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Best Museums In St Augustine

Air Force Armament Museum Eglin Air Force Base

The Top 4 St Augustine Attractions For Your Next Vacation

Travelers with an interest in learning about military achievements and history are often dismayed to find out that many of the best military museums either require Department of Defense identification in order to gain access or have high prices for civilians to help cover upkeep costs. However, the Air Force Armament Museum in the Florida Panhandle is open to the general public every day and has no admission fee, making it highly accessible and adding to its status as one of the particularly cool museums in Florida. Guests will find informational placards next to most exhibits, giving detailed explanations of all the various aircraft and weapons. The halls hold planes, missiles, and artifacts from many of the United States most memorable wars, some dating back to the 1940s or before. Be sure not to miss the gun vault, where a long room holds display cabinets filled with guns both antique and modern and tells the history and most impressive characteristics of each weapon in detail. And the museum is still growing, with a new expansion projected to open in Spring of 2022 dedicated to the achievements of the Eglin Air Force Base and celebrating achievements of African Americans in the Air Force. With interactive activities, lots of educational opportunities, and over two million visitors so far, this museum is great for both hard-core military fans and those just interested in big, exciting machines.

Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island

A journey through time and space awaits you when you set foot on the Kennedy Space Center grounds. Upon first entering, youll see the centers iconic Rocket Garden, where remnants of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions stand tall and guests can take a tour or explore on their own. Partially indoors and partially outdoors, this two-campus Florida museum is located on the same property used for much of NASAs work in Florida and mere minutes from the launchpads and hangars used for spacecraft. In fact, a bus tour explains the different platforms and doors while taking visitors past the enormous machines and buildings that house these vessels and launch them into the universe. This tour also brings patrons to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, a second campus dedicated to moon missions. Here, guests can attend a show to relive the 1968 launch of Apollo 8 and walk among several of the giant crafts that took humanity into the heavens. The Kennedy Space Center is a great place for kids or adults to unleash their inner astronaut, with interactive games about colonizing Mars, astronaut training simulations, and peeks into the future of space travel.

Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

A museum dedicated to the Nations Oldest Port, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum allows visitors of all ages to learn about local and national preservation efforts and maritime archaeological research. The museum also features interactive exhibits where children can uncover clues from a shipwreck and explore the lighthouse tower. Children must be 44 or taller in order to climb the lighthouse children who do not meet this height requirement will receive free admission to the museum.

Hours: 9:00 am 6:00 pm Daily9:00 am 7:00 pm Summers and HolidaysClosed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas DayClosed During Inclement Weather

Free for Children Under 44 Tall

Recommended Reading: How Long To Visit Vatican Museum And Sistine Chapel

Orlando Museum Of Art Orlando

Something that makes the Orlando Museum of Art unique among the many art museums in Florida is its high number of temporary exhibitions, allowing the museum to showcase a wide range of artists and art movements. However, its expansive and well-rounded permanent collections are notable as well. The American Art collection dates from colonial times to the 1960s and accounts for a large facet of the museums educational programs. Its complemented well by the Art of the Ancient Americas collection, which is one of the most comprehensive collections on this theme in the US and which showcases over 900 creations by the peoples of many cultures who lived in North, Central, and South America for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The museums Contemporary Art collection is even bigger, swelled by the communitys involvement and interests and by many donations and contributions. With so much to see, youll spend hours exploring the halls of this gorgeous establishment.

Accord Civil Rights Museum

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The Accord Civil Rights Museum is in the Rudcarlee Building. The building was once by Dr. Rudolph N. Gordon, one of the first black dentists and maxillofacial surgeons in Florida. Not only was Dr. Gordon an influential figure in Black History in Florida, but his practice was the first medical office in St.Augustine to abolish racially segregated waiting rooms.

The building was named after the Gordon children, Rudolph , Carlotta , and Rosalie Rudcarlee.

Gordon died in 1959 and passed the building on to another dentist, Dr. Robert B. Hayling. Hayling was the leader of the local Civil Rights Movement, head of the St. Augustine chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, and an adult adviser to the St. Augustine NAACP Youth Council. He has been considered the father of the St. Augustine civil rights movement.

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the building was turned into the Accord Civil Rights Museum. It now features displays, articles, and artifacts that belonged to pioneers and heroes of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine. The Accord Civil Rights Museum opened in 2014 and has a marker on the ACCORD Freedom Trail.

Details: 79 Bridge Street, St. Augustine | Official Website

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The John And Mable Ringling Museum

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The John and Mable Ringling Museum is in Sarasota, about an hour south of Tampa. Its a large art museum and is the official art museum of Florida. Its one of the oldest in the state, opening in 1927 to showcase the legacy of John and Mable Ringling.

The Ringling Museum is one of the most culturally rich ones. It has the art museum on the property and the Circus Museum and Ca dZan. The art museum features collectibles that John and Mable acquired throughout their lives.

The Circus Museum needs to be on your list while on the property because its fascinating. Youll see original clown cars and costumes. Its a fun museum if youre not afraid of clowns.

