Adventure in St. Augustine!

Fountain of Youth

Why Visit?

Embark on an enthralling quest to the legendary Fountain of Youth, a mythical spring that allegedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. This adventure takes you to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the U.S., where the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park claims to house these fabled waters.

Day 1: Arrival in St. Augustine

Fly into Jacksonville International Airport and take a scenic 50-minute drive south to St. Augustine. Settle into a historic inn near the old town to immerize yourself in the city"s charming colonial atmosphere. Spend your evening wandering along cobblestone streets, dining on fresh seafood.

Day 2: Exploring the Fountain of Youth

Start your day early by heading to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, accessible via Magnolia Avenue. Open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, this park is not just a point of mythical intrigue but also a significant archaeological site. Purchase a ticket, which includes a sample of the legendary water. Engage with interactive exhibits detailing the Timucua tribe and the early Spanish settlers. Don"t miss the live cannon firing demonstration, a thrilling display of historical re-enactment.

Day 3: Adventure Activities

Dive deeper into the natural beauty of Florida with a kayaking tour through the salt marshes along the Intracoastal Waterway, where you can spot dolphins and myriad bird species. Alternatively, take a bicycle tour of Anastasia State Park, just a short ride from downtown, offering beautiful views of coastal dunes and lush forests.

Trivia & Tips

- The site where you’ll find the Fountain of Youth is also where Pedro Menéndez de Avilés settled in 1565, making it a critical location in America’s oldest European-established settlement.

- Stay hydrated and pack sun protection for outdoor activities, as Florida"s sun can be intense, especially in summer.

Conclude your adventure with the mystical waters and historic wonders of St. Augustine, carrying tales of rejuvenation and timeless explorations back home.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

St. Augustine Old Jail

Why Visit?

Embark on a thrilling journey through time at the St. Augustine Old Jail, a pivotal landmark steeped in history and mystery. Built in 1891 by Henry Flagler, and operated until 1953, this formidable structure has housed its fair share of infamous inmates and now beckons adventure lovers and ghost hunters alike.

Getting There: St. Augustine is easily accessible by road, situated along Florida’s northeastern coast. The Old Jail is located on San Marco Avenue, just a short distance from downtown. Parking is available on site, and it’s also a staple stop on the city’s popular trolley tours, which offer hop-on, hop-off service throughout the day from various points around town.

Start Your Tour: Begin your adventure with a guided tour, available every half hour, where costumed actors recount the jail"s grueling past and tales of its most notorious residents. Explore the cells, gallows, and sheriff"s quarters to get a chilling insight into early 20th-century penal practices.

Don’t Miss: Make sure to visit the maximum security area and the solitary confinement cell to feel the eerie isolation experienced by the prisoners. Check out the Old Jail Museum, which features artifacts, booking logs, and original weaponry used by guards.

Fun Fact: The St. Augustine Old All is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is rumored to be one of the most haunted sites in the area. Paranormal enthusiasts might want to join the nightly ghost tours offered, promising a hair-raising experience!

Wrap Up the Day: After your tour, take a stroll down St. George Street in downtown St. Augustine. Here, you can unwind with some local cuisine or browse through the myriad shops that line this historic walkway.

This adventure at the St. Augustine Old Jail not only offers a peek into the darker side of history but also challenges the bravest of hearts with its haunted tales and eerie atmosphere.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Lightner Museum

Why Visit?

Welcome to the captivating Lightner Museum, housed in the grand Alcazar Hotel built in 1888 by Henry Flagler in St. Augustine, Florida. This architectural marvel is not just a treasure trove of Gilded Age artifacts but a step back into a time of opulence and grandeur.

Morning: Arrival and Exploration

Begin your adventure early by arriving at St. Augustine. The museum is easily accessible from Jacksonville International Airport, just a 50-minute drive away. Park downtown and enjoy a scenic stroll past historic buildings and cobbled streets to reach the museum at 75 King Street. As you approach, marvel at the Spanish Renaissance architecture of the former hotel, which itself is an artifact.

Midday: Dive into History

Enter the Lightner Museum to explore its three floors of collections. Start with the second floor, which houses Victorian-era art, including stained glass works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Adventure lovers will appreciate the tales of the high seas and exploration captured in the maritime paintings. Don"t miss the whimsical music room on the first floor, featuring mechanical musical instruments that still play tunes from the past.

