1 Day in St. Augustine: The Perfect Itinerary for Florida’s Oldest City

Planning on spending 1 day in St. Augustine? I live close to the oldest city and have been many times! It’s a beautiful, historic, and interesting city. They have great food, beaches, rivers, and plenty of history!

I focus on a self guided day, but I also highlight tour options that could make things easier for you. So let me help you plan your 1 day in St. Augustine!

In a Rush? Here’s the 1-Day St. Augustine Summary

I go into more details in this post, including alternatives to consider, but I understand the value of a summary. Both if you’re in a rush, or for you to easily reference later!

Here’s my proposed 1 day in St. Augustine itinerary. You can easily tailor it to your preferences, but it’s a great starting point that includes the top historic sights while also including time to simply enjoy the shops in St. Augustine.

Time	Activity	Details & Tips
8:00 AM	Breakfast & Drive	Start early! You can grab coffee on the way at The Kookaburra or Myth and Legend downtown or enjoy a full breakfast at Sunday (if your hotel doesn’t serve breakfast).
9:00 AM	Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park	Stroll through centuries of history, see the Timucua village, and see the Fountain of Youth. Don’t miss the Old Senator Tree just outside and Magnolia Avenue’s oak canopy for photos.
11:00 AM	Castillo de San Marcos	Explore the fort (~1 hour). Catch the cannon demonstration if visiting on a weekend (usually 10:30 or 11:30 AM).
12:00 PM	Lunch in Historic District	Walk to Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, Columbia Restaurant, one of the many options downtown or book a food tour!
1:30 PM	St. George Street	Wander this pedestrian-only lane packed with boutiques, cafés, and historic buildings. Great time for souvenirs or a treat.
3:00 PM	Museum or Tour Option	Choose a museum like Lightner Museum (art & antiques) or Colonial Quarter (hands-on history). Or book a walking or golf cart tour!
4:30 PM	Sunset View or Cruise	Relax before dinner — either stroll the Bayfront or book a sunset or scenic boat tour.
6:30 PM	Dinner at Ice Plant Bar	Enjoy craft cocktails and farm-to-table fare inside a 1920s ice factory next to St. Augustine Distillery.
8:00 PM	Evening Lights or Walk	If it’s the season, explore Nights of Lights or take a ghost tour before heading home.

Tours vs Self-Guided

Before we start, let’s discuss booking tours versus a self guided exploration of St. Augustine. You can absolutely do St. Augustine on your own, but there are some tours worth considering. I’ll review the pros and cons of each of these top tours so you can decide if they are right for you.

My 1 day in St. Augustine itinerary is from a self-guided perspective, but you can insert tours into your day and maximize your time based on your preferences.

Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is the most obvious tour to consider for your 1 day in St. Augustine! I love utilizing hop-on, hop-off tours in cities when I’m short on time. It really helps to keep things simple and either not have to deal with public transportation or the need to drive to various sites.

In St. Augustine, most of the sites you will want to visit are within walking distance, so this is not an automatic need. However, the Fountain of Youth is a bit far to walk, but has a stop on the trolley. If you are not interested in visiting the Fountain of Youth (I do think it’s worth it, but with a day you have to pick your main interests), and you don’t care about the tour guide aspect, I would suggest just parking near the historic area and walking.

San Sebastian Winery and the St. Augustine Distillery are about a 15 minute walk from the historic downtown. While they are not in the main area, they are walkable. I’ve walked from the distillery (or my new favorite restaurant the Ice Plant Bar) to the main historic area and it was an easy walk.

Alternatively, the Fountain of Youth will be about a 30 minute walk. It can be done, but since you’ll be walking all day, you may want to utilize a trolley. Once you arrive to the Fountain of Youth, you will be walking and exploring there as well. The Old Senator Tree and Mission Nombre de Dios Museum are on the way to the Fountain of Youth if you do decide to walk.

I’d definitely consider the trolley tour, but this 1 day in St. Augustine itinerary can easily be self guided!

St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Pros: It’s inexpensive and makes it easy to see all the main sights. You can also enjoy the benefit of a guide offering interesting facts and save some energy not having to walk the whole day.
Cons: There is a cost and you will have to wait for the trolley unless you have impeccable timing.

