Old City

5 Ways to Enjoy St. Augustine on a Dime

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:11:38 -0000

Are your pockets feeling a little lighter these days? Just because we're all adapting our budgets to the changing economy doesn't mean we have to give up the extracurricular activities that make us happy -- like taking vacations for example. If you live within a day's drive of St. Augustine, you have access to a great destination for rest, relaxation and exploration that won't break the bank. We've put together a few tips that will give you a great trip to St. Augustine without busting your budget.1. Soak up the sun at the beach.Let's be honest, Florida's best asset is its sun-drenched sandy shoreline. St. Augustine has 42 miles of gorgeous beaches and guess what -- it's free! Park in one of the many public lots along coastal highway A1A, cross the boardwalk and sink your toes into the sand without spending one dime. Bring a sandwich, a blanket and a small cooler (plastic bottles only, no alcohol) for a day filled with fun in the sun. You can fish, surf, kayak or just soak up the rays on the sand. Butler Beach, St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach all offer free parking and beach access (in the summer months they do tend to fill up quickly so be sure to stake out a spot early!). They also have covered pavilions with picnic tables, bathrooms and outdoor showers to rinse the sand off your toes. You could easily spend the whole weekend enjoying the beach for next to nothing -- just remember to wear sunscreen!2. Take a stroll along St. George Street.At the heart of St. Augustine's historic district (which will soon celebrate its 450th anniversary!) are three blocks of pedestrian only foot traffic along a gorgeous cobblestone path called St. George Street. Lined with restaurants, pubs and unique gift shops, this charming road is perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Window shopping is free, as are the whiffs of great food and the riffs from local musicians playing at many of the outdoor cafes along the street. If you decide to indulge in a good meal, there are plenty of great sandwich shops, pizzerias and bakeries along St. George Street that won't set you back more than a few bucks for a delicious lunch.3. Attend a few free events.St. Augustine is abuzz with events that are free to the public year 'round. From May 28th through September 3rd, locals and visitors alike flock to the Plaza de la Constitución (St. Augustine's equivalent of a town square) for free concerts every Thursday night. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy the music and a light sea breeze beneath the shade of hundred year old oaks. Make plans to visit during the first weekend of the month and you can enjoy St. Augustine's newest tradition, First Friday Art Walk. The Oldest City's incredibly talented art community throws out the welcome mat on Friday evenings with live entertainment, food and special exhibits often featuring the artists themselves. It's a great night with a great atmosphere from Aviles Street out to the city gates.The last Saturday of the month also marks a special evening in St. Augustine known as Uptown Saturday Night. The businesses of North San Marco Avenue, including book stores, art galleries, bistros and antique stores hold multi-block open house with great entertainment and special events like book signings and art shows. The St. Augustine Community School of Performing Arts is located in the North San Marco area and often puts on a free performance during Uptown Saturday Night.4. Enjoy our National Monuments and State Parks.You can't visit St. Augustine and not spend a little time learning about the city's incredible history and its role in the development of our nation. Start your tour at the Castillo de San Marcos, a 300 year old coquina fortress on Matanzas Bay in downtown St. Augustine. This National Monument is only $7.00 per adult (anyone under the age of 16 is free). South of St. Augustine off of A1A, St. Augustine's other National Monument, Fort Matanzas, is free to enter and explore, including the ferry ride to the small coquina fort on Matanzas Inlet. This is also a great spot for some beach time or an afternoon picnic.St. Augustine and its surrounding areas are home to five great state parks as well. Ft. Mose, site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement, is located just north of the historic district. It's only $2 per person to enter the museum on the grounds (children under 5 are free). Anastasia State Park near the St. Augustine Lighthouse is $8 per vehicle (with 2 - 8 passengers), $4 for a single vehicle or $2 for a pedestrian or bike rider. In addition to four miles of pristine beaches, Anastasia is also home to Salt Run, perfect for kayaking, andoffers restrooms, a picnic area, snack bar and camping for RVs and tents. South of the St. Augustine city limits, Faver-Dykes State Park, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area offer entry for $5 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers). All three parks are gorgeous and equipped for hiking and picnics. Faver-Dykes also has available canoes for rent at just $5 per hour plus tax.A family of four could easily visit both forts and all five state parks for just $45! That's half the cost of admission to Disney for one person!5. Bring your bicycles!St. Augustine is working toward becoming a more bike-friendly town, adding "sharrows" to the Bridge of Lions and bike lanes on other roads around town. You can cruise around downtown St. Augustine, ride on the beach or pedal along the hiking trails at the state parks. With parking in the historic district being so limited, being a bike is not only eco-friendly, it will save you the headache of hunting for a parking spot. If you need a break, hop on the Sunshine Bus for $1.00 per one way ride or $3.00 for a day pass. Buses run Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except on holidays) and are equipped with bike racks for transporting you and your bicycle around St. Augustine.If you can't bring a bike, rent one!

St. Augustine Traffic Report

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:48:04 -0000

St.Augustine--- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact trafficin St. Johns County.DowntownSt. Augustine: Motoristswill encounter temporary road closures from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday,April 8, along San Marco Avenue, Castillo Drive, Avenida Menendez, CathedralPlace, Cordova Street and Orange Street for the St. Augustine Easter Parade.Motorists may use US 1, Riberia Street and King Street, which will accommodate2-way traffic during the parade in the typically one-way section betweenAvenida Menendez and Cordova Street, as alternate routes.KingStreet (State Road 5a): Daytimelane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 142 King Street, just east of MalagaStreet, Monday through Wednesday for asphalt repairs.StateRoad 16:Daytime lane closures from the Clay County line to San Marco Avenue Monday throughThursday while crews repaint the roadway markings.StateRoad 207:Daytime lane closures for painting roadway markings where the new multi-use trailcrosses State Road 207 near County Road 305. Also, possible daytime shoulderclosures Monday through Friday for delivery of equipment and materials toconstruct a multi-use trail from the end of the existing trail in Elkton toArmstrong Road.StateRoad 312:Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Wednesday on theeastbound bridge (between Sgt. Tutten Drive and South Plantation Island Drive)while crews begin installing barrier wall in preparation to shift traffic tothe inside shoulder of the bridge. The traffic shift will be in placewhile crews repaint and make repairs to the bridge.StateRoad 312:Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from US 1 to Old Moultrie Roadfor turn lane construction by St. Johns County. Questions may be directed toProject Manager Greg Caldwell in the St. Johns County Engineering Division at(904) 209-0132 or gcaldwell@sjcfl.us.StateRoad A1A:Daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from State Road 206 to OwensAvenue Monday through Thursday for shoulder repair.StateRoad A1A:Daytime lane closures from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez Mondaythrough Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings.StateRoad A1A:Daytime lane closures from Mickler Road to the Duval County line Monday throughThursday while crews repaint the roadway markings.US1: Daytimelane closures from the Flagler County line to the Duval County line Mondaythrough Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings, excluding theconstruction zone at the San Sebastian River Bridge. US1: Nighttimelane closures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Monday through Fridayat the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street for thebridge replacement project. www.dot.state.fl.usConsistent, Predictable,R epeatable

St. Augustine Easter Parade 2012

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:54:21 -0000

It's almost that time of year again! We can hear the Easter Bunny hopping down the lane (or is he riding in the back of a roaring Camaro?). One of St. Augustine's best traditions, the St. Augustine Easter Parade is just around the corner!On Sunday April 8th, after church services, you'll want to secure a spot along the parade route for the 54th Annual St. Augustine Easter Parade. The procession will begin at the Mission of Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue just north of the Visitor's Center and head south on San Marco/Castillo Dr/Avenida Menendez in front of the Castillo de San Marcos. At the base of the Bridge of Lions the parade will turn and go along the north side of the plaza (Cathedral Place) in front of the Cathedral Basilica. From there, the parade will turn right onto Cordova Street on the edge of the Flagler College Campus and head back up to the Special Events Field on Orange Street. This is a great event for the whole family filled with pirates, ghosts, marching bands, clowns, car clubs, representatives of the Spanish Royal Family and of course a special appearance from the Easter Bunny himself. We've added a collage of photos from last year's parade below and added a gallery to our Facebook page.

