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St. Augustine holds a special place in America’s history as the oldest continuously occupied European Settlement in the continental United States. When you travel the pedestrian-friendly historic downtown street, the past is evident everywhere you look.
Discover the best attractions and tips for visiting St. Augustine’s Historic District with this guide:
St. Augustine’s Most Historic Streets
St. George Street
St. George Street is the most popular place for visitors to experience all the sights and sounds of the Ancient City. The streets are lined with charming boutiques, restaurants, historic homes, and attractions. There’s even more to explore just off of St. George Street too!
Aviles Street
Wander off the beaten path to Aviles Street, the oldest street in the nation, which is known for its art galleries, romantic restaurants and gourmet ice cream sandwiches!
Treasury Street
Treasury Street is the narrowest street in America. Only six-feet wide, the brick street was designed to make it more difficult for raiders to loot and abscond with the treasure!
Spanish Street
Experience the Historic District by staying right in the heart of it at the charming and always welcoming 44 Spanish Street Bed & Breakfast. You’re just steps away from one of the finest restaurants serving fresh local-caught seafood and farm-to-table cuisine with a Southern flair at The Floridian. At Barley Republic Pub & Culture, you can indulge in classic Irish Pub dishes such as Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s Pie.
Avenida Menendez
Avenida Menendez is a sweeping street that passes the Castillo de San Marcos and Plaza de la Constitucion continuing parallel to Matanzas Bay. Along its path are a variety of restaurants serving Irish, Spanish, Cuban, and New Orleans-style cuisine.
Local Tip: You can snap that perfect vacation photo on Avenida Menendez with beautiful views of the Bridge of Lions and waterfront views including St. Augustine Lighthouse in the distance.
Cordova Street
You’ll find many points of interest along Cordova Street including the Tolomato Cemetery, originally a burial place for Christian Indians in the 1700s. Take a free tour of the cemetery on the third Saturday of each month.
The historic and luxurious Casa Monica Hotel and Spa is also situated on Cordova Street, along with parts of Flagler College and the Lightner Museum.
A little further south, discover The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens. This luxury hotel, a series of nine late 18th century buildings set around a lush, landscaped courtyard, offers all the personal touches of a bed & breakfast with modern amenities.
Historic Sites & Attractions
The Cathedral Basilica, an impressive architectural wonder, is the home of the oldest Catholic Parish in the United States. Step inside the doors to see the beautiful stained glass windows and alter showing Saint Augustine alongside the risen Christ.
The Plaza de la Constitucion
The Plaza de la Constitucion is bordered by Cathedral Place and King Street. Established in 1573, the Plaza square is named for its monument to the Spanish constitution of 1812, believed to be the only such monument of its kind in the world. Look for the imposing two-story Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, where the private courtyard was the residence for the governors of both Spain and England during the colonial centuries.
Oldest Wooden School House
The cedar and cypress planks of this historical building are weathered by more than 200 years of history. Learn about how the schoolmaster and his wife lived above the classroom see some of the textbooks kids would have used centuries ago.
The Oldest House
A few blocks away from St. George Street, visit the Oldest House, the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial dwelling in St. Augustine. Evidence exists that the house site has been occupied since the 1600s, the current house has been standing since the early 1700s.
See King Street’s Impressive Architecture
You won’t find a more picturesque location in the historic district than the plaza of the Lightner Museum, which faces Flagler College. King Street separates these two historic buildings of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Both were built by Standard Oil Magnate Henry Flagler as luxury hotels in the Gilded Age.
Flagler College
Built as the Hotel Ponce de Leon in 1888, the building was considered one of the most exclusive resorts of its day. Take a tour to view 79 windows of Tiffany glass, hand-laid tiles, carved wood, gold-laced frescoes, and soaring ceilings.
The Lightner Museum
Originally built as the Alcazar Hotel by Henry Flagler, this hotel offered many recreation options for guests including a bowling alley, sauna, grand ballroom, and the largest indoor swimming pool of its time. Today The Lightner Museum is home to an extensive collection of Gilded Age artifacts including fine and decorative art, Tiffany glass, musical instruments, and rare oddities.
The Villa Zorayda Museum
Also located on King Street, this former grand Gilded Age home was built in 1883. The building is a 1/10th scale reproduction of a portion of the Alhambra Palace in Granada and today houses a collection of antiques, art, and curios.
