St. Augustine, Florida more closely resembles a picturesque European hamlet than a modern American city.
The oldest city in the U.S., the area was founded by the Spanish in 1565, years before the settlements
of Jamestown or Plymouth Rock. During the next two centuries, St. Augustine survived attacks by Indians,
pirates, and British invaders. In 1821 the US gained control of the area after purchasing Florida from Spain.
St. Augustine's reputation as a tourist community grew with the connection of Henry Flagler's
railroad to points north.
History lovers, or anyone with an appreciation for anything old, will soak up St. Augustine's historical
attractions. The first one that should not be missed is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Built
overlooking Matanzas Bay, the Fort was never captured during battle. The coquina (limestone made from sea
shells and coral) walls withstood heavy artillery and violent storms for more than 300 years. If available,
park rangers give a 20-minute guided talk of the Fort.
For a complete picture of St. Augustine's history, visit the Old St. Augustine Village Museum. This unique
attraction highlights each period in the city's history, from Spanish colonialism through the 19th century.
One of the museum's original buildings was briefly owned by Achille Murat, Napoleon's exiled nephew.
A St. Augustine vacation doesn't have to be spent examining the past. This is Florida, remember!
For those who feel the need to enjoy the year round sunshine, St. Augustine provides some great
opportunities for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, evening sailing, tennis, and of course, golf.
For prime sun bathing fare, cross the Bridge of Lions, and pop in to Anastasia State Park, where the four
miles of beaches share time with some glorious sand dunes.
Speaking of golf, St Augustine is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, located in the World Golf Village.
See an interactive exhibit illustrating the history of the game. Play the courses The King & Bear, and The
Slammer & Squire, two of the most popular courses in the United States. For those out of the golf loop, the
"king" refers to Arnold Palmer, the "bear" to Jack Nicklaus, the "slammer" to Sam Snead, and the "squire" to
Gene Sarazan, four of the legends of the game. The kids can visit the IMAX Theatre, and those not
interested in golf lore can shop in some of the trendy boutiques.
St. Augustine is a great launching point for a Florida vacation. Drive north into Jacksonville and see the
Jaguars play. Or head west to Orlando, and hit theme park heaven. Disney World, Epcot, Universal Studio's
and Sea World are only a couple hours away. If your particular cup of tea is historical scenery, or you just want to
have some fun in the sun, St. Augustine will provide the perfect spot!
|
|