FDOT Road and Lane Closures for March 17-23, 2012

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:13:43 -0000

St.Augustine--- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact trafficin Putnam and St. Johns counties.PutnamCountyStateRoad 19:Daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday from St.Johns Avenue to State Road 100 for ditch and pond cleaning.US17: Daytimelane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Laurel Laneto Junction Road for asphalt removal and repaving and for base work for newmedian construction.US17: Possiblenighttime lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday forremoving asphalt and repaving. Work also continues on the median crossoversfrom State Road 207 to the Memorial Bridge. Motorists should watch forconstruction equipment entering and leaving the roadway.St.Johns CountyStateRoad 207:Possible daytime shoulder closures Monday through Friday for delivery ofequipment and materials to construct a multi-use trail from the end of theexisting trail in Elkton to Armstrong Road.StateRoad 312:Possible nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from US 1 to OldMoultrie Road for turn lane construction by St. Johns County. Questions may bedirected to Project Manager Greg Caldwell in the St. Johns County EngineeringDivision at (904) 209-0132 or gcaldwell@sjcfl.us.StateRoad A1A:Daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the Matanzas Inlet Bridge(Claude Varn Bridge) to one mile north Tuesday through Thursday for shoulderwork.StateRoad A1A:Daytime lane closures from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez Mondaythrough Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings, excluding the SummerHaven bridges.US1: Daytimelane closures from the Flagler County line to the Duval County line Mondaythrough Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings, excluding theconstruction zone at the San Sebastian River Bridge.US1: Nighttimelane closures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Monday through Fridayat the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street for thebridge replacement project.

10 State Parks Near St. Augustine, Florida

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:01:34 -0000

Temperatures continue to rise as spring approaches in the Nation’s Oldest City. There is so much to experience in St. Augustine from the origins of our nation’s history to the warm sands of our endless beaches. Whether you’re interested in bringing the whole family to town or searching for a romantic getaway, St. Augustine has it all.This week we encourage you to get outside and enjoy this weather at one of the beautiful state parks in our area! Park amenities typically include picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing areas, boat ramps, playgrounds and acres upon acres of beautiful Floridian nature ready for you to explore. We’ve put together a list of 10 state parks within a short drive from St. Augustine.Within a 10 – 30 minute drive:- Fort Mose Historic State Park (St. Augustine, FL): Located a few blocks north of the city limits, Fort Mose is not only a beautiful slice of land along the marshes of the intracoastal waterway, it's also home to one of the first legally sanctioned, free African-American settlement. On the last Sunday of each month, the park hosts a living history day where costumed re-enactors depict what life was like in the area hundreds of years ago. A visitors center and museum are located on the grounds as well as a dock that's perfect for a kayak launch!- Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine Beach, FL): Just behind the St. Augustine Lighthouse lies one of the area's most beautiful, untouched beaches inside Anastasia State Park. Ranger-led bike rides along the beach and kayaking excursions in Salt Run are favorite activities within this beautiful state park. Mossy trees shelter a cozy campground just off the shore for those looking to stay overnight. During walks on the beach at certain times of year you can find starfish, shells, crabs and other creatures in the tidal waters and sand along the coast.- Faver-Dykes State Park (St. Augustine, FL): South of St. Augustine on US1, Faver-Dykes is a piece of Florida's nature long forgotten. Enormous oaks, winding creeks and grassy marshes make this park a favorite for tent camping, fishing, kayaking and picnics. Pellicer Creek is one of the most pristine waterways in the state and an ideal spot for nature watching. Over a hundred different species of birds have been spotted in the park, many of which are seasonal visitors to the area during migration. Bring your binoculars, kayak and fishing pole for a great day at Faver-Dykes.- Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve [North] (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL): North of Vilano Beach on A1A just before you get to Ponte Vedra Beach is a group of protected conservation areas nestled in the shrubs and marshes between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal. The GTM Reserve covers over 73,000 acres of land in two sections (the southern portion of which includes Faver-Dykes, Pellicer Creek and some other areas at the south end of St. Johns County). The northern portion consists of the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve, Guana River Wildlife Management Area and Stokes Landing Conservation Area. Perfect for kayaking and bird watching, the GTM Research Reserve is home to 44 mammal, 358 bird, 41 reptile, 21 amphibian, 303 fish and 580 plant species.- Washintgon Oaks Gardens State Park (Palm Coast, FL): Head down A1A from Crescent Beach and just beyond Marineland in Flagler County you'll come across a hidden treasure known as Washington Oaks. Gorgeous gardens of azaleas, camellias and roses as well as a number of exotic plants create the center piece of this beautiful park. Take a leisurely stroll along the trails past reflecting ponds and beneath moss covered oaks or take a lengthier hike into the woods to see more of the natural plants. You can also pop over to the beach side of the park for fishing off the sea wall or in the surf.Within a 45 – 60 minute drive:- Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area (Flagler Beach, FL)- Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park (Palm Coast, FL)- Bulow Creek State Park (Palm Coast, FL)- North Peninsula State Park (Flagler Beach, FL)- Ravine Gardens State Park (Palatka, FL)- OldCity.com

St. Augustine Celtic Festival

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:02:18 -0000

When we think of Spain we often think of flamenco dancers, bull fighting and salsa music, but not all of Spain is characterized by stereotypical Spanish culture. In the mountains of Northern Spain where the Picos de Europa spill out of France and into the lush, green Spanish countryside, you are much more likely to hear bagpipes, sip cider and see remnants of the Celtic culture. It's from this part of Spain -- specifically from a city called Aviles in a province known as Asturias -- that St. Augustine's founder Pedro Menendez de Aviles was born. When he discovered the Nation's Oldest City in 1565, he imparted his mixed Spanish and Celtic culture on our beautiful little city.Nearly 450 years later, we finally have an annual celebration to honor our Celtic roots: the St. Augustine Celtic Festival. This year, the festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 10th and 11th at the Special Events Field. A delectable assortment of Celtic foods will be served while musicians and entertainers of all sorts regal us with bagpipes and Irish dancing. The festival will kick off in grand fashion with the St. Patrick's Day parade (held on Saturday, March 10th this year because of conflicts with the Seafood Festival the following weekend). Participants and floats will follow a parade route from the Special Events Field, down Orange Street to the bayfront, in front of the Castillo de San Marcos to the plaza, where they will head up Cathedral Place, turn north on Cordova and finish off back at the Special Events Field. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. with festivities to follow at the Special Events Field well into the night.Although the festival officially ends on Sunday, March 11th, performances from some great Celtic musicians will continue at Ann O'Malley's on Orange Street and Meehan's Irish Pub on the bayfront through St. Patrick's Day. This is a wonderful event for people of all ages to enjoy. Come for a day or stay for a weekend. In fact, we would suggest that you stay with us in the Oldest City for that entire week. Not only is early March the most beautiful time of year in the city, but if you come for the Celtic Festival you'll want to stick around for the 31st Annual Lion's Seafood Festival the following weekend. Imagine sandwiching two culturally rich festivals with a few beach days in between! Sounds like a dream to us!- OldCity.com

FDOT Road and Lane Closures for February 11-17, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:34:59 -0000

St. Augustine --- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact traffic in Putnam and St. Johns counties.Putnam CountyState Road 20: Daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday from the Alachua County line to State Road 21/County Road 20A for ditch cleaning. US 17: Daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Laurel Lane to Junction Road for milling (asphalt removal) and repaving and for lowering manholes and water valves. US 17: Daytime lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday from the weigh station to Kane Road for ditch cleaning.St. Johns CountyState Road 207: Possible daytime shoulder closures Monday through Friday for delivery of equipment and materials to construct a multi-use trail from the end of the existing trail in Elkton to Armstrong Road.State Road 207: Daytime eastbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from 500 feet west of Dancy Avenue across from the Florida Power & Light substation in Hastings while two power poles are replaced.State Road 312: Nighttime lane closures are scheduled in both directions at Sgt. Tutten Drive from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday to reconstruct turn lanes. State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures at the Summer Haven Bridges just north of Marineland Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for paving. Motorists should anticipate delays for up to 10 minutes and should drive with caution through the construction area. The speed limit in this area is reduced to 40 mph.State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez Monday through Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings, excluding the construction zone in Summer Haven.State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday from 1314 A1A North to 1135 A1A North for tree trimming.State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from 16th Street to Madrid Street for asphalt repairs.State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the intersection of State Road A1A and Vilano Road at the base of the Usina Bridge for asphalt repairs. State Road A1A: Daytime lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from Bermuda Bay Circle to Plantation Drive for asphalt repairs.US 1: Daytime lane closures from the Flagler County line to State Road 16 Monday through Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings, excluding the construction zone at the San Sebastian River Bridge.US 1: Daytime lane closures from State Road 16 to the Duval County line Monday through Thursday while crews repaint the roadway markings.US 1: Possible nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the intersection of State Road 312 for turn lane construction by St. Johns County. Questions may be directed to Project Manager Greg Caldwell in the St. Johns County Engineering Division at (904) 209-0132 or gcaldwell@sjcfl.us.US 1: Possible nighttime lane closures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Monday through Friday at the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street for bridge replacement.

