The Complete St. Augustine Local Guide

 

This time of year, our team always likes to share local finds. As we get ourselves into the holiday spirit, we couldn’t think of a better place than St. Augustine, Florida—somewhere we visit often! Over the past several years, St. Augustine has won several accolades:

  • Conde Nast Traveler (October 2023): #7 in Readers Choice for “Best Small City in the U.S.”

  • New York Travel Guide (October 2023): #3 “Most Romantic Small Towns in the U.S.”

  • Southern Living Magazine (March 2023): #1 “50 Best Small Towns in the South 2023”

All year long, St. Augustine shows off its charm through its beautiful cobblestone streets in historic downtown and showcases local spirit that’s felt within the city and beyond.

This time of year in particular, however, holiday magic shines bright! This past weekend kicked off the city’s celebration of their 30th Annual Nights of Lights which runs through January 28th in historic St. Augustine. This award-winning holiday lights spectacle turns every corner of the historic district into a glittery wonderland. Locals and small businesses bring immersive holiday spirit with businesses extending their hours, inviting everyone to come enjoy what this quaint city has to offer—through its modern food & beverage scene, seasonal tours and unique shops.

This is our opportunity to give our community some local St. Augustine flavor for your next visit!



STAY

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True, the Casa Monica Resort & Spa is always a nice mainstay option for accommodations—but if you’re looking for local charm, these are great options to check into:

The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens: Award-winning historic bed & breakfast with modern amenities in the heart of downtown. The gardens are picture worthy and the property oasis offers a true R&R getaway from all the chaos.

The Local: Experience unique charm and hospitality at this newly renovated modern motel. Voted #1 Motel in the U.S. By USA Today’s 10 Best. Its location on Anastasia Island is a short walk to many of the city’s top destinations.

42 Spanish: Welcome to The Triay-Hall House—one of the oldest homes in the oldest city in the U.S. that was recently restored in all its glory. The location is in the heart of downtown and comes with dedicated parking.




TASTE

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The nation’s oldest city has an incredible local food scene. There’s truly so many amazing restaurants, it’s difficult to give our shout out to all of them—from staples like Casa Reina, Ice Plant Bar, St. Augustine Fish Camp, to some of these gems:

Llama: A culinary experience that takes you beyond the four walls of the restaurant, giving curiosity into elevated Peruvian cuisine that your taste buds will thank you later for.

Sunday Gathering Table: A hip local breakfast, lunch and bake shop featuring artwork by Jenna Alexander.

Juicy: A juicy café, that brings all the healthy vibes!

The Blue Hen Café: Homey atmosphere and a homemade biscuit sandwich that will have you coming back for another over and over again!

Michaels, Collage, The Drunken Horse, Prohibition Kitchen, and Catch 27 are other fantastic options!



DRINK

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  • The Tini Martini: Located at the verandah of the Casablanca Inn, you’ll enjoy overlooking the Mantanzas Bay while relaxing and sipping on vino, martini or a chosen cocktail at “The Tini.”

  • Boat Drinks: A state of mind that beautifully marries a nautical tropical tavern and raw bar culinary experience.

  • Odd Birds: A local favorite cocktail lounge and craft kitchen where “the rule is oddness in a relaxed and chill environment.”





PLAY

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Megan Atkin