St. Augustine

As America's oldest city, St. Augustine has had plenty of time to get it right. Settlers arrived in the mid-1500s, and some of the still-standing landmarks, such as the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos, date back almost as far. It's a walkable town steeped in mystery, with whispers of the past echoing down every cobblestone alley.

Learning about the area's history (preferably via ghost tour once darkness has descended on the city) is a given in St. Augustine. There are also newer additions designed to appeal to the modern explorer, such as Ice Plant for cocktails and the Alligator Farm for a uniquely Floridian animal encounter. See the city sparkle in the glow of three million lights during St. Augustine's annual Nights of Lights event around Christmas.

Book a stay at the adults-only Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens for the perfect marriage of history and a cozy breed of luxury, where you can tour the grounds with the property historian and gather for expertly crafted cocktails at The Well Bar. St. Francis Inn, built in 1791, is a bed-and-breakfast that captures the spirit of the city and everything there is to love about homey accommodations. It's right on St. George Street, St. Augustine's main thoroughfare.

After working up an appetite, head to Michael's Tasting Room, The Floridian, or O.C. White's, a historic restaurant in the heart of the action. For something a little more casual, stop by A1A Ale Works for possibly the best root beer you've ever had, served alongside a stunning view of the Bridge of Lions.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Florida

Phone: (904) 825-1007

Website: https://citystaug.com/