Top 15 St. Augustine Tours You Can’t Miss

Located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, St. Augustine is one of the country’s earliest cities, established in the 16th century by Spanish explorers.

Additionally, it stands as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement beyond those initiated by Native Americans.

With a modest population, stunning beaches, and a rich history, this charming town is a segment of the larger Jacksonville Metropolitan area.

For its initial 200 years, it functioned within the framework of the colony known at that time as Spanish Florida. It served as a launch point for numerous expeditions seeking the fabled cities of gold purportedly located in the region.

1. Old Jail Museum Guided Tour

Constructed in 1891, the Old Jail of St. Augustine was not recognized for its accommodating facilities or amiable personnel during its operational years.

This facility served as a holding area for the area’s offenders for six decades and is now officially recognized on the National Historic Register.

This brief yet engaging educational tour lasts for 45 minutes and includes a knowledgeable guide well-versed in the local history.

The tour encompasses actual detention cells for men, women, and solitary confinement, along with the living quarters of the warden and his family, who resided right upstairs amid the challenges of their profession.

2. Historical Experience in the City’s Colonial Quarter

Exhibiting more history than is typically found across the United States, this guided tour of the city’s Colonial Quarter provides an immersive experience of life centuries ago.

Life in that era was often arduous and perilous; visitors will observe how the townsfolk managed their daily existence and engaged in both entertainment and self-defense.

Participants will have the opportunity to ascend one of the fortified towers that housed the colony’s sentinels and witness a demonstration of a live musket fire.

Tours are conducted four times daily, lasting one to two hours, and are accessible for wheelchairs and families.

3. St. Augustine’s Scenic Cruise from Orlando

St. Augustine is commonly referred to as America’s ‘Ancient City’ for valid reasons.

Offering a wealth of sights along this segment of the Florida coast, this 10-hour cruise represents an excellent method to explore some of the state’s most significant east-coast landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, and Fort Matanzas.

The tour includes narrated excursions around picturesque islands and bays. Tourists will also have the chance to set foot on ancient cobblestone streets, which may evoke feelings of having stepped back in time.

The only exclusions are food, beverages, and gratuities.

4. St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

A multitude of dangerous pirates and shiploads of lost treasure have always significantly influenced the history of St. Augustine.

For those intrigued by this infamous past, there is no superior establishment to visit than the Pirate and Treasure Museum.

Visitors will gain remarkable insights into the area’s Golden Age and the motivations of the courageous individuals who once called it home.

The museum has garnered numerous accolades for its engaging and interactive exhibits over the years. In addition to a museum tour, visitors can leisurely navigate the old streets, stop by various shops, and perhaps enjoy a meal if desired.

All experiences are included except for food, beverages, and gratuities.

5. St. Augustine History Museum

Spanning nearly 400 years of history, St. Augustine hosts some of the most comprehensive and well-curated museums regarding America’s captivating pre-colonial legacy.

It is not widely recognized that before the founding of the United States, much of its land was claimed by the era’s dominant powers, including Spain, France, and Britain.

The St. Augustine History Museum is essential for anyone interested in learning about this lesser-known chapter in American history.

Exhibits feature a Native American village, a trading post, and the treasures of a sunken galleon. Tickets allow access for the entire day, and guided tours are available.

6. St. Augustine Trolley, Bus and Museums Combo

For those keen on experiencing the beauty and history of St. Augustine, this combined tour represents an effective means to optimize your vacation experience.

Participants will explore the city and its principal attractions, such as the Old Jail, History Museum, and the Old Store Museum.

Many unique characters encountered during the trip will be dressed in period-appropriate attire and engaging in activities reflective of historical life.

This is not only entertaining but also educative for the entire family, particularly for younger visitors.

The tour includes transportation via bus and trolley, alongside admission fees for all historic sites and museums.

7. Inshore Fishing Excursion

Unsurprisingly, Florida’s Atlantic coastline is a renowned destination for anglers worldwide seeking to challenge some of the ocean’s most formidable and elusive species.

The inland waterways of St. Augustine, such as the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers, are abundant with redfish, sea trout, flounder, and tarpon that can exceed human size.

Your captain will be fully licensed and proficient in creating successful fishing experiences.

All necessary instruction and equipment are provided, and participants can select the duration of their fishing activity.

Bottled water is included; however, food is not, so an appropriate plan is advisable.

