St. Augustine, Florida, has a history of over 450 years, giving it the title of the “Nation’s Oldest City.” Many historical sites in St. Augustine offer insightful information about our nation’s exciting past. There is always a supply of things to do for history buffs and curious travelers to immerse themselves in this colorful city.
The comfortable and convenient accommodations at St. Augustine Ocean and Racquet will put you just minutes away from St. Augustine’s most famous historical sites.
Guests will find it easy to explore this coastal town while staying at one of our St. Augustine condo rentals. So, without further ado, here’s our guide to some historic sites in St. Augustine you won’t want to miss on your next trip.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
This national monument serves as a note to the 300 years that the Spanish empire occupied Florida and for the clash of cultural groups that built the United States. The Spanish initially created it as a way to protect their settlement in the St. Augustine area from threats like pirate raids, Native tribes that may have been hostile, and neighboring imperial powers.
Nobody could ever capture Castillo de San Marcos in battle, making it the country’s oldest surviving masonry fortress. During their first century in Florida, the Spanish fell victim to many attacks that destroyed their wooden fortifications. They knew they needed something more sturdy, and in 1672, the construction of the Castillo began. The design was made to withstand the impact of a cannonball.
Today, the Castillo is managed by the National Park Service and displays the resourcefulness of the Spanish and their military engineers. The monument is open year-round, excluding Christmas, and visitors are welcome to come to explore the fortress and further learn about its fascinating history.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
The first documentation of a wooden watchtower at the end of Anastasia Island was in 1589 when an Italian cartographer published his map of the raid of Sir Francis Drake. The Spanish empire erected the watchtowers while building the Castillo de San Marcos to protect the island from enemies. The outlook at the North end would later become a historic lighthouse.
Years later, in 1871, it became apparent that the original lighthouse would soon succumb to the ocean. During the Florida Reconstruction Period, a new 165-foot light tower was built from 1871 until 1874. In 1874, the oil was lit in the lighthouse again through authentic lenses, which are still used today, thanks to careful preservation.
The current lighthouse has stood for over 145 years and has supported military defense, travel, fishing, boating, and trade. It has become one of the most beloved St. Augustine historical sites. More than 19,000 archival documents and specimens are held here at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, which has been a Smithsonian affiliate since 2017. The museum is home to many exhibits focusing on maritime history, and guests can even climb up to the lighthouse to get a bird’s eye view of the city. There are also many activities for children and special events throughout the year.
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
This park is named in honor of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who searched for the legendary Fountain of Youth during the early 16th century and christened the area “La Florida”. The site’s history dates back to the 19th century when a wealthy man purchased the land and built it around what many believed was the Fountain of Youth. His buildings included a museum and an archaeological exhibit that featured artifacts from the Timucua, the original Native American tribe that inhabited the land.
By 1901, the park was sold and further developed as a tourist attraction until it was bought by a group of investors in 1927 looking to preserve the site. Since then, it has undergone many expansions and renovations, leading the park to what it is today. You can find a planetarium and a discovery globe when you visit the park.
The Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is one of the most popular St. Augustine historic sites, attracting visitors worldwide to learn more about the park’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.
Colonial Quarter
This recreational colonial-era district showcases what life was like in St. Augustine during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The history of the Colonial Quarter began more recently in the 1950s when residents banded together to create the St. Augustine Historical Society as a preservational effort for the city’s original culture and history. By the 60s and 70s, they began to restore these buildings before they opened the Colonial Quarter to the public in 1973.
Since its opening, the site has seen many renovations, as they added new exhibits, experiences, and activities for visitors to enjoy. You can see demonstrations of musket firings, cannon drills, and even historical reenactments.
The Colonial Quarter provides visitors with an immersive experience of what early life in Florida may have been like, making it a popular tourist destination when you are in St. Augustine.
Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail Museum is a historic attraction in St. Augustine that was built in 1891 by the same company that would later construct Alcatraz. This jail looked like a hotel in the Romanesque Revival style and served the community as a jail until 1953.
Many noted the jail’s harsh, unsanitary conditions, where inmates often performed manual labor like road-building and ditch digging. After its decommission, the prison served several purposes.
Today, the jail is one of the most famous historical sites in St. Augustine, and it is a museum where costumed actors tell old tales and might even book you as an inmate! There is a large weapons and artifact collection available for up-close inspection. Visitors will learn more about the jail’s history and its role in St. Augustine’s history.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to explore these fantastic historical sites and more? Book your condo rental in St Augustine and get excited for the vacation of a lifetime!
Fort Matanzas National Monument
The Fort Matanzas National Monument was completed in 1742, and the fortified coquina watchtower was preserved while protecting over 300 acres of Florida’s coastal environments. The fort’s name comes from the Spanish word “matanza,” which means slaughter. The name is a nod to a massacre in 1565 by the Spanish and the French who had inhabited the area at the time.
Nobody ever attacked this fort, yet it played many significant roles throughout America’s history. By 1924, the fortress was designated a national monument. Today, it is protected by the National Park Service.
You can visit the Fort Matanzas National Monument today and learn more about its defensive role in St. Augustine’s early history. Here, you will find hiking trails, a picnic area, places to fish, and more. The park also hosts events throughout the yea,r such as historical reenactments.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
The Cathedral Basilica is the oldest Catholic church in St. Augustine and the oldest parish in the country. The church was built in the late 16th century, shortly after the Spanish founded the city. The building was destroyed and rebuilt many times, with the current church originating in the 19th century.
This Cathedral was a site for many important events, like the first celebration of Mass in the United States of America in 1565. It is also the home of many historic burials, including that of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the founder of St. Augustine.
The beautiful stained glass windows and ornate altar can be explored by locals and tourists today. The church still hosts regular Masses and other religious services throughout the year, paying homage to the Cathedral’s original significance. Guided tours of the Cathedral are also available to the public, and there is a gift shop where visitors may buy religious souvenirs.
Book Your St. Augustine Condo Rental with St. Augustine Ocean & Racquet Resort
After a long day of exploring all these amazing historical attractions, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest your head at night. St Augustine Ocean and Racquet has you covered! Our condominium resort is located on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida, with over 90 condos!
When you stay with us, you will have a variety of comfortable and stylish accommodations to choose from, like our St. Augustine oceanfront condos or our courtyard villa options. Each condo has a full kitchen, spacious areas for living and dining, and even a private patio or balcony for you to sit and enjoy the sunrise. Not to mention easy access to the historical sites mentioned above and a variety of St. Augustine bars and restaurants to enjoy during your stay.
So what are you waiting for? Book your St. Augustine condo with St Augustine Ocean and Racquet and get started on planning your dream vacation!