Afternoon: Behind the Scenes Tour

Enhance your visit by joining the "Upstairs/Downstairs Tour" (check availability), which offers a glimpse into the less seen areas of the hotel and stories of those who lived and worked here during its heyday. Explore the basement with its collection of Victorian curiosities, including an impressive collection of vintage surfboards and swimming artifacts, echoing with the adventurous spirit of the time.

Late Afternoon: Reflect and Relax

Conclude your visit in the museum"s historic gardens. Sit by the koi pond and reflect on the adventurous lives of the Gilder Age elite. Before you leave, stop by the café for a refreshing drink in the setting of the original hotel swimming pool, providing a perfect end to a day full of exploration and discovery.

Every corner of the Lightner Museum offers a glimpse into a bygone era filled with intrigue, adventure, and beauty, making it a must-visit for adventure lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Potter"s Wax Museum

Why Visit?

Unlock the quirky charm of St. Augustine with an adventure-packed tour that has a special highlight: a visit to Potter’s Wax Museum. Renowned as America’s first wax museum, established in 1948, it offers visitors a unique blend of history, art, and intrigue, perfect for those who love to sprinkle a little unconventional fun into their travel.

Morning: Arrival in St. Augustine

Begin your day early in the historic town of St. Augustine, easily accessible by car or public transportation from major cities like Jacksonville, which is just about 40 minutes away. If you’re driving, take the I-95 freeway directly to St. Augustine. There’s plenty of parking downtown, or opt for a spot near the City Gates.

Mid-Morning: Explore Historic Sites

Stroll through the cobblestone streets and take in iconic sites like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Old St. Johns County Jail. Adventure lovers will enjoy walking the ancient fort’s gun decks and exploring the old cells of the jail, which set the stage for the thrills at Potter’s Wax Museum.

Lunch: Fuel Up

Grab a quick, energizing lunch at one of the local cafes downtown. A must-try is the Spanish Bakery & Café, where you can savor empanadas and a cup of traditional Spanish coffee.

Afternoon: Potter’s Wax Museum

Situated on Orange Avenue, Potter’s Wax Museum is a short, scenic walk from most central locations in downtown St. Augustine. Here, you can meet over 160 wax figures from history, popular culture, and fantasy. Snap selfies with presidents, movie stars, and fictional characters. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in each figure make it a fascinating stop.

Late Afternoon: Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Cap off your day with a spooky twist by joining the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour, which leaves near the museum. Explore haunted locations and learn about the eerie legends of the oldest city in the U.S.

Dinner: Local Cuisine

Conclude your adventurous day with a hearty meal at Columbia Restaurant, known for its award-winning Spanish/Cuban dishes—an ideal way to reflect on a day filled with history, culture, and adventure.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Oldest Store Museum

Why Visit?

Embark on a nostalgic adventure at the Oldest Store Museum, where you’ll step back into a bustling 1900s general store that’s brimming with oddities and charms from a bygone era. Nestled in the heart of historic St. Augustine, Florida, this unique museum offers a quirky peek into the past, perfect for adventure lovers looking to explore the roots of early American commerce and everyday life.

### Your Adventure Itinerary:

Morning Arrival in St. Augustine

Kickstart your day in St. Augustine by savoring a local breakfast at one of the city’s quaint cafes. After fueling up, head over to the Oldest Store Museum, located at 167 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084. The museum is easily accessible by car and there’s plenty of parking available. For those preferring public transport, the Red Train Tour offers stops near the museum, adding an extra layer of local flavor to your journey.

Explore the Oldest Store Museum

Step through the doors of the Oldest Store Museum and travel back in time. Your experience will be enriched by costumed interpreters who demonstrate vintage products from the 1900s, from goat-powered washing machines to peculiar health remedies. Open daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, the museum invites you to interact with over 100,000 artifacts that paint a vivid picture of historical American enterprise.

Lunch and Local Exploration

After exploring the museum, grab lunch at a nearby eatery, offering some of St. Augustine’s finest local foods. Spend your afternoon wandering through the city’s historic district, just a stone"s throw from the museum. Here, you can soak in the old-world charm and visit landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos or the scenic waterfront.

Evening Reflection

Conclude your day with a relaxed evening stroll through the cobblestone streets, or perhaps enjoy a sunset cruise to see St. Augustine from a different perspective. The blend of historical insights and local culture makes this adventure a truly enriching experience for those seeking to connect with America’s rich past.

This itinerary promises an unforgettable journey into history, culture, and local charm, tailored for adventure lovers seeking a unique exploration of one of America’s oldest towns.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.