What to do in St Augustine while house and pet sitting

Seaside city St Augustine is the place to come if you like history, architecture and fabulous sandy beaches. The Floridian city really does have something for everyone and with its many parks and stretches of sand, it’s also a great place to be a pup.

Dating back to the 1560s, St Augustine lays claim to be the oldest European-established settlement in the country. It’s certainly managed to preserve a lot of its built heritage, with a wealth of old Spanish-style buildings and landmarks to explore. You can easily spend hours wandering around its narrow cobbled streets, stopping to browse in the stores or grab a coffee on a welcoming patio.

Then within minutes, you’ve left the buzz and the bustle behind and you’re chilling on the beach, or looking out for wildlife in Anastasia State Park. There are so many things to do in St Augustine, that it’s hard to know where to start. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide to the must-see places to visit in St Augustine.

St Augustine attractions

What are the best things to do in St Augustine? Let’s start with some of the city’s most popular attractions. Grab your camera and try these four places for starters...

1. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: this spectacular fortress was built by the Spanish to defend the Atlantic trade route. It dates back to the late 17th century and is made from coquina, a rare local limestone. Try to watch a cannon firing display while you’re here.

2. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum: climb the 219 steps to the top of the 19th-century lighthouse for incredible views across the water. Safely back down, visit the museum at its base, which has a great (if eerie) collection of shipwreck artefacts.

3. Colonial Quarter: head to St George’s Street in downtown St Augustine for a taste of the old settlement. It’s set out as a living museum and is divided into four quarters: the 16th-Century Spanish First City, the 17th-Century Spanish Fortified Town, the 18th-Century Spanish Garrison Town and the 18th-Century British Colony.

4. Anastasia State Park: take a break from the city and venture out into the sandy sweep of the State Park. A great place for bird watching, the park consists of ancient dunes, beautiful beaches and tidal marshes. Look out for the old coquina quarries that supplied the stone for the fortress.

Free things to do in St Augustine

You don’t have to blow the budget when you’re staying in St Augustine. You can spend days simply exploring its picturesque old streets and admiring the historic Spanish architecture. Here are a few of our favorite free things to see in St Augustine.

1. Bridge of Lions: the 1920s drawbridge was built to connect the city with Anastasia Island. A popular walk or run involves crossing at the Bridge of Lions then returning over the Vilano Causeway and Bridge, giving you a loop that takes great views across the water.

2. St George Street: St Augustine’s pedestrian thoroughfare is crammed with beautiful old buildings and irresistible little stores. Look out for the Oldest Wooden School House and the Old City Gates. And the ice cream...

3. Fort Mose Historic State Park: the 40-acre National Historic Landmark is just outside the city, on the edge of a salt marsh. The Park is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the States, in 1738. Today, nothing remains of this settlement, but it’s still an evocative and important place.

4. Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum: the former residence of the Spanish and English colonial governors is free to visit, and houses exhibitions about the town’s European history.

Fun things to do in St Augustine

If you’re looking for some unusual and fun things to do in St Augustine, try these wonderful trips out. We’ve selected some of the most unique St Augustine activities for you to try.

1. St. Augustine Beach: head here for silver sands and azure waters. The two-mile long beach rarely feels crowded and the conditions are often good for swimming. Your four-pawed friend can also join you for a splash.

2. St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum: say “Aargh!”. Everyone loves this fantastic museum. Look out for a genuine 17th-century Jolly Roger and the world’s oldest Wanted poster. Don’t forget to climb aboard the replica pirate ship (or we’ll make ye walk the plank…).

3. Old Jail: take a tour of the city’s old jail (just to put you off life as a pillaging pirate) which gives an atmospheric glimpse into life as a 19th-century prisoner. Or, book onto a Ghosts & Graveyard tour, which visits the prison at night – if you dare...

4. Distillery: take a tour of St Augustine’s craft distillery and sample a selection of cocktails made from their quality spirits. The fascinating tours are free, but then you need to pass through the gift shop...

