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Attractions

Villa Zorayda Museum St. Augustine

by Pros October 28, 2018

written by Pros

Villa Zorayda Museum

Located just across from Flagler College and a few blocks from The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, the Villa Zorayda Museum lets you get an up-close view of the architectural work of art created in 1883 by Franklin Smith. The museum offers state-of-the-art self-guided audio tours that are available throughout the day. There is a special behind-the-scenes tour on select Tuesdays.

History

After several years of historical renovation, the Villa Zorayda with its collection of unique antiquities is a must see on your visit to our nations historic city.

Closed for several years the Villa Zorayda Museum has undergone an extensive renovation and is once again open to the public as a museum. On the National Register of Historic Places, it was built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Smith. The construction was done utilizing Smiths method of construction of poured concrete and crushed coquina shell. It is built 1/10th the scale of a section of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. This building set a precedence for St. Augustine and began the Moorish Spanish revival of architecture that is seen throughout the city today. In 1904 it became the Zorayda Club.

On display for the first time ever is the custom made bone china made exclusively for the Zorayda Club. In 1913 it was purchased by Abraham S. Mussallem, an authority on Oriental rugs, fine arts and Egyptian artifacts. In 1922 it became one of the most fashionable places for casino gambling. In the mid 1930’s it was opened as a museum featuring the priceless antique collections of both Franklin Smith and A.S. Mussallem which are still on display today.

The 45-60 minute tour gives an in depth look at the historical significance of the building to the City of St. Augustine, the magnificent architecture as well as descriptions of the many exquisite pieces you will see. On display is the “Sacred Cat Rug” over 2400 years old and made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River. Taken from a pyramid in Egypt it is said to possess a curse for anyone that walks on it!

Behind the Scenes Tour

Visitors to Villa Zoraydal be taken to rarely seen areas of the museum where we will give an explanation of what the area was used for in the past and what future plans may be coming. Highlight of the tour is the never seen before “Tower of the Princesses” located on the third floor. The tower was a bedroom in the original house, and where time has virtually stood still. *Stairs are steep and narrow and visitors must be in good physical condition to make the climb. Approximate time will be about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Get your tickets to Villa Zorayda Museum here – http://www.reservestaugustine.com/da/villa-zorayda-museum

See more St. Augustine attractions on our blog at https://vacationbeach.rentals/category/attractions/

October 28, 2018 0 comments

Attractions

Marineland Dolphin Adventure

by Pros September 18, 2018

written by Pros

Visit Marineland Dolphin Adventure

Marineland sits right on the edge of St. Johns County and Flagler County to the south, on State Road A1A.

Dolphin Encounters

Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the world’s first oceanarium, invites you to join us in creating lasting memories at our 1.3 million-gallon series of dolphin habitats. Choose from a variety of interactive programs, which range from those for land-loving guests to enjoy dolphins up-close.

Touch & Feed

Get up-close and personal with one of our resident dolphins in this exhilarating encounter. Our Touch & Feed program offers the opportunity to meet and greet together with feeding one of our amazing bottle nose dolphins. During your encounter, you may get wet, so we strongly recommend wearing suitable attire. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

Fins & Freedom Tours

Set sail with nearby Schooner Freedom Charters for a one of a kind sailing experience! Come on board, help raise sails, and then kick back and relax. All while you learn fascinating new facts about dolphins from Marineland Dolphin Adventure’s very own educators and trainers. It’s very common to see dolphins in the wild during these tours, so come prepared to ask plenty of questions!

Plan Your Event

You can definitely host your special event at Marineland Dolphin Adventure, where you will enjoy the beautiful Atlantic coastline! We have multiple facilities to suit your occasion, including a tented event pavilion, classroom, conference room, together with Neptune Park and our Behind the Seas Lounge. .

Eco Excursion

Our excursion starts with a kayak tour venturing into the Matanzas Basin where a Ecotours expert guide will focus on the in detail on the Atlantic bottle nose dolphin natural habitat. After a brief lunch break, visitors will walk across the street to Marineland Dolphin Adventure. There you’ll be immersed in the history and legacy of conservation at this amazing facility.

Behind the Seas Tours

Get behind the scenes and below the decks of Marineland Dolphin Adventure! Our Behind the Seas Tour offers an exclusive backstage look at our facility and animal habitats, and an opportunity to explore our particularly unique and fascinating history spanning over 75 years.

