Flights to St Augustine

St. Augustine was founded 450 years ago by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, and the town's historical district, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the U.S., has a flavor more like that of a Caribbean colonial destination than that of a stateside escape.

White-sand St. Augustine Beach is set along the coast in Anastasia Island, where travelers go to relax after a day of meandering through the narrow streets of the city, browsing quaint shops and dining at low-key open-air cafes. Here, there are restrooms, showers, picnic tables and a splash park and playground for little ones. If you're bringing a lot of gear to the beach, you'll be glad to know that driving on the sand is permitted — no lugging necessary.

Fisherman cast their lines on the pier, home to spectacular views and a shop selling treats and gifts. It costs $.50 to enter, but the scenic walk all the way to the end is worth it. From out here, you can see surfers navigating the powerful waves of the Atlantic.

Make room in your itinerary to visit Castillo de San Marcos, a masonry fort completed in 1695 that stands as the oldest such structure in the country. The fort was built out of a seashell-based material called Coquina, and is a striking object set against the blue sea. A fascinating display of the structure's history can be found in rooms inside the fort.

When lunchtime rolls around, head over to pedestrian George Street, lined with galleries, sweet shops, cafes and bars. See Spanish-style architecture scattered throughout Old Town and marvel at the iconic Lightner Museum, formerly the Alcazar Hotel, built in 1888 by industrialist Henry Flagler.