St. Augustine Florida Travel Guide

For guests of Florida golf resorts who are fans of history and pubs, the St. Augustine Pub crawl is the perfect way to spend an evening. The tour is guided by local historians who take you to local several pubs near many Florida golf resorts, including The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. You’ll get a chance learn a bit of history about each pub, as well as some information about the area where the pub is located. And each stop allows guests of Florida golf resorts the chance to enjoy a beer or soda, which is included in the ticket price.

Guests of Florida golf resorts should arrive a little before 5pm on crawl nights and wear comfortable shoes. The tour starts right on time, so arriving early gives you a chance to meet fellow crawlers from other Florida golf resorts. The pub crawl begins at Ann O’Malley’s Pub, the first of five stops, and takes you through the old streets of the city.

On this amazing tour, guests of Florida golf resorts will learn about the culture and “pub lore” of the city on their walk through time and tradition at each pub. The historical walking tour leads visitors from Florida golf resorts through five of St. Augustine’s most authentic pubs and taverns.

These tours are an amazing way for visitors from Florida golf resorts to start the night, but because of the nature of the tour, children and younger adults should refrain from joining the tour. Also, crawlers and visitors of Florida golf resorts are advised to bring umbrellas, in case of rain, because the tours run in rain or shine. So while you’re visiting one of the area’s fabulous Florida golf resorts, be sure to crawl on down to the St. Augustine Pub Crawl and experience the history of St. Augustine like never before.

The Limelight Theater, considered a crown jewel of the St. Augustine arts scene, has been a key stop for St. Augustine hotel guests looking for a little more culture on their vacations. Guests of the St. Augustine hotels, such as The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, have been enjoying classic performances at the theater since 1992, when it opened at the Monson Bayfront Inn.

For several years, visitors from St. Augustine hotels watched the theater group perform in various locations, including churches, colleges, and many other local venues. Then, in 2001, local residents and guests of St. Augustine hotels were thrilled when the theater, now a non-profit organization, announced its move to its current and permanent home on Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. The theater was renovated in 2006, and now has seating for 125 St. Augustine hotel guests and local patrons.

Today, only 53% of the theater’s income comes from ticket sales, with some sales coming from guests of local St. Augustine hotels – the rest from donations and personal contributions made by the local community. The Limelight Theater staff is highly educated, with years of experience offering patrons and guests of St. Augustine hotels an amazing experience on every visit.

To date, visitors from St. Augustine hotels have enjoyed the theater’s 100-plus productions. With plays varying from comedies to dramas, emotional tearjerkers to cult classics and classical musicals, there are performances fit for everyone staying at St. Augustine hotels. Next time you’re visiting one of the great St. Augustine hotels, make sure to grab a little bit of culture at the Limelight Theater.

For guests of Florida golf resorts like The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, when it’s time for a break from the course, consider taking an adventurous eco-tour. Guests of Florida golf resorts can spend the day taking guided boat or kayak tours on the beautiful inland waters surrounding historic St. Augustine.

Whether visitors from Florida golf resorts choose to take a boat tour or would rather do the paddling themselves in a kayak, one thing is certain: you’ll see an amazing variety of wildlife and beautiful views of St. Augustine. Not only are the eco-tours fun for guests of Florida golf resorts, but the guides – who are certified naturalists – are also dedicated to the protection and preservation of the environment.

When guests of Florida golf resorts choose to take an eco-tour around St. Augustine, they can expect to see many different animals and water creatures. There are beautiful varieties of birds to watch, a local population of friendly bottlenose dolphins, and many critters who live in the marshlands. There are also occasional sightings of manatees and sea turtles, making for some excellent photo ops for guests of Florida golf resorts.

For guests of Florida golf resorts who would like more information about eco-tours in St. Augustine, stop by the front desk at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

In Jacksonville, Florida, visitors from St. Augustine hotels can experience the unique Beaches Museum & History Center. Operated by the Beaches Area Historical Society, this museum opened its doors to the public in 2006, offering guests of St. Augustine hotels a look into the history and heritage of Florida’s First Coast beach communities.

When the BAHS was founded in 1978, it was originally intended to be a research facility and repository for historic photographs. However, by 1996, many local citizens had donated items from their family histories, so a small museum was created. In 2001, a large campaign to raise funding was initiated, leading to the construction of the museum that is today enjoyed by visitors from St. Augustine hotels as well as many others.

At the current Beaches Museum & History Center, guests of St. Augustine hotels can see many historical items that date back to early 1900s Florida. Visitors from St. Augustine hotels will see things such as a railroad foreman’s house, a 1903 post office, and a 28-ton steam engine constructed in 1911. The exhibits are interactive and educational, providing guests of St. Augustine hotels with firsthand accounts of the events that helped shape Florida into what it is today.

In addition to the exhibits, guests of St. Augustine hotels can participate in educational programs. There are group tours available, as well as a picnic area at the Pablo Historical Park for guests of St. Augustine hotels who would like to have lunch during their visit. For more information on visiting the Beaches Museum & History Center, visit your concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

For visitors of St. Augustine Florida golf resorts looking for something to do off the course, carve out some time to visit the always-entertaining Potter’s Wax Museum. Located near St. Augustine Florida golf resorts, the museum is open every day and offers unbeatable low admission prices.

Guests of Florida golf resorts will enjoy browsing through the museum where there over 160 very life-like wax figures. The characters in the museum truly run the gamut, entertaining visitors from Florida golf resorts with real and fictional people, including artists, authors, explorers, Hollywood celebrities – even a “Chamber of Horrors.”

Visitors from Florida golf resorts can tour the museum at their leisure. Each display is accompanied by historical information, so guests of Florida golf resorts can read about each character and learn some facts. The museum also features the only public working wax studio, so visitors from Florida golf resorts can see how the figures are created—a process that can take several months a piece!

The Potter’s Wax Museum is reported to be the very first of its kind in the country. It was created in 1949 by George Potter and continues to be a popular attraction today. Before leaving the museum, visitors from Florida golf resorts can stop by for a presentation in the movie theater, and then browse the gift shop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir. For more information on ticket prices and times, see the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village St. Augustine hotel.

At the Lightner Museum, visitors to St. Augustine hotels will find themselves transported back in time to the 19th century, America’s Gilded Age. The museum is located in the former St. Augustine Hotel Alcazar and features a collection of costumes, furnishings and other artifacts that provide a glimpse into what life was like in that era.

Visitors from St. Augustine hotels will be immediately impressed upon entering the Lightner Museum. The lobby was recently renovated, bringing back to life the original beauty of Hotel Alcazar. Once inside, visitors of St. Augustine hotels will enjoy browsing through three levels of elegant displays. On the first level, guests of St. Augustine hotels will stroll through a Victorian village, with shop fronts, a science and industry room, beautiful examples of blown glass, and a music room.

On the second level, visitors from St. Augustine hotels will be immersed in a sparkling world of cut and stained glass. Here is where guests from St. Augustine hotels will see examples from the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, famed for his glasswork. Finally, on the third level of the museum, visitors staying in St. Augustine hotels will find displays featuring paintings, sculptures and furnishings dating back to the early 1800s.

Before leaving the museum, guests of St. Augustine hotels should stop by the museum store, where there are plenty of mementos to take home. St. Augustine hotel visitors can select from a variety of eclectic jewelry, books, ornaments, antique reproductions, games and much more. For more information on visiting the Lightner Museum, be sure to see the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village St. Augustine hotel.

St. Augustine may not be known as a wine town, but at the San Sebastian Winery, guests of Florida golf resorts will be impressed with the local libations. Some scholars even say that this was the birthplace of American wines. The Winery is located just a few blocks from historic downtown St. Augustine, making it easy for visitors from Florida golf resorts to find.

The San Sebastian Winery will have something to please anyone from Florida golf resorts. They are known for premium wines, including table varieties, sparkling, and dessert wines. Complimentary tours and wine tastings are held seven days a week, allowing guests from Florida golf resorts to see how the wine is made, and taste the fruits of San Sebastian’s labor. Guests can enjoy the award-winning wines – the winery has won over 300 awards so far. Florida golf resort guests may be interested to know that the winery produces 80,000 cases of wine per year, for a total of over 960,000 bottles.

