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St.
Augustine by Valinda Almeida, Jacksonville Correspondent A combination of Old World charm, historical sites, world-class golf and tennis facilities, numerous attractions, antique shops, art galleries, and miles of unspoiled beaches makes St. Augustine an outstanding family destination.
On the Atlantic Ocean in northeast Florida, St. Augustine is the nation's oldest continuously occupied European settlement. Spain's Juan Ponce de Leon landed here in 1513 in his quest for the Fountain of Youth. The city was settled in 1565 - 55 years before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock. St. Augustine's rich cultural history, preserved in numerous sites open to the public, includes contributions of the Timucua Indian, the Spanish, the English, and African-Americans. Their stories are told at the Historic Villages of St. Augustine on San Marco Avenue. There you will learn that Fort Mose was established in 1738 as the first free black settlement in the Americas. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, Fort Mose is now a premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. With more than 85 historic sites and 60 attractions, the city is a haven of activity for the entire family. Kids will have fun at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, where they can stroll the boardwalk through wetlands to see alligators, crocodiles, wading birds, ostriches, and pot-bellied pigs. Established in 1893, it's the oldest and largest alligator attraction in Florida. For a panoramic view of the city and beaches, climb the 219 steps of the candy-striped St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. The state's first lighthouse still works as a navigational aid, beaming a strong stream of light that can be seen for 19 nautical miles. next.
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