Explore the Hispanic Heritage on Florida’s Historic Coast

Discover the rich and vibrant Hispanic heritage of Florida’s Historic Coast, where centuries-old Spanish influences blend seamlessly with contemporary culture.

Day One

Spend the Afternoon Walking the Historic Streets off St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Consititucion – Explore Aviles Street, Charlotte Street, and St. George Street, for history, attractions, dining and shopping. In St. Augustine’s early days, St. George Street was the main street, and today the thoroughfare is still considered the heart of the city. Here, visitors find historic attractions and some of the restaurants, galleries, and shops for which the city is famous. Along Aviles and Charlotte Streets, visitors will find even more of these hidden treasures, including the Spanish Military Hospital Museum, the Ximinez-Fatio House and the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum.

Dinner at Castillo Craft Bar & Kitchen in the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown sets the stage for culturally influenced flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast.

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Day Two

Start the day with a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos. Built by the Spanish settlers, the Castillo is the oldest masonry fortress in the United States and the only standing 17th-century military construction. The fort sits on a 20.5 acre national park where visitors can step inside the walls to learn of the early Spanish military life in St. Augustine, hear cannons fire and attend live reenactments.

Tour the Mission Nombre de Dios - the site of the first parish Mass and first shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. The Mission Nombre de Dios traces its origins to the founding of the city of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Aviles landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. Each year, Catholics and the local community celebrate Founder’s Day with a re-enactment of the landing followed by Mass. In the early 1600’s, a statue of Mary nursing the infant Jesus was placed in the chapel and more than 450 years later, she graces the current chapel rebuilt in 1915. Other sites within the mission grounds include: the Mission Museum, Shrine Gift Shop, Great Cross, Rustic Altar, and stations of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

Tour at Fountain of Youth Archeological Park - known as the place where Ponce De Leon discovered the alleged healing waters that magically maintain your youthful appearance. Drink from the magical spring’s waters, then explore the exhibits and historical attractions at the 15-acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. When the Spaniards arrived in 1565, they lived here, among the native Timucuan people before relocating to the downtown area.

Enjoy dinner at the Columbia Restaurant, a Florida tradition that serves award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine has been operated by the Gonzmart family since 1905!

End the day learning about the spirited past of the Nation’s oldest city on one of the popular Ghost tours or paranormal investigations. There are several to choose from where visitors get to walk St. Augustine’s hallowed streets, investigate unexplained phenomena and hear chilling tales from beyond as you decide what’s true or merely a legend.

PicturedCathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

Day Three

Start the day with a guided tour with St. Augustine Land & Sea Tours, they offer private tours by electric cart, walking, and by boat. Si hablo Espanol

Take a behind the Scenes Tours of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine where ambassadors warmly welcome visitors and share their historical traditions as well as information about the artistic and architectural elements of the Cathedral. Copies of 16th-century documents, (the oldest documents in the New World), stories behind the stained-glass windows, the Stations of the Cross, the bishop’s coat of arms in the rafters, the murals, the three burials within the church, and more are part of the tour.

Enjoy lunch at the Spanish Bakery & Cafe on St. George Street.

Tour the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum where you can climb 219 steps to the top of the 165-foot tower for breathtaking views of historic downtown St. Augustine, the beaches and the Nation's Oldest Port. Discover St. Augustine's rich maritime history at the site of Florida's first lighthouse and explore exhibits in the restored keepers' house. Note – The current lighthouse was built in 1874 to replace the Spanish tower that was beginning to deteriorate. The St. Augustine Lighthouse celebrates its 150th birthday in Fall 2024!

Enjoy an evening of authentic Mexican food and Latin music at Casa Maya.

PicturedAsado Life

A visit to Fort Mose Historic State Park, where the first freed slaves established the first legally sanctioned free black settlement in the U.S. in 1738 tells the story of how the Blacks, Natives and Spanish settlers lived and worked together. This settlement, known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose or Fort Mose, helped protect Spanish St. Augustine from invading British soldiers in the 18th century.

Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at Asado Life, a must-do experience on Florida’s Historic Coast where Argentine-style cooking takes dining to a new level.

Take a drive north on A1A to GTM North Beach Parking area . This is the very start of La Florida. On April 2, 1514, Ponce de Leon sited land of the coast here at 30°8´ North Latitude, then came ashore the following day, claiming this La Florida in the name of Spain. There is a statue of Ponce de Leon commemorating that historic day. Walk across the dunes (the Highest in the State of Florida) to enjoy the pristine beach of the GTM Reserve.

Enjoy dinner at Pesca Rooftop at the Hyatt Place Hotel at Villano Beach. Pesca combines globally inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and fresh from Florida ingredients.