Florida Travels: St. Augustine

This summer my family and I decided to take a trip through Florida and visit 3 different cities. The first stop we made was St. Augustine.

St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, offers a variety of attractions for visitors ranging from historical sites to animal encounters.  For those interested in history, there are many locations to visit. My family’s favorite was the Oldest Wooden School House which dates back to 1763. The school provides an interactive experience which gives visitors a glimpse of what early public education was like. The Oldest House, Authentic Old Jail and Oldest Store Museum also provide insight into what life was like over a century ago.

For those that want to get a sampling of what the city has to offer, there are several options in sightseeing tours. City Walks provide historic strolls and food tours while Old Town Trolley and Ripley’s Red Trains provide transportation and narration about the city. We took an Old Town Trolley tour and learned a lot about the city. We also hopped off the trolley at the Whetstone Chocolate Factory and the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. My daughter enjoyed following peacocks at the Fountain of Youth, while my husband and I learned about the first successful European colony established on the site in 1565.

In addition to the historical sites and the beautiful Spanish architecture to be seen in the downtown area, there are two notable animal experiences nearby. St. Augustine Alligator Farm is home to a variety of animals in addition to its 23 species of crocodilian. Visitors can also see exotic birds and a few mammals. For those interested in having an interaction with dolphins, Marineland Dolphin Adventure is the place to visit.

My family and I spent some time at Marineland observing and learning about the dolphins that live at the facility. We went on a behind the scenes tour and learned that Marineland opened in 1938 as a Marine Studios to film underwater scenes. Over the years it has gone through many changes to become what it is today, a dolphin conservation center. The interactive programs offered range from touch and feed to immersion and trainer for the day programs. My 6 year old daughter participated in the Dolphin Designs program in which she painted with a dolphin and then got to feed and pet the dolphin.

Accommodations in the St. Augustine area are numerous so visitors should have no problem in finding a nice place to stay. In addition to the city of St. Augustine, there are a few beaches close by that offer lodging options. My family stayed at a lovely condo-hotel called Beacher's Lodge which is located only a few miles away from downtown St. Augustine on Cresent Beach. This oceanfront lodge offers one bedroom and studio suites. The one bedroom was perfect for our 3 person family with a separate bedroom for my husband and I. My daughter slept in a murphy bed in the living room. There was also a full kitchen which gave us the option of eating in. After the excitement of the busy days we spent in St. Augustine, Beacher's Lodge was a peaceful retreat.