Lightner Museum looking south

Historic Downtown

The heart of the First City is found here in Historic Downtown.

The heart of the city of St. Augustine is here in the Historic Downtown where guests will find a majority of the city's restaurants, shopping, hotels, and attractions. The Historic Downtown is the oldest part of the city with many buildings dating back to the 1700s — and with streets that have existed from long before that —combine to create a walkable city obviously designed with old European concepts. Part of Historic Downtown, Lincolnville also offers history, museums, places to stay, and eateries.

This Historic Downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places, as are over twenty other sites within the district from the Alcazar Hotel to the Ximenez-Fatio House. The Historic Downtown creates a walkable city and a beautiful area for finding things to do like shopping, visiting museums and churches, dining, and listening to live music.

The Historic Downtown is also home to the beautiful bayfront with lovely panoramic views of the Matanzas Bay and an inviting bayfront walk along the Matanzas River from the Castillo de San Marcos to the former 16th Century Jesuit monastery that is now Headquarters for the Florida National Guard. A number of eateries have views of the Matanzas, including A1A Ale House and Harry’s Seafood. Those who wish to stay in the Historic District, near the water, may want to check out the Bayfront Inn and the Edgewater Inn.

The top-rated attractions in the area reflect the importance of history in shaping St. Augustine, including the Flagler Legacy Tours, Lightner Museum, and the Colonial Quarter. Another defining feature of the Historic District is the architecture. The design on building facades represents the height of Spanish Colonial and Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture. This area of town showcases everything from early European design, Florida bungalow-style houses, and Gilded Age extravagance.

The Historic Downtown of the nation’s oldest city represents much of U.S. History from 1565 and is sure to offer activities for the whole family to enjoy.

(904) 824-8778

148 St. George Street

Sunburst Trading offers gifts and souvenirs and a complete shell shop at it downtown location on St. George Street.

(904) 823-9666

136 St. George Street

Surf Culture is a St. Augustine shop that sells clothing and items for skaters, surfers, and beach-lovers. Guests will find a selection of sunglasses to provide prot...

(904) 615-1653

8 Granada Street

Sweetwater Coffee Bar and Gallery is serious about coffee and joyous about art, serving coffee, pastries, lunch, and a feast for the eyes.

(904) 825-1730

65 St. George Street

This St. George Street ice cream shop serves up dessert creations on freshly baked waffled cones, along with other treats to keep visitors cool.

(904) 829-0100

162 St. George Street

Tervis Tumbler, located at 162 St. George Street in the Heritage Walk Shopping Plaza, offers a wide variety of plastic drinkware. As the stores name implies, they sp...

(904) 679-5858

56 Charlotte St

A warm French restaurant serving starters, mains, brunch and Charcuterie with an extensive wine list.

(904) 417-0094

23 Cuna Street

This shop offers a wide variety of handcrafted goods directly from villages in Africa, Bali, Turkey, and Thailand.

(904) 824-9948

75 King Street

The Linen Room caters to Anglophiles and to all who love antique linens, Waterford Crystal, English China, and beautiful antique furniture.

(904) 417-0508

60 St. George Street

Unique, up cycled, organic goods, gifts, and local art on St. George Street in historic downtown.

(904) 217-9164

76 Spanish Street

Ghost hunts, scavenger hunts, and whichcraft (and s'mores by the fire) - oh my.

(904) 824-9935

14-C St. George Street

The Pearl Shop is a family owned and operated business that offers pearls and handcrafted pearl jewelry. They also make custom jewelry pieces with pearls and gemston...

The Picnic Company has many picnic packages, experiences, and locations that visitors and locals can enjoy as a way to uniquely celebrate life events.

32 St. George Street

An ice cream shop on St. George Street that also sells fudge, macarons, and cookie dough by the scoop.

(904) 325-3911

24 Cathedral Place

Visitors can eat, drink, and taste their way through historic St. Augustine on an exclusive tour.

(904) 829-0928

24 Avenida Menendez

Sit back and relax with a custom or classic martini at this bayfront bar in historic downtown.

(904) 257-3273

14 Cordova St

The oldest planned cemetery in the State of Florida, with burials officially ceasing in 1884.