Salvador Dal Museum St Petersburg

The Salvador Dalí Museum, or the Dalí, is instantly recognizable from the outside due to its distinctive appearance designed by famous architect Yann Weymouth. Mirrored windows make the museum appear covered in silver bubbles, a design that pays homage to the surrealist works of Salvador Dalí himself. A step inside the place certainly gives visitors the chance to view both Dalís most notable works and many lesser-known piecesover 2,400 of them! These include photographs, paintings, drawings on paper, book illustrations, and even sculpted objects and clothing designed by the artist. But thats not all this extensive art museum has to offer. The location hosts many traveling and temporary exhibits, too, including the work of local students, acknowledging young creative talent and giving budding artists a chance to show off their creativity. The museum has also recently implemented an augmented reality program that gives guests a chance to learn more about current installations and see them in a new way. As one of the more famous museums in the state, the Dalí continues to find ways to mix the past with the future.

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Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area

Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area

Looking for St. Augustine attractions that are a little closer to nature?

Check out the Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area.

Its relatively near to the center of St. Augustine but still offers stretches of natural landscape and hiking trails.

The Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area is a pretty good glimpse into what the city looked like before the arrival of the Spanish.

So if youre wondering what St. Augustine looked like centuries prior, the swamps, creeks, and green here will give you a great idea of that!

Address: 440 International Golf Pkwy, St. Augustine, FL 32095, United States

Visit Some Of The Best Museums In St Augustine Fl

St. Augustine (Florida) á? Things to do | Best Places to Visit | Top Tourist Attractions âï¸?

It should come as no surprise that a town with such a long and varied history would have such fantastic museums! Whether youre intrigued by St. Augustines past or are looking for a unique experience, you wont want to miss out on these attractions. Browse some of our favorite museums in St. Augustine, FL, and start planning your next getaway.

We have even more great suggestions for restaurants, historic sites, and museums in St. Augustine, FL, in our free Vacation Guide! Get trusted recommendations for fun things to do while staying at Agustin Inn!

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Pirate And Treasure Museum

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St. Augustine truly is the home of the pirate and thats why two of its pirate-themed attractions are in our top 10.

The Pirate and Treasure Museum isnt just one of the biggest collections of pirate artifacts in Florida but in the whole world.

It hosts 48 exhibit spaces full to bursting with fun and authentic remnants of pirate treasure and memorabilia.

Some of the most popular items on display at the Pirate and Treasure Museum are one of the only two genuine Jolly Roger flags left and some pieces of gold found in the Queen Annes Revenge, which was Blackbeards warship.

Blackbeards own blunderbuss is also on display.

You can also see the original treasure chest of Thomas Tew, which is the worlds only currently known genuine pirate chest.

As you explore the exhibits of this St. Augustine museum, youll learn about the pirate life and the history of the not-so-noble profession.

Treasure, weapons, art, writing, and life stories tell the tales of those who braved the sea in search of gold and fortune.

If you come with kids, be sure to ask the staff about the museums treasure hunt!

Address: 12 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

Castillo De San Marcos

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Castillo de San Marcos was built in the 17th century by the Spanish as a fort to protect trade routes.

Now, its a must-see historical site in St. Augustine, still standing strong on the shoreline of Florida.

But what makes it so loved as a St. Augustine staple is the fact that it is famous for being unbreakable.

The walls of the Castillo de San Marcos are covered with little holes left by attacks and bullets that failed to take the fort down over the years.

In 1702, it withstood a siege that rained down for two entire months.

The cannonballs used were simply absorbed into the stone, many remaining embedded in those walls now.

How is this possible?

Well, its due to their special construction of those walls something only discovered by material engineering scientists years later.

You see, the walls are made from a sedimentary rock known as coquina.

Coquina is formed from the left behind shells of dead marine creatures, allowing the material to shuffle itself around projectiles to absorb impact like foam instead of solid rock.

It can be pretty fun to visit Castillo de San Marcos.

Though it is no longer a protective structure, it can still give you beautiful Matanzas Bay panoramic views and a great glimpse at the city.

Its also included in a Junior Ranger Program as part of the United States National Park Service.

Address: 1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

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Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

Woolworths lunch counter on display at Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

The Lincolnville neighborhood was founded by free Black men and women in 1866 and was the first Black community in St. Augustine. It would come to figure prominently in the Civil Rights movement and today is a great place to learn more about the role the nations oldest city played in the movement.

The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center is located in the Excelsior School Building, the first public black high school in the county. After desegregation, the school was closed and went through a variety of tenants before its current iteration as a museum and cultural center. The exhibits here chronicle more than 450 years of African-American history in North Florida.

Walking through is both sobering and inspiring. Youll see the arrest record and restraints used on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was jailed in St. Augustine. Youll see the Woolworths counter where the St. Augustine Four held a sit-in and were arrested. Learn about the Splash Heard Around the World caused by an irate hotel owner pouring acid into an integrated swimming pool while swimmers were in the pool. Congress passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act the following day.