Valentine's Day in St. Augustine

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:33:18 -0000

When it comes to romance, the city of St. Augustine knows a thing or two about love. Few places have as much romantic charm as the Nation's Oldest City with its cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages and gorgeous sunsets. If you're looking to make plans for Valentine's Day, look no further than St. Augustine.If we were to plan the perfect day of romance in St. Augustine, we think it would go something like this:Upon arriving in St. Augustine we'd take a leisurely stroll through downtown, grab lunch at an outdoor bistro (maybe one of the ones with a beautiful little fountain that creates just the right sort of peaceful ambiance). After lunch, we'd browse through the gift shops on St. George Street and maybe pop into a few galleries on Aviles Street. In the late afternoon we'd check into our charming B&B with a beautifully appointed room and get ready for a night on the town.(Picture at right is of the St. Augustine "Love Tree" on Cordova Street, a palm tree that actually grew from the loving embrace of a live oak. Rumor has it that a kiss in front of the Love Tree will seal two hearts forever!)Down on the bayfront we'd settle onto one of the benches along the sea wall to watch the orange glow fade out of the night sky. When the lights along the Bridge of Lions came to life, we'd embark on a romantic carriage ride through the cobblestone streets, listening to the gentle clop-clop of the horses hooves as we learned about the city's rich history and sipped glasses of champagne. Our kind driver would drop us off at our restaurant of choice for some delicious food and a little live entertainment. If the night was nice (and it probably would be) we'd be sure to get a seat in a patio or courtyard to enjoy the breeze off the bay and sip a few drinks before the main course.Following dinner, a quick trip across the bridge to the beach would be in order to take a moonlit stroll along the sandy shore. With the salty breeze still lingering in the air, we'd return to the city for a nightcap and a little dessert before retiring to our charming bed and breakfast for the night.You can make all of this a reality with a trip to St. Augustine! Even if you can't join us for Valentine's Day, the romance sticks around 365 days a year, so you're welcome to bring your sweetheart to visit anytime and experience the magic our little village has to offer. - OldCity.com

St. Augustine: A dog lover's paradise

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:50:01 -0000

Sometimes it's just not a family vacation unless the whole family comes along--Fido included! Lately more and more people are taking their pets with them on vacations. It beats the high cost of boarding plus you'll enjoy your trip more knowing that Fido is part of the family fun! But how do you begin planning a pet-friendly trip to an unfamiliar area? Where can you stay and what can you do with your pet while you're visiting? St. Augustine is a very pet-friendly town with plenty to do and see with Fido in tow. We've put together some suggestions for you that should help with planning your next Fido-friendly adventure.1. Where to StayWhether you prefer hotels, condos or bed & breakfasts, there are plenty of pet-friendly accommodations in St. Augustine. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites located near the St. Augustine Outlet Mall accepts pets, as does the Super 8 and Ramada in the same area. Closer in to the historic district, the Ramada Historic and Days Inn are pet-friendly as well. Bed and breakfasts The St. Francis Inn and At Journey's End also have pet-friendly rooms within a short walking distance of St. Augustine's downtown attractions. If you prefer a place near the beach (and with nearly year-round seasonable conditions, who wouldn't?), St. Augustine Beach House (Vilano Beach), Super 8 (St. Augustine Beach), Comfort Inn (St. Augustine Beach) and Beacher's Lodge Condominiums (Crescent Beach) also allow pets. Most of the area's campgrounds and RV parks (including Anastasia State Park, Faver Dykes State Park, Ocean Grove and Stage Coach) accept pets too. Some fees may apply to a few of these lodgings so it's always best to call ahead for more information and reservations.2. What to DoOnce you're settled into your accommodations, it's time to see the sites of the Nation's Oldest City! Take Fido along to the Fountain of Youth or on a stroll through the cobblestone streets. A picnic on the lawn at the Castillo de San Marcos is a must or you can eat outside with your pets at several of St. Augustine's best restaurants with sidewalk or patio seating. Some of the carriage companies will allow pets along for rides as do a few of the city's nightly walking ghost tours. The St. Augustine Scenic Cruises allow pets on board as well for some unique St. Augustine sight-SEA-ing.Of course the beaches are also open to pets (provided that they are on leashes). Walking, splashing and lounging in the sunshine are all favorite activities for humans and dogs alike. Park at one of the public beach ramps or you can drive your vehicle right out in the sand (not recommended if you don't have four wheel drive!). The St. Augustine Lighthouse also allows pets on the grounds, as does the Fort Matanzas National Monument south of town.All of the local and state parks in the St. Augustine area -- Anastasia, Faver-Dykes, Ron Parker and Treaty Park -- also allow pets. Ron Parker Park on the corner of old A1A and Pope Road (about a block south of SR312 bridge) also has a dog park where your pet can run around and interact with other dogs in a fenced, grassy area. 3. The CommunityIf you need veterinary services while visiting St. Augustine, the area has several qualified vets and a few emergency hospitals including Animal Emergency Hospital (on Old Moultrie Rd. near the Ponce de Leon Mall) and Jackson Veterinary Hospital (on the corner of SR312 and A1A). Grooming, boarding and even daily day care services are also available through local vets and places like Pet Paradise. We hope that you and your pet will come and see St. Augustine soon. You'll both be drooling over everything our city has to offer!- OldCity.com

A new era begins: OldCity.com

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:37:41 -0000

As of January 10th, 2012, Old City Web Services has launched the new era of St. Augustine's most popular web portal. The new OldCity.com is now completed and has been launched in place of the old website. The remodel is complete!So what does that mean for residents and tourists who visit the site?We're still the best source of St. Augustine information on the web!All of the resources and tools that make OldCity.com Northeast Florida's most popular web portal are still available on the new site. We've reorganized things a little bit just to make the site a tad more user friendly. Now you can easily search through one of our three main categories: Where to Stay, What to Do or The Community. In each section you'll find details that will help you plan your next vacation to St. Augustine (if you're visiting us from out of town) or find important community news and updates (if you're a local). Either way, OldCity.com is here to help you get the most out of St. Augustine!Directories have been transferred to the new site as well. One of our most popular tools, our informational directories, have also been moved to the new site including our lists of hotels & motels, restaurants and places of worship in the St. Augustine area. You can find quick links to them below to update your bookmarks:Alphabetical Business ListingsCategorical Business ListingsHotels & Motels DirectoryRestaurants DirectoryPlaces of Worship DirectoryArea Businesses DirectoryYou're now able to add events to the OldCity.com calendar.Our interactive "Submit an Event" tool now allows businesses and community organizations to easily submit upcoming events to our free community calendar. Once our staff looks them over and approves them, they will be added to the website for visitors to see. This is an excellent way to promote local events to thousands of visitors to OldCity.com.So what does that mean for our advertisers?Your existing advertising is live on the new website.All of the advertising that was on the old website has been transferred to the new website, but we've made all the banners and expanded listings even bigger to get more attention for your ads. We also have new advertising opportunities available (including video ads), call if you're interested in more information. New statistics will be available for advertising.Your February hit reports will be a big change from what you've received in the past--in a very good way. Not only will you see the number of clicks on each of your advertisements, you will also see the number of times the page your ad appears on was viewed. Customers with Listings will also be able to see the number of clicks and views their basic listings received on the site. Some pages were redirected to increase advertising views.We studied our statistics for OldCity.com meticulously in the process of developing this new website and noticed that many of the sub-pagesweren't getting a lot of traffic. As a result, some sub-pages under a few of our categories have been redirected to the main category page in order to keep traffic more concentrated on the main category pages. For example, the sub-pages for each business type under Area Businesses have been removed but all the listings that were on those pages are now categorized on the main Area Businesses page for easier use. Our search engine rankings will be closely monitored.Our SEO Specialist has gone through the website with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that our keywords and descriptions are transferred over to the new site. We have covered all of our bases and will closely monitor the stats after launch. We hope you enjoy the new site and would love to hear your feedback through our Facebook or Twitter pages. It's been a long journey to reach this point in the process and we're so excited to bring a new site with new features to all of our supportive fans, visitors and advertisers.- OldCity.com

St. Johns and Putnam County Traffic Report: 1/7 - 1/13

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:48:50 -0000

FDOTRoad and Lane Closures for January 7-13, 2012 St.Augustine--- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact trafficin Putnam and St. Johns counties.PutnamCountyUS17 (Summit Street):Resurfacing is scheduled to begin in late January between Junction Road andLaurel Lane. A construction open house will be held Wednesday, January 11 from4-6 p.m. at the Crescent City Hall, located at 3 North Summit Street.St.Johns CountyInterstate95 at International Golf Parkway: Nighttimelane closures on the entrance and exit ramps to Interstate 95 from 7 p.m. to 5a.m. Sunday, January 8 through Wednesday, January 11 to accommodate pavingoperations.StateRoad 13 from Racetrack Road to the Cunningham Creek Bridge: Daytime lane closures inboth directions Monday, January 9 through Friday, January 13 to line stormsewer pipes.StateRoad 16 from the Clay County line to San Marco Avenue: Daytime lane closuresMonday, January 9 through Thursday, January 12 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings.StateRoad 207 at County Road 305: Possibledaytime lane closures Monday, January 9 through Friday, January 13 for deliveryof equipment and materials to construct a multi-use trail from the end of theexisting trail to Armstrong Road.StateRoad 312 at Sgt. Tutten Drive and at Plantation Island Drive (Harbour IslandCommunity): Possibledaytime lane closures at each intersection in both directions from 8:30 a.m. to3:30 p.m. Monday, January 9 through Friday, January 13 to install poles andattachments for new traffic signals.StateRoad A1A - Summer Haven Bridges (just north of Marineland): Motorists should drive withcaution through the construction area. The speed limit in this area has beenreduced to 40 mph.StateRoad A1A from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez: Daytime lane closures Monday,January 9 through Thursday, January 12 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings, excluding the construction zone in Summer Haven.US1 from State Road 16 to the Duval County line: Daytime lane closuresMonday, January 9 through Thursday, January 12 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings.US1 at the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street: Possible nighttime laneclosures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Monday, January 9 throughFriday, January 13.

St. Johns and Putnam County Traffic Report: 12/31 - 1/6

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:44:09 -0000

FDOTRoad and Lane Closures for December 31, 2011 - January 6, 2012 St.Augustine--- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact trafficin Putnam and St. Johns counties.PutnamCountyUS17 South from the weigh station to Yelvington Road: Daytime lane closuresfrom 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 3 through Thursday, January 5 forditch cleaning.St.Johns CountyInterstate95 at International Golf Parkway: Possiblenighttime lane closures on the entrance and exit ramps to Interstate 95 from 8p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 4 to accommodatepaving operations.StateRoad 16 from the Clay County line to San Marco Avenue: Daytime lane closuresTuesday, January 3 through Thursday, January 5 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings.StateRoad 207 at County Road 305: Possibledaytime lane closures Tuesday, January 3 through Friday, January 6 for deliveryof equipment and materials to construct a multi-use trail from the end of theexisting trail to Armstrong Road.StateRoad 312 at Sgt. Tutten Drive and at Plantation Island Drive (Harbour IslandCommunity): Possibledaytime lane closures in both directions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday,January 3 through Friday, January 6 to install poles for new traffic signals.StateRoad A1A - Summer Haven Bridges (just north of Marineland): Daytime lane closures atthe south bridge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 3 through Saturday,January 7 to install expansion joint material in the bridge deck. Motoristsshould drive with caution through the construction area. The speed limit inthis area has been reduced to 40 mph.StateRoad A1A from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez: Daytime lane closures Tuesday,January 3 through Thursday, January 5 while crews repaint the roadway markings,excluding the construction zone in Summer Haven.US1 from State Road 16 to the Duval County line: Daytime lane closuresTuesday, January 3 through Thursday, January 5 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings.US1 at the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street: Possible nighttime laneclosures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Tuesday, January 3 throughFriday, January 6.US1 at Vaill Point Road:One northbound lane is closed as well as the entrance to Vaill Point Road fromUS 1 while crews for St. Johns County replace a pipe on the east side of theMoultrie Creek Bridge. These closures are expected to continue untilmid-January 2012. For more information, contact James Overton with the St.Johns County Utility Department.

St. Augustine named in National Geographic's Top Ten Cities for Christmas Light Displays

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:14:05 -0000

The city of St. Augustine received a high honor this week as National Geographic named the city's Nights of Lights festival one of the Top Ten Place to See Holiday Lights in the world.Not the U.S., not North America...the world.St. Augustine was one of only two places in the U.S. (the other being Callaway Gardens in Georgia) that made the list along with major international cities such as Hong Kong, Vienna, and Madrid. A feature photo of the Lightner Museum, one of the city's best Nights of Lights vistas, decked out in its traditional holiday glow was included along with the article.This tremendous honor for the Nation's Oldest City is a testament to how hard the city works to put on the display each year, which added an additional one million lights in 2011, bringing the total number of tiny white bulbs to three million. The nearly 20 year-old tradition was brought to life by local service organization SerToMa in the eighties, but did not become an official city celebration until a decade later. Since then, it has expanded in size, scope and staying power, now running from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the end of January.You can enjoy the Nights of Lights by trolley train, carriage, electric cart or on foot. The decorations also include an enormous Christmas tree in the city plaza surrounded with colorfully wrapped gifts -- it's the perfect spot for a family photo!We hope you'll visit us soon to experience one of the world's greatest Christmas light displays. If you can't make it this year, start planning your trip for the winter of 2012!- OldCity.com

New Year's Eve 2011 in St. Augustine

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:38:28 -0000

The Nation's Oldest City is the perfect spot to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012! Whether you're looking for family friendly fun or a romantic evening, there is a celebration in St. Augustine for you to enjoy. We've put together some details about the New Year's events happening around town so you can make your plans and reservations for the big night.New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra BeachDon't want to stay up until midnight? You can still celebrate the New Year at the Noon Balloon drop! The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is bringing back the bang with their New Year's Eve Noon Balloon Drop. Grab a slice of pizza pie while the kids decorate cookies and dance away the morning in our bubble-wrap room as you jump to the jingles of our house band tunes. Create a hilarious hat with eyes that wiggle or make party masks that will make everyone giggle. Be there before noon to save your spot, they will drop hundreds of balloons at noon on the dot! This event is free to members of the CCPVB or $5 per person for non-members (a family of four can purchase four tickets for $15). Pay at the door, space is limited. For more information, please visit ccpvb.org.Beach Blast-Off at the St. Augustine PierKick off 2012 in seaside style at this special St. Augustine Beach event! Enjoy a blast of flavor, icy sculptures, and fireworks when several of St. Augustine's favorite restaurants serve up chili for tasting and judging at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off from 4 to 8 p.m. After things cool off from the chili - the Fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. This display will delight visitors and help usher in the New Year! Admission is free. The Beach Blast takes place at St. Johns County Fishing Pier and Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine Beach.Uptown Saturday Night: New Year's Eve EditionJoin the businesses on San Marco Avenue (just north of the Visitor's Information Center and Parking Garage) for their monthly Uptown Saturday Night gathering. Art galleries, book stores, boutiques and restaurants along the street will stay open until at least 9:00 p.m. (restaurants and bars will be open later) for extended shopping. Live entertainment, refreshments and more will be part of the celebration from 5:00 p.m . to 9:00 p.m. Parking at the Mission Nombre de Dios is FREE and conveniently located to the San Marco shopping district. Come out and enjoy the night!New Year's Eve at the Tasting RoomThe Tasting Room's annual New Year's Eve tradition continues in 2011-12 with a two options for an incredible tasting experience. Select one of the early seating times (5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.) and you will enjoy a decadent three course meal and live entertainment from Sam Pacetti. The early seating options are $48 per person plus beverages, taxes and gratuity. For the full New Year's experience, make your reservations for the 9:00 p.m. seating which features a four course meal, wine pairings and live entertainment from flamenco dancers and "mental entertainer" Meraux Dantes. A complimentary champagne toast at midnight is included with this option for a total cost of $75 per person plus beverages, taxes and gratuity. Limited seating is available so make your reservations soon!No matter what you decide to do in St. Augustine to ring in the New Year we wish you a safe and happy evening!Best wishes for a prosperous, healthy and happy 2012.- OldCity.com

St. Johns and Putnam County Traffic Report: 12/17 - 12/23

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:31:40 -0000

St.Augustine--- The following is a list of roadwork underway by FDOT that may impact trafficin Putnam and St. Johns counties. Please note: No project work will occur fromDecember 24, 2011 through January 2, 2012 unless otherwise noted below. PutnamCounty US17 South from the weigh station to Yelvington Road: Daytime lane closuresfrom 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, December 19 through Thursday, December 22 forditch cleaning. St.Johns County StateRoad 13 from the Julington Creek Bridge to Roberts Road: Daytime lane closuresfrom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, December 19 through Wednesday, December 21 forcleaning bike lanes and turn lanes. StateRoad 16 from the Clay County line to San Marco Avenue: Daytime lane closuresMonday, December 19 through Thursday, December 22 while crews repaint theroadway markings. StateRoad 207 at County Road 305: Possibledaytime lane closures Monday, December 19 through Friday, December 23 for deliveryof equipment and materials to construct a multi-use trail from the end of theexisting trail to Armstrong Road. Work will continue on this project the weekof December 26, but no lane closures will be permitted and no impacts totraffic will occur as a result of project work. StateRoad A1A - Summer Haven Bridges (just north of Marineland): Daytime lane closures atthe south bridge from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, December 19 through Friday,December 23. Motorists should drive with caution through the construction area.The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 40 mph. StateRoad A1A from the Vilano Bridge to 23rd Street: Daytime lane closures from9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, December 19 for cleaning bike lanes. StateRoad A1A from the Flagler County line to Avenida Menendez: Daytime lane closures Monday,December 19 through Thursday, December 22 while crews repaint the roadwaymarkings, excluding the construction zone in Summer Haven. US1 from State Road 16 to the Duval County line: Daytime lane closuresMonday, December 19 through Thursday, December 22 while crews repaint theroadway markings. US1 at the San Sebastian River Bridge from Saragossa Street to King Street: Possible nighttime laneclosures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions Monday, December 19,through Friday, December 23. Workwill continue on this project the week of December 26, but no lane closureswill be permitted and no impacts to traffic will occur as a result of projectwork. US1 at Vaill Point Road:One northbound lane is closed as well as the entrance to Vaill Point Road fromUS 1 while crews for St. Johns County replace a pipe on the east side of theMoultrie Creek Bridge. These closures are expected to continue untilmid-January 2012. For more information, contact James Overton with the St.Johns County Utility Department. Work will continue on this project during theweek of December 26, and one northbound lane on US 1 and the entrance to VaillPoint Road will remain closed during this time.

St. Augustine Holiday Events

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:52:58 -0000

December is one of the best months to visit the Nation’s Oldest City! Between the sparkling glow from the Nights of Lights, the cool breezes off the bay and the holiday cheer flowing through the cobblestone streets, you can’t beat Christmas in St. Augustine. Whether you come up for a day, weekend or a week, you’ll find plenty to do this time of year. To help you make your plans, we’ve highlighted a list of holiday events you’ll definitely want to check out while you’re visiting.Winter WonderlandOnce a year, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is transformed into a family friendly winter wonderland complete with an outdoor ice skating rink, ice slide, sleigh rides, Santa visits and real falling snow! While you sip hot cocoa the kids will enjoy running around Elf Village, riding the Frost Kingdom Express Train and jumping on the Blizzard Bounce. Winter Wonderland is open Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on the weekends from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (after Dec. 16th they will be open from 2:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. every day through Christmas Eve). Admission is free, rides and activities range from $2.00 – $10.00.Nights of Lights Carriage TourCozy up to your sweetheart in the back of an old, horse-drawn carriage as you glide through the streets of St. Augustine beneath the glow of three million white lights. This hour-long guided ride from Tasting Tours also features a sampling of delicious Spanish boutique wines. Tours are held Monday through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for $49 per person. Reservations are required so make sure to call Tasting Tours and schedule your carriage ride soon!Holly Jolly Trolley/Santa’s Big Red Christmas TrainFor a fun family tour of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, hop aboard one of the Oldest City’s delightful Christmas trains. Sing along with Christmas carols played inside the train as you zip through the streets of St. Augustine and its three million white lights. Both trains offer complimentary refreshments and special glasses that will make the lights look even more dazzling. The Holly Jolly Trolley leaves from the Visitor’s Center with continuous departures every day (now through Jan. 31st) between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and is $7 for adults, $4 for children. Santa’s Big Red Christmas Train departs from Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum every day (now through Dec. 30th) between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and is also $7 for adults and $4 for children. Climb aboard and enjoy!Candlelight Tours at Villa ZoraydaOne of St. Augustine’s most unique destinations is Villa Zorayda, built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Smith. The building is now featured on the National Historic Registry both for its historical roots and beautiful Moorish Spanish architecture. During the holiday season, you can take a special guided candlelight tour of the house on December 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 27, and 30th. All tours begin at 6:30 p.m. with complimentary refreshments beginning 30 minutes prior to the tour. Tickets are $16 per adult and $8 for children ages 7 – 12 (children under 7 are admitted for free).We hope you’ll come and spend a few days of the holiday season with us in St. Augustine and enjoy some of these great activities! For a complete list of holiday activities, visit our St. Augustine calendar.- OldCity.com

57th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:42:51 -0000

This Saturday marks the continuation of one of St. Augustine’s best traditions–the annual Christmas Parade. Each year, representatives of local civic organizations, school marching groups, community clubs and (of course) a few festive pirates march through the streets of St. Augustine to announce Santa’s arrival in the Nation’s Oldest City.The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half. Arrive by 9:00 a.m. if you want a front row seat along the parade route, which begins at the Mission of Nombre de Dios on San Marco Ave., runs up S. Castillo Drive and Avenida Menendez (in front of the fort and along the bayfront) before turning west on Cathedral Place in front of the plaza. From there, the parade turns up Cordova Street to finish off at the Visitor’s Information Center on Orange Street.This fantastic holiday tradition is fun for the whole family! Dads will enjoy the convoy of old cars, Moms will appreciate the beautifully decorated floats, kids will love the fire truck that carries Santa into the city and the whole family will get a kick out of Rudolphadillo (it’s a Florida thing).Later on Saturday night, another of St. Augustine’s best holiday traditions will take place along St. George Street. British Nightwatch’s Grand Illumination is something you have to experience in the Nation’s Oldest City. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the city’s earliest days when British soldiers marched to the city gates by candlelight to secure the town for the night. On special occasions and holidays, other community members were invited to join the parade. Authentically attired participants will camp out all weekend on the lawn of the Castillo de San Marcos where the public is welcome to stop by and see how the soldiers lived in the 16th century.The Grand Illumination parade begins at 8:00 p.m. in front of the government house on the west end of the plaza. The contingent of soldiers will fire their muskets before embarking on their journey to the city gates. After circling the plaza, the parade will move down St. George Street, make a left on Hypolita, a right on Spanish Street and a right on Orange Street where they will arrive at the city gates before returning to the plaza. The public is invited to join the parade and encouraged to bring candles or lanterns of their own.These two spectacular events will make your day in St. Augustine a magical experience! Come join us downtown on Saturday and spend the day between the two events exploring everything else our beautiful city has to offer.- OldCity.com

St. Augustine Nights of Lights

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Once a year when the air turns cool and fills with the tinkling of silver bells, St. Augustine transforms after sunset into a romantic enclave with an ethereal glow. From the massive branches of moss-covered oaks to the angled roofs with Spanish tiles, tiny white lights stitch together the city of St. Augustine, highlighting every detail of the town’s unique beauty. You haven’t experienced St. Augustine until you’ve ridden along the cobblestone streets in a horse-drawn carriage beneath that soft glow.This year’s Nights of Lights celebration will begin after sundown on Saturday, November 19th. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the annual Light Up Ceremony will culminate with the official flipping of the switch, igniting over three million lights city wide. Named by AAA as one of the 12 best places in the U.S. and Canada to experience Christmas cheer, this is an event you can’t afford to miss.Following the lighting ceremony, the 1740 color guard will escort the mayor and his guests to the annual Holiday Lightning Gala inside the historic Lightner Museum. This special event includes a catered dinner from the Casa Monica’s award winning restaurant 95 Cordova, dancing to the music of The Committee and a silent auction to benefit the St. Francis House.Light Up Night is one of the most special evenings in St. Augustine each year, we hope you’ll be able to join us for the festivities! If not, the lights will remain lit through January 31st, giving you plenty of time to make your plans for a special visit!- OldCity.com

Thanksgiving Events in St. Augustine

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:05:00 -0000

We are fast approaching the end of 2011! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we thought we would take a moment to highlight a few events going on in the Nation’s Oldest City during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Whether you plan to visit from out of town or plan to share your city with guests, there is so much to do and see in St. Augustine during the holidays. Below are just a few examples of great events, more information is available on the OldCity.com calendar.- Nights of Lights Carriage Tour: Step aboard an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the spectacular light displays of the Oldest City while indulging in a few boutique wines. Brought to you by the Tasting Tours.- Candlelight Tours of Villa Zorayda: Explore the beautiful Villa Zorayda, decorated for the Holiday season, featuring a Christmas tree in the “Court of Lions”, decorated in the Villa’s traditional red and gold and a beautiful crèche nativity scene that that has been a Villa tradition since the 1930?s. Tours are available on select nights during the holiday season, reservations are recommended.- Winter Wonderland: Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 26th, the St. AugustineAmphitheatre will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice skating, hot chocolate and nightly snows. - 46th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival: One of St. Augustine’s oldest festivals will be revived the weekend after Thanksgiving on the Special Events Field. More than 150 artists from around the country will be represented at thisjuried event, sponsored by the St. Augustine Art Association.- Uptown Saturday Night: The businesses of North San Marco will come together for their monthly celebration of art and culture on Nov. 26th. Browse antique book collections, galleries and more at this event.

Lincolnville Heritage Festival

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Long after the era of Spanish conquistadors clashing in battle along our coast, St. Augustine became known as something else: a destination on the underground railroad. Formed in 1866 by a group of freed slaves, this historic neighborhood of Lincolnville was a place of refuge for African Americans seeking to carve out a life of their own. Always a place ripe with political participation, later members of the Lincolnville community played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960?s.This weekend, for the 31st year in a row, we come together to celebrate this tremendous part of St. Augustine’s history at the Lincolnville Heritage Festival. Held at the Special Events field in downtown St. Augustine, this three-day festival was started in 1979 by Jazz musician Doug Carn (one of the performers at the festival this year) and businessman Christopher Lightburn. The festival helps fund the restoration of Lincolnville which continues to preserve and restore Lincolnville’s great history to this day.Take a look at the schedule of events below or visit the Lincolnville Heritage Festival website for more information on the music, food and vendors who will be represented at this year’s event. And make sure you join us this weekend to honor this tremendous part of St. Augustine’s history!Friday, November 4, 20114:30: PM DJ Dr. Doom5:00 PM Gates Open6:00 PM BILLY BUCHANAN7:00 PM ELISHA”ATLAS” PARRIS with A`Jaze8:00 PM SOUL TRAIN LINE featuring DJ Dr. Doom9:00 PM DOUG CARN10:00 PM Gates CloseSaturday November 5, 201110:00 AM Gates Open11:30 AM DJ Dr Doom12:00 PM YOUTH SHOWCASE12:00 PM FREE TOUR Lincolnville & Fort Mose12:30 PM EBONIRAMM JAZZ SALON Workshop1:00PM MORTON PERRY1:30 PM DANCERSIZE Workshop **Learn the Cha Cha Slide & More** with Dr. Dawn McDermott2:00 PM FREE TOUR Lincolnville & Fort Mose2:00 PM CELLUS BROWN2:30 PM EBONIRAMM JAZZ SALON Workshop3:00 PM JARRELL HARRIS4:30 PM DANCERSIZE Workshop ** Learn to Wobble** with Dr. Dawn McDermott4:00 PM CELESTIAL6:00 PM DOC HANDY7:00 PM Community Wobble & Cha Cha Slide with DJ Dr. Doom featuring Dazzling Diamonds8:00 PM SPECIAL FORMULA9:00 PM BRICK10:00 PM Gates CloseSunday, November 6, 201111:00 AM – 2:00 PM GOSPEL & BLUES BRUNCH featuring BAATIN2:00 PM FREE TOUR Lincolnville & Fort Mose2:00 PM Prince Rod & Praise Dancers2:30 PM Ritz Voices3:00 PM Minister Roosevelt Forehand & Oneness3:30 PM St. Paul AME Choir4:00 PM Lawrence Flowers & Intercession4:30 PM Jones Sisters5:00 PM Gospel Best 2011 Winners6:00 PM Gates Close

St. Augustine Fall Attractions: Ghost Tours

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:09:56 -0000

History does not come without its share of mystery–especially in the city of St. Augustine. Ghosts and ghouls have been known to roam the streets after sundown and this is the perfect time of year to get an up close look. Take a look at one of the tours below and prepare for your next adventure.GhoStAugustine Hearse RidesIf the train’s just not spooky enough for you, how about a hearse? Cruise through St. Augustine in a spooky old hearse along with your guide for the evening. For the 21 & up crowd, you might enjoy the Pub Hearse ride featuring spirits of both the paranormal and liquid variety. Group and private tours are available throughout the witching hours. Visit ghoStaugustine.com to make your reservations.Ripley’s Ghost TrainsDeparting from the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum every night at 8:00 p.m., the Ghost Train will bring you on a close encounter with the paranormal kind. This 90 minute trek takes you to three of the most haunted locations in the Nation’s Oldest City including the Oldest House, Tolomato Cemetery and Castle Warden. Each guest will receive his/her own EMF Reader and disposable camera to record any paranormal activity you experience along the way. For more information, visit Ripley’s website.

St. Augustine Fall Attractions: Haunted Houses

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:16:07 -0000

As the sun sinks over St. Augustine this October, you might find an electricity in the air around the Ancient City. A current of terror and fear has blanketed the town with the arrival of two heart-stopping haunted houses. Are you brave enough to face the perils that lie within each of these dark, cavernous buildings? If you think you can handle it, read on and find the information needed to begin your journey, if not turn back now…Warehouse 31Located off of Norcross Drive in St. Augustine, there resides a complex of several large warehouses used for business interests and storage. Every day, trucks and trains make their way through this area, shipments are sent and delivered, and the houses are filled with goods, but one warehouse sits alone and abandoned with a simple sign that reads STORAGE 3-1. This building is known as Warehouse 31.The other warehouses thrive and are filled to the seams, but Warehouse 31 never seems to hold on to any business for more than a few months. Some even go so far as to say it is damned and cursed by its original tenants—a strange cult known as the Church of the Light Bearer…Throughout the month of October you can experience (if you dare) what lies inside the walls of Warehouse 31. Open from sundown to midnight every weekend, Warehouse 31 is the biggest Halloween attraction in Northeast Florida. Visit warehouse31.com for tickets and more information.Dates: Oct. 7th – 9th, 14th – 16th, 21st – 23rd, 28th – 31stLocation: Off Holmes Blvd., turn on Norcross Road by the railroad tracks at the old cement plant and follow the road until it dead ends.Cost: $20 – $45 per personParking: $10Watch a teaser video for Warehouse 31Horror ZoneIf you think you’re brave enough to handle it, visit St. Augustine’s Horror Zone. This heart-stopping haunted house includes the Horror Zone Vortex Tunnel, the Frightening Flight to Area 51, The Runaway Mineshaft Rollercoaster Sim, The Predator’s Cave, The NOT so Fun House and the Body Bag Vault of Doom.Sponsored by the St. Augustine Sheriff’s Office, the Horror Zone is open from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the last three weekends in October. It’s been a seasonal favorite in St. Augustine since 2001 when it began as a fundraiser for for the Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Activity and Intervention programs. Food, drinks and candy are available at the Horror Zone, which is air conditioned and wheelchair accessible.Dates: Oct. 14th – 15th, 21st – 22nd, 28th-31stLocation: In the Food Lion shopping center on the corner of US1 South and Lewis Point Rd.Cost: $8.00 for adults, $6.00 12 & UnderParking: FreeWatch a teaser video for the 2010 Horror Zone

St. Augustine Art: Sept. – Oct. Gallery Exhibits

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Enjoy some of St. Augustine’s great artists by visiting these events going on in September and October:“Walk in Peace” art exhibit ¦ St. Augustine Art AssociationThe St. Augustine Art Association will launch its 88th season this September with the premier of Don Trousdell’s “Walk in Peace” exhibit. A collection of colorful paintings and interactive installations, the exhibit chronicles the history and imagery of peace, as interpreted by the internationally acclaimed artist. A shoe drive will last throughout the month of September, and the “Walk in Peace” exhibit will be on view through October 2.22 Marine St, St. AugustinePhone: 904-824-2310http://www.staaa.org/index.htmlEvent Pricing: FREENow through Sunday, October 2, 2011