9600 Oceanshore Blvd
St. Augustine, FL 32080
904-471-1111
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily

Grab your tickets by visiting http://www.reservestaugustine.com

See more of the Historic City by visiting our blog at https://vacationbeach.rentals/category/attractions/

September 18, 2018 0 comments

Attractions

Fountain of Youth Park

by Pros September 18, 2018

written by Pros

Overview

Located in historic St. Augustine, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park offers a 15-acre historical site of where St. Augustine came to be in the year 1565. Guests can enjoy seeing stars from the park’s planetarium, exploring the native Timucua village, watching an old cannon fire, visit the two-story Discovery Globe, take a walk through the waterfront outdoor park, and much more.

History

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a 15-acre waterfront, Historical Site where St. Augustine, Florida began in 1565.

We commemorate the founding of Florida in 1513 by Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon and his search for the Legendary Fountain of Youth. We celebrate the Birthplace of Our Nation in 1565 and we invite you to explore it all! This is where Florida and America’s History all began! The Timucua Indian Village of Seloy existed here for almost 4,000 years before the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, and with Ponce de Leon’s claim of possession for the Spanish King in 1513, “La Florida” was born. No other Spanish colonies that followed were successful…until the arrival of Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 8, 1565. This is the location where Spanish Explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles, in 1565, established the first and oldest continuous European Settlement in the United States of America.

Attractions

Over the last 100 years, many thousands of guests have visited The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in order to sip the world famous waters and hear the history behind its legendary benefits.

A wonderful time awaits you at the Fountain of Youth. Visitors can:
• See the stars in our Planetarium,
• Visit our Native Timucua Village,
• Watch a Cannon firing,
• Marvel at Spanish Exploration on our two-story high Discovery Globe,
• Learn about the Birthplace of European America,
• Stroll through a waterfront park where peacocks strut and shady oaks beckon you to stay,
• Visit the snack bar, picnic under the oaks,
• You can even drink from the legendary waters and see if your visit grants you the secret to eternal youth.

We welcome families and couples, corporate retreats and wedding parties. We have the area to handle groups and are prepared to make you, the visitor, feel as if you are an integral part of our beautiful park. If you are planning a family reunion or other gathering, consider using this inviting setting to make the special day a success.

See the stars in our Planetarium. Visit our Native Timucua Village. Watch a Cannon firing. Marvel at Spanish Exploration on our two-story high Discovery Globe. Learn about the Birthplace of European America.

Our ample parking is free and we are a pet-friendly attraction. Don’t forget to feed the peacocks and squirrels! See you soon.

Get tickets by clicking here – Fountain of Youth St. Augustine.

Find out about more St. Augustine attractions on our Guide.

September 18, 2018 0 comments

Ripleys Believe it or Not St. Augustine Building

Attractions

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

by Pros September 18, 2018

written by Pros

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is one of the main attractions in St. Augustine. The Museum, or Odditorium, is the oldest Ripley’s location in the world, having been established in 1950. That’s fairly appropriate for the Historic City!

The Odditorium is located in Castle Warden, a Moorish Revival mansion built in 1887 by William Warden as a winter home. In later years, it was turned into a hotel, until Ripley’s opened the location. It’s been a St. Augustine standard ever since. You can often see this location in the Ripley’s television show, during the opening credits.

The entire property is amazing, with exhibits outside such as an exact replica of Michelangelo’s “David,” an 18-foot tall hand-carved marble statue weighing 20,000 pounds. David is located in front of the building, however, due to his nudity, he is hidden behind some bushes. You do not need a ticket to see David, nor any of the other outside exhibits. That includes the House Inside a Redwood Log, A Stallion made entirely from vintage 1950’s and 60’s chrome car bumpers, and more.

Inside the Museum.

The inside of the museum features over 800 exhibits from a wide variety of mediums. There are Jelly Bean mosaics, a motorcycle made of animal bone, space vehicles made of match sticks and erector sets, and much more. There are hands-on exhibits as well, such as contortion, a pirate shooting gallery, and other things you won’t find any place else.

The tour is self-guided, so take your time. The average tour length is about 2 hours, though you can make it within an hour. There is an elevator that stops on each floor, so the tour is wheelchair accessible. There is also restrooms and vending machines available if you need them.

After the Tour.