Walking Tour

Walking tours are great and inexpensive overall! If you want to enjoy learning about the history of St. Augustine without the commitment of a hop-on, hop-off tour, then this 90 minute walking tour is a great one to consider.

If you do book this tour for insight into the city, I’d suggest booking it in the morning and asking the guide for any tips for the rest of your day. I love taking tours like this in the first half of the day, in case I see something new or the guide has good suggestions I hadn’t considered.

If you don’t feel like walking, have an injury or just lack the mobility for any reason, there is a tour for you! Guided Historical Tour of St. Augustine is an approximately one hour tour on a golf cart! It costs only slightly more than the walking tour, so it’s still a very affordable option.

Walking History Tour of St. Augustine’s Historic District
Pros: Inexpensive and offers history and insight.
Cons: Only a small part of St. Augustine in covered in the tour.

Food Tours

I plan to do a food tour in St. Augustine soon and will report back with my experience! Food tours are great overall and I loved my Little Havana Food and Walking Tour as it really made the area come alive and offered history and insights as well.

St. Augustine has a great food scene and with that they have very high rated food tours! St. Augustine’s Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience and Corks and Forks Tour – St. Augustine are both highly rated and take 3 to 3.5 hours in total. These tours are offered in the afternoon or evening, allowing you to explore the sights in the morning.

Additionally, if you have a sweet-tooth like me, there’s a St. Augustine’s Sweets & History Walking Tour which is cheaper than the food tours and it’s done in the morning allowing for a free afternoon.

St. Augustine’s Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience or Corks and Forks Tour – St. Augustine
Pros: The guide will offer insight into St. Augustine and you’ll get to try numerous places!
Cons: Can be expensive and will take several hours.

Morning: History and Landmarks

Breakfast

If you want a basic coffee shop, I recommend visiting The Kookaburra. They are a local option and have multiple locations. It’s Aussie style and if you go early enough, they have meat pies.

For a nicer brunch experience, head to Sunday. It’s between the historic downtown and the first stop (the Fountain of Youth).

Ragga Surf Cafe is another great breakfast spot to consider. It’s a food truck but on the water, so the views are nice! They also have 5 stars and over 500 reviews, so even though it would be a limited menu, they do it well!

If you’re staying at a B&B, then you can enjoy breakfast there! If you’re wondering where to stay in St. Augustine, I list some of the top Bed & Breakfasts in the historic downtown.

Checkout my post on Where to Stay in St. Augustine for Christmas: Best Areas & Festive Hotels, which centers around the historic downtown area.

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

I recommend starting at Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park when it opens at 9AM. It’s a bit far from the historic downtown, so I think it’s better to explore the beginning or end of your day. If you’re doing the hop-on hop-off trolley tour, you don’t necessarily need to start here, but if you are driving I recommend starting (or ending) here as you can then base yourself in the historic downtown for the rest of the day.

The Fountain of Youth of Park can take two to three hours or more depending on how much time you take exploring. Visit the legendary spring and learn about the early Spanish settlers and the Timucua people. As kids in Florida, you typically go to St. Augustine at some point, but I visited again as an adult and found it super interesting!

If you don’t want to visit the Fountain of Youth or did so on another trip, consider visiting the Lighthouse. You can climb it for some views and enjoy the museum. Not far from the Fountain of Youth are Old Jail Museum and Mission Nombre de Dios Museum that are also great alternatives to consider.

Magnolia Avenue & The Old Senator Tree

You don’t need long for these stops, but since they are close to the Fountain of Youth Park, they are worth checking out!

Magnolia Avenue is a street you’ll see on your way to the Fountain of Youth as it is right next to it. If you want photos on what is considered “one of the most photographed streets in the United States” then you may want to park at the Fountain of Youth and walk to it. If it’s quiet enough you won’t need to do that, but there is limited street parking so keep that option in mind. It’s not a long stop, but this residential street is lined with oak trees that offer a beautiful canopy.

The Old Senator is a towering live oak tree estimated to be over 600 years old, making it one of the oldest living things in St. Augustine. The tree is a 2 minute drive or 5 minute walk from the Fountain of Youth, so you can choose to drive by or walk to this area as well, before heading to the historic downtown by car.

Park Near the Historic Downtown

I’ve parked here on numerous visits to St. Augustine, but if you are visiting on the weekends, this could fill up fast. It’s worth checking as it is right by the fort with easy access to the historic downtown.