In addition to touring the facility and tasting the wines, guests from Florida golf resorts can head up to “The Cellar Upstairs,” a roof-top outdoor wine, jazz, and blues bar. Florida golf resort visitors can visit this local favorite spot on the weekends to hear live music from local and regional bands. Of course, no live music experience is complete without a glass of San Sebastian wine and some appetizers. There is also a banquet facility onsite, perfect for Florida golf resort visitors looking for a special place to hold an event.

Find out more by speaking to the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, a fine St. Augustine hotel.

There’s no shortage of entertainment options for guests staying in St. Augustine hotels. The country’s oldest city is also home to the original Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, a fun place for the whole family to visit. The museum concept was created by Robert Ripley in the first half of the 20th century, leaving many guests from St. Augustine hotels wondering if what they see is real…or not!

Ripley’s is located near many St. Augustine hotels, including The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, and is situated in the Castle Warden, a historic mansion that was built in 1887. Guests of St. Augustine hotels may not realize that this was originally the winter home of a millionaire. Since 1950, however, Ripley’s museum has been a permanent fixture in the space.

Ripley’s museums are known for their unusual and unorthodox displays. At this location, visitors from St. Augustine hotels will not be disappointed with what they find. There are more than 800 exhibits at the St. Augustine Ripley’s. You may see an actual Haitian voodoo doll or a pencil with letters carved in it by a chainsaw. St. Augustine hotel guests may also want to step outside to see a replica of Michelangelo’s “David” statue, supposedly one of only two exact replicas in the world.

There are many more oddities for visitors from St. Augustine hotels to see, but you might not believe it! For more information, stop by the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, a fine St. Augustine hotel.

Visitors staying at Florida golf resorts may want to take a break from the links from time to time. One interesting attraction that makes for a fun afternoon is the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, located just a short drive from The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

The mission of the museum is to the preserve maritime history of Jacksonville. Visitors from Florida golf resorts will enjoy viewing the books, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of Jacksonville’s maritime heritage.

The Jacksonville’s maritime history dates back to the 16th century, when the French occupied the First Coast. Guests of Florida golf resorts can see historical artifacts and information from then until today, where Jacksonville continues to be recognized as a military hub with two prominent U.S. Navy bases.

The museum is located on the beautiful St. John’s River. Admission is free for all visitors, including those from Florida golf resorts. However, the museum is run by volunteers, so donations are happily accepted. The facility is supported by the Jacksonville Maritime Museum Society, Inc., a non-profit group that aims to educate visitors from Florida golf resorts. The society’s purpose is to create a positive and memorable experience for children of all ages.

For more information, check with the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

Just a short drive from St. Augustine, the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is a great way for those staying in St. Augustine hotels to spend a day. Located in the center of Jacksonville, the zoo features the only walking safari in Northwest Florida. Visitors from St. Augustine hotels can enjoy educational activities, as well as an opportunity to interact with the wildlife throughout the zoo.

The Jacksonville Zoo is a popular attraction among visitors from St. Augustine hotels because of its 1,500 rare and exotic animals, and more than 1,000 varieties of tropical plants. There are many things for families staying in St. Augustine hotels to do during their visit. Many guests enjoy the River Valley Aviary, a three-story enclosure that houses over 70 exotic African birds. Birds in the exhibit include kingfishers, yellow-billed storks and parrots.

Next, visitors from St. Augustine hotels may want to walk through the Great Apes of the World exhibit, where you’ll enjoy seeing gorillas, baboons, lemurs, and pygmy marmosets. Then, head into the Range of the Jaguar exhibit to see jaguars, giant river otters, anteaters, birds, and various reptiles. Kids visiting from St. Augustine hotels will also enjoy the petting zoo where they can feed goats and other domestic animals.

One of the zoo’s most popular stops is the Giraffe Overlook. Here, visitors of St. Augustine hotels can get eye to eye with the amazing giraffes. Finally, before the day is through, be sure to check out the Play Park and Splash Ground, where families from St. Augustine hotels can play in the 4,000-square-foot splash ground, a water playground where everyone can climb, play, and swim in the Florida sun. The Splash ground will reopen in the spring of 2009.

For more information, check with the concierge at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.