Details: 102 M.L. King Ave, St. Augustine | Official Website

The Ponce De Len Hotel

5 Best Places to Get a Taste of History in St. Augustine  Girl on the Go

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Ponce de León has already had quite an impact on St. Augustine, Florida.

It makes sense, then, that the Ponce de León Hotel is one of the citys many great places to go.

The location is undeniably luxurious, with exaggerated opulence that rests right in the middle of Flagler College.

The Ponce de León Hotel was built in 1888 by railroad tycoon and co-founder of Standard Oil Henry M. Flagler.

It was widely considered the richest and most regal hotel of its time and has an extra air of mystery thanks to many architectural details and secrets.

It is also intentionally built with minor flaws because Flagler wanted to avoid offending God by making the hotel too perfect!

Impressively, Flagler was friends with Thomas Edison, which meant that the Ponce de León Hotel actually had electricity from the very start!

Some bulb explosions due to the direct current used, though, forced Flagler to hire staff specifically for turning lights off or on.

When you enter the Ponce de León Hotel, you are immediately struck by its beauty.

Its courtyard has a huge fountain with carved turtles and frogs.

When viewed from above, youll see that the fountain is actually a sundial.

Passing through here, youll get to the rotunda, which is dazzling with its four elemental goddesses and four exploration stages demonstrated by female figures.

The ceiling is a work of art in itself in gold.

Chair arms are carved with cherubs and the windows are bulletproof.

Also Check: Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum

Castillo De San Marcos National Monument

Another of St. Augustines must-see tourist attractions is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which lies on the western shore of Matanzas Bay, right next to the Colonial Quarter. Built between 1672 and 1695 by the Spanish, the large limestone fort protected St. Augustine for centuries with its sturdy defenses now a very popular tourist attraction.

While it was attacked several times and besieged twice, the fort never fell to force, instead, it changed hands peacefully between Spain, the States, the British, and Confederacy six times in total.

As well as wandering along its ramparts and seeing its chapel and guard quarters, visitors can enjoy lovely views out over the bay and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

Exclusive Lens Room Tour

Visitors can indulge in a premium and personal tour behind the scenes of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum with special access to the Lens Room. Breakfast and drinks are served to participants as they experience the lighthouse in full operation, sending a stream of light across the coast of St. Augustine. 1 hr 30 min. 4 guests. $500 per person.

Recommended Reading: San Francisco Children’s Science Museum

Stay With Agustin Inn

After youve enjoyed the best museums in St. Augustine, return to a relaxing evening at Agustin Inn. We have a wonderful selection of charming guest rooms, each featuring fantastic amenities. In the morning, enjoy a delicious two-course, sit-down breakfast. Our menu is always designed to use fresh and local ingredients. We are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions simply let us know when you check in! Theres no better place to stay in St. Augustine, Florida.

Check our availability and book today! We look forward to having you.

Famous Museums In St Augustine

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The museums in St Augustine give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. If you are looking for something deeper and more meaningful, head to the museums in city. Explore the cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical side of St Augustine with these museums.We have curated a variety of the best and free museums in city, besides the usual arts or historical ones. Explore and engage yourself with the wonders of science at the museum of science in St Augustine. Get fascinated by the exceptional stories of heroes at war museums or memorials. You can go wow with your kids at the Natural history museums or enjoy some time at children’s museums in St Augustine.Check out this list for an entertaining and enlightening trip to the museums in St Augustine.

Let’s explore the finest collection of museums in St Augustine:

  • 4.7

    Art And Culture, Museum, Architecture , University

    Juan Ponce de Leon, first governor of Puerto Rico set sail on an exploratory trip in search of the Bimini, a land with mystical waters. During the sixteenth century the indigenous people of the Caribbean believed the water had restorative powers in this mythical land. On his search for the fountain of youth, Juan Ponce De Leon found Florida. Saint Augustin, Floridas oldest city became th…Read more

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    Old Spanish Trail Zero Milestone

    Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock

    The Old Spanish Trail Zero Milestone is a rather interesting mark on the very end of the auto highway of the Old Spanish Trail in St. Augustine, Florida.

    Once upon a time, this road linked San Diego to St. Augustine.

    It was built in the early 20th century to link the south to the southwest, with efforts starting in 1915 and completing in 1929.

    The nameOld Spanish Trail is a simple tribute to the Spanish missions and heritage that both the southwest and south share.

    It now reaches a dead end, but getting to that dead-end is a must-do for hikers and adventurers who want to best hidden gem spots to tick of their bucket list.

    The market for the Old Spanish Trail Zero Milestone is made from coquina shells and yes, they are the coquina that broke down over time to make first and buildings almost indestructible.

    The monument is spherical and is partially obscured by underbrush, but if you look for it, youll spot the fun little tribute in no time.

    Address: Old Spanish Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

    If you have more time, check out some best things to do in Key West and if you want more thrill, heres what to do in Fort Lauderdale! If youre in Miami, dont forget to check out some of the fun things to do in Miami!

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