OLD FLORIDA
Whenever we go on vacation we always try to find a bit of Old Town to get away from the usual tourist traps, but one place I thoroughly recommend you visit is St Augustine. This is one town in Florida where you can really learn something about the vintage Florida way of life.
Saint Augustine has survived five centuries of history more than 435 years to stand as Americas oldest city. Florida's ancient city was founded 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
We live in an Old School in England. It is 334 years old and made of stone but St Augustine has the Oldest Wooden School House in the USA. This Wooden School shows what is was like in the "good old days." Inside there is - Im afraid - the obligatory animated teacher and students. Outside you will find the backyard kitchen which has a display of traditional cooking utensils. Anyone in the UK that has visited working museums such as Beamish will be right at home here.
If you can stay late in the day the old cobbled streets of St. Augustine provide visitors with a rather unusual "Ghostly Experience" tour. Carrying candle lanterns, those who are brave enough are led down moonlit passages and the back streets in search of the citys ghosts. Dressed in traditional costume the guides tell stories about the infamous characters of St Augustine, often stopping to point out where the most recent sightings have taken place. I believe tours depart every evening from St. George Street near the Oldest Wooden School House and last about 1 hour.
Floridas oldest alligator farm is also located in St. Augustine. It has been open to visitors since 1893. The farm has demonstrations and exhibits dedicated to all things reptilian - alligators, crocodiles, caiman, and other exotic creatures such as the rare albino alligator. There are also lizards and monkeys.
St.
At the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum kids and energetic young adults not me then! - are encouraged to climb the 219 winding steps to the top for a spectacular view of St. Augustine and beaches. The first lighthouse was built in 1824. Todays light is automated and can be seen 19 miles offshore. The lighthouse grounds also feature a museum with maritime instruments and old photographs.
Saint Augustine has survived five centuries of history more than 435 years to stand as Americas oldest city. Florida's ancient city was founded 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
We live in an Old School in England. It is 334 years old and made of stone but St Augustine has the Oldest Wooden School House in the USA. This Wooden School shows what is was like in the "good old days." Inside there is - Im afraid - the obligatory animated teacher and students. Outside you will find the backyard kitchen which has a display of traditional cooking utensils. Anyone in the UK that has visited working museums such as Beamish will be right at home here.
If you can stay late in the day the old cobbled streets of St. Augustine provide visitors with a rather unusual "Ghostly Experience" tour. Carrying candle lanterns, those who are brave enough are led down moonlit passages and the back streets in search of the citys ghosts. Dressed in traditional costume the guides tell stories about the infamous characters of St Augustine, often stopping to point out where the most recent sightings have taken place. I believe tours depart every evening from St. George Street near the Oldest Wooden School House and last about 1 hour.
Floridas oldest alligator farm is also located in St. Augustine. It has been open to visitors since 1893. The farm has demonstrations and exhibits dedicated to all things reptilian - alligators, crocodiles, caiman, and other exotic creatures such as the rare albino alligator. There are also lizards and monkeys.
St.
At the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum kids and energetic young adults not me then! - are encouraged to climb the 219 winding steps to the top for a spectacular view of St. Augustine and beaches. The first lighthouse was built in 1824. Todays light is automated and can be seen 19 miles offshore. The lighthouse grounds also feature a museum with maritime instruments and old photographs.
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