St. Augustine

In St. Augustine, everywhere you go, there's a good chance you'll encounter American history. The oldest continuously inhabited European community in the United States is this village in northeastern Florida, which was founded by the Spaniards in 1565. Many of the Romanesque Revival-style buildings in St. Augustine were created by railroad and oil tycoon Henry Flagler, who was instrumental in the development of the city and the rest of Florida's east coast. These structures can be found alongside colonial architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. It shouldn't be surprising that St. Augustine has a fondness for the supernatural given its extensive history: Nighttime ghost tours are promoted by several of the town's prominent attractions, which are said to be haunted by Spanish settlers and native residents.

The plethora of Spanish-era landmarks is the Ancient City's main draw, but it also has a variety of shops, restaurants, live music venues, and art galleries. Visitors with kids should visit the St. Augustine Wild Reserve and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. Shopaholics can't resist the opportunity to browse the boutiques on St. George Street, while art fans will enjoy the unique collection of art at the Lightner Museum. And when you're prepared to unwind, get your belongings and head to the beach. St. Augustine provides easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and year-round sunshine like many coastal Florida towns do.

The months of March through May are the ideal times to visit St. Augustine. There will be fewer people around, it will be a nice temperature, and hotel and ticket prices will be lower. Between December and February, temperatures can drop into the 40s, while crowds are normally at their highest during the months of June to August. While the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June and lasts through the end of November, is during these months, you'll still get to enjoy pleasant weather and save money on lodging.

Because St. Augustine is surrounded by three rivers, a lagoon, and the Atlantic Ocean, the town's restaurants serve a lot of excellent seafood. Grouper, shrimp, and mahi-mahi can be found on the menus of St. Augustine restaurants as Florida seafood specialties. Visit well-known restaurants like Sunset Grille and O'Steen's Restaurant to enjoy some of the excellent fish the area has to offer.

Location: in the Southeastern United States, on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida.

Ranking:

• #4 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
• #7 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
• #8 in Best Places to Visit in Florida
• #8 in Best Cheap Honeymoons in the U.S.
• #11 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.
• #12 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
• #19 in Best Beaches in the U.S.