St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a city on the northeast coast of Florida. It lays claim to being the oldest city in the U.S. and is known for its Spanish colonial architecture as well as Atlantic Ocean beaches like sandy St. Augustine Beach and tranquil Crescent Beach. Anastasia State Park is a protected wildlife sanctuary. The Castillo de San Marcos is a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress with views of the St. Augustine Inlet.

No matter where you go in St. Augustine, odds are you'll stand face to face with American history. Founded by the Spaniards in 1565, this town in northeastern Florida is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the U.S. Alongside narrow cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, you'll find Romanesque Revival-style buildings, many of which were designed by railroad and oil tycoon Henry Flagler, who played a key role in developing St. Augustine and the rest of Florida's east coast. With so much history, it should come as no surprise that St. Augustine also has a penchant for the paranormal: Many of the town's top attractions, which are believed to be haunted by Spanish settlers and original inhabitants, tout nighttime ghost tours.

Though the main draw here is the abundance of landmarks that date back to the Spanish occupation, the Ancient City also offers various boutiques, eateries, live music venues, and art galleries. Travelers with children should check out the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and the St. Augustine Wild Reserve. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Lightner Museum's eclectic collection, while shopaholics cannot pass up a chance to peruse the boutiques on St. George Street. And once you're ready to relax, grab your gear and head to the beach. As with many coastal Florida towns, St. Augustine offers prime access to the Atlantic Ocean and year-round sunshine. The best time to visit St. Augustine is between March and May. During this time, you'll find fewer people, comfortable temperatures, and low hotel and airfare rates

Address: Florida