The 25 Most Romantic Issues To Do in St Augustine Florida

What makes the perfect romantic getaways? A historic outdated city to discover or a scrumptious meals scene to devour? How about massive doses of nature and bountiful romantic points of interest? Perhaps you’re on the lookout for some grownup drinks and thrilling nightlife or simply need to chill out and revel in world-class facilities. You’ll discover all of those romantic issues to do in St Augustine and extra!

With this 25-point listing, you may plan a whole romantic getaway to St Augustine, Florida, or simply add a particular date night time into your trip to America’s oldest metropolis.

Exploring the Metropolis

St Augustine is famously often called the Historical Metropolis and is America’s oldest metropolis, so it is sensible to start out your romantic Florida getaway by exploring the town. There are other ways to tour St Augustine, however you’ll solely go incorrect in case you don’t enterprise out and discover.

Journey the Outdated City Trolley or Pink Prepare Tour

Each the Outdated City Trolley and Pink Prepare Tour function in St Augustine. Every tour follows an analogous route and introduces you to over 100 historic factors of curiosity alongside the best way. Both one is a implausible expertise and a perfect introduction to St Augustine. 

There are two major variations between the Outdated City Trolley and the Pink Prepare Tour. Outdated City is a hop-on, hop-off tour, whereas Pink Prepare is a steady circuit. This distinction provides you extra choices to discover with Outdated City and decisions on the place to board, nevertheless it makes a lap on Pink Prepare take much less time with mounted seating. The opposite distinction is the place the tour begins. Outdated City begins from the Outdated Jail advanced, and Pink Prepare begins from Ripley’s Imagine it or Not. Each corporations supply free parking if you are on the tour. It’s also possible to package deal excursions with their related companions, Ripley’s for Pink Prepare the Outdated Jail advanced for Outdated City.

Take a Romantic Carriage Journey

Some folks get pleasure from trains; others discover romance blossoms one-on-one with their accomplice. Nothing is extra romantic for these traditionalists than an old school horse-drawn carriage. Besides, maybe in case you embody a bottle of wine and a pair of souvenir glasses like they provide at The Tasting Tour. You’ll need to ebook forward for this particular carriage tour and never simply hope for the perfect.

Should you actually need to spice issues up, you may add a charcuterie board to the expertise for a further price. You possibly can even add a 3rd or fourth individual to your romantic journey in case you so want. Whereas your relationship may not permit it, they’ll definitely match within the carriage. Any greater than 4, and also you’re again to a practice state of affairs.

Discover the St Augustine Historic District on Foot

The St Augustine Historic District resides roughly inside the boundaries of the outdated metropolis partitions. Solely the outdated gate stays, however you continue to see how the city spreads out from the central plaza. St George Avenue runs via the center of the historic district, nevertheless it’s solely open to foot site visitors. That’s proper; it’s a must to be strolling to get pleasure from this beautiful assortment of boutique outlets and specialty eating places.

You possibly can rent a information or create your personal self-guided strolling tour of St Augustine. Both manner, you’ll get pleasure from one of the vital compact and pedestrian-friendly cities in America

Indulging Within the St Augustine Meals Scene

We cherished the St Augustine meals scene as a result of the locals adore it. Extra than simply consuming the place the locals eat, the devoted neighborhood of native purveyors creates a one-of-a-kind expertise. They hold the chain eating places at bay whereas making culinary magic with fresh-caught seafood, farm-to-table greens, and an nearly European aptitude. Once you go to St Augustine, you should definitely eat native and hold this custom going.

Munch a Brunch

A contemporary troubadour as soon as sang – Women Simply Need to Have Brunch. This might sound somewhat bizarre, however brunch is essentially the most romantic meal of the day. Is there a greater technique to have fun sleeping in and snuggling?

St Augustine’s brunch decisions are, properly, historic with loads of yummy choices. Nevertheless, we now have our eyes and stomachs set on the Historical Metropolis Brunch Bar after we come again. We had a style of their candy treats and lattes throughout our meals tour and need to come again to expertise their well-known Bruncharcutrie Boards.

