Yes, we know! You already know how much Carlos and I love St Augustine, and for all the right reasons! Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking exciting tours in St Augustine for your next visit, you will find it all in this guide!
Still Looking for a Place to Stay? Check out these amazingBest Bed & Breakfasts in St Augustine! 🛏 Old Powder House Inn 🛏 St Francis Inn 🛏 Victorian House
From ghostly encounters to historic and fun adventures, we’ve handpicked our favorite top 10 tours in St Augustine that you absolutely must experience at least once.
As you may know, this wasn’t an easy task. Not because there aren’t any great tours, but because all of them are! Being America’s Oldest City, a lot can be expected when you’re visiting St Augustine for the first time.
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And let me tell you that many little experiences will exceed your expectations in this city!
Apart from being beautiful, there’s something very special about the history of St Augustine, which is in many ways, tied to Juan Ponce de León who discovered Florida back in 1513.
As you walk through the cobblestone streets, you can be captivated by building structures made from coquina (limestone composed of shell fragments) that are still standing to this day.
With many things to see and explore in St Augustine, it’s considered one of the top destinations to visit in Florida, especially during the holiday season when the world-known Nights of Lights festival takes place.
When is the Best Month to Visit St Augustine?
St. Augustine is a year-round destination, offering something special in every season.
However, if you’re looking for more of an ideal time to visit, you can consider planning your trip during the months of September through November.
During this time the weather in St Augustine is a lot more comfortable and there are fewer crowds. However, keep in mind that every year, the Nights of Lights festival takes place from mid-November to the end of January.
🎄When does the St Augustine Nights of Lights Take Place this Year? The 2023-2024 St Augustine Nights of Lights is taking place from November 18, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
Is St Augustine a Walkable Town?
With its narrow streets lined with centuries-old buildings and captivating landmarks at every turn, exploring this city on foot is an absolute must.
As you wander through the cobblestone streets of St. George Street—the city’s former main street, you’ll find yourself immersed in the vibrant energy of the city, especially during the weekends.
From unique boutiques to quaint cafes and historic sites and attractions, there’s plenty to catch your eye.
Walking in St Augustine is also the best way to capture the personality and beauty in every corner.
Travel Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, visit St Augustine during the mornings, and during the week.
As you pass by stunning Spanish colonial-style structures like Flagler College, Villa Zorayda Museum, or Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, you can’t help but fall in love with their unique beauty.
But it’s not just about the sights. Walking in St Augustine is a complete vibe!
You might stumble upon street performers playing music which definitely adds more charm to your visit.
Additionally, you’ll find many popular tourist attractions within walking distance of each other, making it easy to create your own personalized walking tour itinerary to navigate the city.
Are Ghost Tours in St Augustine Worth It?
With St Augustine being America’s Oldest City, it’s completely natural for it to also be known for its ghost stories and haunted locations.
But are the ghost tours really worth your time? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for.
If you enjoy a good scare or if stories of the paranormal are of interest to you, then ghost tours in St Augustine can be a thrilling experience.
I’ve taken ghost tours in some of the most haunted cities in the U.S., like New Orleans and Savannah, and I personally feel that St Augustine has places that are just as haunted as these other cities!
Tour guides will share some known and not-so-known spine-chilling stories of hauntings and supernatural occurrences that have happened in St Augustine.
Some of these stories might keep you up at night while others are just your typical story of being haunted by a ghost.
Regardless, I will always recommend these ghost tours as a fun and entertaining experience to enjoy at night.
However, whether or not St Augustine ghost tours are worth it, ultimately comes down to a personal preference.
If you enjoy hearing spooky stories and exploring hidden corners of a historic city after dark, then by all means, ghost tours in St Augustine are for you.
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Our Favorite Tours in St Augustine to Add to Your Trip Itinerary
Like I said at the beginning, this was not an easy task! Nonetheless, I tried to include the best tours based on our personal experience as well as reviews and feedback from others.
Just so you know, these tours listed here are in no particular order of preference.
1. Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour
The Old Town Trolley tour in St Augustine is one of our absolute favorites, especially during the holidays when it gets transformed into a joyful experience for the Nights of Lights festival.
This is a hop-on-hop-off narrated tour and it’s the perfect way to get a complete overview of the city.
The trolley takes you to all the major attractions, and you can jump off wherever piques your interest.
🎟 How much does it cost to ride the trolley in St Augustine? With our affiliate link, you can get tickets as low as $38.47! The ticket also includes some great discounts to attractions and museums around St Augustine. Get your tickets here!
2. St Augustine Nights of Lights Trolley Tour
The Nights of Lights festival is an annual Award-winning lighting display of the city with worldwide recognition.
With over 3 million glistening white lights adorning every nook and cranny of the city, spanning across nearly 20 blocks, a mesmerizing wonderland is crafted.
During Nights of Lights, St Augustine transforms into a place that’s bound to put a smile on your face and leave you with heartwarming holiday memories.
This Nights of Lights Trolley Tour offers the ideal vantage point for sightseeing and capturing those picture-perfect moments.
