St. Augustine Attractions
There is something for everyone in St. Augustine and it is all convenient to Sun 'n Games Cottage. We have a few coffee table books in the cottage for your perusal as there isn't enough space in this guidebook to cover everything.
We've put a few of our personal favorites in the guidebook however!
Vilano Beach is our beach of choice. Vilano Beach access is at 2725 Anamha Drive. Cars are allowed on beach if 4x4 from March to Sept. Restrooms, showers, picnic tables and seasonal lifeguards on staff at this portion of the beach.
Vilano Beach is so close and is one of the "shellier" beaches in the area and is famous for its shark teeth! Shark tooth hunting is an easy and fun activity to take up. Look for the dark triangular shapes mixed within broken shells and sand on the beach, particularly at the tide line where waves crash onto the shore.
You can definitely find your more traditional sandy areas for sand castles too!
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VILANO BEACH
Vilano Beach is our beach of choice. Vilano Beach access is at 2725 Anamha Drive. Cars are allowed on beach if 4x4 from March to Sept. Restrooms, showers, picnic tables and seasonal lifeguards on staff at this portion of the beach.
Vilano Beach is so close and is one of the "shellier" beaches in the area and is famous for its shark teeth! Shark tooth hunting is an easy and fun activity to take up. Look for the dark triangular shapes mixed within broken shells and sand on the beach, particularly at the tide line where waves crash onto the shore.
You can definitely find your more traditional sandy areas for sand castles too!
Beautiful beach and state park just over the Bridge of Lions. Plenty of parking, restrooms, and even a small cafe.
300 Anastasia Park Road
St. Augustine FL 32080
Fee of $8 for parking and vehicles are not allowed on beach.
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Anastasia State Park
300 Anastasia Park RdBeautiful beach and state park just over the Bridge of Lions. Plenty of parking, restrooms, and even a small cafe.
300 Anastasia Park Road
St. Augustine FL 32080
Fee of $8 for parking and vehicles are not allowed on beach.
Amazing fort with rich history, self guided tours, and great demonstrations. A must see!
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Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
11 S Castillo DrAmazing fort with rich history, self guided tours, and great demonstrations. A must see!
One of the oldest basilicas in America. Gorgeous and open for the public to walk through. One of the few Catholic churches in America with a true old world decor.
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Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
38 Cathedral PlOne of the oldest basilicas in America. Gorgeous and open for the public to walk through. One of the few Catholic churches in America with a true old world decor.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
11 Magnolia AveThe Old Jail is neat - fun, reasonably priced tour and interesting history! Just a short walk from the cottage.
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Old Jail
167 San Marco AveThe Old Jail is neat - fun, reasonably priced tour and interesting history! Just a short walk from the cottage.
Historic Lighthouse, we did the ‘Keepers Tour’ which was so interesting and informative. The tour ends with special access into the top of the lighthouse. Disclaimer, our kids were booooored on the 1.5 hour tour. Recommend just exploring on your own if you are bringing kiddos, you can go at your own pace and there is a neat play structure to wear them out.
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St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
100 Red Cox DrHistoric Lighthouse, we did the ‘Keepers Tour’ which was so interesting and informative. The tour ends with special access into the top of the lighthouse. Disclaimer, our kids were booooored on the 1.5 hour tour. Recommend just exploring on your own if you are bringing kiddos, you can go at your own pace and there is a neat play structure to wear them out.
If you like premium liquor, you must visit the distillery, in a very historic building that used to be an old ice plant. Self guided tour with delicious free cocktail tastings, enough said. Kids are welcome here too.
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St. Augustine Distillery
112 Riberia StIf you like premium liquor, you must visit the distillery, in a very historic building that used to be an old ice plant. Self guided tour with delicious free cocktail tastings, enough said. Kids are welcome here too.
If you love history this is a must-do. Very accurate and interesting tour and plenty of artifacts. Definitely recommend the guided tour instead of going through on your own. Aye!
