The oldest city in the country, and a fort built out of shell
St. Augustine, Florida · 2 nights · Oct · Nov · Feb · Mar · Apr · up to 8
St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and the old town is about twelve blocks, which makes this a two-night trip rather than a three-night one. The Castillo is the reason to come: a star fort built of coquina, a local stone of compressed shell that absorbed cannonballs instead of shattering, which is why it never fell. Kayak the salt marsh behind the island in the morning and walk the old town after the day-trippers go.
The ending
The gun deck of a shell-stone fort, up a stone ramp above the water, inlet on one side, old-town roofs on the other, and the sea wall running away south.
That is Castillo de San Marcos — the gun deck and glacis. See how private it is and when it’s open, or build the rest of the trip around it.
Do
- Castillo de San Marcos
- St. Augustine Eco Tours (Kayaking)
- St. Augustine Sailing (Schooner Freedom)
- Vilano Beach
Eat
- Collage
- Catch 27
Stay
- Casa Monica Resort & Spa
- The Collector Luxury Inn
Is two nights enough?
Yes. The historic district is walkable in an hour and the beach is one bridge away. A third night turns into a Jacksonville day, which is a different trip.
Best months?
February to April, or October and November. Summer is hot, wet and the middle of hurricane season.