Chris

My boyfriend and I will be going to St.Augustine in a couple weeks for our anniversary. We are young and active but don't like the nightlife scene. We already have a reservation at the hostel in a private room. Does anyone have and experience here? Also, Does anyone have any ideas of excellent restaurants, tours, or activities that can't be missed when in this historic town?

J-Go

The fort is a must. Perhaps have a picnic on the huge lawn. Take a horse and buggy ride around the city, walk around the shops and stuff downtown, visit the Aligator Farm, Lighthouse Museum, Anistasia Island. Conch House is a great restaurant right on the water, beware of Sundays, they draw a huge drinking crowd all day, but it is neat atmosphere on any other night. It really is beautiful.

rob

ft. matanzas: south on A1A. a small, outpost fort on a tiny island in the middle of the river. an early warning lookout for the castillio (the big fort in st. aug).

marineland: also south on A1A. the original marine park. wonderfully tack. get the schedule ahead of time so you don't miss the shows.

anatasia state park: for beach access.

J T Kirk

Drive or walk around the section of town south of the tourist section. (You'll reach the southern end of town when you come to a group of white military buildings and an old military graveyard.) There are some neat old houses down that way. And the streets are lined with giant spanish moss laden trees. Another great walking spot is the old graveyard that looks out onto the water. It's north of the big fort.

J T Kirk

Oh, I forgot to mention - for eating, check out the Conch House. You'll need to ask for directions. But they have a great setting and have great eats.

MHS

As Kirk suggested, go beyond the primary "tourist" street -- one of the oldest homes is run by an Historical Society & it's great to tour with one of the ladies.

Mickey

My favorite must do's!

Conch House for lunch is a must
Harrys Seafood for dinner (sit upstairs on the balcony)
Oldest House very romantic
Boat Ride on the river
A ghostly walking tour from the Lightner Museum at about 8pm be there a little early
The Fountain of Youth

VF

The "tourist" walking streets in the historic (esp. St. George Street)district pretty much close up around 6pm. There's an upscale, but affordable small cafe within the new historic renovated hotel, Casa Monica...right downtown, which is open til 10pm. They have great coffees & french pastries, salads, gourmet pizza and pre-made (but good) sandwiches... and you can sit outside alongside the hotel right in the midst of downtown on the square. A great restaurant off A1A north of town is "Caps" with laid-back atmosphere. You sit outside RIGHT on the river's edge under giant moss-laden oak trees on picnic tables. I believe there's a bank on weekend evenings. A unique spot and not touristy. Try their red beans & rice! Conch House can be touristy...the quisine...not out of the ordinary. And of course, there's St. Augustine's white sandy beaches. Antique shops along San Marco Avenue just north of the big fort. A great place for breakfast in the historic district on St. George Street is The Bunnery. Very tempting croissants, pastries, homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee. They also serve lunch. Best pizza in town? Try Pizzalley's a couple doors down from The Bunnery. Pizza doesn't get any better. Have fun!

VF

Oh...and for dinner, can't beat Gypsy Cab...a funky-looking restaurant near the lighthouse (don't forget to check out the lighthouse, by the way)that serves wonderfully-put together cuisine..ecclectic meals, upbeat, and all the locals eat there! LaParisienne is also nice...white table cloths, in heart of downtown. French, classy but yet affordable.

Ben

My favorite for seafood eating is O'Steen's. It is always good & not very fancy. Perfect for people wanting to pay for the food not the atmosphere.

ellen g

Check out The Jesterville Grille on King Street, across from the park. Its a delightful old-fashioned soda shoppe, including the adjoining toy-novelty shoppe. Great burgers and shakes, fun shoppe to browse while waiting for your food.

Avoid the Conch House -- average food at best. Nice view, but you can get that anywhere in town.

The Bunnery also has the BEST chocolate chip cookies in town! But get there early -- they sell out and don't always make a second batch. (??)

r-travels

Check out Flagler University, housed in the once famous Flagler Hotel. Also see the old hotel across the street (Alazar?) now housing City Hall and the Lightner museum. Sometimes there are tours available at Flagler. These provide for a taste of St Augustine during it's "glory days"

S

Isn't there a crystal clear spring/lake in the general area with glass bottom boat rides? Or am I thinking about the wrong part of Florida? I remember doing that almost 40 years ago.

Madison

The college someone referred to earlier is called Flagler College, nestled right in the midst of downtown and is on the National Register of Historic Places with Louis Tiffany glass all around the circular dining hall. Also has frescos on the ceiling and you can take a short tour for next to nothing. The Lightner Museum is across the street, but if you're not into museums, there's an AWESOME place for lunch within the museum called Cafe Alcazar...probably one of THE most romantic places in the area. You eat in/on what used to be the floor of the indoor swimming pool, surrounded by the museum...360 degrees around you. Awesome! The last person who posted is referring to Silver Springs with glass-bottom boats which is quite a drive away.
Agree that the Conch House is not much...food so-so. Avoid the tempting Santa Maria Restaurant which is over the water on the bayfront...very touristy and food isn't great...very few locals go there. My fav....is Gypsy Cab Company for lunch or dinner. Never, ever been disappointed. They're creative with their cuisine and not "the usual."
Take a horse and buddy ride in the evening. The driver will give you a history of the town as you go, or will keep quiet and let you two just enjoy the scenery.
As you walk out the door of the hostel, turn left and go a few feet until it dead-ends & turn right on Charlotte Street, walking a couple minutes to the back entrance (on the left)of Harry's...a nice restaurant and bar on the bayfront where you can sit outside in a very nice walled garden and enjoy the bayfront breeze. Also romantic!