Contact Info
- Best Western Historical Inn
- 2010 North Ponce de Leon Blvd
- St Augustine, FL 32084
- Phone: (904) 829-9088
- Fax: (904) 829-6629
Area Attractions
Stay with the Best Western Historical Inn, and enjoy a convenient location to St. Augustine attractions and activities. Just minutes from the beach, your St. Augustine, Florida vacation will be filled with exciting activities the entire family will enjoy.Here are just some of the exciting St Augustine attractions to visit during your vacation:
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
ANCIENT CITY TOURS:
All tours are conducted in an entertaining, informative manner as our guides relate beguiling tales of our nation's oldest European settlement. For your convenience, we can make all logistic arrangements including hotel, restaurant, and entry into all historical sites. Our local caterer can provide delicious gourmet box picnics for your mealtime needs.COLEE'S CARRIAGE TOURS:
See St. Augustine by horse-drawn carriage. Tours begin on the bay front and continue throughout the downtown historic area. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., except Christmas Day. On Easter Day, tours are given from 8 a.m.-noon. The tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, covering a little over 2 and one half miles. Rates: adults, $12; children 5-11 years old, $5; children under 5, free. (904) 829-2818.FIESTA SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Enjoy a one hour fun and fact filled driving tour and overview of the area including many points of interest, attractions, and restaurants and nightspots. The scenic tour route encompasses the most significant areas of the city and the historic district. Take advantage of day or evening tours in deluxe passenger vans. Small groups allow for personalized service. Providing day or evening tours via deluxe, air-conditioned vans. Free city-wide lobby pickup. Call us first... Fiesta Tours can save you time and money! 904-808-8077 Toll Free 888-275-8902ST. AUGUSTINE SIGHTSEEING TRAINS:
Ride aboard sightseeing trains for a seven and one half mile, one-hour tour through St. Augustine. Stops are provided at major attractions. At 170 San Marco Ave., the first tour begins at 8:30 a.m., the last tour is at 5 p.m., with departures every 15-20 minutes. Rates: adults, $12; children 6-12 years old, $5; children under 6, free. Tickets are good for three consecutive days. (904) 829-6545.ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORICAL TOURS:
Take a one-hour tour of the city in open-air San Francisco style trolleys. Tickets include stops at major attractions during the seven and one half mile trip. Free parking is available at 167 San Marco Ave., where tours begin at 8:30 a.m. every day. The last tour begins at 4:30 p.m. Rates: adults, $12; children 6-12 years old, $5. (904) 829-3800."A GHOSTLY EXPERIENCE" WALKING TOUR:
The original St. Augustine ghost tour. Saunter with the spirits from dusk into darkness. Our licensed professional guides in period dress will take you through the ancient streets as you hear strange and unusual tales of centuries past, legendary stories and ghostly experiences. Voted #1 Guided Tour in Florida. Group rates available. Offered every evening. For rates, times and reservations call 888-461-1009 or 461-1009. www.staugustinetours.com email - toursaug@aug.com
ST. AUGUSTINE SCENIC CRUISE:
Relax and enjoy a 1 hour and 15 minute sightseeing cruise aboard the Victory III. Partially narrated tours provide a unique view of St. Augustine historic landmarks and natural points of interest. Departs daily from the Municipal Marina in downtown St. Augustine. Regularly scheduled cruises depart at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m. with extended cruise times during the spring and summer. (904) 824-1806 or scenic@aug.com.
MUSEUMS
THE MUSEUM OF WEAPONS AND EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY:
Located at 81C King St., next to Zorayda Castle, displays include items such as the piano of John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: adults, $3.50; children 12 and under, $1; children under 6, free. No fee for parking. 904-829-3727.POTTER'S WAX MUSEUM:
Go back in time and "meet" more than 150 famous people from the past and the present, everyone from explorers of the New World to Hollywood movie stars. Located at 17 King St., hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 15 through Labor Day; after Labor Day through the spring: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: adults, $5.50; senior citizens, $4.50; children 6-12 years old, $2.75. Group rates. (904) 829-9056.RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!:
Known as the "modern Marco Polo," Robert L. Ripley traveled to more than 198 countries to gather 750 exhibits displayed at the museum. Open daily: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept thru May and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Prices are: adults, $8.95; senior citizens 60 years old and older, $7.95; children 5-12 years old, $4.95; children under 5, free. (904) 824-1606.THE FLORIDA HERITAGE MUSEUM:
Located at 167 San Marco Ave., next to the Old Jail, it tells the story of Henry Flagler through unpublished photographs and artifacts. Model trains replicate Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway. An Indian village, weapons, Victorian dolls and toys are also part of the museum. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; admission: adults, $4.25; children, 6-12 years old, $3.25; free parking. (904) 829-3800.