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St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
12 S Castillo DrIf you love history this is a must-do. Very accurate and interesting tour and plenty of artifacts. Definitely recommend the guided tour instead of going through on your own. Aye!
Food & Drink Scene
Beautiful outdoor setting with amazing sunsets over the water. Great seafood and oyster bar! This is a must-visit while staying at the cottage. They don’t take reservations so go early during the weekends/busy season or be prepared to wait a bit for your table.
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Cap's On the Water
4325 Myrtle StBeautiful outdoor setting with amazing sunsets over the water. Great seafood and oyster bar! This is a must-visit while staying at the cottage. They don’t take reservations so go early during the weekends/busy season or be prepared to wait a bit for your table.
Collage is fantastic if you have an opportunity to squeeze in a date night. Small, quaint ambiance and you will need a reservation. Great food and service. You'll need to find parking - it's a short walk from the historic parking garage.
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Collage
60 Hypolita StCollage is fantastic if you have an opportunity to squeeze in a date night. Small, quaint ambiance and you will need a reservation. Great food and service. You'll need to find parking - it's a short walk from the historic parking garage.
Gorgeous old world restaurant. Columbia is part of a chain that started in Tampa in 1905 and has an interesting history. Highly recommend a reservation as this place is popular - especially since it is right on St. George Street. You MUST get the 1905 salad! Colombia is our choice for first time visitors.
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Columbia Restaurant
98 St George StGorgeous old world restaurant. Columbia is part of a chain that started in Tampa in 1905 and has an interesting history. Highly recommend a reservation as this place is popular - especially since it is right on St. George Street. You MUST get the 1905 salad! Colombia is our choice for first time visitors.
Classic Old Florida restaurant with a big outdoor dining area. Great seafood. They take reservations and definitely make one. This is a favorite lunch and dinner destination for our family.
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The Floridian Restaurant
72 Spanish StClassic Old Florida restaurant with a big outdoor dining area. Great seafood. They take reservations and definitely make one. This is a favorite lunch and dinner destination for our family.
River & Fort is a newer restaurant with a great location and amazing views of the historic fort and Matanzas river (hence the name!). It also has a great rooftop lounge with even better views and photo ops. We went for the first time in December 2022 and it was busy - they don't take reservations. But worth the wait as the food (the fries are quite popular) and service were excellent.
River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge
River & Fort is a newer restaurant with a great location and amazing views of the historic fort and Matanzas river (hence the name!). It also has a great rooftop lounge with even better views and photo ops. We went for the first time in December 2022 and it was busy - they don't take reservations. But worth the wait as the food (the fries are quite popular) and service were excellent.
Very good restaurant in a neat building that used to be an Ice Plant. Great cocktails and good food! The burgers are on point. The place is a place to be seen so can sometimes get quite busy. But worth visiting! Go early or during off season / weekdays.
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Ice Plant Bar
110 Riberia StVery good restaurant in a neat building that used to be an Ice Plant. Great cocktails and good food! The burgers are on point. The place is a place to be seen so can sometimes get quite busy. But worth visiting! Go early or during off season / weekdays.
Beautiful views and great seafood. This restaurant is just a quick drive from the cottage.
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Kingfish Grill On the Water
252 Yacht Club DriveBeautiful views and great seafood. This restaurant is just a quick drive from the cottage.
This is a gem of a restaurant a few minutes walk down San Marco. The owner is very attentive, and the courtyard is gorgeous. If the weather allows, you definitely want to be seated outside. They do take reservations but we recently went on a Saturday night and waited a long time for our food, which was worth the wait. Don’t go if you are in a rush! Another bonus is it is an easy walk from Sun 'n Games.
