History

This important and historic city is located in the northeast section of Florida in a region known as "The First Coast," which extends from Amelia Island in the north to the Palm Coast in the south. The seat of St. Johns County, St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Today the city attracts tourists from around the globe to walk the cobbled streets in the Old City and marvel at authentic Spanish Colonial buildings and classic vintage architecture.

The oldest continuously occupied European settlement and port in the United States, St. Augustine lays claim to the record of the first European-descended child and the first African-descended child to be born in the New World. Over the years the city would be ruled by the Spanish, the British and Spain a second time before it was finally ceded to the U.S. in 1817. Two interesting points about the city’s role in the struggle for African-American equality: during the early days of slavery in America St. Augustine served as an underground railroad of sorts for slaves that had escaped from British-held territories. Africans were given freedom, along with safe haven, supplies and arms, if they would join the Catholic Church and swear allegiance to Spain.

In the early 1960s peaceful demonstrations by black protesters over discriminatory “separate but equal” policies spurred violent Ku Klux Klan reaction and the arrests of hundreds of protesters, generating sympathy and support from many Americans throughout the country, which led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Why you should go

Walking through America’s first city is like taking a step back in time in a way you can do in no other place in this country. St. George Street anchors the city’s center, which is lined with historic homes from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Visit the city’s oldest churches, explore the many history museums. You can shop at an array of antiques stores and dine at restaurants that offer some of the most interesting cuisine in the country. A horse-drawn carriage ride is always a great way to explore St. Augustine. But don’t forget the nearby beaches. St. Augustine offers miles of beautiful, unspoiled sandy beaches with temperate waters year-round.

Main attractions

* Sheriff’s Ghost Walk Tour: They are hour-and-a-half long walking tour passes along dark streets and through the old cemeteries of St. Augustine. Topped off with stories of ghosts, haunted houses and general mayhem, it’s definitely worth the ticket price and tired feet. www.sheriffsghostwalktours.com

* St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum: Located on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse was built in 1874. The museum's collection of vintage photographs from the area provide historic details of the city, lighthouse and more. Maps from the 16th and 17th centuries show the St. Augustine coastline as it was when the colonists arrived. Other items from the past, such as postcards, letters and journals bring to life St. Augustine of the past. www.staugustinelighthouse.com

* St. Augustine Beach: Now that you’ve experienced all the fascinating history the city has to offer, grab the sunscreen and head for the beach. Warm water with white-capped waves and soft, golden sand between your toes make an afternoon at St. Augustine an inviting respite. www.staugustinebeach.net

How to get there

By car it’s almost 400 miles from Atlanta and more than six hours. Take I-75 South to I-10 East, then I-295 South to I-95 South. By air St. Augustine is accessible by the Daytona Beach Airport. Travel time is one hour and 15 minutes. Add in the hour drive from Daytona to Saint Augustine and you’ve saved about three hours. Don’t forget airport time and car rental, though. Tack on another hour.

Links of interest

* Chamber of Commerce: http://www.stjohnscountychamber.com/

* Tourism/Lodging/Dining: www.getaway4florida.com