As North America’s oldest city permanently settled by Europeans, St. Augustine occupies a unique piece of history. Founded by Spanish conquistadores, sacked by Sir Francis Drake, plundered by pirates, attacked by British forces in the 18th century, St Augustine changed hands several times, first held by the British, and then later by the Spanish, who maintained control of St. Augustine until the Spanish empire crumbled. In 1821, Spain handed St. Augustine and several other Spanish colonies in Florida over to the United States.

The colonial history of St. Augustine is evident throughout the city. The unique architecture style is known as Spanish Colonial, and mansions and grand hotels built in this style are one of St Augustine’s primary attractions. Old St. Augustine Village is a collection of ten buildings on the original 1565 settlement, and can be explored via foot, or with a guided tour should one so choose. In fact, guided tours are available all over the city, many of which are ‘haunted’. The Castillo de San Marcos, a historical fort at the northern end of the city, provides an excellent view of the town, and is built from a locally quarried stone called ‘coquina’, which is made of the shells of tiny clam-like animals.

The Oldest House is a museum which showcases 400 years of history within its walls, and a flurry of other ‘Oldest’ buildings can be found elsewhere. The Ponce de Leon is one of several grand hotels built in the 19th century, as a part of industrialist Henry Flagler’s plan to create a ‘winter Newport’ for wealthy Americans. Finally the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, located at the north end of the Old Village, lays claim to Ponce de Leon’s legendary journey for eternal youth. A building made of coquina and mangrove houses the fountain, and other sights within the park include the Timucua Indian Village, a planetarium, an Indian burial ground, and a well groomed garden complete with walking paths. Reenactments and festivals often take place within the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

Despite the emphasis on St. Augustine’s rich cultural heritage, there are many attractions that do not place its primary focus on history. The recreated pedestrian-only ‘Spanish Quarter’ is reminiscent of New Orleans' ‘French Quarter’, with its narrow streets and distinctive architecture. Restaurants and bars line the streets, each of them featuring a different cuisine. The St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is home to dozens of the fascinating reptiles, including an exhibit dedicated to the albino alligators of Louisiana’s bayous. Marineland, Florida’s first theme park, is located in St. Augustine as well, and provides visitors with the unique experience of swimming with dolphins inside of their million-gallon series of dolphin lagoons. And of course, St Augustine has beaches – forty-three miles of them, to be exact. Camping, deep sea fishing, surfing, and shelling are all popular activities, while Jet Skis and parasails can be rented.

For more infomation, please visit the website of the St Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau.