St. Augustine - A Vacation Favorite For Families, A Romantic History For Couples By Kirby Collins At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

In the years before St. Augustine became a vacation paradise for families, it became St. Augustine in 1565. The settlement was already forty-two years old when Historic Jamestown was founded, and today as the oldest European town and the oldest port, in the continental United States. Five flags have flown over the city since 1565, The U.S., Confederate, Spanish, British, and the Spanish Burgundy Cross. Now St. Augustine is one of Florida's favorite travel destination with attractions, beaches and historical significance.

The beaches of St. Augustine located on Anastasia Island home of Anastasia State Park. There is pier that is a favorite of fishermen and those who want a panoramic view of the beach. The beaches here are a favorite and considered by many the best Florida beaches

There is also lighthouse on Anastasia Island which favorite for history tourist. St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most popular Florida Lighthouses. It's 219 steps the top, you'll get a spectacular view of the surrounding area as the observation deck is 165 feet above sea-level.

The entrance to Castillo de San Marcos is heavily fortified and was surrounded by moat. Six different flags have flown over Castillo de San Marcos and you can view the Spanish and English barracks. On weekends, they fire the cannons in a demonstration. The Castillo de San Marcos, the historic Fort was built after the city was attacked by Pirates. The fort was never taken by force, only by treaty and was built of coquina rock, native to the area.

The St. Augustine historic district is full of restaurants, coffee shops and small shops with craftsmen who are knowledgeable in the trades of the period. Trolley tours offer transportation along a route with over 100 points of interest throughout Saint Augustine. The small narrow streets are a excellent for taking a romantic stroll.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is also located in St. Augustine. The Hall of Fame Museum features a permanent exhibition and many temporary exhibitions. The exhibits are about the game's history, heritage, major players, techniques, golf course design, equipment and clothing.

Flagler College is also a St. Augustine must see. The school is located on 19 acres, and was built in 1888 as luxury hotel, the Ponce de Leon. Designed by John Carrere and Thomas Hastings, and working for Henry Flagler, the industrialist, oil magnate and railroad pioneer. Flagler College is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Augustine is home to the Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park and a tribute to the spot where Ponce de Leon is traditionally said to have landed. Now a tourist attraction, the fountain that is there is not "the" Fountain, but this doesn't keep tourists from drinking the water. The park features native and colonial artifacts to celebrate St. Augustine's Spanish and Timucuan heritage. As the story goes, Ponce de Leon heard of the Fountain of Youth from the people of Puerto Rico that he'd conquered. He was dissatisfied with his material wealth and launched an expedition to locate it, and that's when he discovered Florida. Though he was one of the first Europeans to set foot on the American soil, he never found the real Fountain of Youth.

Families and couples will find many things to keep occupied with the attractions like The Fountain of Youth, San Sebastian Winery, Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum and The Alligator Farm. St. Augustine is a perfect place to spend a vacation

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