We traded our snowshoes for walking shoes and headed south to the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. We love a “Pure Michigan” winter as much as any true Michigander does, but every once in a while, you need a break from the gray. We traded the snow for a few days of palm trees, coquina, and a heavy dose of Florida history.
A Michigander’s Escape to St. Augustine
We hit the ground running, arriving just in time for the late-afternoon Florida sun. We meandered down the street to explore St. Augustine’s Historic District. The pedestrian-only streets are paved with the iconic red-orange bricks. Honestly? It felt a bit like Mackinac Island, only with fewer horses and more Spanish moss.
Our first taste of St. Augustine, Florida
Our first stop was Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille. Known for its New Orleans-inspired flair, we opted for indoor seating, much to our chagrin—it wasn’t exactly tropical. Even a “hardy” Michigander has their limits.
To cap off the night, we headed to the Tini Martini Bar at the Casablanca Inn. Located right on Avenida Menendez, this place is an institution. We grabbed signature martinis and sat on the front veranda, chatting with other late-night revelers under the twinkling fairy lights. Who am I kidding? It was only 9:00 PM, but for us, it was like we were burning the midnight oil.
A Drawbridge and the “Last Child” Syndrome
Our first history lesson was at Fort Marion (the Castillo de San Marcos), and it was full of surprises. First: we didn’t realize it was a National Park. Second: my sister Dianne did not have her Senior Park Pass on her. She received a fair amount of ribbing for that, though I’m happy to report it’s now safely tucked into her digital wallet for next time.
While standing in the ravelin (the triangular defense area in front of the drawbridge), Dianne said, “I remember Dad telling me the fort was made of shells.” I looked down and thought, Yep, he wasn’t kidding.
This triggered a major case of “Last Child Syndrome.” Apparently, Dianne had been here with Dad years ago. “Where was I?” I asked. “Oh, you probably weren’t born yet,” she replied. I swear, all the good stuff happened before 1966. I’m still jealous.
Walking through the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., you can’t help but wonder about its weird shape. We found the answer to this question on the gun deck – it allowed for deadly crossfire.
Flagler’s Side Hustle
The next few hours were dedicated to Henry Flagler. We first stumbled upon his legacy at Flagler College (formerly the Hotel Ponce de Leon). Stepping into the rotunda was surreal—the opulence is so out of keeping with the fort made of seashells down the street.
We learned that Flagler co-founded Standard Oil, making him one of the wealthiest men in America. St. Augustine was essentially his “side hustle” to turn Florida into the “American Riviera.” We also visited the Memorial Presbyterian Church, a Venetian Renaissance masterpiece that Flagler built in memory of his daughter, Jennie Louise, who tragically passed from complications of childbirth at age 34.
The docents must have been bored because they gave us the full “VIP” treatment. I nodded and “oohed” at everything, but the story of Jennie Louise is pretty much all I remember. Both she and her daughter (who also passed away) are buried in the mausoleum there. It’s a heavy, yet beautiful piece of history.
Bourbon, Oysters, and the “Back Door”
We squeezed in a stop at the St. Augustine Distillery, located in a beautifully restored ice plant. They offer free tours and tastings. Yes, please. We bought a couple of souvenirs—we may or may not have tucked a bottle into our checked luggage as a “gift”—praying it wouldn’t shatter. (It didn’t. Thank you, TSA gods.)
For dinner, we hit The Boathouse, where the view is as good as the seafood. A few of our friends enjoyed the 60-cent raw oysters while the rest of us opted for the spring rolls and Royal Red Deepwater shrimp.
The Park Ranger named Chuck at Fort Marion gave us the ultimate “pro tip.” He told us to head down to Fort Matanzas early because the free ferry tickets go fast. He wasn’t lying. It’s a hidden gem (I hate the phrase, but it fits) that guarded the city’s “back door.”
This bird stole the show.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
There are 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and we felt each one. Built between 1871 and 1874, this picturesque lighthouse stands 165 feet tall, looking out from the north end of Anastasia Island. Entry into the park provides access to the lighthouse, keepers’ quarters, as well as the Heritage Boat Works, where you can watch craftspeople building wooden boats.
When you climb the tower, don’t miss the first-order Fresnel lens as we did. It is tucked away in a little unmarked corridor. The lens is still in use for navigation.
The Unofficial Brewery Crawl
No trip is complete without testing the local beers:
Old Coast Ales: A local favorite, their space is open and inviting with killer tacos next door at Osprey Tacos. For the lager fans, try their Hoppy Hop’d dry hopped lager. If you are looking for even more hop goodness, give their Empirical American IPA a go.
Hornski’s Brewing: This place feels like your coolest friend’s garage. It’s quirky, filled with vinyl, and has free old-school pinball and arcade machines. Great beer, even better vibes. When you go, be sure to get their Hurricane Prep West Coast IPA. It is fabulous and refreshing.
More Pictures
There are more pictures in our gallery.
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