Explore the History of the Nation’s Oldest City
![walkway up to st augustine oldest schoolhouse](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f2c59331606283204334ef46ac9b3209 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f1515824690ba8332885d33cca983f96 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=93a978e0f471952e71e4814713fbadc7 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b87534620788fb90e2b1d53133a7705a 1024w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2292cb6fb89b633148d88ad1f5dadbc1 1200w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=802cf920c763c2e409ea2e0d79bd5a28 1440w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=356927bba2400bb2aa8c996a4ba408ee 1920w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d682162c20763ba3ac7dda60e769a931 2560w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/OLDEST_SCHOOLHOUSE_2014-v1555353205.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=c26044421478150aa19f44156cc7597a 3000w)
Welcome to where it all started. In the nation’s oldest city, history is everywhere you look.
Day One
For a truly immersive experience, why not start by waking up in the historic district? The St. George Inn couldn’t bring you any closer to the time when the Spanish ruled Florida. Situated right across the street from The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, this charming inn offers a bird’s eye view of the majestic fort from your balcony as you enjoy your breakfast.
Walk along the bayfront and you’ll come upon The Colonial Quarter. It’s hard to believe that there are 2 acres inside that immerse you in three centuries of Spanish colonial life and brief British occupation. Reenactors conduct musket firings and demonstrate various daily activities such as blacksmithing in authentic historic surroundings. Be sure to stop by the Taberna del Caballo for some sangria and an afternoon rest under a vine covered pergola.
![Columbia Rest Postcard](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Events/Columbia-Rest-Postcard-v1626801565.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a26564e3a7c3afc734fb35ec8015becc 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Events/Columbia-Rest-Postcard-v1626801565.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f6a6ef228aa26c398bd819e99ef7e336 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Events/Columbia-Rest-Postcard-v1626801565.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=aeeb7a44714526c416ff5367cb6fb575 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Events/Columbia-Rest-Postcard-v1626801565.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=259c0f5ca563290aa623d4e63c93b4ff 1001w)
Back on St. George Street, the Oldest Wooden School House welcomes you with its beautiful secret garden. Inside this historic museum you’ll be transported to school life in the 1700s with original antique furnishings and rare artifacts. In the evening, follow your nose to Columbia Restaurant, one of Florida’s oldest family-run restaurants serving authentic Spanish and Cuban cuisine. Be sure to try their famous “1905 Salad” and black bean soup. They’re classics.
Day Two
Wake up to a hearty breakfast as this local fav, the Blue Hen. Fluffy Southern biscuits with peach butter or honey and a cup o’ joe might be all you need. But if you’re needing a bit more, the pumpkin pancakes are sure to fill you up.
![Foot Soldiers Monument, part of Black History in America's Oldest City.](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4b029e598b2fd266d36abeb13d10ce2f 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=56d8eefca55f5c8b740e10637b0e8af8 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=20eb17fd0ba454c7032539fe0cf8918c 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=ee24dafa7f93d58e9191195c4c3f852b 1024w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=89de957703b6a1d1f906d703961b6f0a 1200w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5d64b77c65aaecb84c735423eceffe85 1440w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Foot-Soldiers-Monument-9120x1080-v1626372495.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ce3f8fc6f5c27210cf1bf26ed4ef4503 1920w)
Now you’re ready to explore the area known as Lincolnville. This neighborhood was founded by newly-freed slaves after the Civil War. A visit to the Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center takes the visitor back 450 years to the beginnings of Black history in the Ancient City. The ACCORD Freedom Trail takes visitors on a journey to 31 markers at historic sites that played an integral part in Black history during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s.
Of course, the history of St. Augustine changed course with the arrival of Henry Flagler, who launched tourism in Florida when he built his Hotel Ponce de Leon and ushered in the Gilded Age in the state. You can still get a feel for the extravagance and opulence of the time through Historic Tours of Flagler College, where you’ll be blown away by the Spanish Renaissance architecture, the intricate mosaic tile floors, the majestic painted ceilings in the dining hall surrounded by the largest collection of Tiffany stained glass windows anywhere. Whew! You might need a break.
![](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5980c5b220658e4e203766e5e19834f2 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5cb29091f8e712ab896a6a2e40c543fd 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1ec6c32061039e2aabc0560c18809f5d 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5a70023b34167472b81cae4e2df65bd7 1024w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9d0064d502fc5a5afdee9ae5e728fd71 1200w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b3d4c492de6bf4b2246385fff8662543 1440w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Blog/ice-plant-bar.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0beede85e54fd57839e1284e0d79f828 1800w)
That takes us to the St. Augustine Distillery, housed in a historic ice-manufacturing plant from the 1920’s. Watch their spirits made from scratch from locally-sourced ingredients, then have a free tasting of their award-winning spirits. Right next door is the iconic Ice Plant Bar & Restaurant, the perfect place to immerse yourself in early 20th century history with hand-crafted cocktails and farm-to-table cuisine. You might want to walk it off with a short stroll down to Aviles Street, the oldest street in the country. Along its brick-lined street of quaint shops and galleries you’ll come upon Peace Pie, home of the ultimate ice cream sandwich made with a layer of pie filling. Stick a fork in it, you’re done!
Related Content:
St. George Inn4 St. George St., Unit 101
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument1 South Castillo Dr.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center102 ML King Ave.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Taberna del Caballo37 St. George St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Ice Plant Bar & Restaurant110 Riberia St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Columbia Restaurant98 St. George St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084