Reasons to Visit St. Augustine, Florida

Florida is a wonderful place to visit. This is especially true during the winter months when the warm weather and sunshine offered by this southern state are a welcome reprieve from the cold temperatures of other locations.

One of the most popular places to visit in the Sunshine State is St. Augustine. This historic city offers all kinds of sightseeing opportunities, as well as plenty of places to stay and some awesome places to grab a bite to eat. All in all, this is the ideal location for a getaway, and whether you're traveling with kids, as a couple, or with a group of adults, you’re sure to have a wonderful time!

If you’re planning a visit to the city of St. Augustine, this is the guide for you. Below is a collection of the very best things we’ve found in the area.

Places to Stay

Let’s begin by discussing places to stay. Obviously, you’re going to need a place to park your RV. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to do just that. Whether you need something right in the middle of the action, something budget-friendly, or something else entirely, there is almost certainly a place for you and your rig in St. Augustine and the surrounding areas.

Below are some of our favorite campgrounds in the St. Augustine area:

Pellicer Creek Campground

First on our list is Pellicer Creek Campground. This campground is located about 25 minutes from all of the St. Augustine attractions, making it an incredibly convenient place to stay. The campground can accommodate most rigs and all sites offer full hookups. Additionally, the campground offers guests free Wi-Fi access, cable TV, and a boat launch.

Faver-Dykes State Park

Looking for something a bit more budget-friendly? Faver-Dykes State Park can be found about 30 minutes outside of town. It offers 30-amp electric hookups as well as water and can accommodate rigs up to 35 feet in length. Hot showers and flush toilets are available, and the park has trails, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, and more.

Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort

Located about 40 minutes out, Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort might be a bit further away but is well worth the drive. This RV park is located right on the beach, making beach days a cinch. Full hookups are available, as are a host of other amenities, and big rigs can park here.

Things to See

Once you’re settled in, you’ll definitely want to head out to check out some of the awesome sights the city has to offer. There are dozens of fun things to do in St. Augustine—especially if you’re into history—and you could easily spend weeks doing it all.

Here is a list of some of our favorite attractions in the city:

Castillo de San Marcos

Easily the most important site to see during your visit to St. Augustine, Castillo de San Marcos is a National Historic Site full of all kinds of amazing history. Learn all about the history of the area from costumed interpreters as you wander the rooms of this incredibly old structure. Be sure to see the cannon demonstration, and if you have kids, make sure you grab a Junior Ranger book.

Colonial Quarter

Found right across the road from the Castillo, Colonial Quarter is a great place to go to expand upon what you learn at the historic site. This living history museum is small but packed with tons of interesting information. The costumed tour guide truly knows his stuff, and the musket demonstration and old-style blacksmith workshop both make the experience extra fun.

St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum is another area favorite and is especially awesome if you’re into pirates. Everything is presented in a very Disney-esque way, with animatronics and interactive elements spread throughout. This makes the museum very engaging, even for the youngest visitors. We especially enjoyed the treasure hunt, which allows kids to search for a certain symbol and earn a “treasure” at the end.

Other awesome options include the Fountain of Youth, hop-on hop-off trolley tours, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and various historic sites such as the Old Jail.

Food to Eat

Of course, you’re going to need to eat during your stay, and while cooking in your RV is inexpensive and convenient, we definitely recommend budgeting for at least a couple of meals out. This is because there are tons of amazing eateries in St. Augustine. In fact, there are so many, you might feel overwhelmed when choosing where to go.

To make your job a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of our top three St. Augustine restaurants:

O’Steen’s Restaurant

A seafood dinner is a must when you’re staying near the ocean, and a local favorite for such a meal is O’Steen’s Restaurant. Fried shrimp, shellfish, and other seafood favorites are served at very reasonable prices. Absolutely anything you order is sure to be fantastic, but be sure to bring cash, as the restaurant does not accept cards.

Burrito Works Taco Shop

Looking for a reasonably priced (but delicious) place to eat in downtown St. Augustine? Burrito Works Taco Shop is just the place for you! This quirky local chain serves up all kinds of delicious Mexican food. We especially love the “UFO”, which is a flour tortilla stuffed with all kinds of goodies, including a crunchy corn tortilla chip.

Carmelo’s Pizzeria

Finally, there is Carmelo’s Pizzeria. If you’re craving a slice, this is definitely the place to go. Not only do they have fantastic pizza, they also have great sandwiches, wings, and more. It is attached to a gas station, but don’t let that keep you from trying this wonderful pizzeria.

As you can see, St. Augustine is definitely worth a visit. Whether you choose to visit only the spots in this article or branch out to experience some different things as well, we’re sure you’ll have an absolutely wonderful time.