St. Augustine, especially the Old Town part of the city, is very pedestrian and bike-friendly. That said, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get a lay of the land of St. Augustine, the fastest and best way to do it is to take a ride on one of the St. Augustine Trolley Tours that run around town. Not only are St. Augustine Trolley tours a great way to see the city, but it’s also the best way to hear the stories and history of the area, and help you gain a new appreciation for the oldest port city in America.
This summer, we hope you take the time to visit us in historic St. Augustine. The city is beautiful, and, after being closed down for many weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s back open and ready to welcome you back into the fold. The same could be said about the St. Francis Inn, the best Bed and Breakfast and boutique hotel within the downtown St. Augustine area. We offer the best accommodations and the finest range of amenities in the city. Come see what sets us apart, and book a room at the luxury St. Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast today!
10 Things to see on the St. Augustine Trolley Tour
When it comes to tours in St. Augustine that offer a great overview of the city, nothing beats the experience on Old Town Trolley Tours. This St. Augustine Trolley company offers complete, narrated tours of St. Augustine, and they make 22 hop-on/off stops, and more than 100 interesting attractions, along the way. All in all, it’s a very convenient way to get around the city! In total, the St. Augustine Trolley travels a 7-mile loop, reliving the city’s incredible history along the way. From start to finish, the Old Town Trolley takes approximately 90 minutes. However, you should definitely plan to stop along the way.
Here are a few of the highlights that you’ll see on this St. Augustine Trolley Tour:
- The Old City Gates, which used to be the only entrance into St. Augustine. The two ancient columns were built in 1808 as a line of defense for the city, and they are a symbol of the struggle faced by the earliest American Colonists.
- The Colonial Quarter also referred to as The Spanish Quarter, captures the essence of this great city’s diverse heritage.
- Hop off at St. George Street, which is a popular pedestrian-only thoroughfare and the epicenter of downtown St. Augustine. You’ll find a variety of great shops, restaurants, museums, and more, and it is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
- The Lightner Museum, whose building originally housed The Hotel Alcazar, was built by railroad tycoon and hotel developer Henry Flagler. It is a stunning example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Inside, you’ll find beautiful collections marking a period in time known as the Gilded Age.
- Hop off near the St. Augustine Distillery, which is housed in a historic ice manufacturing plant that was built in 1917. The distillery opened in this historic space in March 2014, which also coincided with the release of the first spirit produced legally in northeast Florida since Prohibition. You can take a free tour of this space daily, and you can relax in their tasting room.
- Another great tasting destination along this St. Augustine Trolley tour is the San Sebastian Winery, whose wines we also serve every evening at our St. Augustine hotel.
- The final tasting you should partake in on your journey is Whetstones Chocolate Factory. They’ve been in operation since 1966.
- So many people come to St. Augustine for the long and rich history of this city, so don’t miss your chance to stop at the oldest house in St. Augustine.
- One of the most iconic attractions in St. Augustine is the Castillo de San Marcos, which holds the distinction of being the oldest masonry structure of its kind in the continental United States. It was originally built to protect the coast from invaders.
- Finally, you reach the famed Fountain of Youth. The Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park is considered the state’s oldest attraction and it commemorates the Florida landing of Ponce de Leon in 1513. Not only is it historic, but the park is exceptionally beautiful.
Old Town Trolley Tours also offers a specialty tour called the Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour. St. Augustine has a darker side that you may or may not know about, and tours like this are a great way to get acquainted with that part of St. Augustine. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the most haunted places in the city, including access to the Old Jail and the Chamber of Horrors at Potter’s Wax Museum.
Stay in Comfort at our St. Augustine Hotel
Nowhere else in St. Augustine offers you the same luxury and incredible amenities that the St. Francis Inn offers. From our comfortable guest rooms, our exceptional hospitality, and our unique location that gives you access to the historic heart of downtown St. Augustine, as well as free access to the St. Augustine Beach, are just a few of the things you can expect from a stay at our boutique hotel.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll see what sets us apart from our competition and keeps guests coming back time and time again. We look forward to welcoming you to St. Augustine this summer and fall. Book your room at the St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast today!