This is another lot I’ve parked in. I really loved the coffee shop Myth & Legend right by this parking area if you need a quick pick me up!

The Historic Downtown Parking Facility is a garage with a lot of parking options. If you are visiting on a busy day, this could be a great option!

There are plenty of parking areas and if you head to this area after the Fountain of Youth it shouldn’t be too difficult to find parking. However, the weekends can be busy and the closer to lunch you get the harder it can be. If you took a couple hours at the Fountain of Youth, you will head this direction around 11AM.

During the week you won’t have issues, but the weekend can get busy. If you are visiting during a busy time, consider downloading the ParkStAug app to have a smooth experience.

Castillo de San Marcos

Now head to Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fort. This is the city’s most famous landmark. If it’s your first time then it should definitely be part of your 1 day in St. Augustine. Explore the old stone walls, watch a cannon demonstration (weekends) if timed right, and enjoy panoramic views of the bay.

There is a cost to visit and most people spend about an hour here. There are historic weapon demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday if you visit then. Check their website for up to date information, but aiming for the 10:30AM and 11:30AM would be best for this 1 day in St. Augustine itinerary.

Lunch in the Historic District

The historic downtown is not lacking in restaurant options, but here are a couple of popular places to consider.

Columbia Restaurant is classic Spanish cuisine in a historic setting. I’ve enjoyed this restaurant twice in St. Augustine and once in Celebration (which is a great area to stay near Disney). This is a popular restaurant so if you’re visiting on a busy day, consider booking a reservation.

Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille is a great option if you’re in the mood for seafood! If any in your group don’t like seafood, they have other options as well. Also if the weather is nice, try and get a seat in the outdoor courtyard.

Of course, you could book a food tour, which would take care of lunch and a good chunk of your afternoon. It’s a great way to explore the historic downtown and enjoy the local food scene.

Afternoon: Historic Downtown

St. George Street

I love wandering around the historic downtown of St. Augustine! The shops are fun to look at and there are plenty of places for a sweet treat after lunch. Walk down St. George Street and you can also visit the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse (for a fee, of course) at the end of this street.

Fun Food and Drink Stops

You can easily spend hours walking and exploring, though this timeline is very dependent on how well you mosey. Head to the Savannah Bee Company and try some Mead or enjoy the Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tour. If you like wine, you can head to the San Sebastian Winery or the St. Augustine Distillery for a bourbon tasting (spoiler: I will suggest Ice Plant Bar for dinner which is right next to the distillery).

Tour Options

Of course, booking a tour can really add color to your time in the historic district! Whether you want a walking, food, or golf cart, you can learn a lot of history and facts when you have a guide. While I love wandering and exploring places on my own, tours offer so much and I usually regret not doing them! And when you are short on time, they can be helpful if you are strategic.

All of the below top rated tours have afternoon time options, but be sure to book in advance!

Walking History Tour of St. Augustine’s Historic District
St Augustine Shared Golf Cart Tour
Private Golf Cart Tours, LLC in St. Augustine
Corks and Forks Tour – St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience

Museum Options

I’ll admit, I’m not a huge museum girl, but there are times when I’ve enjoyed them. If you do like museums, St. Augustine has quite a few in the historic downtown you can add to your 1 day in St. Augustine.

Lightner Museum is housed in the old Hotel Alcazar and includes Gilded Age artifacts, Victorian glassware, mechanical musical instruments, and decorative arts.

Flagler College is not a museum, but it is a beautiful campus and you can do their tour. Of course, even if you don’t take the tour, you can walk into the courtyard and lobby area freely (when no tours or private events are happening) — perfect for a quick photo stop. I knew someone who attended here and I was able to see much of this beautiful campus.

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum interactive museum focused on pirate history, shipwreck treasure, and artifacts. My friend told me she took her boys when they were younger and they really enjoyed this museum. It’s a great one to consider if you have kids.

Colonial Quarter is a living-history museum tracing early St. Augustine life, Spanish colonization, and colonial crafts.

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is a well-preserved 18th/19th-century boarding house on Aviles Street, giving a peek into life in early Florida.

Oldest House Museum Complex includes the González-Alvarez House, recognized as the oldest surviving Spanish colonial dwelling in St. Augustine, dating back to the early 1700s. (This museum is about an 8 minute walk from the hub of the historic downtown.)

