Local Attractions

There are countless attractions and activities you will have the opportunity to enjoy when staying at a Palm Ventures home. When reading below you will notice that you will hardly have to leave the historic downtown or Anastasia Island area to book your vacation with classic and exciting Florida attractions and activities. The following are available to you on the days when you can manage to tear yourself away from lounging on the beach or by the pool (or big TV) at your Palm Ventures home.

World Golf Village

The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL just a few miles north of the historic district. The Village is also comprised of two championship courses: King and Bear and Slammer and Squire. Shops, restaurants, a luxurious spa, and an IMAX theater ensure that a trip to the Village is fun for everyone.

Castillo de San Marcos

Known casually around St. Augustine as “the fort,” the Castillo de San Marcos has dominated the St. Augustine skyline since its completion in 1695. It took 23 years for the Spanish to complete but merely the unfinished outer walls were intimidating enough to halt the pirate attacks that had ravaged the town for years.

The coquina with which it was fabricated absorbed cannon fire and never fell to an enemy attack. Come see the history written on the walls.  

Ripley’s Believe it or Not

Located in historic Castle Warden, a Flagler-Era home and one time hotel, the original Ripley’s Believe it or Not is located right here in St. Augustine, Florida. The exhibits from Robert Ripley’s personal collection celebrate the history of his travels, interests, and even the castle itself. This is a fun and fascinating attraction for the entire family. 

Marineland

Don’t miss the opportunity to swim with dolphins in Florida’s first amusement park. Located directly on the ocean, Marineland currently offers educating and exhilarating programs that allow you to pose with, play with, and swim with dolphins. You’ll even learn a few commands that the frisky dolphins may or may not follow.

Ghost Tours

A myriad of companies offer ghost tours through the old city. Each offers a completely different experience: from dramatic presentations to scientific ghost tracking with your own detection devices. Snap plenty of pictures and see if any floating orbs appear. Tour the historic graveyards and locations such as the oldest drug store (at one time also a funeral parlor) and pretend not to be scared.

Carriage Rides

A leisurely tour through the historic district is best taken by horse-drawn carriage. Beginning on the waterfront near the Castillo, the beautiful carriages can accommodate either one or two couples for a romantic after-dinner trot or the entire family for an informative tour given by your driver with plenty of opportunities to take photos of all of the most beautiful St. Augustine landmarks.

The Alligator Farm

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm was founded in 1893 and is both an exhilarating attraction and national historic site. The Alligator Farm currently boasts Albino gators, exotic birds and mammals, and even a 15 foot Saltwater Crocodile named Maximo. Located on Anastasia Island adjacent the entrance to beautiful Anastasia State Park, this is a Florida must-see.

San Sebastian Winery

St. Augustine is not without its bubbling nightlife complete with live music and even regional breweries and wineries such as the San Sebastian Winery in the historic district of St. Augustine. Take a complimentary tour complete with wine tasting between 10am and 6pm. The Cellar Upstairs is a wine and jazz bar with live music until 11pm on the roof of the winery. Enjoy appetizers and the gorgeous night air.

Boating/Kayaking

Boating and Kayaking are extremely popular up and down the coast of St. Augustine. From the beautiful bay front near the Castillo to the secluded mouth of the Matanzas inlet, a few miles south, you will see dozens of boats dropping anchor to enjoy the abundant fishing and views. Quick and easy access to the ocean through the Intracoastal provides opportunities for deep sea fishing, waterskiing, tubing, jet skiing, and more. Kayak up and down the Intracoastal to get up close and personal with local wildlife such as wading birds, turtles, and even dolphins.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

The beautiful black and white striped lighthouse was built in 1871 but was actually the third version of a St. Augustine lighthouse. The gorgeous lighthouse keeper’s home now serves as a museum and sits on secluded, wooded property ideal for picnics.
Climb the 219 steps for one of the most beautiful views of downtown St. Augustine, Anastasia Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Mini-Golf

Very near the Palm Ventures homes you can enjoy Fiesta Falls mini-golf on A1A: a beautiful flower-laden attraction that allows a view of the ocean as you ascend the course. There is even a historic mini-golf course right next to the Bridge of Lions that commands a view of the waterfront. This family-friendly standby has never been as beautiful as in St. Augustine.

Shopping

The famous pedestrian-only St. George Street is a shopping opportunity that cannot be passed up. Running the length of the historic district, from the Castillo and City Gates to the Plaza de la Constitucion, St. George Street has boutiques, cafés, and specialty shops to interest everyone. The entire historic district is peppered with shopping opportunities, so don’t limit yourself to St. George Street. For the savvy shoppers, St. Augustine is also home to several outlet malls on State Road 16, just north of the historic district.

Dining

Dining is amazing both in the historic downtown and on Anastasia Island, where the Palm Ventures properties are located. Authentic Spanish cuisine is available at many beautiful restaurants as is some of the best seafood in Florida. Restaurants on the beach near the St. Augustine pier offer everything from burgers to lobsters and more.

Disney/Universal (only 100 miles away)

Palm Ventures homes are situated in the perfect area of Florida to see several of the neighboring tourist attractions and still be able to return home in the evening. Orlando is roughly 100 miles away, allowing you to see Disney World or Universal Studios and return to your relaxing beach home.

Flagler College

The Ponce de Leon, the first Henry Flagler hotel, built in 1888, now houses Flagler College but is still open for tours. You’ll see the gorgeous courtyard and fountain and tour the magnificent rotunda and dining hall, complete with stained glass windows courtesy Louis Comfort Tiffany. The electricity was configured by Thomas Edison himself, so there are many historic and aesthetic reasons to tour the grand old hotel that first put St. Augustine on the tourist map.

Fort Matanzas

National Monument A Spanish watchtower was built at the mouth of the Matanzas Inlet in 1740-42 to help guard St. Augustine against invaders floating up from south of town. A shallow bay already protected the town from the North. The Spanish massacre of the French at this site in 1565 gave the Matanzas its name: Spanish for “slaughter.” Free ferry rides across the inlet to the watchtower are available every hour on the half hour between 9:30 and 4:30. A costumed guide will tell you all about the interesting history of the tower and the surrounding land. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and manatees.

And several others such as: Parasailing, Helicopter Tours, Potter’s Wax Museum, Fishing and Deep Sea Fishing, The Lightner Museum, Old St. Augustine Village, Trolley Tours, and much more.