Top Ten Places to Stay Cool in the St Augustine Historic District

The first day of Summer is tomorrow, so it is appropriate to find the top ten places to stay cool in the St Augustine historic district.  Being on the Atlantic coast, St. Augustine naturally receives a nice sea breeze and since it is a Spanish city, it also benefits from the way the city is laid out.  On the bayfront you will find the Plaza de la Constitucion, which helps to capture the sea breezes and releases them down the narrow streets of the oldest city.  In addition to that the buildings are located street side, which provides additional shade while walking historic downtown St. Augustine.

There are plenty of things to see and do in St. Augustine, but here are my favorite places to beat the heat:

1.  Flagler College Legacy Tour - During the summer these tours are held every hour between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Formerly the Ponce de Leon Hotel and built in 1887, it was built by millionaire developer Henry Flagler in 1887 and is considered one the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and was one of the most exclusive resorts of its day.

2.  Lightner Museum - Originally another Flagler hotel named the Hotel Alcazar.  The museum now houses relics from America's Gilded Age, including costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments and other artifacts.  You can easily spend a half a day in this museum and it will certainly give you glimpse into 19th century daily life and it is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

3.  Castillo de San Marcos - This is the most visited site in St. Augustine and it the oldest and largest masonry fort in the continental U.S.  It is not a cool place to be in the afternoon; but in the morning after a nice breakfast when the temperatures are lower, the fort is a good place see and understand the the history of St. Augustine.  The Castillo opens at 8:45 and plan on a couple of hours here.

4.  Mi Casa Cafe - By now you might be needing a cool drink and a sandwich.  Mi Casa Cafe is a wonderful place to sit outside in their large shaded courtyard and listen to live entertainment while you enjoy your favorite beverage.  They serve a nice sangria and have a dozen or so draft beers available.  The cafe is located on St. George Street and just a short walk around the corner from the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast.

5.  Cafe Alcazar - If you are looking for more refined music in an original setting, this is the place for you.  The cafe is located in the deep end of the old swimming pool at the Lightner Museum, you will find soups, salads and sandwiches.  It is only open for lunch and there is usually an acoustic guitarist or pianist playing soft music for your enjoyment.

6.  The Pirate Treasure and Museum - This is one of St. Augustine's newest museums and a good place to spend some indoor time.  It houses one of the world's largest collections of authentic pirate artifacts and includes rarely-seen shipwreck treasures from the vault of the Florida Division of Historical Resources.  Don't miss the Below Deck experience.

7.  Schooner Freedom -  This 72-foot tall ship is a replica of the blockade-runners that once cruised the waters in the 19th century.  They have both day and evening sails available.  This is a two hour cruise on beautiful Matanzas Bay and provides a great view of the city from the water.

8.  Plaza de la Constitucion - This is a heavily shaded area with a park-like setting located in the middle of the historic district and just a five minute walk from the Carriage Way.  It is a great place to catch the breeze and enjoy a book, an ice cream cone, or just enjoy the historical surroundings such as, the Cathedral Basilica and the Government House.

9.  Pena-Peck House - The house was built in 1750 by order of the King of Spain and is the finest surviving First Spanish Period homes in the city.  Today, it is operated by the Woman's exchange of St. Augustine and they provide a first class tour of the museum including period furnishings, art, and clothing.

10.  Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast - This 1883 Victorian Vernacular bed and breakfast has a Southern exposure with a full-length first level porch and a relaxing upstairs veranda.  On the veranda is a porch swing, rocker, and several comfortable chairs for reading and watching the world go by in this quaint and charming city.