Take a Meals Tour

With reference to meals excursions, you must take one. Heck, you must take two as a result of a bunch of brunches isn’t the one overwhelming meals selection in St Augustine. There are manner too many yummy treats to style on a single go to. You possibly can’t even hit all of them with a single meals tour, however extra stops are higher than one, plus you get to discover the district with a enjoyable information.

Our ‘most romantic meals tour’ must be St Augustine Experiences’ Not Simply A Chocolate Tour. You rise up to 5 chocolate and sweets tastings from native outlets and a present bag of treats to take residence. The tour lasts about 90 minutes as you wander via the outdated brick streets of the Historical Metropolis.

Go to the Whetstone Chocolate Manufacturing unit

Should you’re on the lookout for a simply chocolate tour, go straight to the manufacturing facility, St Augustine’s personal Whetstone Chocolate Manufacturing unit, that’s. On the Chocolate Tasting Tour, you’ll be taught every part you ever needed to know concerning the historical past of chocolate and the way it goes from tropical beans to the world’s favourite confectionery, together with a tour of the manufacturing facility.

The time period ‘manufacturing facility’ is a bit deceptive however in a great way. I can relate to the Whetstone story of an engineer who needed to do one thing completely different together with his life, so Henry and Ester Whetstone opened a small ice cream retailer on St. George Avenue. Their chocolate fantasies blossomed with an unique contract for Disney World that advanced into manufacturing contracts with each main chocolate provider, together with creating a essential step in creating Hershey Kisses.

Mass producing candies in a ten,000 sq. ft. facility appeared nearer to engineering than a candy store on St George, in order that they downscaled the enterprise to small-scale manufacturing on King Avenue. That’s the place they function immediately, the place they produce chocolate with solely the best beans that ship recent every day.

Have a Romantic Dinner at a Native Restaurant

The basic date is dinner and a film. Nevertheless, the native restaurant scene is so good in St Augustine that we advise you skip the film and order dessert. Then, stroll via the Historic District to work off the energy.

A number of the ‘should attempt’ eating places embody The Floridian with upscale southern delicacies, the Ice Plant Bar with recent farm-to-table meals, and the freshly caught seafood at Catch 27. These had been our dinner decisions, however we are able to’t wait to return again and expertise extra of the St Augustine meals scene.

Venturing out into Nature

The Spanish settled St Augustine to drive the French out of Fort Caroline, close to modern-day Jacksonville. They dispatched the French rapidly in a collection of massacres on the Matanzas Inlet. The Spanish saved their colony at St Augustine, however Jacksonville’s location on the mouth of the St. Johns River proved to be a extra appropriate location for industrialization. Town of Jacksonville flourished whereas St Augustine remained wealthy in historical past and pure magnificence.

Go to the Seashore

There’s a motive that having fun with lengthy walks on the seashore at sundown (or dawn) is a courting cliché. The world is quiet, apart from waves crashing on the sand and the music of sea birds and infinity is seen watching the Earth curve on the horizon. It’s every part that love is and might be wrapped right into a singular second.

St. Augustine options 42-miles of lovely seashores, from the upscale coast of Ponte Vedra Seashore to the pristine shores of the GTM Protect and south to Crescent Seashore. The quiet seashores of St Augustine make the right counterpoint to the bustle of the Historic District.

Take a Bike Journey

At Coleman Concierge, we consider that {couples} that bike collectively keep collectively. The vital caveat to that assertion is that it applies to {couples} who efficiently bike collectively. Some {couples} wish to experience tandem, whereas others choose to crank out miles. Once you discover your cadence, nothing beats biking as a technique to bond and discover on the similar time.