Anytime Attractions in St. Augustine

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:20:54 -0000

In addition to the special events on our calendar, there are a lot of on-going events and activities that happen every day in St. Augustine. We thought we’d share a few of these with you for your next visit–some require reservations, so be sure to call ahead.Gold City History ToursRide in comfort and style with just seven other passengers on an all- electric shuttle bus while enjoying a narrated tour of the sites of St. Augustine. This tour goes where others can’t and is personalized to allow stops whenever requested. St. Augustine Gold Tours operate from the Old Drug Store car park on Orange Street. Tours are $15, children six and over $10. Special party bookings are also available by reservation. For more information, call 904.325.0547 or go to www.staugustinegoldtours.com.El Conquistador Thrill RideGo for a thrilling, high-speed, one-hour ride across Matanzas Bay aboard El Conquistador, St. Augustine’s newest thrill ride. Narrated tour features history, speed and fun aboard this powerful speedboat. El Conquistador departs from the City Marina’s Slip 73. Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $29.50 for children (ages 4-12). Free for active duty military. Special rates for groups of eight or more. For safety reasons, children under four and pregnant women are not allowed onboard. For information and reservations, go to www.elconspeedboat.com or call 904.738.4695.Murder Mystery Dinner TheatreExperience the first theater on St. Augustine’s St. George Street since a terrible fire destroyed the Genovar Opera House in 1914. The St. Augustine Murder Mystery Theatre features a great meal and exciting live entertainment at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $43.15 each. For more information, call 904.671.2508 or go towww.StAugustineMurderMysteryDinnerTheater.com.Yacht of FunHave a captain and a fun-equipped 22-foot boat at your service from dawn to dusk! Yacht of Fun takes up to six people on a full day of whatever passengers prefer – fishing, swimming, stopping at waterfront restaurants, sunning – you name it. The boat leaves from St. Augustine and offers the perfect way to spend a day. The rate is $60 per person for a party of six. For more information, go to www.yachtoffun.net or call Cap’n Mike at 352.246.3836Beach Horseback RidingExperience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offer daily one-hour rides (weather and tides permitting) from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must) and more information, call 904.826.1982.Catamaran AdventureClimb aboard for a two-hour adventure aboard a unique Stiletto catamaran. The six-guest maximum ensures a great experience for all. Lie on the trampoline or look for wildlife! Discount rate: $45/adult, $35/kids 12 and under. $250 for a private trip. Call for reservations. 904-377-7245. www.staugustineecotours.comDoo-Wop Musical SaluteExperience an exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer from The Platters, this salute features the all-time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 (limited time, buy one-get one free!) Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904-824-8874 or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com for more information. Fort Menendez is located at 259 San Marco Avenue St Augustine, Florida.

Think Pink! Events in St. Augustine

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:21:27 -0000

This weekend kicks off breast cancer awareness month across the country and around the world. In St. Augustine, we will celebrate the survivors, honor the ones we’ve lost and assist those still battling the disease with two big events on Saturday, October 1st.Think Pink in October Motorcycle RunIt’s been five years since the world lost Judeen Owens to breast cancer at the age of 31. From the depths of their sorrow, Judeen’s family came together and decided to honor her memory by assisting other families in St. Johns County enduring the same financial, physical, emotional and spiritual distress that this terrible disease can bring.Through the Unity Outreach of St. Augustine and the Judeen Memorial Foundation, a difference is being made in the lives of community residents thanks to the hard work of Judeen’s family and donations from other citizens. This weekend on Oct. 1st, Unity Outreach will hold its biggest fundraising event of the year, the Think Pink! Motorcycle Ride. This year’s third annual ride will begin at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds and cover 70 miles of roads in our community. You can register now online or at the fairgrounds on the day of the event.You can read more about Unity Outreach and each of its annual events on their website.Pink Up the Pace 5K Run/WalkThe third annual Pink up the Pace 5K run/walk will be held on Saturday, October 1st at 8:00 a.m. Participants will start at the corner of Orange and Cordova Streets near the Visitor Center, travel along the Bayfront, swing through historic Lincolnville and downtown neighborhoods, and finish with a dash down St. George Street.To register, participants can visit www.pinkupthepace.org or call 904-471-1819 for more information. Registration and race packet pickup will be available the Race Expo on Friday, September 30th from 4 to 8pm at the University of St. Augustine. During the Expo, participants can also enjoy informative booths regarding breast cancer awareness, treatments, and support. Beginning at 7:00 am on race day, registration and packet pickup will also be available near the start line. Entry fee is $25 for adults and children under thirteen $15. Race day registration will be $30.Please join them in “pinking up the pace” and make a vital difference in the lives of those men and women who need our help most!

- OldCity.com

St. Augustine: Learning outside the classroom.

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:26:05 -0000

At this moment, kids all over the country are streaming back into their classrooms chattering about summer adventures and bubbling with excitement. With the start of a new school year, so comes another year of shared learning experiences outside the classroom on those wonderful days we all used to look forward to: field trips. And where better to take your class on a field trip but to the Nation’s Oldest City? We decided to put together a quick list of local attractions that also offer learning experiences, living history and maybe a little fun!A blacksmith works in his shop at the Spanish Quarter Museum. Photo courtesy of the City of St. Augustine.The Spanish Quarter Museum: Throw out the characteristics of a stereotypical museum–the Spanish Quarter is so much more. Instead of glass encased exhibits and yawn-inducing tour guides, the Spanish Quarter takes students through an actual day in the life of early Spanish settlers in St. Augustine. Students will stop by the blacksmith’s shop to see how horseshoes are made, visit the housewives weaving blankets for their babies and meet the soldiers who keep the city safe from outside enemies. Colorful narrators in period costumes bring to life this replica village tucked away on St. George Street.Oldest Wooden School House Museum & Gardens: Just down the road from the Spanish Quarter, the Oldest Wooden School House also gives students some insight into what life was like two centuries ago when the building was originally erected. Explore the tiny house that used to serve not only as a classroom, but also as a home for the schoolmaster and his wife. Outside, a separate kitchen building and outhouse nestled into the schoolhouse’s immaculate gardens complete the picture of what school life was like in the 1800?s. By the end of this tour, your students will be thankful for the classroom amenities they have today!Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: Historic St. Augustine’s focal point is undoubtedly this massive coquina fortress with roots dating back to the 1600?s. Surrounded by a moat and facing out on the St. Augustine Inlet, this national landmark still shows its battle scars from centuries past in the form of cannonballs embedded into the fort’s walls. It was also the home of Seminole legend Chief Osceola after he was captured during the Second Seminole War. A host of historical artifacts (including operational cannons) are on display inside the Castillo. The rolling lawn also makes for a perfect picnic spot after your tour.Fort Mose State Historic Park: Just north of St. Augustine on the Intracoastal Waterway, the grounds of Fort Mose and its accompanying museum stand at the site of the country’s first legally sanctioned free African settlement. Though there are no remaining structures from the original settlement, the museum inside the park’s visitor’s center features artifacts and several multimedia interactive exhibits to teach students about the significance of Fort Mose and its role in U.S. History.These are just a few of the many attractions that can also offer students an interactive learning experience and make the new school year extra special! We wish all the new students (and their teachers) best of luck for a safe and happy school year.- OldCity.com

5 Things You Need to Know About the
St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:37:23 -0000

This weekend features not one but TWO concerts at one of Northeast Florida’s premier music venues, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Grammy winning bluegrass artists Alison Krauss and Union Station will play to a sold out crowd on Friday night while acoustic rock and reggae group Slightly Stoopid will take the stage on Sunday night. In its fourth year of operation since a major overhaul was completed in 2007, the amphitheater has become a favorite stop for musical acts from a variety of genres, as well as the preferred venue for St. Augustine residents and visitors.So what is there to know about the amphitheater? Plenty! We’ve got five pointers for you that will make your next visit to the amphitheater the perfect night out:The St. Augustine Amphitheatre has seating for just over 4,000 people, that's a lot of cheers when the lights go down!1. Parking: On the day of an event, limited parking is available at amphitheater itself, but if you don’t make it in time to snag a space in the venue’s lot, go next door to the Elk’s Lodge. Behind the main lodge, the rear parking lot at the Elk’s Lodge is connected directly to the amphitheater’s lot, allowing for a very short walk to and from the concert. Parking is also available in satellite lots at the St. Augustine Pier and R.B. Hunt Elementary with a shuttle that provides a quick ride to the amphitheater. Please respect the rest of the community and do NOT park in the residential areas surrounding the amphitheater, there are plenty of other options!2. Vending: Once inside, you’ll find vendors stationed on the platform prior to your entry into the seating area of the amphitheater. Most shows feature your typical concert staples–pizza, hot dogs, nachos, sodas, beer and cocktails. Frozen margaritas and daiquiris are usually on hand as well, both at the entry vending and in the lawn areas on the outside edges of the upper level sections. Most musicians also have a merchandise area under the stands in the entry area.3. Restrooms: This may seem like a silly thing to point out, but if you’ve ever missed half a concert standing in a bathroom line it’s worth noting that there are two sets of bathrooms at the amphitheater, one of which few people actually know about. The main facilities are located off the entry concourses at the top of the amphitheater, but there are also men’s and women’s facilities plus porta-potties positioned to the right (east) of the stage. These are accessible to everyone, not just people seated in the pit area.4. Weather: The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is an OUTDOOR venue. A canopy covers the lower two sections and pit, but it does not protect from heat or mosquitoes. Dress accordingly and bring bug spray. Patrons in the upper levels (sections 301, 302 and 303) are not covered by the venue’s canopy, so if it looks like rain you may want to bring along a poncho. In colder weather (it’s rare but it does happen in Florida) blankets are also permitted.5. Seating: The seat numbers at the amphitheater can be just a tad confusing. If you ordered your tickets and were unclear why your two seats weren’t next to each other, you’re not alone. In the odd number sections of the amphitheater (101, 103, 201, 203, 301 and 303) the seat numbers are either evens or odds. So for example, the seat numbers in sections 101, 201 and 301 go 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, etc. so if you have seats 2 and 4 you are next to each other. In sections 103, 203 and 303 the seat numbers are odd, going in order 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc. In the center sections, however, (102, 202 and 302) the numbers are sequential. If you’re still confused, fear not, the amphitheater has a knowledgeable crew of volunteers on hand to help you find your seats.That’s all you need to know to have a great time at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre! Come out this weekend for either of the concerts going on or stop by Saturday afternoon for the Back2School Beach Fest!- OldCity.com

