The Tasting Tours

The Tasting Tours leads culinary tours throughout Historic Downtown and nearby neighborhoods. Ranked #1 for food tours on TripAdvisor and listed as the "Best Food Tour in St. Augustine" by Travel + Leisure Magazine, this locally owned company takes you on a three-hour food and drink tasting adventure.

The Tours

Whether you select a walking tour or a chauffeured tour in an electric vehicle, you will visit some of St. Augustine's favorite eateries in the historic downtown area. Each tour takes you on a curated adventure to select venues where you can enjoy local cuisine paired with craft cocktails or wine. There are two tour times each day, a late lunch starting at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m., and an early dinner starting at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. 

The Tasting Tours operates seven days a week, and is a great option for private parties, including corporate outings, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and friend getaways. They can accommodate groups of up to 85 guests.

The office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Call to book a tour or make reservations on their website.

Nights of Lights Tours

During Nights of Lights, Tasting Tours offers holiday fun on lively, funny, or romantic tours, with something for all:

• On carriage rides
• On a horseless carriage
• With several characters including a singing elf, the Grinch, Santa, Scrooge, or (after Christmas) a pirate

During Nights of Lights, all tours start at the Paladar Pop-Up eatery, 47 Cordova Street, St. Augustine.

Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2025

Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car on 33 days and nights during Nights of Lights. 

Also, see below for information about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights. That shuttle runs on Anastasia Island and drops people off on the east side of the bridge.

How Does it Work?

Park for free in one of three lots, take a free bus to the Visitor Information Center, enjoy all Nights of Lights has to offer, and take a free bus back to your car. 

When Will it Operate?

• From 1:00 to 11:00 p.m., on 33 days of Nights of Lights, and on December 6 (the day of the Christmas Parade) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• November: 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30
• December: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
• January: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will operate on all 33 days:

• Broudy's Lot, 198 West King Street, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
• North San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine
• St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1

Light-Up Night Anastasia Shuttles

Two additional lots on Anastasia Island will operate from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Light-Up! Night, November 15, 2025

• R.B. Hunt School, 125 Magnolia Dr., St. Augustine, Florida 32080
• Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A S, St. Augustine, Florida 32080

Why Use the Shuttle?

• It's free.*
• It's easy. You avoid the hassle of driving around and around the city streets looking for a parking spot.
• Third, Nights of Lights is a walking event and a tour event. Leave your car in a free lot, take a free shuttle to the Visitor Information Center, walk around town, and ride on a carriage, a trolley, a red train, or a golf cart.
• * When the shuttles operate, the parking garage fee will be $40.00. (This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents with a ParkStAug Discount Parking Card.)

STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights

During the Nights of Lights Season, the STAR bus stops transiting downtown at 4:00 p.m. and moves to a route on Anastasia Island. 

Beginning on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and continuing through January 4, 2026, the STAR bus travels a route on Anastasia Island from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

The bus delivers passengers to 201 Gerado Street, on the east side of the Bridge of Lions. 

It stops at many of the St. Augustine Beach hotels to pick up guests of those hotels and at several parking areas along the route:

• Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Boulevard (There may be less parking available on December 12, during their market)
• St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A S.
• A Street + A1A Beach Boulevard
• St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park, 350 A1a Beach Boulevard

Click here to learn more about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights.