Things You Should Know Before Visiting St. Augustine, Florida

Planning a trip to St. Augustine can be a little overwhelming for a first-time visitor. Is a trolley tour worth the money? How does parking work? Are there alternatives to busy St. George Street? As Florida residents who visit the nation's oldest city often, we have put together a list of 10 things you should know before visiting St. Augustine. Let us know in the comments below which tips are your favorites or add a few of your own!
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[@BigOldScout]

I Love St Augustine. It was there where I asked my wife to marry overlooking the water on Castillo de San Marcos. We've been married for 30 years now. St. Augustine is a Magical Place. :-)

[@mariomcrae6595]

We moved here in March and it is pure bliss it’s our forever home and it has a huge deaf community

[@1artistvocalist]

Awesome! Thinking of moving there myself. I am a singer just hired in a band there. Have to find the right living situation first..Such a lovely city!

[@NattyWerewolf]

I was born & raised in palm beach county. I went here to st augustine on a field trip once. It’s the only other city I’d live in Florida

[@flobee59]

Great information I can't wait to visit.

[@chriscoppola6877]

awesome video thanks homie!

[@maryrossi-leadagentatredfi1100]

Great, very informative video! Thank you!

[@garyschultz7768]

enjoyed the St.Augustine video.. thanks ....

[@russsaunders7154]

Eat at Burrito Works Taco Shop! Great tacos (everything really) and cool folks working there. One of my favs!! St Augustine is truly a fun cool place to visit. I am a local but never get tired of it.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Will add to our list!

[@charlesvarnelljr9776]

That place is awesome

[@LeileeBaker805]

Heard there is a large pirate ship 🏴‍☠️🦜there! And a large farmers market in a stadium.

[@Tracy.Leavitt.007]

Fantastic information Thank you n

[@beautifulflorida]

St Augustine is beautiful! Can not wait to go there again!

[@mikefelix932]

Love your videos, especially St Augustine. Keep them coming. Thanks, Shelley

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@carolynknisely2383]

Thank you, that was great!!!

[@1artistvocalist]

Awesome video, thank you!! Thinking of moving there..very informative!

[@clauderoxboroughiii4444]

nice!!! good info.

[@stevelinscome728]

Great video! I'm seriously considering visiting in late Oct this year, from Washington state. This video has some great info to rewatch and take note of. Thanks. And hopefully, I'll be getting around via motorcycle. 🙋‍♂️🏍💨

[@jennbville4294]

My mom has a condo there by the beach. I love it there. Great place to visit!!

[@shelbyahughes1994]

As someone that's been to St. Augustine dozens of times now; this is definitely the most informative video & list I've found. Thanks!

[@ChadGallivanter]

Wow, thank you!

[@marciafallon7653]

Ditto! I didn’t even know about the Visitor Center Parking lot!!!

[@farfetched9296]

I love Florida but never stopped in St. Augustine planning on it. It reminds me of San Juan Puerto Rico without leaving

[@theresamccarthy1684]

Thanks for all the great information, very informative!

[@ChadGallivanter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wassabilove1111]

This is so so helpful thank you!!!

[@ChadGallivanter]

Good to hear Sabina! Thx for watching

[@sallyeblen7032]

Thanks for sharing

[@jillblase6820]

Very informative Chad, thank you so much.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thank u Jill!

[@CCRunnuR]

Pro quality video! Thanks for the free parking tip-- worked like a charm.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Glad it worked for you!

[@MikeRuh01]

Another great one on St Augustine. Thanks Chad

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks Mike!

[@DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

Remarkably excellent review

[@bethanndubey6989]

Looks awesome 💖😊thank You for sharing and God Bless💖😊💝

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thank you Bethann!

[@shellysharma2738]

Very helpful video! Thanks :)

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thx Shelly!

[@twaters4827]

We just got back.....great place!!!

[@brentt8590]

great video, please keep more coming. Love Florida, i think it's one of the most beautiful States in the Union due to its location and things to do.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thank you! Will do!

[@karenkelly1451]

Best video on visiting St Augustine that I've seen. Best video quality too.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks Karen!

[@rosaliehandoga8628]

Awesome video lots of great information

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks Rosalie!

[@rad_ryno9684]

As someone who frequents here weekly this is spot on, great vid 👏

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thx!

[@johncipolla8335]

I. just got here a little over 2 years ago. I plan on visiting. and am looking for channels like these to educate me about sights and stuff. I am suprised there are no you tubers that give us the chance to explore the city through live walks and talk chatting

[@honeybeejourney]

Pretty video. Interesting.

[@beboboymann3823]

Love the advice to walk confidently into the hotel to the bathrooms ha ha. Walking confidently anywhere opens up many opportunities.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Works every time!

[@VillageFoodTours]

Perfect timing. I just booked a stay for labor day weekend before seeing this.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Glad the video helped!

[@Tenney103]

I found your channel and I love it!!! You got a new subscriber.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Happy to hear you’re loving the channel! Thanks for subscribing!

[@1952martini]

We wil be staying for our first time in St Augustine the third week in August. Thank you for the great informatiom.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Hope u have an awesome trip!

[@gilleslarose373]

Your American English accent is very easy to understand, you pronounce all the words well, very easy to understand, thank you.

[@robinfreyburger1988]

Thanks for the video I will share it with family who are coming for Christmas, now I don't need to do the news letter. Government House my favorite pit/restroom stop, and the AC there is cold. Love Up Town also Aviles St. Parking...have started Ubering at night, easier and safer. Love your videos..

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks Robin!

[@LeoLends]

Great information

[@ChadGallivanter]

Thanks!

[@michaeldee9209]

We were just there days ago I recommend the trolley tour and the boat tour we did some walking and everybody was tired tired so if you did walking the whole day you would be dead dead tired especially if your older person and a decent place to eat although you pricing the stickers on people's car called salt life that is a restaurant and we ate there and it was decent

[@carriehunify]

I've been to St. Augustine many times, but learned a lot from this video. Thanks! I'd like to see more about wheelchair-friendly options in St. Augustine or things to do in inclement weather. We are heading there next week with our young daughter, who is in a wheelchair and also needs sensory friendly options.

[@jlavallet]

I also use a wheelchair and was wondering the same. We will be visiting St Augustine for the first time. What were your impressions?

[@profitglen]

Very helpful stuff. My sister-in-law lives in the area and will be visiting.

[@ChadGallivanter]

That’s good to hear!

[@dianelieu]

Hey Chad, I grew up in Jacksonville and made many day trips to St. Augustine. I never knew about that lot behind Lightner Museum. Visited this past Saturday and was able to snag a spot! Thanks for the tip. :)

[@ChadGallivanter]

That's excellent Diane! Glad it worked for you!!

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

Omg seriously! I always parked there and or on the side of the street. I’m from Ponte Vedra

[@LIVINGINSTAUGUSTINE]

Hey Chad! Solid video. I cant believe you told people about the secret parking spot!

[@ChadGallivanter]

I know. Hope we don’t regret it the next time we look for a spot!

[@LIVINGINSTAUGUSTINE]

@@ChadGallivanter I have been parallel parking downtown; most people dont want to do that with the traffic! They can wait for me

[@idonthaveahandle2000]

Its a great city for an urban hike.

[@samjohnson5770]

Thank you my wife and I will be In St Augustine next week

[@ChadGallivanter]

Good time of year to go. Today it was in the upper 50s there.

[@pigybak]

Parking 101👍🏻👍🏻

[@marysullivan8793]

Good info. I would like to see water areas and marina restaurants

[@ChadGallivanter]

Noted!

[@monicawatson1805]

Hey very much enjoyed this video. Im planning to stay ( never been) for a month next winter, to escape Canada cold. Will rent airbnb , there are so many. Is there a location you recommend? Would love to hear from you thanks Cheers

[@mp6732]

LMAO the public restroom bit is by far the most helpful tip ever. I've been to St Augustine to tour around, ppl watch, and every time all the public restrooms are full and not the cleanest. I always stop by the Casa Monica hotel or the Governor House. Or any restaurant restroom is better than the public ones xD

[@ChadGallivanter]

Agree!

[@castamargaritasalfate3037]

Best thing to do is left your car in the hotel and walk not a big deal. Also you can use the trolley problem resolved. San Agustine is beautiful every time we go there is something new to see.

[@grrriallen7192]

i thought you were going to say “Spring, summer or Fall, can all happen all on one weekend!” LOL. True tho.

[@MrCliffda3rd]

One of my favorate things to do up there are Ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Perhaps a vid on "favorate Ghost tours".

[@greenbelle27]

Hi. Could you do one for nights of lights on New Year’s Eve? And are there activities for small children to be engaged by?

[@joannatassin3238]

Love this, I learned things, like parking and the app, and I've been visiting for almost 20 years! How do you feel about the new Red Express Trains? Apparently they do NOT stop anymore, and are a ticketed 1 hour ride. OMG you're so funny.... Enter like you know where you're going and walk confidently through the lobby. I absolutely agree... chain restaurants are not needed when in St. Augustine. There's no bad restaurants, I swear, although I prefer Cousteau's waffles and Kilwin's ice cream over the Hyppo myself... ;)

[@chriskkkristopherson1129]

Not true. Harry's is aweful

[@sternthomas7924]

Try out some seafood restaurants 100c Wyatt's last time we was there it was worth every penny

[@bryankrauss6393]

Can I residentially live in a 12x36 RV down there I can't drive so it has to be near public transportation

[@Carllz]

I'm now watching this 5 years after going to st Augustine lol

[@barbosborne1]

We're traveling with 2 small dogs March/April. Any tips?

[@debbiewomack8952]

You forgot The Blue Mantle on 81 San Marco Ave! 🥰

[@chuckp4710]

How crowded is it in mid Feb.???? We plan on staying in Daytona Beach but driving up for the day.

[@omelethouse7980]

Planning a trip and leaning towards staying at the Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, but also see that Casa Monica is popular...thoughts?

[@ChadGallivanter]

Love both, but I would give the edge to the Collector. Especially if you enjoy spending time outdoors sipping on a hot beverage on a crisp morning. The courtyard space has beautiful Old World touches that are relaxing, and the suites themselves are still fairly new with plenty of room to not feel cramped. Casa Monica is a beautiful classic hotel, but if you love spending time outside, I would stick with the Collector.

[@larespuertorico]

Love St Augustine my wife and I just spent a whole week there but there is a serious problem with the homeless just sleeping on the streets.

[@georgeschlaline6057]

St Augustine such a pretty town All of Walt Disney World is so True

[@loriwhinery3210]

We are going in February to Orlando and thought we would go to st Augustine , it’s bigger than I thought, we will only be there one day what should we do in such a short period of time. Food is important and old homes and walking too oh and unique shops.

[@brookelynn4455]

For dinner, I always suggest Harry's. It's in the best part of town, with amazing food. Seafood, chicken, lots of options!

[@saharadesert77]

Im looking for the fountain of middle age-rodney Dangerfield

[@TheMohawk102]

One thing that is not mentioned . If you take King st to US1 and go south you will find Burger king ,MARSHALLS,ROSS,TUESDAY MORNING , LONGHORN , APPLEBEES , WALMART has souvenirs a lot cheaper than downtown . unless you rather 20 bucks for a key chain . Walgreens' CVS or if you just want a DINER try the Village Inn take w king st make right turn on N ponce de leon . its on your right side Village Inn good food and cheap . and don't forget to give a hand out to the many homeless people in the downtown area .

[@OldMovieRob]

I was there a few months ago, and don't remember many street performers on St. George street, but instead there were a number of homeless people that were there along that particular street. It also seemed like many of the businesses were closed, but maybe that's still due to covid?

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

No. I’m from there. Never seen street performances

[@Matrixcent]

Hello there. New subscriber here. At 11:45 of this video where you were holding your power bank there's a beautiful house behind you. Do you still remember the name of the street?

[@ChadGallivanter]

The street is Granada Street and the building is Bantam Chef. Hope this helps. Thanks for becoming a subscriber!

[@Matrixcent]

@@ChadGallivanter... Do you have any recommendation to us for a very nice place to eat I mean not humburger like steaks or any other restaurant that the ambience is very old American. We are first timer in the US. Thank you

[@ChadGallivanter]

Might want to check out the new River & Fort Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge, OC White's, Raintree, Old City House Inn & Restaurant and Sunday in Uptown San Marco.

[@Matrixcent]

@@ChadGallivanter ... Yes we will do and thanks for your time. appreciate it

[@jerryvogel6588]

Forgot to tell everyone about the grid lock traffic and endless lines.

[@saharadesert77]

Dont be afraid to walk

[@stevenmcgillivray9283]

There is more to see, and do in Charleston SC..

[@ChadGallivanter]

Two different places.

[@johnpulwers680]

We've lived here for over a year and just haven't done anything. We'd like to know what are the MUST SEE or MUST DO things here before we move away.

[@starbright1256]

Wow. Live there. Never seen anything of the area? Wow

[@johnpulwers680]

Well, did the alligator farm, and caught red fish in the ICW and ate at a lot of "Good Restuarants" (MEH).

[@gwenh4448]

I can't find the Florida Stories app.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Here is the info from FL Humanities: floridahumanities.org/florida-stories-audio-tours/

[@anthonytaylor7928]

Is there hurricanes in October? Please reply

[@ChadGallivanter]

@@anthonytaylor7928 Yes, there can be.

[@saharadesert77]

Wow you guys r kinda of cool huh

[@ironsandhammers359]

Europe without crossing the lake

[@roadstraveledphotography8440]

You can't miss touring the old jail and listening to the narrated tour.

[@henrynguyen9423]

Free parking inside believe it or not museum,if you buy packages drive around city and visit museum

[@louisewarner2208]

There’s a parking app for your phone.

[@ChadGallivanter]

Yes there is. But I’ve heard mixed reviews on it.

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

I’m from here. So let’s c if u get it right

[@401Impala]

2 words, Pizza Time!

[@cheryldodd-marko9787]

🕊🇺🇲💕

[@viannant6004]

Man, how about the beaches?

[@ChadGallivanter]

I have two videos on St. Augustine area beaches. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIa9eoRml8ujpMU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp6cn2CibLN3oqM

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

Vilano bch good place to look for sharks teeth

[@sunnyray7819]

That is lame, no parking? Or pay 15-20 bucks? Wonder who owns the parking.. They just got flooded there again after hurricane Nicole. Only 7 feet above sea level.

[@steveneisler9485]

Covid bugs don’t come

[@markrichards6863]

Ripley's Believe It Or Not, leave it to Florida to allow yucky tourist trap attractions in their most historical location. They couldn't keep this one thing classy.

[@sunnyray7819]

Flood zone, don't move there