St. Augustine Shopping: Unique Boutiques & Gifts

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 10:56:32 -0000

Don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path in St. Augustine.While it’s true that no visit to St. Augustine is complete without a stroll down St. George Street, you also shouldn’t miss out on some of the great shops and galleries on St. Augustine’s lesser known avenues. We’ve put together a quick guide to some of the other shopping hot spots you don’t want to miss in the historic district:- Charlotte Street: Just a block to the east of St. George, Charlotte Street offers a selection of unique clothing boutiques like vintage store The Way We Were on the corner of Charlotte and Treasury. Closer to the north end of the road by the Castillo de San Marcos you can enjoy live entertainment and a relaxing atmosphere at Stogies Cigar Bar, grab a cup of joe at Crucial Coffee or browse handmade candles at Southern Lights.- Spanish Street: One block west of St. George Street (head down Hypolita in the direction of the infamous Scarlett O’Hara’s) Spanish Street offers excitement for all the senses. Your taste buds will drive you into the Art of BBQ, home to barbecue accessories of all shapes and sizes, while your nose will lead you inside Bath Junkies where you can create your own unique bath oils, soaps and sprays. Your eyes will draw you across the road to Metalartz and its sister store (located behind it) with lots of special gifts for the kids in your life. A little further down Spanish you’ll find Cosmic Pizza, one of St. Augustine’s best kept kitchen secrets.- Aviles Street: The oldest street in the nation is located off the southeast corner of the downtown plaza. Recently revitalized, this charming street will have you thinking you’ve slipped across the pond into a quiet European village. Sidewalk cafes like Madres and unique boutiques will draw you in, but you’ll stay for some of the best art galleries in the city including AMIRO, a co-op near the end of the first block. Our extra special tip? Don’t miss the vintage shop on the east side of the road about a block in, it’s like stumbling into your grandmother’s basement–if your grandma had an excellent record collection.- San Marco Avenue: Tucked in between the historic district and North City, San Marco Avenue has seen a recent boom in excellent shops and restaurants. Go north from the Visitor’s Center and you’ll find a host of interesting spots including vintage book and ephemera retailer Wolf’s Head Books, collectibles galore at Big Bill’s Die Cast, a handful of antique shops , a stationery store and a second location for the Art of BBQ. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on Luli’s Cupcakes located on the west side of the street about three blocks north of Ripley’s Museum. Seriously. You will not regret it. The last Saturday of each month all the businesses on North San Marco stay open late for Uptown Saturday Night, which makes for a great time to visit!You don’t have to be Ponce de Leon to explore all the best that St. Augustine has to offer! Take a little trek off the beaten path and you might just stumble into something exciting. - OldCity.com

4th of July Weekend in St. Augustine

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:19:28 -0000

Action packed holiday weekend ahead for St. Augustine!From the First Friday Art Walk to the Oldest City’s Fireworks over the Matanzas Independence Day Celebration, St. Augustine is the place to be for family fun and excitement this weekend! We’ve put together a sample schedule of what you and your family might enjoy if you’re planning to visit St. Augustine for the 4th of July holiday weekend.- Friday Night: The festivities will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with live entertainment, refreshments and incredible art work at some of St. Augustine’s best galleries. Visit each open house on foot or hop on the free First Friday Art Walk Trolley. St. Augustine’s art community is one of the best and most talented, so be sure to catch as many openings and receptions as you can to view a variety of pieces from paintings to sculptures and more. After the art walk wraps up at 9:00 p.m. you can grab a late dinner, or just kick back to some great music at one of St. Augustine’s popular pubs.- Saturday: Hit the cobblestone streets early (before that sun gets everything so darned hot) to see St. Augustine’s historical attractions including the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the Oldest Wooden School House, and the Oldest House Museum. When it starts to get steamy outside grab some lunch and seek air conditioned shelter in the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum or Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! Museum. When the afternoon thunderstorms roll in you’ll know it’s time for your daily siesta.- Saturday Night: Get all dolled up for a night on the town at one of St. Augustine’s fine dining restaurants. From gator tail to sushi and empanadas to fried shrimp, you can find almost any type of cuisine in these city streets. After dinner, it’s time to find out what St. Augustine nightlife is all about. Find your drinking establishment of choice by listening out for the best music. The tinkling of piano keys or strum of guitar strings will tumble out of every open door from the piano bars to the pubs. If you’re looking for more family fun, check out one of St. Augustine’s spooky ghost tours.- Sunday: Take the kids on an educational adventure with a kayak journey through the quiet coastal habitat around Marineland. Explore areas that can only be reached by boat and see some of wildlife native to our area. After your kayaking trip, take a picnic lunch to the beach and spend the afternoon soaking up the sun (be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen!).- Sunday Night: You can’t visit the shores of the Atlantic without trying some seafood. Throw on your flip-flops and slide into one of the great restaurants along St. Augustine beach for crab legs, shrimp, scallops, fresh fish and conch fritters. If you’re feeling a little stuffed after the meal, take a nice moonlit stroll along the shore before bed.- Monday, 4th of July: Take advantage of the kids being worn out from their day at the beach and sleep in! Grab a late breakfast at one of the bakeries downtown before doing a little shopping. The Outlet Malls at Interstate 95 are a short 10 minute drive from historic downtown, perfect for some much needed retail therapy. Rest up in the afternoon before heading back downtown for a patriotic concert in the plaza at 6:00 p.m. Stake out your spot for the fireworks by 8:00 p.m., the show starts at 9:30 p.m.! (Note: The City of St. Augustine has banned all personal fireworks this year because of the high risk of wildfires in our area, keep it safe with flashlights and glow sticks, not even a sparkler will be allowed anywhere downtown).We hope to see you in town this weekend, but no matter where you are the Old City family wishes you a safe and happy 4th of July!- OldCity.com

Memorial Day Weekend in St. Augustine

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:37:17 -0000

Prepare for a perfect beach weekend in St. Augustine!St. Augustine’s 42 miles of pristine beaches will officially open this holiday weekend. That means lifeguards and tollbooths at all the main ramps along the beach will be in full operation from now until Labor Day. St. Augustine is one of the few places left in Florida where you can actually drive right onto the beach. But before you roll the family van out onto the sand, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:Watch the tides! Over the course of 12 hours, the water line will shift dramatically as the tides change. Unless you happen to have an amphibious vehicle, it’s advisable to park closer up to the sand dunes.Sand is soft! When the tide is all the way out, the sand closer to the water’s edge is nice and firm, well suited to driving. But the sand further up the shore that doesn’t get wet is very soft, leaving vehicles without four wheel drive susceptible to getting stuck. If you do find your vehicle stuck in the sand, the worst thing you can do is to keep spinning your wheels in the sand. Ask a lifeguard to help tow you out to firmer ground.Be careful! Driving on the beach is a luxury, but it comes with great responsibility. The driving lanes are between where most cars park and the main part of the beach, so people (children especially) often dart through the traffic to get down to the water line. Posted speed limit signs are strictly enforced, as well as seat belt laws.When you’re not relaxing at the beach this weekend, our calendar has a list of great events for you to check out as well including the St. Augustine Air Show, Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the Memorial Day concert in the plaza downtown. It’s going to be a packed weekend in the Nation’s Oldest City, we hope to see you there!- OldCity.com