Why Visit St. Augustine Florida

This post would be better titled “Why St. Augustine is my Favorite Place in the USA.”

Why Visit St. Augustine 

Unfortunately, most of the times I visited I didn’t take any pictures because my family was with me (and they had nicer cameras). But St. Augustine is my favorite place in the USA for many a reason. So – Why visit St. Augustine Florida?

It’s the oldest continuously inhabited place in the USA, in terms of Europeans. One of the things that the US lacks for me, in general, is that it doesn’t have much history. The City of London, for instance, will be celebrating it’s 1000th year anniversary somewhere in the next 50 years. The country of the USA hasn’t even been around for 250 years. What sites we have that are ancient are often in parks, like Mesa Verde. While cool, one can’t live in the same place people have inhabited and built upon for centuries in the US. I think that’s one of the principle reasons why I love St. Augustine. It’s as close to places like London or Egypt as we can get, and it’s beautiful.

The Food. This is not even close to a foodie blog, I’m just not that kind of person. However, St. Augustine has some of the best food options in Florida, in my opinion, due to the Spanish influence still felt in the area. Colombias is still one of my most favorite restaurants ever, and eating there is a delight. I highly recommend a meal here just for the experience. I actually now make Spanish Bean Soup at home regularly.

Recipe for Spanish Bean Soup

2 Cans Garbanzo Beans

2 Cans Water

1 Beef Bone

1/3d Pack of Chorizo Ground Sausage

Ham (I never have a specific amount but rather what “looks right” to taste)

1 Potato (Cubed if you can manage it)

Start the water, beans, and beef bone in a crock pot (or stove top). Allow to boil and beans to soften. Add ham at any time. Chop up Chorizo and lightly cook in a pan. A half hour before eating, add chopped up Chorizo with drippings to taste (the more drippings, the spicier). Also add potato. That’s it!

One can also get more standard fare at the hidden cafe Birdie has talked about in her post. Savannah’s Sweet Shop is home to the best pralines in the USA, hands down. Nothing else compares and the shop smells like heaven.

Tourist-y, but normal. St. Augustine does draw tourists, but not in the same manner as Disney. People live in St. Augustine, go to the beach, go camping, etc. It’s not just the inner town that’s fun to wander around. I, for one, enjoy walking around the elegant neighborhoods while hearing the fort’s daily cannon go off.

St. Augustine is, perhaps, the only place in the US I could see myself living in long-term. It has just enough history, just enough variety, to keep me occupied. I fully intended to attend Flagler College for undergrad, but unfortunately they did not have the programs I was looking for – but I highly recommend touring the school anyways, as the rooms are beautiful.

St. Augustine Flagler College. You can see why I wanted to go to school here.

I hope I can encourage you to visit if you have not done so, as I think St. Augustine is one of the best places that the US has to offer but is not talked about like New York or LA. I wouldn’t want it to be taken over, but I also think it deserves a higher place in the minds of travelers. But take my word for it – visit St. Augustine!