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ST.AUGUSTINE CHRISTMAS BUCKET LIST
Labeled one of the seven wonders of Florida, St Augustine is a must-do during the Christmas season. Since our first year engaged, my now husband and I have gone almost every year for the holidays. The entire city is wrapped in lights, and at first glance, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a Hallmark movie. The charming architecture, the liveliness of the restaurants lining the streets, and the holiday cheer from the trolleys will immediately turn your Christmas Spirit meter on high! If it’s your first time visiting this beautiful little town, the best way to get a true taste of it is to go on the St.Augustine Old Town Trolley. If you purchase your tickets online, you can save 10% off the ticket prices, too. One of our favorite things to do while traveling is learning the history of the towns we visit. The Old Town Trolley does a great job of making that easy, as their tour guides are extremely knowledgeable. The great part about the trolley is that it has multiple stops, and it runs every 15 - 20 minutes so you’ll always be able to hop back on and keep touring the city. It’s the best way to not have to deal with the St. Augustine traffic, as the trolley can go through narrow streets that regular vehicles cannot. We’ve only ever visited for a mini-weekend getaway, and it is impossible to fit all of the stops on the map into such a short window. I’ve compiled a list of my top favorites and must-do things while visiting. I’ve also indicated the stops that are included in the Old Town Trolley Tour by adding a “*” next to them.
1. The Old Jail*
This is one of my favorite stops (and the best place to park your car if you choose to go on the Trolley tour, as there is a trolley stop right here!). There are two ways to really experience the Old Jail: daytime and nighttime. The daytime tour is a guided tour led by an “inmate” who shows you around one of the very first jails built in Florida. You’ll see the gallows, the kitchen, and even the sleeping quarters of the inmates and keepers. The stories of those who lived within the walls of this old, murky building is truly an eye-opening experience. If you’re feeling brave, the Ghost and Gravestones tour of the Old Jail is definitely worth your time. I was prepared for the tour to be corny and awkward, and maybe the tour guide leading it was a bit silly at some points, but there is something about being in the jail at night, surrounded by complete darkness and the past of all the horrors that went on there… it will make your skin crawl.
2. The Lightner Museum*
This next stop is a peaceful place to take a break and soak in some scenery. The Lightner Museum is truly beautiful. You can find breathtaking architecture, a quaint koi fish pond, and lovely water gardens on the property. Weddings can also be hosted there, although there have never seen any in progress while we’ve visited. Occasionally, there will be a harp player in the museum who will even take song requests. If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to a harpist in person, I highly suggest you stop by. There is also a talented artist in the museum who sometimes sets up a station for custom art. When we last visited, the artist was creating vintage inspired paper-crafted silhouettes.
3. St Augustine Distillery*
If you’re up for a responsible amount of fun, make sure you stop off at the St. Augustine Distillery . Here, you will go on a free tour through the distillery, see the behind-the-scenes workings of creating some of your favorite whiskies, and even do a little tasting (fresh moscow mules, anyone?).
4. San Sebastian Winery*
If you can still walk in a straight line after the Distillery, stop off at the San Sebastian Winery for a free wine tasting. At the end of the tour, there is a gift shop where you can purchase all sorts of locally brewed items, chocolate, and delicious gourmet popcorn. Our favorite wine is the St. Sebastian Vintners White or Red. Try it when you visit!
5. St George Street
The whole city is filled with alleys and quaint little side-streets to visit, but if you’re taking the trolley tour, St. George Street is the best stop to get off at and continue on foot. Almost every shop you encounter is worth entering. You’ll find cute vintage pieces, clothing, ice cream boutiques and a fun hobby shop, which kept my husband and I preoccupied for quite some time. One of our favorite places for breakfast is a bit hidden, but worth finding: La Herencia. Enjoy a cuban coffee, pastries and the beautiful scenery when you pick a table outside.
6. Night of Lights Tour
Night of Lights TourThe is voted One of the “Top Ten Places to See Holiday Lights” by National Geographic Traveler. This is the number one thing you MUST DO, if you do anything from this list. The Night of Lights tour will take you all across old historic St. Augustine, down narrow roads and past heavy traffic. You’ll get to see every building adorned with Christmas lights as the trolley plays holiday music, and the guests traveling with you participate in a group caroling session. Put on the 3-D glasses they provide you and watch every light change into a snowman, candy-cane, Santa or snowflakes. At the end, you’ll be greeted with hot apple cider and a delicious warm cookie. This is something I always look forward to every year, as you can truly feel the holiday spirit come alive on this tour.
7. St. Augustine Lighthouse
Feeling fit? I wasn’t when we visited, and yet this is still easily one of my favorite memories in St Augustine. The Lighthouse has 219 never-ending steps up a spiral staircase. Although your legs might hate you at the end of it, your eyes will thank you for the beautiful views you’ll catch from up top.
8. Walk on the beach
Such a simple bucket list item, but the sand on these local beaches are truly unmatched. Follow the water and find a spot to park your car and soak in the air. You’ll be glad you did. This is a great part of your trip to eat some local snacks you may have picked up in the town, take some photos, and just soak it all in. You can even find some Airbnb’s that are pet friendly and share a backyard with one of these private beaches.
There are an endless number of things you can do at St Augustine, you won’t go wrong with either of these options. There are also several places I didn’t mention that would still be worth doing, like the Fountain of Youth, the tour of Flagler College, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and the Castillo de St. Marcos. Today, I just decided to just give you my Top Things list, as in I-can't-leave-st-augustine-without-doing-these-things. St Augustine is filled with an endless list of great restaurants, but we’ve primarily kept our eating out on the cheaper side and even then, it did not disappoint! My favorite way to find the best local eateries is using google maps and looking at the ratings and photos of places outside of the city - that’s where you’ll find the best local food.
If you’re planning on visiting St. Augustine this Christmas, maybe we’ll run into you there!
Safe travels, friends!