What’s on St. George Street? A Walking Guide to St. Augustine

Explore historic attractions, local shops, restaurants and sweet stops on a stroll from St. Augustine’s Visitor Information Center to the Plaza de la Constitución.

St. George Street brings together many of the experiences that make St. Augustine memorable: a schoolhouse from another era, living history, courtyard dining, live music and shops worth a closer look. Its central shopping district is closed to vehicular traffic, making it easy to explore at your own pace. Start near the City Gate and follow the pedestrian stretch south toward the Plaza de la Constitución, leaving plenty of time for discoveries along the way.

Start at the Visitor Information Center

Begin at the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor Information Center, located at 10 S. Castillo Drive beside the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, open daily from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pick up a map, browse attraction brochures and ask the staff for recommendations before setting out. Restrooms and a gift shop make this a convenient first stop, whether visiting for an afternoon or settling in for a longer stay.

From here, head toward Orange Street and the historic City Gate, the northern entrance to the St. George Street pedestrian district.

Discover the Huguenot Cemetery

Before crossing Orange Street, pause at the Huguenot Cemetery, just outside the City Gate. Used as a Protestant burial ground from 1821 to 1884, the cemetery offers a glimpse into the lives of people who called St. Augustine home during the 19th century.

Plan a visit for the third Saturday of the month, when the cemetery opens for guided tours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free, and donations support its preservation. It’s an opportunity to step beyond the fence and learn more about the stories behind the weathered headstones.

PicturedSt. George Inn Courtyard

Make Yourself at Home at St. George Inn

Cross Orange Street and enter the shopping district through the City Gate. Near this northern end of St. George Street, St. George Inn offers a convenient home base for visitors who want shops, restaurants and historic attractions within walking distance. Some accommodations overlook landmarks such as the Castillo de San Marcos.

The inn’s Bin 39 Wine Bar also gives visitors a reason to linger. Settle into the courtyard for a glass of wine and a charcuterie board, or check the schedule for live music and tastings. The setting makes an inviting stop before continuing down the street—or a place to return after a day of exploring.

Oldest Wooden School House
PicturedOldest Wooden School House

Step Inside the Oldest Wooden School House

Continue to the Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens at 14 St. George Street. This preserved Minorcan homestead introduces visitors to family life and education in early St. Augustine.

The self-guided experience includes the schoolroom, separate kitchen and gardens, with an animated schoolmaster helping introduce the story. Visitors even receive a diploma after their visit—a playful souvenir for students of any age.

Explore the Colonial Quarter and Colonial Oak

Farther along St. George Street, the Colonial Quarter brings the city’s Spanish and British colonial periods into focus through living history demonstrations, storytelling and interactive experiences. Build time into the walk to explore this attraction rather than simply passing its entrance.

The surrounding complex offers places to eat and unwind, too. Taberna del Caballo adds a Spanish-inspired tavern setting, while St. Augustine Seafood Company serves casual seafood dishes such as fish sandwiches, shrimp baskets and chowders. These stops make it easy to combine a history outing with lunch.

Follow the music to Colonial Oak Music Park, an outdoor venue tucked just off St. George Street beneath a spreading live oak. Live performances take place on weekends and other select evenings, giving visitors a reason to stay downtown after a day of sightseeing. Check the venue’s calendar for the lineup and admission details, which vary by event.

PicturedSpanish Bakery & Cafe

Find Spanish Bakery & Café and Whetstone Chocolates

Part of the pleasure of St. George Street is discovering what sits beyond the storefronts. At 42½ St. George Street, Spanish Bakery & Café is tucked behind the Salcedo House, where Whetstone Chocolates welcomes visitors along the street.

Step into the bakery’s courtyard for empanadas, picadillo or sandwiches, and take a break from browsing. Its tucked-away setting rewards visitors who take a moment to explore beyond the main walkway.

At Whetstone Chocolates, browse chocolates, fudge, truffles and gift assortments for something to enjoy now or bring home. The shop at 42 St. George Street is a convenient sweet stop along the route.

Fun fact: History sometimes comes strolling down St. George Street. During the Historic Florida Militia’s Timeline Saunter, living history interpreters wear clothing representing different periods of the city’s colonial past. They walk through the historic district, answer questions and pose for photographs, turning an ordinary evening stroll into an opportunity to meet the past. Check hfm.club for the next Saunter and current event details.

Choose a Crêpe or Cool Off With a Hyppo Pop

Keep exploring south and stop at MiMi’s Famous Crêpes, located at 54 St. George Street. Freshly prepared sweet and savory crêpes offer options for either a meal or dessert, and garden seating provides another opportunity to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

A little farther along, The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops, at 70 St. George Street, offers a refreshing walking companion. Known for creative flavors, these gourmet pops make a welcome treat between shops and historic stops.

the luxurious patio of the Columbia St. Augustine
PicturedPatio Dining at Columbia Restaurant

Enjoy Old Florida Flavors at Florida Cracker Cafe

Stop at Florida Cracker Cafe, located at 81 St. George Street, for Florida coastal cuisine and Southern-inspired comfort food. Choose indoor seating or settle onto the pet-friendly patio for a relaxed meal between shopping and sightseeing stops. It’s another inviting dining option just a short walk north of Columbia Restaurant.

Settle In for a Meal at Columbia Restaurant

At 98 St. George Street, Columbia Restaurant invites visitors to slow down over Spanish and Cuban cuisine. Dining rooms decorated with hand-painted tiles, artwork and a Spanish-style fountain make the setting part of the experience.

Plan lunch here between sightseeing stops or reserve dinner as the centerpiece of an evening downtown. It’s a chance to trade the bustle of the shopping district for a leisurely meal before continuing toward the Plaza.

PicturedSummer Concert Series at the Plaza de la Constitucion

Leave Time for Shopping

Between the attractions and restaurants, St. George Street is a shopping destination in its own right. Browse boutiques, galleries, gift shops and specialty stores, allowing time to investigate the courtyards and small passages along the way.

The pedestrian district encourages an unhurried approach: step into a shop, stop for something sweet and continue whenever the next storefront catches your attention. Individual business hours vary, so check ahead when planning around a particular stop.

Discover the Peña-Peck House

Before reaching the Plaza, stop at the Peña-Peck House, located at 143 St. George Street. Built in 1750 for Royal Spanish Treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña, this historic home offers another window into St. Augustine’s past. Explore its collection of 19th-century art and antique furnishings, stroll through the ornamental gardens and browse the Woman’s Exchange gift shop.

Operated by the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine, the house offers complimentary self-guided audio tours, with donations supporting preservation and scholarships for women continuing their education.

Finish at the Plaza de la Constitución

Continue south to Cathedral Place, where the shopping district opens toward the Plaza de la Constitución. Cross at the designated crossing and explore this public square, which has anchored St. Augustine’s town plan since the Spanish colonial period. With the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine nearby and historic buildings surrounding the square, the Plaza provides a fitting finish to the walk.

From late May through August, extend the outing with Concerts in the Plaza, a free summer concert series held on Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for live music beneath the trees—a relaxing way to wrap up a day exploring St. George Street.

PicturedCathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

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