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Cortesse’s Bistro
172 San Marco AvenueThis is a gem of a restaurant a few minutes walk down San Marco. The owner is very attentive, and the courtyard is gorgeous. If the weather allows, you definitely want to be seated outside. They do take reservations but we recently went on a Saturday night and waited a long time for our food, which was worth the wait. Don’t go if you are in a rush! Another bonus is it is an easy walk from Sun 'n Games.
The views of the ocean from The Reef are spectacular. One of the few truly ocean-side restaurants in St. Augustine. As for the food...for the most part we thought it was good, not great. We did get the filet mignon appetizer which was amazing. Will definitely go back for the ambiance alone.
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The Reef
4100 Coastal HwyThe views of the ocean from The Reef are spectacular. One of the few truly ocean-side restaurants in St. Augustine. As for the food...for the most part we thought it was good, not great. We did get the filet mignon appetizer which was amazing. Will definitely go back for the ambiance alone.
Great food and ambiance, kid friendly, and large outdoor space. Harry's is a north Florida chain (of 5) of Cajun influenced restaurants that boast great food and big portions. A great location and yummy food make this a good option.
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Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille
46 Avenida MenendezGreat food and ambiance, kid friendly, and large outdoor space. Harry's is a north Florida chain (of 5) of Cajun influenced restaurants that boast great food and big portions. A great location and yummy food make this a good option.
Raintree is a famous restaurant just down San Marco. Renowned for its seafood and service as well as its history. Beautiful location and a mile walk from the cottage but they have parking also. Need a reservation during busy season. Not overly kid friendly.
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Raintree Restaurant
102 San Marco AveRaintree is a famous restaurant just down San Marco. Renowned for its seafood and service as well as its history. Beautiful location and a mile walk from the cottage but they have parking also. Need a reservation during busy season. Not overly kid friendly.
We love having dinner at Fish Camp. Diverse menu and great specials. Steph always gets the fresh catch special and has never been disappointed. Two bonuses - you can make a reservation, and there is (valet) parking on site.
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St. Augustine Fish Camp
142 Riberia StWe love having dinner at Fish Camp. Diverse menu and great specials. Steph always gets the fresh catch special and has never been disappointed. Two bonuses - you can make a reservation, and there is (valet) parking on site.
We love the Tini Martini Bar! Great drinks and people watching. There is sometimes a line to get in during peak times. Be warned that the drinks are strong! Especially the Sailor's Punch.
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The Tini Martini Bar
24 Avenida MenendezWe love the Tini Martini Bar! Great drinks and people watching. There is sometimes a line to get in during peak times. Be warned that the drinks are strong! Especially the Sailor's Punch.
Vilano Grill 180 is kind of a hole in the wall place that would be a great choice after a few hours at Vilano Beach. They are known for their pizza but have several other nice options as well. Great service and surprisingly fast. The kids enjoy the fried shrimp. Steph recommends ‘My Wife’s Favorite’ pizza.
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Vilano Grill 180
180 Vilano RdVilano Grill 180 is kind of a hole in the wall place that would be a great choice after a few hours at Vilano Beach. They are known for their pizza but have several other nice options as well. Great service and surprisingly fast. The kids enjoy the fried shrimp. Steph recommends ‘My Wife’s Favorite’ pizza.
Ayara Thai & Sushi Cuisine
140 San Marco AveGreat Thai and sushi. Make sure to try the Penang Curry!
Taco Libre is the newest restaurant on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Super easy walk, lots of space and great food. The jalapeño margarita has a nice kick too! Great for families, very kid friendly outdoor patio with games and space for kids.
Taco Libre #3
2600 North Ponce De Leon BoulevardTaco Libre is the newest restaurant on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Super easy walk, lots of space and great food. The jalapeño margarita has a nice kick too! Great for families, very kid friendly outdoor patio with games and space for kids.
Full disclosure, we ended up here on a Saturday night after deciding the wait at Caps was too long. Great outdoor deck but we didn’t want to wait for that so sat inside. Steph was hangry. The service was great and the food was surprisingly excellent. Recommend the ribs, chicken, and sea food sampler plate. Great for families.
