There’s One Florida City I Visit Often on Day Trips: St. Augustine

I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, the land of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yellowcard, and the NFL’s Jaguars.

Just south of my hometown, though, lies the historic city of St. Augustine, where I went on many field trips as a kid.

The quaint city is about 460 years old and is considered the oldest settlement of African-American and European origin to have been continuously occupied in the United States.

Known for its monuments, museums, shops, and stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean, St. Augustine is a popular destination for tourists and one I still visit frequently as an adult.

And, after many day trips to St. Augustine, I think I’ve figured out the perfect way to spend a few hours there (and when to do it).

First off, I try not to plan my visits during super busy times

St. Augustine is a pretty popular spot — so, it’s up to me to plan accordingly if I want to see the city in a quieter, calmer way.

I typically avoid going between mid-November to mid-January, as the city’s Nights of Lights display attracts thousands of visitors. This can lead to significant gridlock and traffic congestion, causing issues for residents.

Summer is also tricky, as there’s a sea of vacationers ready to enjoy the Florida sunshine when school is out. I also try to avoid visiting when nearby schools are on their spring break — speaking from experience, that’s a popular time for locals to go to St. Augustine.

All that said, early fall and late spring can be lovely times to visit.

On this trip, I headed to the area on a Saturday morning in May, where a cloudy sky seemed to work in my favor, allowing me to avoid too many crowds.

The Kookaburra is my favorite place to get an early start

On this day in May, I got an early breakfast at my favorite coffee shop in the world, The Kookaburra.

This Aussie-American espresso bar is one of the first spots where I got to know St. Augustine as an adult. I feel like a trip to Northeast Florida isn’t complete without a stop here.

Its downtown location on Cathedral Place faces the Plaza de la Constitución, one of the oldest public places in America.

I especially love its Honey Badger latte (made with honey, cinnamon, and milk) and Aussie pies, which come in varieties like veggie coconut curry and Thai chicken chili.

The Kookaburra also has a rotating menu of baked goods, including gluten-free muffins and vegan doughnuts.

I always make time to peruse the streets in the heart of downtown St. Augustine

There’s so much to see in St. Augustine. The Plaza de la Constitución is across from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, known as “America’s first parish.”

The art and architecture of the Cathedral Basilica are gorgeous and available for the public to enjoy on their own or with a tour. There are also free concerts on the first Friday of the month, and it’s splendid to hear music while taking in the marble altar, gold statues, and stained-glass windows.

Just a short walk from the plaza is Flagler College, a small private college dating back to the 1800s.

The property was originally commissioned by Henry Flagler as the Hotel Ponce de León, a luxury seasonal hotel. It’s been renovated many times, but students today are lucky to dine in Ponce Hall, an ornate work of art in itself featuring a vaulted ceiling and 40 stained-glass windows.

Access to the campus interior is limited, but visitors can purchase tours of the inside or enjoy the sprawling exterior’s Spanish Renaissance architecture for free.

The area also has great shops and museums

I also love walking on St. George Street, which is full of souvenir purveyors, eateries, and museums.

Nothing beats the indoor-outdoor shopping experience and pops of color in handmade pottery and flowy dresses at places like Gypsy Moon and Market to Market.

The accessories curated by the nearby Red Pineapple boutique were a highlight in my high-school years.

Some stores are located in the St. George’s Row shopping mall, where the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum opened a miniature exhibit full of Disney animation sketches.

Other museums I’ve liked in years past are the Lightner Museum (inside a former Gilded Age hotel of Henry Flagler’s), the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

Though I haven’t been there yet, I’ve heard great things about Villa Zorayda, a historic Gilded Age home museum.

I have several go-to spots for food in the area, too

Casa Reina features Latin American, Mexican, and local coastal flavors — and some of its outdoor seating has a view of the Matanzas River (part of the Intracoastal Waterway).

I recommend its seafood-combo enchiladas, which are covered in a rich, decadent blue-crab cream sauce.

I also suggest popping by Vilano Beach, just north of historic St. Augustine. It has a decent amount of public parking and is a lovely place to watch the pastels of a Florida sunrise.

While there, stop by The Reef Restaurant — it’s got some great dishes with fresh mahi and shrimp.

Across the road (on the Intracoastal) is Cap’s on the Water, which is known for its fantastic seafood. And, if you find yourself driving over to Anastasia Island (it is still in St. Augustine), pop by Beachcomber, where you can eat right on the water.

This city reminds me that wandering is worthwhile

All in all, my ideal day in St. Augustine is a mix of old traditions and new adventures.

Since I stay with family regularly on Florida trips, there’s no reason not to keep exploring corners of downtown St. Augustine that are less familiar to me.

After all, I could discover a new favorite museum or lunch spot that I had never known about. And, of course, I’m always game to revisit old favorites.