You can take your St. Augustine adventure to the next stop by jumping on a Ripley’s Sightseeing Train right in the parking lot. These trolleys will take you around town and stop at all the attractions of interest, from the big ones to the small ones. Every part of St. Augustine is covered by the guided trolley tour. For the brave among you, Ripley’s also offers Ghost Adventures, a paranormal experience that takes you to well-known haunted locations at night. This Trolley will have low lighting, and a spooky narrator. There are more than 18 stops on the Ghost Adventures tour across St. Augustine.

Grab your Ripley’s Believe It or Not Tickets at a discount here, the Sightseeing Train tickets here, and the Ghost Train Adventures tickets here.

September 18, 2018 0 comments

Attractions

St. Augustine Beach Pier

by Pros May 31, 2018

written by Pros

The St. Augustine Beach Pier sits just at the northern end of the St. Augustine Beach area, and leads us up into the Anastasia State Park beach. The pier is a primary hub for the area, with many reasons to visit.

Farmers Market

St. Augustine Beach Pier currently hosts a Wednesday morning Farmers Market. There is limited parking during this event, so try and walk down from your vacation rental or get there early. You’ll find a wide variety of local vendors here, selling everything from art to fruit.

For the Kids

The Pier also has a splash pad for the kids, and a nice set of playground equipment. It’s a fun and refreshing way for the kids to play, without the worry of them in the ocean, which is just steps away. There are several covered picnic areas here as well. Nearby are public restrooms, and outdoor showers.

Gift Shop

The pier has a fee of $1 for access, and you get there through the gift shop. The gift shop is small, but has a good variety of items available. You can grab some snacks, t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, beach toys, beach umbrellas and chairs, and more. The storefront also hosts a tourist information center, with informational brochures about all our local attractions.

Fishing

If you want to fish during your St. Augustine vacation, the Pier is a great place to do it. Fishermen line the sides daily, catching all types of salt water fish. You can bring your own equipment, or rent some from the gift shop. There is bait available.

More about the St. Augustine Beach Pier

There is a covered pavilion and volleyball courts on the north end of the property. The pavilion plays host to many events throughout the year, most notably the Music by Sea. This free event puts a wide range of local musicians on stage for a good family friendly show.

The beach is, of course, the primary attraction here. This is where St. Augustine Beach really starts, and heads south for several miles. The beach is primarily white sugar sand, and you’re going to love walking barefoot across it. Do be warned, the sand can get very hot some days, so don’t leave your shoes too far away if you’re taking a long stroll.

The St. Augustine Beach Pier is a wonderful place to visit, the city of St. Augustine Beach does so much to provide this space for us. Enjoy it responsibly while you’re visiting, so we can continue to have it for years to come. The park provides much to our community, and we hope it makes your St. Augustine beach vacation special.

http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/Recreation/FishingPier.aspx

May 31, 2018 0 comments

Attractions

St. Augustine Beach F Street

by Pros May 18, 2018

written by Pros

F Street

Even when it gets crowded, St. Augustine Beach is excellent. When you find it empty, it’s the most amazing place in Florida. Make it a point on your St. Augustine vacation to spend some time on the beach. And some more time, and even more time.

St. Augustine Beach is a small community on the east shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The town has a great vibe, brought to life with unique restaurants, surf culture, sunshine, and much more. The community is just a couple miles long, and very compact. Almost every road leads to the beach.

The beach is what we’re reading for, so let’s talk about it. The pictures here are from the F Street access boardwalk. There’s a bike rack and trash cans located at the start of the walkover. So you start to cross the dunes, and then you see the sun, just hiding a little bit behind a palm.

Shortly, the boards give way to sand, and you’ve reached an amazing location. The fencing starts up, wooden slats that cast fascinating shadows. Gopher turtles do what turtles do out between dunes, not even noticing you’re there.

You crest the next hill, the trail grows wider, and there it is, St. Augustine Beach. It’s a wide open space, just sand and sea oats between you, and the early morning swim you’ve been dreaming of. Down between the dunes you go, kicking off your shoes as you go, to the waters edge. You wade in, and it’s the most luxurious feeling you know, as the salt water washes over you.

The ending of this story depends on you, and how you’ll spend the rest of your day here. Hunting seashells, tanning, fishing, surfing? What will you do?

May 18, 2018 0 comments

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