Our trip to St. Augustine began at St. Augustine Distillery, where we signed up for a free tasting that takes you through what used to be an ice plant. The liquor is award winning and the location couldn’t be better.
Just a few miles away is downtown St. Augustine. St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the United States (post colonization, of course). There are 31 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. My favorite part of St. Augustine will always be the coquina bricks used in the fort and buildings as well as the tabby concrete, all full of whole seashells. The homemade popsicles are a new favorite.
Castillo de San Marcos is owned and operated by the National Park Service (so don’t forget your National Park Pass as you gain free entry). Construction for this fort began in 1672, built by Spaniards to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
Just over the Bridge of Lions is Anastasia Island, famous for the St. Augustine Lighthouse (built in 1871) and its long sandy beaches. The Lighthouse is still active, providing navigational aid to the nation’s oldest port. Interestingly enough, 243 years ago to this day, 16 ships were wrecked in the harbor of St. Augustine.
Today, on St. Johns County Ocean Pier on Anastasia Island, pyrotechnicians were setting up a New Year’s firework show, which we watched from the shore, on a long sandy beach, with the sounds of the fireworks dampened by the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Well worth the wait for this post. I was in St. Augustine on Mother’s Day 1998. It was hot, crowded, and expensive and I left with a negative view on the town. Your blog has changed all that. Thank you, Brady. Wow to all.
You should go back! I love this town. We didn’t even see the oldest house, or all of the amazingly quaint historic homes with vines covering the entryways. Next time. 🙂
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.