St. Augustine Vacation: The Sights

Though my birthday is January, 2nd, Jason and I opted to take a birthday trip one week before the big 3-0. Mainly because at my company, we get very busy for the month of January, and aren't able to take any time off. But it was also nice to get out of town during the holidays, where it can be just us. We had such a great time!

Initially, I had thought there would just be an old fort to look at, and that I would become bored. I was so wrong! So wrong in fact, that I have decided to split our trip up into two posts: the touristy sights, and the food. I had NO idea that St. Augustine was such a foodie town, ya'll. And so, I decided all the delicious eats deserved a post of their own.

Segui Room at Casa de Solana

Jason and I stayed at an adorable B&B on Aviles St {the oldest street in St. Augustine}, after my sister recommended them. Casa de Solana was so charming! We booked their three night special, and so we also received a 3 day train pass, and admission to a few historical attractions. I also booked an in room massage, that was heavenly, and much needed. I think everyone should get massages on vacation--it sets the whole tone of the trip; RELAXING!

Christmas Heaven

Our first day, after checking in, Jason and I just sort of perused what we could. We found The Floridian for dinner, and that was my favorite restaurant our entire trip! After dinner, we found the Colonial Quarter where Christmas music played, and you could sip spiked cider, or sangria, and roast marshmallows under the lights. It was probably the sangria on an empty stomach, but I could have died and gone to heaven, right then. I was so cheesy, and ridiculously happy.

On Day 2, I had my glorious massage. After, I found out it was rainy, and...cold. So after throwing my hair under one of Jason's caps, we grabbed lunch at Harry's Seafood, and then boarded our train/trolley. We decided to take the entire tour once boarding, to see where this train stopped. The whole tour from start to finish was an hour and a half. In hindsight, we would have done this day one, since the massage and long tour kind of killed our whole day to so anything, really. 

The Biebs made of candy. Exciting, no?

After riding the whole tour, we decided to visit Ripley's Believe it or Not. I had never been. To me, it was like an indoor museum of carnival junk. That may sound mean, but nothing about it really impressed us. But how would we have known, unless we went once, right?

Everything seems to close around 5 o'clock, so Jason and I grabbed an ah-mazing dinner at MOJO BBQ...and then had an impromptu bar crawl, until the wee hours of midnight, the latest anything seems to be open. That was probably for the best, actually. Also, it was nice to just walk everywhere and see it all, at night.

Day 3 was spent meeting up with my sister in-law, her husband, and our niece. The day was long. Before meeting up, we were able to tour the Oldest House {in the United States}. Then we rode our trolley to San Sebastian Winery. Can I be honest {of course I can, it's my blog!}? I wouldn't recommend this winery "tour". So first off, it is at the end of the  trolley tour, so after forty-ish minutes you finally arrive. Upon entering, you are shown a video of how the wine is made, and then you rush to take "shots" of wine to sample. Then conveniently, you are dumped out into their gift shop. I'm still a sucker and bought a bottle, but if your time is limited in St. Augustine, I'd honestly skip this.

After the winery, we hopped back onto the trolley and hit up da club the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort, constructed in the 1600's. I thought I would find this boring, but it was beautiful, and full of history!

After the fort, a quick dinner with the in-laws was had at Scarlett O' Haras, followed by...if you guessed Jason and I wandering the mean streets of St. Augustine together, you would be correct! I kid about that last part--we never even saw one cop on this trip. The calmest city, ever.

Sunday morning, check out day, we had one last tasty breakfast at Casa de Solana, before checking out, begrudgingly.

After check out, we opted for two more historical tourist spots, since we hadn't done too much. First was the Old Jail. It was okay. Jason loved the history, but I was honestly distracted by the people watching. I'd like to go back when it wasn't so busy, and do it again.

After the jail, we walked next door-ish to the Fountain of Youth. Again, full of history, and just stunning as far as views go!

We didn't even make a dent in what we could have seen. But it was nice to get away, decompress from life, and connect with my husband, while enjoying the holidays for a hot minute, just the two of us; fortunately, it is just a three hour car ride away.

Have you been to St. Augustine?