St. Augustine, A Journey Through America's Oldest City

Florida

March, 2022

St. Augustine, America's First City

As part of our trip, we visited St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. Our stroll through the historic district allowed us to see the many ‘must-see’ landmarks St. Augustine has to offer.

St. Augustine is one of the most significant historical sites in the United States, established 55 years before the Pilgrims anchored at Plymouth Rock!

St. Augustine's Spanish Heritage

At the visitor center, we saw an exhibition about the early Spanish settlers in “A Siempre Fiel Ciudad, the ever-faithful city,” St. Augustine’s historical nickname. This name reflects its strong connections with the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church during the Spanish colonial period.

Exploring St. Augustine's Historic Streets

Through the Old City Gates, we entered St. George Street. This charming street featured old buildings and cobblestone streets that took us back in time. The lively vibe, with many visitors exploring and enjoying the inviting shops and tasty restaurants, made us feel like we had stepped into a little town in Mediterranean Europe. We peeked into the oldest wooden schoolhouse, imagining the lessons once taught here. In addition, we visited the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, a small shrine highlighting the journey of Greek settlers in Florida. We also strolled down Aviles Street, the oldest street in the US, with quaint art galleries and boutiques.

Plaza de la Constitución, A Historic Centerpiece

Plaza de la Constitución, established in 1573 according to Spanish Royal Ordinances, remains the vibrant heart of St. Augustine. This historic square is surrounded by architectural gems such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Government House.

As usual, we lit a candle at the Cathedral Basilica. The building was completed in 1797 after the first church was destroyed. The parish of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic parish in the United States, established approximately 460 years ago on September 8, 1565.

From Swim to Supper, The Unique Café Alcazar

After strolling through the oldest street in the nation, Aviles Street, along the oldest house, The González–Álvarez House, we discovered Café Alcazar, where we had an unforgettable lunch!

We sat at the drained indoor swimming pool of Henry Flagler’s Alcazar Hotel, now a charming restaurant. Built in 1889, this was once the world’s largest indoor pool and Florida’s first. It felt surreal to dine where guests of the Alcazar Hotel once swam, from 1889 to 1931.

It was quite a different experience sharing a delicious meal at the deep end of a historical landmark than attending swim meets in hot swimming pools with our kids!

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River Views at Lake Towsen

Lake Towsen Preserve was another gem near our Airbnb. The preserve offered access to the Withlacoochee River near the Withlacoochee State Trail. We enjoyed watching people cycling, boating, and kayaking from the deck by the boat ramp. Despite having hiked in the area, this was our first time experiencing a fantastic view of the Withlacoochee River.

One Last Run, Walk, and A Goodbye to the Animals

It was almost check-out day again! After a last run and walk on Saturday, I took pictures and said goodbye to the animals. Our stay in this rural part of Florida, with the welcoming cottage, the farm, the giant trees, and the evening quiet, had exceeded our expectations.