Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, St. Augustine, Florida is among the oldest cities in the United States. St. Augustine is on the Atlantic coast, about 30 miles south of Jacksonville, Florida. The city is a rich cultural destination, but there's a lot more to do, including golf, the original Ripley's Believe It or Not! Wax Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Lightner Musuem, beautiful beaches and a walking mall in the downtown historic district.
Ripley's
The St. Augustine Ripley's Believe It or Not! is housed in an old castle. The museum is full of the strange and the sublime, from a manatee made out of soda cans to a two-way mirror and some scary exhibits. Kids love this museum, but adults need a sense of humor. The hotel is creepy at night and the museum takes advantage with a ghost tour by train, full of funky characters.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
19 San Marco Ave.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
904-824-1606
http://staugustine.ripleys.com
Ghost Tours
Several tour companies in town will take you to see the apparitions--on water, wheels or foot. When the sun goes down, your tour guide (dressed in a period costume) will pull out a lantern and regale you with stories about St. Augustine's ghosts. "Ghost Tours of St. Augustine" offers a water tour on the Schooner Freedom and a trolley tour around town. "Ghosts and Gravestones" has a trolley tour. Both include the old jail and if you choose a trolley tour, you'll be able to walk into the haunted buildings for a complete experience.
Ghost Tours of St. Augustine
2 St. George St., Ste. 101
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
888-461-1009
www.ghosttoursofstaugustine.com
Ghosts and Gravestones
2 St. George St.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
904-826-3663
www.ghostsandgravestones.com/st-augustine/gravestones-ghost-tour.htm
Wax Museum
With more than 150 wax figures, including Betsy Ross, President John F. Kennedy and Tiger Woods, this museum is a kick. The statues are life-size and, in some cases, set in context. Kids will love the cartoon section, where they can stand side-by-side with life-size cartoon characters.
Potter's Wax Museum
17 King St.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
800-584-4781
www.potterswax.com
Fountain of Youth
While a drink from the Fountain of Youth might not make you any younger, you'll enjoy walking through the lush gardens surrounding the fountain. A historic site first settled by the Timucuan Indians, the property was later a citrus orchard. Peacocks roam the grounds, which include a shipwreck, a navigator's planetarium and an Indian burial ground.
Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth
1 Magnolia Ave.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
800-356-8222
www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
Golf
St. Augustine has lots of golf courses to choose from, ranging from the TPC Stadium Course, up the road about 30 minutes in Ponte Vedra, to The King & The Bear at the World Golf Village. Closer to town, Royal St. Augustine is a fun parkland course. The World Golf Hall of Fame, which has great interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater is also worth the trip.
TPC Sawgrass
110 Championship Way
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. 32082
904-273-3235
www.tpc.com/sawgrass
The King & The Bear
One World Golf Place
St. Augustine, Fla. 32092
904-940-6088
www.wgv.com/golf/golf_courses.php
Royal St. Augustine
301 Royal St Augustine Parkway
St Augustine, Fla. 32094
904-824-4653
www.royalstaugustine.com
World Golf Hall of Fame
One World Golf Pl.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32092
800-948-4653
www.wgv.com
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
