St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park began in the late nineteenth century as a small exhibition of Florida reptiles and soon became a quintessential Florida attraction. Today it functions as a modern zoo serving the public and the scientific community with educational shows and exhibits, important research, and worldwide conservation efforts. The Alligator Farm’s history as an attraction and an accredited zoo is nearly as exciting as zipping across the Alligator Lagoon on Crocodile Crossing, the park’s thrilling zip-line attraction.

 

Learn more here.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is dedicated to discovering, preserving, presenting and keeping alive the story of the Nation's Oldest Port.

• We do this in many ways:
• Educational opportunities
• Local and national preservation efforts
• Maritime archaeological research

Hands-On History

Each year, our museum introduces over 43,000 school age students to marine sciences and maritime history throughcamp programs, home-school days, hands-on tours, and program scholarships.

Our camps reach out to underserved and at-risk populations through scholarships and donations. This allows students to attend our camps who have high academic achievement and potential but do not have the economic means to attend camp.

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students from around the world visit the museum every summer for one of the nation’s only underwater archaeology field schools. These students have the rare chance to experience excavation and artifact recovery from a unique 18th century shipwreck, combining scientific diving, archaeological science, and history to make for a well-rounded field school experience.

Fort Matanzas

Throughout its history, the stories of Fort Matanzas and the Matanzas area have been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine.

Located fifteen miles north of Fort Matanzas, St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos serve as outstanding reminders of the might of the early Spanish empire and as reflections of European conflicts as countries battled for land and power in the New World.

Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting—not just the historic fort, but also the wild barrier island and the plants and animals who survive there amidst a sea of modern development. Read More

 

Travel Insurance Advice

 

Many travel vendors (tour companies and cruise lines) offer their own protection plans and these plans may provide very different coverage than offered through third party insurance companies. In most cases, supplier-provided coverage won’t cover you in the event they go bankrupt. When considering a supplier protection plan, you should carefully compare the coverage with third-party travel insurance products.

Who should buy travel insurance?
Travelers who want to protect their travel investment should consider purchasing travel insurance. If an illness, accident or sudden change in plans forces you to cancel or interrupt travel plans, you face two major financial losses – money you’ve invested in nonrefundable prepayments, and medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance.

How does trip cancellation coverage work?
It is designed to reimburse you for forfeited, nonrefundable, unused payments or deposits if you have to cancel your interrupt your trip due to a variety of situations, including but not limited to inclement weather, illness or another unforeseen event.

Depending on your policy, it may also cover:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Transportation ordered by a doctor to the nearest adequate
• medical facility
• Reasonable accommodations and travel expenses for travel delays
• Essential items you purchase if your baggage is delayed
• Lost or stolen luggage
• How much does travel insurance cost?
• The cost of travel insurance varies from company and policy to policy. The more you have invested in your trip, the more you need to protect it. Travel insurance covers you for losses caused by trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, baggage, trip and baggage delay. When you consider all the protection you get, travel insurance is actually a great value.

Where do you buy travel insurance?
Most travel agents offer travel insurance and many may even require customers that decline insurance to sign a waiver form.

Packing List

Make a plan and stick to it!

Like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase by creating a packing list. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be beneficial in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.

When planning your wardrobe, consider the events you will participate in both day and night and write down a possible outfit for each activity. Crosscheck this packing list to determine if one piece can cover multiple occasions. Pick clothes that coordinate well together, based around complimentary colors.

Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly. Also, be sure to know the local traditions, where a t-shirt for dinner could be a serious blunder, or bare shoulders may bar your entrance into such places as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. For almost all outdoor activities, take pieces that can be layered.

Forget dress clothes for every occasion. The world at large has relaxed its dress code, showing almost universal leniency to tourists. Dark colors - a black dress or blue jacket - will get you through most dinners and plays.

Top 10 Travel Therapy Tips To Beat Epic Airport Security Lines

1) Get Thru Lines Faster: Avoid the epic lines all together by signing up for TSA PreCheck ($85 for 5 years) or Global Entry ($100 for 5 years), NEXUS ($50 for 5 years) that fast tracks you through security. I’ve gotten through security lines in five minutes that took other people two hours! Sure, there are some steps you have to take and the cost, but isn’t it worth $17 a year for five years ( TSA Pre-Check) to avoid those huge lines?

2) Get to the Airport 2 to 3 Hours Before Flight.

3) Research Before You Fly: A quick Google search or social media search ( #IHateTheWait) will let you now what airports are seeing the longest security lines so you can plan accordingly. It’s no surprise you’re often seeing the longest lines in the largest airports like Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago’s Midway, New York’s JFK and La Guardia, New Jersey’s Newark, and Seattle’s Sea-Tac, but smaller airports are also feeling the crunch, so don’t let the size of an airport fool you.

4) Look for Shorter Lines: Don’t just go to the first security line you see if that line is long. As a TSA agent if there’s a shorter line somewhere else.

