A Weekend in St Augustine, Florida

Amphitheatre Farmers Market - Only runs on Saturday mornings, so make sure you plan for this one. The market is medium-sized, vibrant and full of local fresh produce, bread, plants, soaps and skincare, and of course, food trucks (always a winner!). Entry is FREE. Parking is tough, so try to go early to beat the crowds. The Free Rangers band was playing live music. They provided a great vibe and it was a lively spot to sit and eat.

The Lighthouse and Maritime Museum - We were pleasantly surprised to receive free entry with military tickets, saving us $45. Score! The lighthouse was constructed in 1871 - over 145 years ago… how exciting to walk into this piece of history.

We went into the light house not fully realizing how HAUNTED this place is; if I’d have known then I definitely would have paid more attention to where I was pointing my camera! Either way, the lighthouse is very photogenic. The 219 steps up are brutal, but there are plenty of rest points on the way up. At the top, we were able to stand on the outside platform and take in the scenic views of St Augustine's city and its beaches. The fresh air and scenery was wonderful.

Castillo de San Marcos - We again lucked out and received complimentary military entrance tickets to this attraction. Parking is directly outside the front entrance to the fort. Parking does get hectic as it seems to be the cheaper option ($2.50 per hour), so many people park here and walk into the town as it is a very central location. The fort has a rich history, dating back to the 1500s and has never fallen in battle. Its walls are constructed of a mixture of shells and other minerals that are very interesting to look at. We discovered that its moat was dry and never contained alligators, though seems like a missed opportunity! Watching the Spanish soldiers firing the cannon was a highlight. I was extra happy to return here in the evening during our ghost tour and see the fort in a different light.

The Old Jail Tour - The Old Jail tour was the highlight of my trip to St Augustine. We didn't receive any military discount on this attraction and paid $45 for two adults & one child. But it was absolutely worth every penny! We were met outside the front doors by our tour guide - Cornelius Shackle-less - he was a prisoner from the early 1900s. He never broke character and gave an exceptional tour! He interacted so well with our ten-year-old. During the tour, we got to see all the jail cells and jail kitchen as we were told gruesome tales from years ago. If you are interested, the kitchen is the most haunted part of the jail. That's where many women died in the grueling heat of the kitchen during the hot Florida summers.

Make sure you snap photos during each room tour. Don't wait! The tour moves fast, and once the group moves upstairs, the opportunity to return and snap more pictures is lost.

A Ghostly Encounter Ghost Tour - A trip to the oldest city in the United States would not be complete without a ghost tour. We snapped up the opportunity and booked our tickets in advance because we read that tickets go fast! We paid $58 for two adults and one child. The tour lasted just shy of two hours and was very interesting. Madame Jennifer was our guide. She was an excellent storyteller and gave us glances of the ghosts she had caught on her camera at the spots she took us to. It really made the experience one of a kind! The tour took us to some notable places in the Old Town, so we got to tour them in a different light. The stops at Castillo de San Marco and the Old City Gates were especially scary!

Sunrise at St Augustine Beach - Don't miss the incredible Florida sunrise while you are here! Free parking is available at the pier (St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier) and you can watch the sunrise on the pier if you want amazing photographs. This seemed to be the local spot for sunrise watching as others were waiting for the event to happen and the energy was uplifting.

As a vegan, vegetarian family and a self-proclaimed foodie, it is important for me to scope out the best food spots that cater to our needs. For me, this is always one of the highlights of planning any trip! Listed here are some of the top food spots we found in St Augustine:

St Augustine Market

Florida Pierogi Company - we ate Ukrainian Sauerkraut and mushroom Pierogies. Three pieces cost $8, so a little on the expensive side for a market stall, but they tasted amazing!

Mex Upscale - Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito filled with potatoes and cheese for $8. I wasn't able to try this one (because of dairy cheese), but it was highly rated by my family and they stated it was filling and delicious.

Old Town

Burrito Works - A really authentic Mexican joint on St George St. The vibe inside is bustling and artsy. The art is bright and interesting and it's just a really quick, easy spot to dive in for lunch. The tacos taste authentic and the tables provide lots of different hot sauces for those who are brave enough!

St Augustine Beach area

Mellow Mushroom - This restaurant is now a firm favorite of ours. I really love the vegan options in this place and the fact that I could enjoy a pizza with vegan cheese outside my home! The ingredients were fresh and the restaurant's ambiance was artsy. We had a lovely meal here and would return in a heartbeat.

Big Island Bowls - Situated in a small food truck garden, Big Island Bowls is a food truck that offers a mixture of smoothie bowls, poke bowls and burritos. We stopped by for breakfast and sat in the little hippie-style garden with its swinging chairs and giant tulip ornaments. It was a beautiful spot to relax. The food was delicious and the prices were fair. Would 100% recommend this place to anyone staying in St Augustine!