Nights of Lights in St Augustine

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It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit. I know, I know that it’s not even Halloween but if you are considering coming to St Augustine to enjoy one of the best Christmas light displays in the US you need to plan ahead.

You made it. now what? This will depend on how you would like to experience Nights of Lights. From Land, you could join a trolley ride, golf cart tour (shared or private), or simply walk the city at your pace. From sea (my favorite), you can join a cruise on the Victory III, a 100-passenger vessel departing from downtown at the St Augustine Municipal Marina or you could board a smaller pontoon boat ride from the Vilano fishing pier for a more intimate experience. Your third option would be combining both and taking advantage of a land and sea package for your group so you don’t miss a thing. You will not regret it.

Whatever your choice, planning ahead is key, and definitely planning or arriving early.

As you can expect, one of the 10 best places in the world (yes the world!) can attract large crowds. Traffic will move slowly and knowing where to park is critical to your enjoyment.

Places to park:

The St Augustine Parking  Garage may be your best choice. It is right downtown but do keep in mind that it fills up and traffic in and out may be an issue. Cost: about $15 per car

For Nights of Lights, the city offers remote parking with a shuttle service from 8:00 until 11:00 pm. These are located at the St Johns County Health Department parking lot and at 301 San Marco Avenue. Cost: Free

in addition there is off-the-street parking throughout. Anywhere on Rt 1 may be a good choice to avoid unnecessary traffic.

Update 2020!

This year (2020) the celebration starts on November 14th and will run until January 31st.

Unlike previous years, This year, there will be no remote parking available so please plan ahead and come to the city early.

Luis and Anes

St. Augustine Land and Sea Tours was created by husband and wife team Anes and Luis of city of St. Augustine with certified tour guides in order to offer a more complete visit to the Oldest City to both English...

Luis and Anes Full Bio
Duration
1 hour
Group Size
6 to 32

Dolphin Eco History Tour

Embark on a captivating journey through time and nature on a History and Dolphin Watch Boat Tour in St. Augustine, Florida. Set sail along the picturesque waters of the Matanzas Bay, where the city's rich history comes to life as you glide past centuries-old landmarks such as the Castillo de San Marcos and the historic bayfront. Knowledgeable guides will regale you with tales of St. Augustine's Spanish colonial past, pirate legends, and maritime history, all while keeping a keen eye on the waters for playful dolphins that often frolic in these pristine waters. This tour offers a perfect blend of educational insights and enchanting encounters with nature, making it a must-do experience for visitors of all ages.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
Up to 10

St. Augustine Boat and Golf Cart Tour

Great shared tour to enjoy St Augustine from land and sea. Combines a boat tour with a golf cart tour of St Augustine. We are now providing transportation from local area hotels. Call us to inquire.

The perfect way to experience St Augustine for those that would like to keep walking to a minimum. This tour combines a 1:15 large body of water minutes narrated boat tour of Matanzas harbor with magnificent views of the city with a one hour narrated golf cart tour for you to get up close to all the amazing landmarks the oldest city has to offer with live commentary from your city certified tour guide/driver. a blue bus parked in front of a palm treeIncludes complimentary bottled water or soda. This is a shared tour. To choose a private activity, select our Private Boat and Golf Cart Tour just for your group.

On the boat choose between the open top deck or the lower covered deck and then feel the breeze under the covered canopy of the limo golf cart. During the land portion of the tour, you will pass by the Plaza de la Constitucion, Castillo dea statue in a park with Lightner Museum in the background San Marcos, Former Hotel Ponce de Leon, and Alcazar and Casa Monica hotels. Then you will visit the Mision Nombre de Dios site, the Fountain of Youth among others. Depending on the departure time chosen, a small boat in a body of watera train traveling down tracks next to a treeyour tour may start with the golf cart or the boat.

Duration
1 hour
Group Size
Up to 10

St. Augustine Shared Golf Cart Tour

Visit the entire city of St Augustine on a Golf Cart! The perfect way to experience St Augustine for those that would like to keep walking to a minimum. The one hour narrated golf cart tour allows you to get up close to all the amazing landmarks the oldest city has to offer with live commentary from your city certified tour guide/driver.

You will board your golf cart at the Plaza de la Constitucion. After a short introduction, your tour will proceed by the waterfront with maginifecnt views of the Matanzas Harbor and the Bridge of Lions. The tour will pass in front of the Castillo de San Marcos on its way to The Mision Nombre de Dios site where the city founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, first arrived. You will then drive by Fountain of Youth, Magnolia Street and the Old Jail site.

Once downtown, your tour will pass by the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, Alcazar and Casa Monica hotels and then by the Governors House and down Aviles Street (Oldest Street in the US). You will be in the oldest part of town where you will be able to observe examples of Spanish and British colonial architecture.

Before returning to the Plaza, you will drive by the Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church and the outside of the Hotel Ponce de Leon where the largest collection of in use Louis Comfort Tiffany-stained glass windows collection may be observed.

We are now providing transportation from local area hotels. Call us to inquire.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
At least 4

Private St Augustine Boat and Walking Tour

The Most Complete Tour Of St Augustine From Land To Water! Experience St. Augustine combining a walking tour and narrated boat tour of the US oldest city. Includes a visit to the most important landmarks through three historic periods: Discovery and Conquest, Spanish and British periods, the Flagler era. During this 2.5 hour tour, you will get a broad perspective of the importance of St. Augustine in our history.

Narrated boat tour aboard the Victory III, in the Matanzas Bay followed by a walking tour of downtown St Augustine including a visit to Flagler College formerly the Ponce de Leon Hotel and Hotel Alcazar nowadays the Lightner museum. Capture unique pictures of Castillo de San Marcos, The St Augustine Lighthouse, bridge of Lions and other important sites.