OLD ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE:
Old St. Augustine Village is one of America's most historically rich places. Bounded by the age-old streets of St. George, Bridge, and Cordova, the Village's 10 houses, courtyards and gardens form an entire city block in St. Augustine's oldest historic district. Kenneth Dow donated the property to the Daytona Museum of Arts and Sciences in 1988. It has been restored in part by grants from the Florida Department of State.
THE MUSEUM OF HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE: "The Dream, the Challenge, the City," reflects five centuries of the city's history. Over 300 artifacts are exhibited from archaeological digs and Spanish shipwrecks off Florida's coast. In the Government House, at 48 King St., the museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. except Christmas Day. Admission: adults, $2; children 6-18 years old, $1. (904) 825-5033.
ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM: Visitors get the chance to see St. Augustine from a bird's point of view. Climb the 219 steps to the lantern room and the gallery walk of the lighthouse to see the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and St. Augustine. The museum is in the restored two-story light keeper's house, which also has exhibits and a video theatre telling the stories of the light keepers. Admission to the museum and tower: adults, $6.50; children 7-11 years old, $4; senior citizens 55 years old and older, $5.50. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended summer and holiday hours. For their safety, children must be 7 years old and 4 feet tall to climb the tower. Free museum admission and activities are offered to children under 7 and an accompanying adult. (904) 829-0745.
LIGHTNER MUSEUM:
Housed in the former Alcazar Hotel which was constructed in 1888, the museum is part of Henry Flagler's legacy of Florida hotels. Included in the museum's collection are Victorian period memorabilia, stained-glass art by Louis Tiffany, paintings, sculpture, toys, porcelain, and furniture. Located at 75 King St., in the City Hall building, admission for adults is $5; students 12-18 years old, $1; children under 12 free when accompanied by adult. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. (904) 824-2874.
SHOPPING DURING ST AUGUSTINE FLORIDA VACATION?
ST. AUGUSTINE OUTLET CENTER:
Over 95 factory direct outlet stores, a food court, and a bank and postage machine. A free trolley shuttles visitors around the mile-long center. Located off State Road 16, from U.S. 1 North and I-95 by exit 95. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (904) 825-1555.THE OLDEST CITY'S ORIGINAL STREET OF MERCHANTS:
During the 1700s, Charlotte Street became the main street as it was the most direct route between the fort and the Francis Mission barracks. Henry Flagler paved the street with brick in the late 1800s. Charlotte Street one block from the bay front offers visitors many shops, restaurants, bed-and-breakfast inns and homes to admire.ST. GEORGE STREET:
Stroll along 11 pedestrian-only blocks of shops, restaurants and historic landmarks. Downtown, one block away from Flagler College.
OTHER ST AUGUSTINE ATTRACTIONS
ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM:
Situated two miles south of the Bridge of Lions on A1A, the reptile and wildlife preserve was established in 1893. See monkeys, deer, exotic birds, giant tortoises, and the Gomek Forever exhibit in which the famous giant crocodile is now beautifully taxidermied and respectfully displayed. Also included in a day's activities are alligator and reptile shows and a nature trail. The farm is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission: adults, $11.95; children, 3-10 years old, $7.95; senior citizens, AAA, military discounts. St. Johns County residents receive half-price admission every day. Call (904) 824-3337 for more information or send an e-mail to Bill Pucket at wpuckett@aug.com.THE BRIDGE OF LIONS:
Two Carrara marble lions anchor the historic bridge between St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. Constructed in 1927, the lions were made to resemble the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence.WHETSTONE CHOCOLATE FACTORY OUTLET STORE AND TOURS:
Located at 2 Coke Rd., at Highway 312 and Coke Road, off U.S. 1 South. The factory can produce 500 chocolate candy pieces per minute. Free self-guided tours of the kitchens show the molding plant, the packing room and the specialty room, where milk chocolate shells are made. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call for factory hours. (904) 825-1700.
FLAGLER COLLEGE:
The former Ponce de Leon Hotel, built in the late 1880s by Henry Flagler, the college's dining hall and rotunda feature murals by George Maynard and stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Located on King Street, it's been described as a masterpiece in Spanish Renaissance architecture. Complimentary guided tours are given June 21 through Aug. 16 each hour from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, including holidays. (904) 829-6481.