8. Historic St. Augustine and Colonial Quarter Tour

Due to its historical importance, colonial-era Spanish architecture, and multitude of museums, St. Augustine is a destination that should be explored at your own pace.

The historic quarter is where the majority of the town’s rich history comes alive. Numerous sites offer exceptional interactive experiences for visitors seeking deeper engagement beyond mere observation.

The tour includes a musket firing demonstration, a perennial favorite among attendees. Ascending one of the watchtowers and sampling historically accurate cuisine are notable highlights.

The tour combines structured guidance with flexible exploration, allowing participants to discover at their preferred pace.

9. Sunset Helicopter Tour

While the stunning sunsets of St. Augustine are breathtaking from any vantage point, experiencing them from a sleek helicopter provides a unique perspective.

Visitors will observe one of the oldest cities in the United States from an aerial viewpoint that is seldom accessible. In a brief duration, several miles of glistening coastline will be traversed.

For fervent romantics wishing to create a memorable experience for their partner, this tour is an ideal choice.

The experience is bound to be unforgettable, allowing sufficient time to enjoy a romantic seaside dinner afterward.

10. St. Augustine Oldest Store Museum

Future generations may visit the remnants of contemporary retailers and marvel at the peculiar items utilized, consumed, and worn by individuals of our time.

Similarly, participating in the tour of the Oldest Store Museum provides insight into the consumer goods that were popular and accessible centuries ago.

The museum’s clerks will conduct tours and likely present some unusual products that have long lost their favor, primarily due to advancements in production and product innovation.

Exhibits include firearms, tonics, and a variety of other unusual items, along with the opportunity to meet the eccentric owner of the establishment.

11. Haunted Night Tour

This evening excursion lasts merely an hour and a half; however, it delivers sufficient eerie thrills to make it ample time.

Family-friendly and rich in suspense, the tour will bring you to locations that may induce chills down your spine.

Your guide will be dressed in a haunting costume, which amplifies the experience as they share dark and compelling tales from the town’s past.

Groups are restricted to 10 participants, ensuring a more personal atmosphere. Amusement is provided alongside spookiness, as humor is intermingled with the stories told.

12. World Golf Hall of Fame

Florida ranks among America’s premier golf destinations; upon visiting its various renowned courses, the reasoning becomes apparent.

St. Augustine hosts the World Golf Hall of Fame. For golf enthusiasts, a trip to this iconic establishment should hold a prominent place in your travel plans.

Visitors will learn about the sport’s history and its most notable figures.

The museum displays exceptional exhibits and memorabilia, much of which highlight aspects of golf’s history that are not widely acknowledged, such as the contributions of African Americans to the sport long before Tiger Woods emerged.

13. St. John’s River Airboat Tour

With Florida’s expansive inland waterways, airboats provide an efficient mode for exploring sizable areas swiftly. Visitors can witness the region’s magnificent wildlife, such as wading birds, predatory species, manatees, and the slow-moving alligators, some of which reach impressive lengths of nearly 15 feet.

Tours include headsets for listening to the guide’s commentary over the roar of the airboat’s powerful V8 engine.

This region is rich in intriguing pirate lore and treasure tales—many of which are authentic despite sounding like scenes from classic pirate tales.

All aspects are accounted for, excluding food and gratuities, with tours available throughout the day.

14. St. Augustine Ancient City Tour with an Interpreter

Visitors seeking an enlightening guided experience in St. Augustine will find this tour, featuring an interpreter, to be an excellent option.

Exploring and learning about the oldest continuously inhabited town in North America becomes remarkably engaging when shared in your native language.

Numerous customizable options are available, allowing participants to select their itinerary and the duration of the tour.

Tickets and entry fees are included; however, any stops for food or beverages will incur additional charges.

Many languages are offered, so be sure to verify availability online before planning your visit.

15. Ticket to Potter’s Wax Museum

You may assume that approximately 160 wax figures would succumb to the oppressive Florida heat and humidity, but that misjudgment is inapt.

Thanks to the remarkable development of air-conditioning, Potter’s Wax Museum is replete with figures of historical significance, including individuals such as Ponce de Leon and Albert Einstein, among others.

Having been in operation for nearly 70 years, the museum was established by a man inspired by the wax museums he admired during a childhood trip to England.

Your admission allows you to explore at a leisurely pace, taking your time to appreciate the displays.