Biking in St. Augustine options over 150-miles of devoted bike trails and bike-friendly streets the place you pedal on elevated boardwalks over alligator-filled wetland marshes and experience below a cover of tropical bushes. You’ll discover a few of America’s greatest rail trails, to not point out the gemstone of this whole biking belt, the Historical Metropolis herself – St. Augustine. Really feel the salt breezes as you take pleasure in ocean views and estuary escapes in your excellent bike date.

Partake in a Paddle

Some folks’s language of affection is paddling, and by that, we imply taking a SUP, kayak, or canoe out onto the water. The Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers converge on the St Augustine Inlet and move into the Atlantic Ocean. This community of brackish saltwater marshes and estuaries is a paddler’s dream. You possibly can probe for hours round islands and inlets with nothing however birds to maintain you firm.

Go to the GTM Protect

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas Nationwide Estuarine Analysis Reserve is a mouthful; that’s why locals simply name it GTM. It’s situated just a few miles north of city on the confluence of the Guana and Tolomato Rivers and it’s the right place to get outside in St Augustine.

Begin your go to by stopping by the welcome heart, the place you’ll be taught why this ecosystem is so vital for every part from safety from storm injury to industrial fishing. Then you definitely’ll have choices on your go to, from renting a paddle craft from the outpost to hit the water or renting a fats tire bike to pedal the paths. You can additionally select to hike the paths via the estuary or cross over to the ocean facet, the place you’ll discover the extra pristine seashores within the space.

Touring Romantic Sights

The web lists over 90 enjoyable issues to do in St Augustine, however I wouldn’t name all of them romantic. For instance, it takes numerous kink to suppose that the Medieval Torture Museum constitutes a date night time. Nevertheless, many of those points of interest make fabulous dates, and we’re solely together with the perfect of the perfect romantic issues to do in St Augustine right here.

Go to the Castillo de San Marcos

There’s one thing intrinsically romantic about visiting a citadel. It’s sufficient to make you overlook that they had been navy forts, usually with prisoners held captive within the dungeons. Perhaps it’s dreaming of a fairytale romance, knights, and princesses. Perhaps it’s the views from the ramparts. Who is aware of, however the Castillo de San Marcos is one among America’s solely ‘castles’, so it’s making the listing.

The Castillo is unapologetically a fortress. Its cannons defended the harbor of St Augustine for hundreds of years. It has been attacked a number of instances and besieged twice. It has by no means been conquered, nevertheless it has modified fingers six instances via treaties. The constructing closes at 5:00, however the grounds stay open till midnight, so you may at all times take your after-dinner stroll to the Castillo to make room for dessert. This technique is especially helpful in case you’re going to a ghost tour that begins from the outdated city gate afterward.

Climb the St Augustine Lighthouse

Lighthouse keepers maintain a particular place in romantic lore. Within the Summer time of Love, Erika Eigen sang about desirous to marry a lighthouse keeper and hold him firm. Perhaps she was solely pining for a solitary man, or maybe she imagined his quads after carrying buckets of oil to the lamp each night time. No judgment. You do, you boo .

The St Augustine Lighthouse has 219 spiraling steps climbing 160′ up into the air. From the highest, you get an aerial view of St Augustine and an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean. You additionally get a reasonably good exercise on the best way up.

Go to a Museum

Neurotypical folks declare museums are the right different to dinner dates since you spend time collectively in an setting the place you may discuss and have one thing to speak about. Folks on the opposite finish of the spectrum can recognize not having to speak and even make eye contact. Life is about decisions, and so is the museum scene in St Augustine.

Florida Historic Coast lists 22  museums in St Augustine, and different folks declare the complete metropolis is a residing, respiration museum. So in case you’re occurring a museum date, decide one thing that pursuits each of you. Additionally, use this time to seek out the rhythm of your accomplice. No two folks naturally undergo a museum on the similar tempo, however in case you can observe one another’s lead, it may be a tremendously rewarding endeavor. I do know that we now have bonded immensely over our mutually appropriate shared appreciation of museums.

