St Augustine is often overlooked among Florida tourist juggernauts like Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Miami on the Oceanside and Tampa on the Gulf side. This small town is the oldest European settlement in the United States. The Spanish colonization formed St Augustine in 1565, and it has been settled ever since. Miles of beaches, Florida weather, and numerous attractions make St Augustine an excellent destination for couples.
If you're coming with your partner from abroad, you will need travel authorization. You can get it with the ESTA Visa online application. After you answer all questions, the American administration takes up to three days to process the application. Once obtained, ESTA is valid for two years, and you can visit the US for up to 90 days.
Romantic St Augustine
Town has immense historical importance, and a stroll through Historic District is a great way to start exploring the destination. Between historic buildings, pedestrian Saint George Street and other cobbled streets filled with small shops with souvenirs, books, cigars, wine, and boutiques, the old part of town is great for romantic walks.
You can hire a horse and carriage ride through narrow St Augustine streets.
If you're more nature lover, stroll down the bayfront where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean, cityscape, Bridge of Lions, and the Lighthouse. The bay is filled with sailboats, and there are tourist boats that can take you to a private sailboat ride on the Matanzas Bay.
St Augustine couples activities
A must-visit attraction for couples is a love tree. Palm tree growing through an oak tree on Cordova street allegedly brings luck to couples that kiss under the tree.
If you like music and cocktails, the Forgotten Tonic is a place in the historic part of Aviles Street, the oldest in the country. St Augustine is an excellent place for a romantic dinner. Some of the famous restaurants in the historic districts include Collage on Hypolita Street, Raintree, Aviles, the Lounge, and Old City House Inn & Restaurant.
For chocolate lovers, there is a St Augustine's Original Chocolate Tour at Whetstone Chocolatiers. Established in 1967, Whetstone will give you a taste of their dark, milk and white chocolate and a factory walkthrough.
Go to San Sebastian Winery, one of Florida's premium establishments, and try their award-winning sparkling and dessert wines. You can book Winery tours and wine tasting and go to the Cellar Upstairs Bar and Restaurant on the Winery building's rooftop, where you can enjoy wine, live music, and great views.
Visit St Augustine beach offers miles of sandy coastline and many public well-maintained beach parks like Crescent Beach or Vilano Beach.
St Augustine wild reserve
You can see more than 50 large animals in Wild Reserve. For more than 35 years, Reserve rescues wild animals like tigers, lions, leopards, bears, and wolves. Animals are not bred in the sanctuary and sold. Besides large wild animals, the St Augustine Wild Reserve has numerous barnyard animals and some smaller mammal species.
Indoor activities St Augustine FL
Besides enjoying outdoor activities on the beach or waterfront, St Augustine has a great indoor offering for those unfortunate enough to catch a rainy day in Florida.
Oldest House Museum or historic Gonzalez-Alvarez House is the oldest Spanish Colonial building in St Augustine. The house blends various city history areas. The first stone floor representing the colonial era from the early 1700s, the second floor is from the British period of the Revolutionary War. Inside the house is a small museum with exhibits from 400 years of town history.
St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum tells a story of the privateer and pirate era when (in)famous pirates roamed the coastline from North Carolina down to the Caribbean Islands. Exhibits include the world's only pirate treasure chest, shipwreck treasures, and many interactive exhibits.
You could also take the Old Town Trolley tour to take you to the Old Jail, St George Street, Castillo de San Marco, Spanish Quarter, and the abovementioned museum.
Visit the Flagler College is situated in what was once Hotel Ponce de Leon, built in Spanish Renaissance style with huge halls and ballrooms.
St Augustine is worth visiting during a Florida road trip or as a destination by itself. Before booking your plane tickets, check ESTA Visa status. Although most applications go through without problems, it is advised to wait for approval before booking your trip.
Bottom line
Sunny weather, miles of sandy beaches, and old colonial buildings' romantic setting are a perfect destination for couples. If you add wine tasting and a private boat ride, you will have an excellent vacation with your partner. Close to St Augustine is Orlando, where you can go to Disney amusement park, and just north, you can visit Jacksonville.
