When vacation season begins to dwindle down, its finally time for the locals to have their fun in the Ancient City. Many local attractions offer special discounts or free admission for St. Augustine residents to enjoy during the month of September. So take advantage of this opportunity and have yourself a tourist-filled day with activities around town that you may never have experienced before.
OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS
Experience the whole city in one afternoon! These trolley tours give you an overview of the top spots in St. Augustine as well as a brief version of the history behind them. It’s a great way to fall in love with our Ancient City all over again while learning a few new things and staying out of the sun.
www.trolleytours.com
ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORY MUSEUM
167 San Marco Avenue
You can find more than 400 years of history on display at the St. Augustine History Museum. Wander throughout and learn about the ancient gems that call our city home. You’ll find various items on display including toys and dolls from the early 19th and 20th centuries, a replica of a Spanish galleon and real gold, silver, and jewelry found in lost treasures off the Florida coast.
www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/history-museum
OLDEST WOODEN SCHOOLHOUSE
14 St. George Street
Constructed more than 200 years ago, this miniature-sized building is a step back in time for those who visit. Explore this historic treasure as you view the living quarters of the schoolmaster and his wife, the separated kitchen, and a number of artifacts on display from pupils of the time. You will also receive a diploma after you’ve completed the tour, as a reminder of your day well-spent.
www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com
PENA-PECK HOUSE
143 St. George Street
Built back in the mid-1700s for the Spanish Royal Treasurer, this house has been the dwelling of Spanish, British, and American governors, prominent families, and dignitaries. Now the home is open to the public as a beautiful example of the antebellum homes of the South. A historic tour of this building brings visitors back to the 1500s, you’ll be given the chance to view the home’s collection of 19th-century art, antique furnishings, and more.
www.penapeckhouse.com
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
11 Magnolia Avenue
The legendary Fountain of Youth was sought after for centuries, and now you can drink from its waters (full disclosure, we can’t guarantee that it’ll work…). Even if you don’t suddenly start feeling youthful, you can still learn some of the history surrounding its discovery and important place in the timeline of the city. Take a walk through the beautiful archeological park, enjoy the breathtaking sights of the waterfront, and maybe even spot a peacock if you’re lucky!
www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
OLD JAIL
167 San Marco Avenue
Designed by Henry Flagler, the Authentic Old Jail looks more like a luxurious Victorian Home than a jail. Visitors can tour the jail during the day or night and experience history as they’re guided through the women’s cells, men’s cells, and the maximum-security cells where only the most dangerous criminals were kept. Step back in time to see what the lives of these prisoners were really like, and get a look at the not-so-Gilded-Age side of St. Augustine.
www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/old-jail
POTTER’S WAX MUSEUM
31 Orange Street
This family-friendly museum gives you the chance to meet (in a wax form) famous celebrities, talented athletes, political figures, movie legends, and other familiar faces- all without having to leave St. Augustine! Wander through more than 150 wax figures as a fun way to spend your day.
www.potterswaxmuseum.com
OLDEST STORE MUSEUM
167 San Marco Avenue
Everything from the friendly clerks and the snake oil salesman to the washing machine and iron on the shelves looks like they were pulled from the pages of a Sears Roebuck catalog of the early 20th century. It’s a step back in time that shows you the everyday life of the common man.
www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/oldest-store-museum
BONUS: SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM DAY & DISCOUNTS
In an annual celebration of boundless curiosity, museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free admission for Smithsonian Museum Day. This year’s museum day will take place on Saturday, September 21. Get free admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, The Lightner Museum,The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Florida Agricultural Museum. Visit the website below to download your ticket.
www.smithsonianmag.com
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