The tour includes complimentary magical viewing glasses that completely enhance the experience! Plus, you’ll also get a cookie and warm apple cider at the end of the tour.
3. Haunted Pub Crawl
Visit some of the historic bars in St Augustine with plenty of ghost stories to tell! In this Haunted Pub Crawl tour, the tour guide unveils the chilling tales of St Augustine and eerie accounts of long-departed pub managers and a suspicious number of fiery incidents.
Some of the stops on this tour are Scarlett O’Hara’s, Stogies Jazz Club, Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill, and O.C. White’s Seafood & Spirits.
This Haunted Pub Crawl promises a night of spine-tingling history and local favorites.
4. Old Jail Guided Tours in St Augustine
Built in 1891, St Augustine’s Old Jail held prisoners for more than 60 years, and it’s now a registered National Historic Place.
In this guided tour of the Old Jail, you will step back in time as you explore the cell blocks, witness the gallows, and peek into the sheriff’s living quarters.
You’ll learn what it was like in this prison back in the day and the tour guide will share some incredible stories of the prisoners that were once kept in this Old Jail.
If you’re intrigued by the supernatural, you can opt for the Jail After Dark Paranormal Tour option in which you’ll join experts on a late-night paranormal investigation, equipped with the latest ghost-hunting gear.
👻 Fun fact: The Old Jail is renowned as one of St. Augustine’s most haunted buildings.
5. St Augustine Walking Ghost Tour
Follow the storytellers through the Old Town, visiting some of their favorite haunts, on this guided walking ghost tour through St. Augustine’s ghostly locations.
You will stroll through the darkened streets, listening to stories of long-deceased residents who have not moved on.
During our ghost tour, we learned the stories behind some of the ghosts seen and heard in the ancient boarding house, a haunted house on Cuna Street across from the Triay-Hall House, and Tolomato Cemetery.
From the Old Cemeteries to the infamous Castillo de San Marcos, your guide will make sure you have every chance to capture and explore your own paranormal encounters.
👻 Fun fact: This is an award-winning tour!
6. Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour
The main difference between the Ghost and Gravestones and other ghost tours in St Augustine is that this one is not a walking tour.
This chilling journey includes a visit to the Old Jail, a site with a long history of documented paranormal experiences.
During this tour, you will hear tales of the haunted Huguenot & Tolomato Cemeteries and other stories of real paranormal encounters.
As an added thrill, you’ll even step inside the eerie Potter’s Wax Museum—one of the best things to do in St Augustine, for a unique and spooky experience.
We personally think that the wax museum is the absolute best in St Augustine!
7. Dolphin and Manatee Paddle or Kayak Tour
This is one of the most exciting tours in St Augustine for those who love the outdoors.
The tour takes you through the serene waterways of St Augustine with a guide by your side.
This dolphin and manatee tour includes either a paddleboard or kayak and it’s an activity that is suitable for all levels of expertise.
You’ll begin with a comprehensive on-land demonstration and a brief water lesson before setting out to seek out the captivating marine creatures and enjoy the scenic beauty.
8. Guided St Augustine Historical Tour
This historical tour in St Augustine gives you the option to explore some of the most iconic landmarks in St Augustine in a unique and eco-friendly way with this intimate small-group electric vehicle tour.
This is one of the many great tours in St Augustine and it offers multiple tour times in the morning and afternoon.
Once on board, your journey takes you to the most notable historic sites like Castillo de San Marcos, the Tolomato Cemetery, and the Mission Nombre de Dios.
9. Wine & Dine Historic District Foodie Tour
You might already be aware that we don’t talk much about food on this blog, but we know we should.
This is why we decided to add this foodie tour in St Augustine to our list.
This wine and dine tour is considered to be one of the best tours in St Augustine for those traveling in groups.
Furthermore, I personally think it’s a complete delight that offers the best of both worlds: wine and history!
This culinary adventure transports you through the picturesque streets of St. Augustine’s historic district in an open-air electric vehicle.
The best part of this wine and dine tour is that you will get to discover many local restaurants handpicked by your tour guide.
Throughout the tour, you’ll pass by landmarks such as Flagler College, the Huguenot Cemetery, Plaza de la Constitución, and the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine.
10. St Augustine Scenic Boat Ride Tour
What better way to experience St Augustine than from a serene vantage point with a captivating sightseeing boat tour?
This beautiful and scenic journey will treat you to glimpses of the Bridge of Lions, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios.
With this sightseeing boat tour, you’ll enjoy an affordable way to discover many of St Augustine’s from a different angle. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some dolphins!
Final Thoughts
With the great amount of tours and experiences in St Augustine, you can’t go wrong with any of them!
This quaint city has some of the most fascinating places to stay in Florida and is a great destination that the whole family can enjoy.
Furthermore, St Augustine is one of the best places to visit when traveling solo and an ideal one for a couple’s getaway.
Next time you visit, check out one of the many tours and support local businesses.
Which St Augustine tour is your favorite? Comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
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