Tips For Stress-Free Summer Travel - Road Trip

Tips for travel by car include:

• Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.
• Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces your car's gas mileage. On the flip side, too much air can result in a flat.
• Get an early start to avoid holiday weekend gridlock. Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families. Make sure that all drivers are thoroughly rested.

Tips For Stress-Free Summer Travel - Traveling by airplane

Tips for air travel include:

• Book your ticket ASAP. If you must book last minute, remember, you have options. The key to securing the best deal is flexibility in travel dates--ask your ASTA travel agent to check into special fares or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. If your vacation includes international travel, make sure you have a valid passport. Your travel agent can advise you on the new rules and how to apply.
• Arrive early. Difficult airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints and the possibility of the airline overselling the flight and bumping passengers, should all be considered when deciding what time to arrive at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time. Need some incentive? Keep in mind that those who arrive earliest for an overbooked flight stand the greatest chance of staying onboard.
• Keep a close eye on all your belongings. Just as flights are becoming extremely crowded, airports can also be fraught with thieves. Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a close watch over tickets, wallets, purses, and other belongings at all times.
• Avoid getting bumped. 1) Get an advance seat assignment. Passengers with seat assignments are typically only bumped if they arrive late and their seat assignment is released. 2) Check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do so within 24 hours of departure. Seat assignments that were not available at the time of ticketing may be available when checking in online. 3) Don't be late. If all else fails, get to the airport early. Some airlines reserve a portion of their seat assignment inventory for airport check-in. If you are denied a seat assignment at check-in, put your name on the "standby" seat assignment list.
• Remember 3-1-1. New regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three (3) ounces or less that fit comfortably in one (1) quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag and the one (1) bag per passenger must be placed in the screening bin.
• Know your limits. Pack light and know baggage limits. Some airlines now charge for a second piece of checked luggage.

Impressions of Provence

“Impressions of Provence” by Sally Paulson is the newest Art in Public Places Exhibit that will be on display June 21 – July 21, 2016.  Featuring 38 photographic works taken in many of the beautiful small villages and surrounding areas in the South of France, they show everyday life such as the vegetable markets, the cafes, and the lavender and sunflower fields – all seen in Summer.  The photos have been slightly manipulated digitally, adding layers and texture to create a “painterly” look.

The exhibit can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm.

Venue

St. Johns County Administration Building

500 San Sebastian View Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Regency Inn & Suites Amenities

Air ConditionedAlarm Clock
Color TVs with Cable and HBO
24 Hour Front Desk
Free Parking
Free Local Telephone Calls
Hairdryers
Ice Machine
Iron/ Ironing Board (upon request)
In-room coffee maker
Microwave
No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
Mini-fridge
Vending Machines
Wake-up Service
Wheel Chair Access

Two Queen Room

The double queen offers a relaxing environment for a family with two queen beds in this spacious room.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper with guests The Peach Kings

Live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Sunday, June 12, 2016

The Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo
Live at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 1, 2016

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is focusing on Women’s History Month in March with ongoing tours to honor the historic property’s female ownership since 1821.

Fool's Paradise

Fool's Paradise featuring Lettuce, GRiZ and More

Friday and Saturday April 1-2 2016

Live at St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Smallest Street

Did you know?
St. Augustine can boast that it has the narrowest street in the U.S.
Treasury Street is only 7 feet wide!

A Rich Heritage

St. Augustine’s rich heritage makes the city and its surroundings a unique getaway for visitors. Founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain, St. Augustine is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States – more commonly called the "Nation’s Oldest City." Visit St. Augustine and dive into more than four centuries of history that owes much to the Spanish and English, to Greeks and Native Americans and African Americans. Stroll the narrow lanes, enter the many museums, visit landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos, Ponce de Leon's "Fountain of Youth," and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. St. Augustine – a place for history buffs and everyone else.

Free Event!

To Kill A Mockingbird - An Evening with Scout presented by St. Johns Reads Saturday, February 27, 2016

The St. Johns County Public Library System and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre have partnered together for a very special showing of the 1962 version of To Kill a Mockingbird. Academy award nominated actress, Mary Badham, who played the character of Scout, will appear before the film to discuss her on-set experiences, her lifelong friendship with Gregory Peck and the legacy of Harper Lee.

Ms. Badham will speak at 6pm and the film will show at 7pm.

Families are encouraged to bring pillows and blankets for warmth and comfort and take advantage of the refreshments being sold at the Amphitheatre. General admission seating. Seating will be on a first come, first seated basis.

For more information, please call (904) 827-6928.

Beach Blast Off

Beach Blast Off is a great way to wrap up the Christmas season- 4:00 on Dec 31 head to the St. Augustine Beach Pier for a chili cook-off, ice sculptures and St Augustine New Years fireworks at 8:30!

Nights of Lights

Enjoy St. Augustine's Nights of Lights now thru January 31, 2016. With a display that is ranked as Top 10 in the WORLD!