Amazing Things to Do in St Augustine: Ultimate Guide 2025

As wedding & family photographers who calls St. Augustine home, we have spent countless hours exploring every cobblestone street, hidden courtyard, and golden-hour vista this incredible city has to offer. From our lens to your eyes, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in St. Augustine – a city where 450 years of history meets modern charm.

St. Augustine isn’t just America’s oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement; it’s a living, breathing work of art. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or looking for the perfect backdrop for your next photo session, this historic coastal gem offers experiences that will leave you enchanted.

As photographers in St Augustine our clients will often ask us about fun things to do while they are in town so we put together this guide with our favorite things to do in St Augustine. It has been a huge hit.

Things to Do in St Augustine That Capture the Towns Spirit

Ghost Tours Through Ancient Streets When the sun sets over St. Augustine, the city transforms. Join one of the many ghost tours that wind through the historic district, where centuries-old buildings hold stories of love, loss, and lingering spirits. The atmospheric lighting and shadowy alleyways create perfect conditions for both spine-tingling tales and dramatic photography.

Trolley Tours for the Perfect Overview Hop aboard one of St. Augustine’s iconic trolley tours for a comprehensive introduction to the city’s rich history. These hop-on, hop-off experiences allow you to explore at your own pace while learning fascinating stories about each landmark. Pro tip: the golden hour trolley rides offer some of the most beautiful light for photography. You can purchase tickets in advance from the Trolley Tours website.

Kayaking Through Salt Marshes Paddle through the pristine salt marshes and waterways surrounding St. Augustine. These eco-tours provide incredible opportunities to spot dolphins, manatees, and diverse bird life while experiencing the natural beauty that first drew Spanish explorers to these shores centuries ago. We loved the tour hosted by the team at Get Up and Go Kayaking.

Historic Reenactments at the Fort Experience living history at Castillo de San Marcos, where costumed interpreters demonstrate colonial life, military drills, and cannon firings. These authentic reenactments transport visitors back in time and create dynamic scenes perfect for capturing history in motion. The best part is there is no fee to watch from outside of the fort. You can take a virtual tour and get additional information from the Castillo de San Maroc website.

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park Explore the legendary site where Ponce de León supposedly searched for the fountain of youth. This interactive experience combines history, archaeology, and beautiful waterfront views of Matanzas Bay. The grounds hold a bunch of secrets including the well that de León drank from, a peacock paddock with more than a hundred peacocks (they roam the grounds freely), and what might be the best BBQ on the north end of town: Smoked Southern BBQ.

Places to Eat: A Culinary Journey Through Time

The Columbia Restaurant Florida’s oldest restaurant deserves a spot on every St. Augustine itinerary. Since 1905, The Columbia has been serving authentic Spanish cuisine in an atmosphere that perfectly captures the city’s Iberian heritage. Their famous “1905” salad and paella are must-tries, and the historic dining rooms provide an elegant setting that photographs beautifully.

Ice Plant Bar Housed in a converted 1927 ice manufacturing plant, this craft cocktail bar offers creative drinks in one of the city’s most unique architectural spaces. The industrial-meets-historic aesthetic creates an Instagram-worthy backdrop for any evening out.

Aunt Kate’s Restaurant For a taste of Southern comfort food with a St. Augustine twist, Aunt Kate’s delivers hearty meals in a charming historic setting. Their shrimp and grits and key lime pie are local favorites that embody the flavors of coastal Florida.

Scarlett O’Hara’s Located in a beautifully restored Victorian home, this restaurant combines fine dining with historic ambiance. The multiple dining rooms, each with their own character, offer intimate settings perfect for special occasions and romantic dinners.

The Floridian A local favorite for farm-to-table cuisine, The Floridian sources ingredients locally and creates dishes that reflect both Southern traditions and contemporary culinary trends. Their ever-changing menu ensures there’s always something new to discover.

St. Augustine Distillery Take a tour of Florida’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, where they craft premium spirits using traditional methods. The tasting room, housed in a restored ice plant, offers both education and excellent photo opportunities showcasing the art of distillation.

Things to See: Architectural Marvels and Natural Beauty

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument This 17th-century Spanish fortress stands as one of the most photogenic and historically significant structures in America. The star-shaped fort, built from locally quarried coquina stone, offers stunning views of Matanzas Bay and serves as a testament to St. Augustine’s strategic importance throughout colonial history.

Flagler College (Hotel Ponce de León) Henry Flagler’s architectural masterpiece showcases Gilded Age opulence with Spanish Renaissance Revival design. The Tiffany stained glass windows, ornate murals, and grand courtyards make this one of the most photographed buildings in St. Augustine. Free tours are available when classes aren’t in session.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum Climb the 219 steps to the top of this 1874 lighthouse for panoramic views of the city and coastline. The black and white spiral stripes make it an iconic landmark, while the surrounding maritime museum tells the story of St. Augustine’s relationship with the sea.

Historic St. George Street This pedestrian-only brick street forms the heart of the historic district, lined with colonial-era buildings housing museums, shops, and restaurants. Street performers, horse-drawn carriages, and historic architecture create a constantly changing tableau of sights and sounds.

Lightner Museum Housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, another Flagler creation, this museum showcases an eclectic collection of Gilded Age artifacts. The building itself, with its stunning courtyards and architectural details, rivals the exhibits as a feast for the eyes.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine America’s oldest parish, this beautiful cathedral combines Spanish colonial architecture with stunning interior details. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful light filtering through stained glass windows create moments of quiet contemplation in the bustling historic district.

Villa Zorayda Museum This Moorish Revival building, inspired by the Alhambra in Spain, showcases the eclectic architectural vision that makes St. Augustine unique. Its distinctive design and colorful tiles make it a standout among the city’s many historic structures.

Anastasia State Park Just across the Bridge of Lions, this natural oasis offers four miles of pristine beaches, ancient sand dunes, and maritime hammock. It’s the perfect place to experience Florida’s natural beauty and capture stunning sunrise or sunset photographs over the Atlantic Ocean.

Planning Your Things to do in St Augustine Adventure

The beauty of St. Augustine lies not just in its individual attractions, but in how seamlessly history, culture, and natural beauty blend together. Whether you’re walking the same streets that Spanish conquistadors once traveled, dining in restaurants that have served visitors for over a century, or watching the sunrise over the oldest city in America, every moment offers something special.

As someone who photographs this city regularly, I can tell you that St. Augustine reveals new secrets with each visit. The interplay of light and shadow on ancient coquina walls, the reflection of historic buildings in rain-soaked streets, the way morning mist rises from the Matanzas Bay – there’s always another perfect shot waiting to be captured.

Planning a visit to St. Augustine and want to capture professional photographs of your experience? Visit robfutrell.com to learn more about photography sessions that will help you preserve your memories of America’s oldest city.