautiful victorian house was built 1885. Guest rooms have private baths and are furnished with antiques. Guests are welcomed to a full hot breakfast, wifi, and free parking. from $99 per night.

Keep Connected

Internet

There is a very small internet bar/cafe culture in the USA. Even then most of the internet bars/cafes tend be located in major urban centers. Accessible WiFi networks, however, are common. The most generally useful WiFi spots are in coffee shops, fast-food chains, and bookshops, but also restaurants and hotels more and more have a network to connect on. Some of them might require you to buy something and you might need a password too, especially in hotels.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The general emergency phone number is 911. The USA has a great landline phone system that is easy to use. The country code for the U.S. is +1. The rest of the telephone number consists of 10 digits: a 3-digit area code, and a 7-digit number. Any small grocery store or pharmacy has pre paid domestic or international phone cards. These phone cards are very cheap and offer good rates. The once ubiquitous pay phone is now much harder to find. Likely locations include in or near stores and restaurants, and near bus stops. The cellphone network in the states is slowly getting better but is still not as good when compared to other western countries. Cell phones tend to operate using different frequencies (850 MHz and 1900 MHz) from those used elsewhere in the world (2100 MHz). This used to prevent most foreign phones from working in America. Phones must be tri- or quad-band to work in the U.S. Fortunately, technology has meant that most phones should now be able to pick up one of the U.S. networks. Prepaid phones and top-up cards can be purchased at mobile phone boutiques and at many discount, electronics, office supply and convenience stores. A very basic handset with some credit can be had for under $40.

Post

The US Postal Service is a very good and well priced mail system. There are post offices in every small and large town for sending packages internationally or domestically. Although some might keep longer hours, most are open at least between 9:00am and 5:00pm. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up 28.5 grams) cost $1.10. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS, TNT and DHL, which might be better value sometimes and are generally very quick and reliable too.

External Links

• Official Website