Amanda & Anthony
Things To Do
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Standing sentry over St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, is the formidable Castillo de San Marcos. Positioned strategically on Matanzas Bay, the fort was built by the Spanish to protect the town and is the most often visited historic site in St. Augustine. Still standing after more than 300 years. The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. After 9 wooden forts designed to protect St. Augustine were burned by invaders, the Spanish militia took on the monumental task of constructing a stone fort that would protect the city and its treasury from pirates, the British and other attackers. Construction of the Castillo began in 1672 and took 23 years to complete. This stronger fortress was never taken in battle. The Castillo played a pivotal role in protecting Spanish St. Augustine from the 1700s to the late 1800s. In 1924, the Castillo, or Fort Marion, was declared a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Fort Matanzas, located on the Intracoastal Waterway south of St. Augustine, was built by Spanish soldiers as the back door protecting the city by preventing the British sailing through Matanzas Bay from invading St. Augustine. Today, Fort Matanzas has grown to a park of almost 300 acres and features walking trails, picnic areas, small tidal beaches and of course the fort located on Rattlesnake Island, which visitors get to by ferry.
Fort Mose Historic State Park
A state park, Fort Mose is historically significant as home to the first free African settlement in the U.S. Long before the Underground Railroad provided slaves with a chance for freedom in the North, a similar escape route ran south from the British, and later, American plantations to Spanish La Florida. Those who escaped from bondage and survived the difficult journey to Florida were given their freedom by the Spanish authorities. The men were also inducted into the Spanish militia, given muskets and ordered to defend St. Augustine from their former owners – a task they pursued with enthusiasm. In 1738, Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose was established just outside the city gate – the first, legally-sanctioned community for African-Americans in what is now the United States. While the fort no longer stands, the park has a history museum and hosts several festivals and historic reenactments throughout the year.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Spend the day with hundreds of alligators and crocodiles, other exotic creatures from around the world and hundreds of wild coastal birds who are so busy with lives that they barely notice you! Where? The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park – one of the nation’s most exciting, fun and educational zoos. Every species of crocodilian lives here – the only place in the world with this distinction. This multi-award-winning zoo is Florida’s oldest attraction, yet it always looks brand new. Open daily, it Is the perfect outdoor adventure for the entire family.