Top Rated Attractions in St. Augustine

This state-house museum is one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine. A Spanish storekeeper named Andres Ximenez constructed the house in 1798 using native coquina stone (a mix of coral rock and cement). The house and property are well-preserved and the tour includes a visit to the artillery officer's room, the dining room, guest parlor and captain's room as well as interpretive exhibits in the visitor's center. Today, the house is restored in order to depict a tranquil 19th-century inn, although throughout its history, the property has seen tumult and chaos, from Spanish-American battles to the Seminole Wars. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

All of the animals at the St. Augustine Wild Reserve are rescued from abusive or inappropriate places of acclimation. This natural reserve is dedicated to providing new, appropriate habitats for the rescued wildlife. The reserve's mission objective is to educate the public about these rescued animals.

The oldest extant Spanish fortification in the United States, this bulwark stands as a remnant of the European colonization of America. The Castillo de San Marcos dates back to 1672 and is a fine example of military architecture built in defense of the Spanish crown. The fort's masonry is called coquina and for more than 200 years of battle, this limestone withstood countless strikes among European powers. The dearth of traditional materials in Florida forced the Spanish to use this porous, yet resilient material, to the dismay of their enemies who found the fort impossible to conquer in battle. It was declared a national monument in 1924 and today, San Marcos remains a fascinating place. At the visitor's center one can join a ranger program, see a live re-enactment or just walk around and explore the fortress, whatever the choice, the fort definitely merits the trip.

At this historic lighthouse, visitors can find out what it's like to be a light keeper when they climb the 200 odd steps to the top. Not only do guests see the well-maintained, functioning light, they also have a breathtaking, panoramic view of the surrounding St. Augustine area and beaches. The tour of the tower, the keeper's house and grounds are both guided and self-guided, however only the guided tours allow visitors a more in-depth, behind-the-scenes look. This 19th-century tower is one of only six lighthouses in Florida that is still open to the public.

The performers at this intimate 125-seat theater showcase everything from dance and drama to comedies and classics. The theater's founders created productions in different venues around town when they first began in 1992, however in 2001 the present building was purchased and renovated later with state-of-the-art technology. The Limelight Theatre also hosts an annual Playwrights' Festival from mid-July through August, where two first-time productions are selected from state wide submissions.

When you come to Florida, stop by the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park to get a look at some of state's most deadly reptiles. This gator farm has been around for nearly a century and since then it has featured that quintessential Florida reptile. Be prepared to take out the phone camera to catch educational shows when you can care and feed them along with other reptiles throughout the day. One of the main highlights here is the zip-line, where visitors can zoom over the "Crocodile Crossing" with 50 different obstacles. Definitely an informative and fun way to spend an afternoon under the St. Augustine sky.