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

 

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

Between Here and There Exhibition

The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and Flagler College present “Between Here and There”, an exhibition by Jacksonville native Shannon Estlund that includes a selection of recent paintings alongside a new series of sculpture.  The exhibition runs from May 13 – June 24, 2016 with the artist giving a walkthrough on May 13 at 4pm, followed by an opening reception from 5 to 7pm.

Estlund’s paintings pay particular attention to un-idealized natural places that are “readily accessible but often overlooked — perfectly formed sticks found beside the path; unkempt areas at the edges of suburbs or beside isolated stretches of highway.” The paintings reference these spaces through a combination of lushly saturated color often juxtaposed with works that have a muted, more somber palate. The artist pays equal homage to both the lush growth and decay of the Floridian landscape and to the harsh, winter environment of the Midwest.

Her sculptures bring the world of her paintings into the viewer’s space. The works combine natural with synthetic materials, often with dense, velvety surfaces. As with Estlund’s paintings, the sculptures are referential — objects that exist both within and outside of our awareness; uncanny and yet familiar.

Admission is free.  The museum is open Monday through Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Venue: Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College  48 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 United States.

A Relaxing Atmosphere

Stroll down the cobblestone streets and browse through the shops and restaurants in the historic Old City

Indoor Heated Pool

Enjoy our indoor heated pool!

First Colony: Our Spanish Origins Exhibit

See this new University of Florida and Florida Museum of History Exhibit at the recently-renovated Government House Museum in St. Augustine.  The bilingual exhibit uses interactive displays and artifacts to explore the daily lives of the Spaniards who, in 1565, established St. Augustine as the nation's first permanent European colony.

Re-Riding History Exhibit

"Re-Riding History: From the Southern Plains to the Matanzas Bay" explores the heartbreaking history of assimilation and imprisonment of Native Americans as expressed through the eyes of contemporary artists, at Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, now through February 28, 2015.

We Offer Wake-up Service! Book Today!

We Offer Rooms With Microwaves!

Enjoy Our In-room Coffee Maker During Your Next Stay!

We Provide Wheel Chair Access For Your Convenience! Book Today!

St. Augustine Light

The St. Augustine Light is an active lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida. The current lighthouse stands at the north end of Anastasia Island and was built in 1874; it is the most recent of a number of towers built in the area.

Old St. Johns County Jail

The Old Jail is a historic jail in St. Augustine, Florida. It is located at 167 San Marco Avenue. On August 27, 1987, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The St. Johns County Jail now serves as the Old Jail Museum.

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a privately owned 15-acre park in St. Augustine, Florida, located along Hospital Creek, part of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is a wooden structure located at 14 St. George Street in St. Augustine, Florida near the city gate. It is touted as being the oldest wooden school building in the United States.