Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saint Augustine?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saint Augustine?
Most visitors spend three to four days in Saint Augustine when visiting. The notable city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food.
Located on the northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine is filled with colonial Spanish architecture and charming cobblestone streets. As the oldest city in the United States, it offers a historic atmosphere that is different than many of Florida's cities. It's also near several great beaches and is filled with museums, shops, and local restaurants.
Do you have one or two days to visit Saint Augustine? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Saint Augustine?
One day is generally not enough time to browse around the old town, lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and taste delicious cuisine in Saint Augustine. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the notable city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for three to four days here. After all, Saint Augustine is a small city that is quite popular with tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Saint Augustine
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking History Tour of St. Augustine's Historic District ($25)
- History Walking Tour in St. Augustine ($30)
- The Night Watchman Ghost Walking Tour ($30)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour ($139)
Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. Given only a weekend, you will likely find yourself hurrying to browse around the old town, lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and taste delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for three to four days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
St. Augustine, Florida
How to spend 2 days in Saint Augustine
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Saint Augustine, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Don't miss the Colonial Quarter during your trip to Saint Augustine, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included ($63)
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour ($39)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Saint Augustine, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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