Governor’s House Cultural Center & Museum is located at King & St. George with historical exhibits and research interest.

Villa Zorayda Museum is an 1883 villa inspired by 12th-century Moorish castle.

Evening: Sunset & Lights

Assuming you have time to add to your evening, we can maximize your 1 day in St. Augustine! Delicious dinner, sunset cruise, Nights of Lights (if you’re visiting St. Augustine at Christmas), or a spooky tour if that’s your thing.

Sunset or Sunset Cruise

Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine is a high rated option offering a 90-minute boat ride at sunset.

Another top rated option is Adventure Boat Tours – Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine. This tour is an hour and ten minutes. This company also offers a Nights of Lights Boat Tour if you are visiting during Christmas.

For the boat tours, you will have to leave the historic downtown, so keep that in mind. Some of my dinner recommendations won’t be downtown, but if you want to return here and it’s a weekend day you may have a difficult time finding parking.

If you simply want to enjoy the sunset with a nice walk, head to the Bridge of Lions. Of course, sunset over dinner is always nice and I provide options for that below.

Dinner

If you want to enjoy sunset over dinner, here are some good options. River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge is a great spot downtown. Just be sure to book a reservation, especially if you want the sunset views. Beaches at Vilano is not downtown, but many reviewers mention the beautiful sunset options.

St. Augustine Fish Camp is a popular restaurant on the water facing west, making it a great spot for sunset. If you want seafood downtown, consider Catch 27, but there won’t be sunset views.

My current favorite St. Augustine restaurant is Ice Plant Bar, which is not far from St. Augustine Fish Camp, but you won’t get sunset views here. However, the food is great! If you go before 6PM, you can also enjoy a bourbon tasting at the St. Augustine Distillery right next door.

Lights or Spook

I’m not into haunted tours, but St. Augustine definitely has plenty to choose from! If this is your thing, St. Augustine Ghost Tour: A Ghostly Encounter is highly rated!

If you’re visiting between mid-November and mid-January, you can enjoy the St. Augustine Nights of Lights. I love visiting during the holidays to get into the Christmas spirit! You can walk around and enjoy the lights on your own, or book a tour. I have an entire post dedicated to Christmas in St. Augustine, so check it out if you’re visiting during the holidays.

Heading to St. Augustine over the holidays? Checkout Christmas in St. Augustine: The Ultimate Guide to Lights, Markets & Holiday Fun and Where to Stay in St. Augustine for Christmas: Best Areas & Festive Hotels to help you plan your trip!

How to Get to St. Augustine

St. Augustine is an easy day trip from Daytona Beach or Jacksonville. A one hour drive from Daytona’s airport (DAB) and Jacksonville’s airport (JAX) make it a great option for spending 1 day in St. Augustine.

It’s also possible as a day trip from Orlando as well! The drive from Orlando’s Airport (MCO) is double that of Daytona or Jacksonville, but still doable. If you fly into Sanford Orlando Airport, the commute to St. Augustine is 90 minutes.

Overall, you have so many options for getting to St. Augustine. I do recommend renting a car so you have ultimate freedom. Plus an Uber would cost a fortune from these airports!

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is spring, fall, and winter! And since Florida doesn’t have proper seasons that basically means NOT summer.

Florida summers are brutal! I know everyone thinks their summer is the worst, but I hear over and over how shocking the Florida summer can be! The humidity is high and you will sweat.. A LOT! Of course, visiting in the summer means you can enjoy the beach, and keep the downtown exploration to the morning and evenings. Just know the summer also brings thunderstorms, but they don’t typically last too long.

Spring and fall have the most pleasant weather overall. Winter can be a mix of pleasant and cold, and it can get to freezing temperatures on occasion in St. Augustine! If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to pack layers and check for any possible cold snaps during your visit.

FAQ

1 Day in St. Augustine

I hope this article was helpful and you feel empowered to enjoy your 1 day in St. Augustine! This historic city has become even better over the years while still keeping its historic charm! Whether you are coming for Christmas, a beach vacation, or a spring or fall getaway to really enjoy the beautiful Florida weather, St. Augustine, Florida has plenty to offer!

Enjoy your time in this beautiful, historic Florida city!