{"id":28457,"date":"2018-12-17T14:29:09","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T19:29:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=28457"},"modified":"2023-02-02T12:36:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T17:36:17","slug":"a-broke-students-travel-guide-to-st-augustine-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/a-broke-students-travel-guide-to-st-augustine-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"A Broke Student\u2019s Travel Guide to St. Augustine, Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the average traveler visits Florida, it\u2019s usually to soak up the sun in one of the top three destinations: Miami, Orlando or Key West. But the real gem of this peninsula state lies in a Spanish-infused city called St. Augustine.<\/p>\n

St. Augustine is an exquisite place to visit for multiple reasons: its position on the Atlantic coast offers gorgeous beaches and plenty of sunshine, and its history as the oldest inhabited city in the United States brings a Spanish-style, European feel that no other American city can replicate.<\/p>\n

The next time you travel to Florida, consider putting this unique city on the top of your list. As a college student, St. Augustine allows you the opportunity to visit a place that feels wildly different than any other in the United States — and it\u2019s not even that expensive.<\/p>\n

Here are some budget and travel trips to help you along the way.<\/p>\n

Affordable housing <\/b><\/h2>\n

When booking a trip to St. Augustine, it\u2019s important to look into the most affordable housing options. Depending on what you\u2019re willing to spend, you can choose your lodging in a scenic space overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or the city\u2019s historic district, or you can chose to stay in one of the many vibrant neighborhoods that St. Augustine has to offer.  St. Augustine\u2019s historic district is located in the heart of the city and has some of the oldest buildings dating back to the 1700s.<\/p>\n

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Image: Meerakh [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>Here you\u2019ll find many hotels, bed and breakfasts, and tourist attractions — but it tends to get a little pricey. However, the city\u2019s only hostel — The Pirate Haus Hostel<\/b><\/a> — is located in this area of St. Augustine and typically offers pricing at around $20- $30 a night. To find the most economic options, I would also suggest comparing hotels and Airbnb\u2019s in multiple locations throughout the city.<\/p>\n

History and attractions<\/b><\/h2>\n

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Men\u00e9ndez de Avil\u00e9s, and the history and layout of the city cannot be stressed enough. There are plenty of gorgeous buildings and streets to peruse (for free) in order to get a feel for this unique and historic location.<\/p>\n

Here are a few must-see places:<\/p>\n

St. George Stree<\/b>t is located in the historic district, which, as mentioned before, is in the heart of the city and is comprised of some of the oldest buildings and architecture. Throughout the street you can find historic attractions — such as the Old City Gates<\/b> and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse<\/b> — dispersed amongst unique shops, boutiques and cafes. This section of the city also gives a glimpse into the hustle and bustle of the city\u2019s culture — St. George Street is populated at nearly every hour of the day, giving a glimpse into the people and culture of the city.<\/p>\n

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Old City Gates
Image: National Park Service<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
Image: User:Shreeg88 [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5], from Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>The cobblestone roads and coquina walls (the original rock used to construct protective forts in St. Augustine during the 16th century) of Aviles Street<\/b><\/a> will make you feel like you\u2019ve stepped into a European fairytale. Aviles Street is flooded with outdoor restaurants, shops and gorgeous scenery. It is also the original artist district of St. Augustine, and is home to a number of unique galleries and art studios.<\/p>\n

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The St. Augustine Bayfront<\/b> is the perfect place to walk along the water at anytime of day. Walking this path allows you to soak in the city\u2019s coastal feel without stepping fully onto St. Augustine\u2019s beaches, and you can always catch a picturesque view of sail boats and historic lighthouses.<\/p>\n

Flagler College<\/b><\/a> is one of the most stunning college campuses in the United States. This small liberal arts school boasts some of the most incredible Spanish-style architecture in the city, and its grandiose buildings are something every person visiting St. Augustine should see. Named after Henry Flagler — an important industrial figure for developing Florida\u2019s east coast — the college grounds offer the opportunity to see what it\u2019s like to be a student in this resort-like town. Simply walking along the college\u2019s campus is a great way to spend an awe-inspiring afternoon, at no cost at all. You can also take a tour of the ground floor of the building with its Tiffany windows, ornate murals and Spanish Renaissance architecture. Ticket price is $10 for adults (13-59 years).<\/p>\n