What to do in St Augustine with pets?

Are you dog sitting in St Augustine? Well, there’s plenty of stuff to do in St Augustine with your new canine companion (as they’re probably trying to tell you). The city has a good choice of parks and as most of the beaches allow dogs, you’ll not be short of places to visit together.

1. The beaches: dogs are allowed on St Augustine’s lovely beaches (apart from Anastasia National Park), provided they’re kept on the leash. There are showers in some of the parking lots for a quick rinse off after their walk and swim.

2. Treaty Park: this 47-acre park has a special dog area, Paws Park. It’s a really well-thought-out dog park, with separate sections for large and small pooches, water and toys. Not sure how often you need to go walkies? Check out our guide to how often you should walk your dog.

3. Ron Parker Park: if you’re looking for a shady stop-off point for you and your furry companion, this smaller park is pawfect. As well as a dedicated dog park, it has a picnic area and plenty of shaded spots.

4. Guided Tours: there are several guided walking tours of St Augustine and many of these are happy for leashed dogs to join in. Make sure you check when you book. Explore Tours will allow dogs on their small buses, provided you book ahead.

5. Dog-friendly restaurants: St Augustine's climate means there are plenty of al fresco restaurants and most of these welcome dogs. Try Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill, which has a lovely, lively courtyard.

Best restaurants in St Augustine: Food and drink

With a lot of quality food producers in the area and a sea rich in fish, St Augustine has access to a wonderful local larder. Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in a great choice of restaurants. It’s not just about the food, either, as many of these eateries are located in historic buildings or have great views of the sea and city.

Best restaurants in St Augustine for lunch 

Fancy refuelling after a walk or swim? Here are some of the best restaurants in St Augustine for lunch.

1. Burrito Works Taco Shop: this small stand serves up big flavors and going by its long queue, has a massive fan base. It’s worth the wait for the Baja fish tacos alone.

2. The Original Cafe Eleven: you can’t beat this beachside location. Come here for a hearty brunch (there’s a buffet on the weekend…) after an ocean swim.

3. The Floridian: local recipes made with the finest local ingredients: it doesn’t get more Floridian than that! There's nothing quite as comforting as this traditional Southern cooking.

4. The Spanish Bakery: located in historic George Street, this famous bakery serves a limited menu of freshly made Spanish snacks. It doesn’t have seating but there are benches nearby.

5. Columbia Restaurant: the combination of the old surroundings and the Spanish/Cuban dishes make this an irresistible place for lunch. Be sure to try their sangria!

Best restaurants in St Augustine for dinner

If you’ve been wondering what to do in St Augustine in the evening, we can certainly recommend the restaurant scene. As well as delectable dining, several places also double as live music venues on the weekend.

1. Catch 27: this is one of the most popular of St Augustine's seafood restaurants and it certainly makes the most of its coastal location. The vibe is contemporary, but casual.

2. Prohibition Kitchen: suitably dark and decadent in design, this fab farm-to-fork restaurant is in the middle of the old town. Look out for live music on the weekend.

3. Ice Plant Bar: cocktails and farm-to-fork food, served in a converted Art Deco ice factory: this has to be one of the most unique dining venues in town.

4. Meehan’s Irish Pub: classic Irish food and drink (plus seafood) served in yet another fantastic old building. Lively Meehan’s is close to the Castillo.

5. Collage Restaurant: fine dining in the heart of the historic town. Collage uses local produce to create a range of refined international dishes.

There are so many things to do in Augustine FL. Hopefully this has given you an insight into this remarkable city and made you want to spend some time among its beautiful old streets and buildings.

House and pet sitting in St Augustine

Does St Augustine sound like the kind of place you’d like to hang out? Visit our house and pet sitting page to check out opportunities in St Augustine and Florida. There could be owners just waiting to connect with an enthusiastic sitter like yourself. You can also check out our friendly Community Forum for hints and tips about house and pet sitting.