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Aunt Kates
612 Euclid AveFull disclosure, we ended up here on a Saturday night after deciding the wait at Caps was too long. Great outdoor deck but we didn’t want to wait for that so sat inside. Steph was hangry. The service was great and the food was surprisingly excellent. Recommend the ribs, chicken, and sea food sampler plate. Great for families.
This is an awesome little third wave coffee shop that is a nice walk from our Sun 'n Games Cottage. They also have wine and a cute outside area to sit and enjoy!
Try one of their more unique roasts "pour over" style or stick with the "Reliable" house roast which is also great. They have light snacks as well (i.e. bagels, muffins, etc.)
You can walk all the way down the more commercial street of San Marco (down Fullerwood, right on San Marco) or through the neighborhood (Fullerwood, right on Douglas, left on Hildreth, right on San Marco)
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DOS Coffee & Wine
300 San Marco AveThis is an awesome little third wave coffee shop that is a nice walk from our Sun 'n Games Cottage. They also have wine and a cute outside area to sit and enjoy!
Try one of their more unique roasts "pour over" style or stick with the "Reliable" house roast which is also great. They have light snacks as well (i.e. bagels, muffins, etc.)
You can walk all the way down the more commercial street of San Marco (down Fullerwood, right on San Marco) or through the neighborhood (Fullerwood, right on Douglas, left on Hildreth, right on San Marco)
This restaurant is a very quick drive north from the cottage with easy parking. It's not fancy, and they keep the lights WAY too bright inside IMO (like, I'm wearing my sunglasses at night). However, it's just easy with good food and service. Most of the seafood is fried but they do have a few grilled/broiled options. They have a nice outdoor section (not as bright out there!) with live music on the weekends. Recommend this place if you are in the mood for casual and 'easy'.
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Schooner's Seafood House
3560 N Ponce De Leon BlvdThis restaurant is a very quick drive north from the cottage with easy parking. It's not fancy, and they keep the lights WAY too bright inside IMO (like, I'm wearing my sunglasses at night). However, it's just easy with good food and service. Most of the seafood is fried but they do have a few grilled/broiled options. They have a nice outdoor section (not as bright out there!) with live music on the weekends. Recommend this place if you are in the mood for casual and 'easy'.
We finally stopped in here recently after walking by several times and saying we should pop in. So glad we did, the wines were excellent with a surprisingly good selection and reasonable prices. But the people are by far the best part about this place - great service and just a fun atmosphere. We made several new friends!
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Carrera Wine Cellar
35 San Marco AveWe finally stopped in here recently after walking by several times and saying we should pop in. So glad we did, the wines were excellent with a surprisingly good selection and reasonable prices. But the people are by far the best part about this place - great service and just a fun atmosphere. We made several new friends!
We recently had an excellent dinner here. Outstanding seafood and service. The inside is small and quaint, and the restaurant also has a beautiful outdoor patio. It's right in the middle of the old city, no parking but the public garage is close by. Make a reservation in advance!!!
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Catch 27
40 Charlotte StWe recently had an excellent dinner here. Outstanding seafood and service. The inside is small and quaint, and the restaurant also has a beautiful outdoor patio. It's right in the middle of the old city, no parking but the public garage is close by. Make a reservation in advance!!!
Dog Rose is a local brewery that has a nice array of good beer. It is also a low-key place to relax after walking downtown or visiting the museums on King Street. Their beer sampler is great to share as well!
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Dog Rose Brewing Company
77 Bridge StDog Rose is a local brewery that has a nice array of good beer. It is also a low-key place to relax after walking downtown or visiting the museums on King Street. Their beer sampler is great to share as well!
Awesome tacos, 'double decker' style. They are huge - two is plenty! Great after a visit to the lighthouse on Anastasia Island.
