Feature
DID YOU KNOW: The Spanish colony of St. Augustine was founded in 1565, 42 years prior to the founding of Jamestown, Va., and 55 years before that of Plymouth, Mass.
St. Augustine Where history and fun collide
Looking for something spectacular to do with your family but don’t want to travel too far from home? St. Augustine is the perfect destination for a unique summer getaway. Written by Heather Reneau
When my husband and I visited St. Augustine in our 20s (before kids), we had a blast in this small community — sunbathing by day and barhopping at night. So 10 years later, when we decided to make it a family trip, we knew we’d have a totally different experience with our 6-year-old son. Different, yet equally fun!
On the two-hour drive from Orlando, we excitedly told our son all about the history of the nation’s oldest city and about the pirate battles at Castillo de San Marcos, the old Spanish fort. Our son was on the edge of his seat, amped up about the experience.
WHERE TO STAY
The most important aspect of any vacation is where we stay. Now that we have a family, location is key, and certain amenities are preferred. Don’t be drawn in by the beachside hotels, as they’re a car ride away from all of the attractions. It’s best to stay in the historic downtown area.
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Because this was a short, weekend trip, we decided to stay at the best and opted for Casa Monica Hotel (
www.casamonica.com). The location can’t be beat, the service is top-notch, and the accommodations are divine. It has a chic pool and great restaurants, and it boasts some history of its own — it was hands down the best place to stay. Plan on having at least one breakfast at the hotel’s on-site restaurant, 95 Cordova. The waffl es are insane, and the Cordova
PLAYGROUND Summer 2012 Benedict was to die for. Don’t worry; you’ll walk off the calories.
No matter where you stay, I recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour (
www.trolleytours.com) being your fi rst item of business. You buy a pass for each person, and then you get to ride all day. And what kid doesn’t love a trolley? It’s best to sit and take the entire tour to see what’s where, then hop on and off all day to visit the area’s attractions. How fun and family-friendly is that?
OLD-WORLD HISTORY The fi rst historical landmark we stopped at was the Spanish fort, properly known as Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (
www.nps.gov/casa). This is probably the most well- known landmark in St. Augustine, and for good reason. The fort
Take a swim in the rooftop pool at Casa Monica Hotel.
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