Take a Harbor Cruise

Should you don’t suppose that wind, water, wine, and sunsets are romantic, you must take a 100-hour Hallmark film crash course on romance. When you get your compass calibrated, come on right down to the docks for some nautical enjoyable. From wine tasting to dolphins to metropolis views, you’re certain to discover a St Augustine harbor cruise that floats your boat.

Go to A Love Tree

St Augustine’s Love Timber happen when two separate tree species develop in, on, and thru each other. The native custom is that in case you kiss beneath a Love Tree, you’ll share an eternal romance.

There are about seven love bushes scattered round St Augustine. A part of the journey is to seek out one (or all) of them on your canoodling problem. Perhaps you’ll create a long-lasting custom or simply merely go on a day snipe hunt. Both manner, if it ends with a kiss, can it’s that unhealthy?

Having a Spirited Journey

For hundreds of years, younger lovers have turned to the spirit world for amorous recommendation. That’s to say, the world’s hottest love elixir, alcohol. St Augustine’s spirit scene is spooky good. Plus, because the Historic District is so walkable, you don’t have to fret about driving again to your lodge.

Attempt Wine Tasting on the San Sebastian Vineyard

We’ve already talked about getting a bottle of wine on your carriage experience or harbor tour. Do you know that St Augustine can also be residence to the San Sebastian Vineyard?

San Sebastian is one among Florida’s premium wineries and a pioneer in utilizing Florida’s native Muscadine grapes to craft premium, glowing and dessert wines. Additionally they use Vinifera grapes for extra conventional Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon together with Port and Cream Sherry dessert wines. In all, they’ve gained over 700 awards for excellence in winemaking and counting.

Go to the St Augustine Distillery

The St. Augustine Distillery is an ideal instance of this city’s neighborhood spirit. In 2013, the historic ice home appeared destined for growth. As a substitute, a group of 20 native households got here along with a typical imaginative and prescient: creating world-class spirits and leaving St. Augustine higher for future generations. They preserved, restored, and remodeled Florida’s oldest ice plant into America’s most visited craft distillery.

We favored all their liquors, however we cherished their mixers. Made with Florida harvested components like pure cane sugar, grapefruit, and cinchona bark (the place you get quinine from), they provide a style of the Sunshine State in each glass.

Go on a Brewpub Crawl

Why simply go to 1 brewpub when you may full a 2.2-mile Brewpub Crawl in below an hour? The circuit is easy. Begin at Bathroom Brewing on King Avenue, simply throughout the San Sebastian River from the historic district. From there, take a 20-minute stroll to the granddaddy of St. Augustine craft beer, Canine Rose Brewing Firm on Bridge Avenue in Lincolnville. 10-minutes farther, you attain Historical Metropolis Brewing’s taproom simply off the city sq.. Saunter throughout the sq. to pattern A1 Ale Works‘ intensive assortment of among the greatest Florida craft beers. Lastly, cross the Bridge of Lions to achieve your remaining cease at Outdated Coast Ales.

If you wish to make the complete spirited circuit, cease in at San Sebastian Vineyard and St Augustine Distillery because you’ll be strolling proper by them.

Partaking in St Augustine Nightlife

Simply because St Augustine is America’s oldest metropolis doesn’t imply that the enjoyable stops when the solar goes down. If something, it has been round lengthy sufficient to understand that age and time are simply numbers. Don’t anticipate some rah rah rager; the Historical Metropolis is way extra refined than that.

Take a Ghost Tour

With reference to spirits, many individuals consider that St Augustine is without doubt one of the ten most haunted cities in America. Who would have thought {that a} metropolis based on the bloodbath of 300 Frenchmen with one of many New World’s largest forts can be haunted?

St Augustine ghost excursions take you thru historical cemeteries, a funeral residence turned B&B, and the outdated metropolis gates the place ghosts are rumored to greet incoming company. Should you don’t suppose ghost excursions make for a superb date night time, suppose once more. Afterward, you’ll not need to sleep alone, in case you sleep in any respect…seems like a profitable date night time to me!

