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America's Oldest City by bweiss
Saint
Augustine, Florida has the distinction of being America's oldest city. It
is also one of America's most colorful and charming tourist destinations.
Founded in 1565, this town founded by the Spanish is the oldest
continually occupied European settlement in North America.
In 500
years much has changed in this little town where conquistadors would
weigh in before heading back to Spain, their ships loaded with treasure.
One thing which remained the same for centuries, however is the Castillo
De San Marco. The original star shaped fortress built by the Spanish to
defend themselves from pirates and English privateers is still here.
Never having fallen in battle and enduring in tact for hundreds of years,
this fort on Matansas Bay is part of the National Parks system and is
open to visitors. History buffs will treasure exploring its courtyard and
chambers, seeing marks left by canister shot in it's walls, and surveying
nearby Anastasia Island from it's observation towers.
Also
of note in Saint Augustine is the Mission De Nombre De Dios, founded by
conquistador, Pedro Menendes De Avilles. One of the oldest holy sites in
our nation. The old Saint Augustine Jail, The original Ripley's Believe
it or Not Castle, and a host of other historic sites.
While
not organized into one gigantic museum, like Colonial Williamsburg, Saint
Augustine has as much to see and do and as many ways to go about it. Many
local resorts offer vacation packages and ticket bundles. There are at
least 2 trolley services on hand to get visitors from their hotels to the
sights, and more restaurants than a family can visit in a week.
Historic
Saint George Street runs directly through the middle of town and is home
to shops, museums, tour services, etc. The street is open to foot traffic
only, so it's a safe place to wander about with the family.
Nightly
there are tours offered to take advantage of the towns rich history and
it's huge log of hauntings and ghost stories. Cruises along the bay are
available as well. The best ghost tours in America are to be found in
Saint Augustine and at the Lighthouse nearby on Anastasia Island.
 
St.
Augustine, Florida, View of the Bridge of Lions Giclee Print
Buy at
AllPosters.com
World
Golf Resort is close at hand as well. Dad can spend the entire vacation
on the course if he likes. Mom and the kids can enjoy the miles of
pristine beaches in the area, or spend the day at the Alligator Farm on
Anastasia Island.
A
visit to nearby fort Matansas in a small open boat will probably get you
a look at Dolphins who like to swim in the bay around the tourists. About
an hour down the road at the Blue Springs State Park, manatees make their
home in the St. John River and guests are invited to swim near them
provided they do not touch the animals.
Saint
Augustine is a city with a tremendous historical significance to all
Americans. The history to be explored and experienced in this town is
difficult to describe all at once. The food, resort accommodations and
entertainment added in make it a place worth exploring for your next trip
south.
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