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Mojo's Tacos
551 Anastasia BlvdAwesome tacos, 'double decker' style. They are huge - two is plenty! Great after a visit to the lighthouse on Anastasia Island.
We understand - it's just a hot dog place and it certainly isn't as famous as Pink's in LA... but, the line can get pretty long here, the dogs are solid and it is an easy walk from Sun 'n Games! Hazel’s is named one of The South’s Best Hot Dogs by Southern Living magazine.
When we walk over for dogs, I'll admit that Steph stays behind or we pick up a salad from Drake's Bistro for her on the way home!
Hazel's Hot Dog's
2400 N Ponce De Leon BlvdWe understand - it's just a hot dog place and it certainly isn't as famous as Pink's in LA... but, the line can get pretty long here, the dogs are solid and it is an easy walk from Sun 'n Games! Hazel’s is named one of The South’s Best Hot Dogs by Southern Living magazine.
When we walk over for dogs, I'll admit that Steph stays behind or we pick up a salad from Drake's Bistro for her on the way home!
Nearly every time we visit Sun 'n Games as a family the kids beg us to come here. Their treats are divine. Our favorites are the super reasonable and not too big cookie sandwiches.
It is right across San Marco from DOS coffee shop so super walkable (see DOS listing for more details)
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Crème de la Cocoa
299 San Marco AveNearly every time we visit Sun 'n Games as a family the kids beg us to come here. Their treats are divine. Our favorites are the super reasonable and not too big cookie sandwiches.
It is right across San Marco from DOS coffee shop so super walkable (see DOS listing for more details)
Another great and super convenient option. They just started offering breakfast and their lunch salads and sandwiches are solid. Drake's was also recently recognized for having some of the best soup in Florida. We've tried their chowder and it is very good.
Drake’s Bistro
237 San Marco AvenueAnother great and super convenient option. They just started offering breakfast and their lunch salads and sandwiches are solid. Drake's was also recently recognized for having some of the best soup in Florida. We've tried their chowder and it is very good.
The Press popular with locals, featuring scratch made food and usually has good specials. It is outside the historical area so easy to get to plus they take reservations. When you want good and easy. Their burgers are highly acclaimed and huge!
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The Press
525 FL-16The Press popular with locals, featuring scratch made food and usually has good specials. It is outside the historical area so easy to get to plus they take reservations. When you want good and easy. Their burgers are highly acclaimed and huge!
Neighborhoods
The Fullerwood Park Historic District is noted for its mature hardwood tree canopy, particularly live oaks, magnolias, and pines. These, coupled with numerous examples of early 20th century architecture, make walking in the neighborhood quite enjoyable.
Fullerwood Drive
Fullerwood DriveThe Fullerwood Park Historic District is noted for its mature hardwood tree canopy, particularly live oaks, magnolias, and pines. These, coupled with numerous examples of early 20th century architecture, make walking in the neighborhood quite enjoyable.
When you have younger kids like us, sometimes a nice little walkable park is a gold mine! This is a great one. Our kids love walking here to play.
Fullerwood Park
8 Hildreth DrWhen you have younger kids like us, sometimes a nice little walkable park is a gold mine! This is a great one. Our kids love walking here to play.
Groceries
Publix Super Market at Vilano Beach Town Center
55 Ava WayWinn-Dixie
1010 S Ponce De Leon BlvdVinny's Place
224 San Marco AveSightseeing and Trolleys
It is hard to come to St. Augustine and not visit some of the historical sites.
Because who doesn't want to go indoor skydiving? Our family had such a blast here. Need to book in advance.
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iFLY Jacksonville
10579 Brightman BlvdBecause who doesn't want to go indoor skydiving? Our family had such a blast here. Need to book in advance.
Consigli per viaggiatori
Muoversi in zona
Parking is a challenge
The parking garage in the historic district is your best bet rather than searching for street parking unless you are early enough in morning or later in the evening. $20 per trip. 1 Cordova St.