Hearken to Stay Native Music

St Augustine has an extended and storied custom of native music. Rumor has it that Jimmy Buffet obtained his begin at Tradewinds Lounge, the place they advised him that he would by no means make it within the music trade. For certain, we all know that Jimmy opened for native legend Gamble Rogers there and later devoted his Fruitcakes CD to Gamble after his demise.

Go to St Augustine  has a wonderful useful resource web page to seek out native reside music. There you’ll discover something you’re on the lookout for, from Blues to Bluegrass to Rock and R&B. Don’t be stunned if there are a dozen or so venues open and jamming on any given Saturday night time.

Come to Festivals and Concert events

The St Augustine Amphitheater is the biggest venue in North Florida, with nearly 5,000 seats. The pure fantastic thing about Anastasia Island State Park enhances the out of doors seating to supply a wonderful setting for an unbelievable live performance expertise. The Amp gives greater than 40 top-tier occasions yearly.

St Augustine gives a full slate of festivals and occasions along with the performances at The Amp. Combining an exercise that you simply love with the magic of St Augustine creates an ideal framework for an unforgettable trip.

Expertise the Nights of Lights

Of all of the festivals in St Augustine, nothing is extra romantic than the Nights of Lights. This competition traces its origins again to the Spanish observe of displaying a white candle in home windows through the Christmas holidays, symbolically making room of their properties and hearts for Jesus. The downtown companies and plenty of residences gentle up their buildings, creating what Nationwide Geographic describes as one of many world’s most dazzling vacation gentle shows.

From trams to prams, boats to floats, there are nearly as some ways to see the lights as there are taking part companies. Irrespective of the way you select to see the lights, be ready for one thing particular.

Stress-free with the Facilities

The most effective methods to benefit from the romance of St Augustine is with the facilities at your host lodge. Right here’s how.

Keep at a Romantic Inn

St Augustine has among the most romantic lodges in Florida, however listed here are two properties that we completely cherished. The Collector Inn has 30 rooms situated in a collection of historic cottages simply a few blocks away from the Historic District. They provide bikes to company, or you may stroll and discover the district after which return to your secluded retreat with gardens, a fireplace pit, and a pool. Better of all, it’s all child-free.

We additionally cherished The Ponte Vedra Inn and Membership 20 minutes up the coast. It’s a five-star / five-diamond property that provides a real luxurious seashore resort expertise that usually emphasizes golf, tennis, and common wellness.

Take a Spa Day at Ponte Vedra

Ponte Vedra is an unique property for company and members solely. Nevertheless, there’s a loophole. E book a robed service, akin to a therapeutic massage for 2 in a personal {couples} suite, then spend the remainder of the day having fun with the spa facility. You possibly can eat a scrumptious meal on the Gourmand Spa Café when you’re enjoyable on the out of doors specialty pool and remedy grottos.

A spa day is an ideal technique to unwind and chill out after a weekend of strolling via the brick streets of historic St Augustine.

Wrapping Up the Most Romantic Issues to Do in St Augustine

When Henry Flagler got here to St Augustine in 1883, he fell in love with the historical past and surroundings. He moved to the town and commenced the development of Florida’s first true luxurious lodge, the 540-room Ponce De Leon Lodge. Because the years went on, the Ponce grew to become Flagler School, however St Augustine remained one of many premier romantic locations in Florida and all the United States. Now the Historical Metropolis is crammed with romantic issues to see and do.

Take a romantic getaway in St Augustine, Florida. You may end up coming again, time and again, to make amends for actions missed and to seek out new experiences to get pleasure from.

Disclosure: A giant thanks to Florida’s Historic Coast for internet hosting us, establishing a implausible itinerary, and aiding us with pictures we had been unable to seize ourselves for this text! For extra journey inspiration try their Instagram, Fb, and Twitter accounts.

As at all times, the views and opinions expressed are solely our personal, and we solely suggest manufacturers and locations that we 100% stand behind.

Prefer it? Pin it for in a while Pinterest!