Welcome to Flagler Beach Attractions!
There are a lot
of fun things to do in and around Flagler Beach no matter what your
age. The A1A Ocean Shore Scenic Highway runs through Flagler Beach
for some of the most picturesque views on the east coast of Florida.
The Flagler Beach Pier and the winding boardwalk of Flagship Harbor
offer a great place to relax amidst beautiful natural settings. Nearby
Daytona Beach boasts attractions from the city's fabulous boardwalk
to the Daytona International Speedway, home to the famed Daytona 500.
And to the north, St. Augustine offers a wealth of museums, wildlife
showcases, and magnificent pieces of history. Let onlinehotels.com
show you some of our favorite places to stay and to play.
Castillo
de San Marcos
The
Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, served primarily as an
outpost of the Spanish Empire, guarding St. Augustine, the first
permanent European settlement in the continental United States.
The Castillo was made a National Monument in 1924 and became part
of the National Park system in 1933. The park consists of the original
historic Castillo fortress itself with its attendant grounds, some
25 total acres. Each room or casemate within the fort focuses on
a different theme or time period of the Castillo de San Marcos such
as "The building of the Castillo", "Battles",
"Artillery", and "Native Americans". Additionally,
some rooms have been furnished to represent a Spanish barracks,
British barracks, and storeroom. Various Spanish iron and bronze
artillery pieces are exhibited on the gundeck or terreplein (roof).
Fort Matanzas
Throughout
its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwinedwith that of the city of St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos.
This Spanish outpost fort was built to guard the Matanzas Inlet
and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching
from the south. The fort represents a very well-preserved masonry
watchtower fort built by the Spanish from 1740 to 1742. The tall
tower provided a perch to observe vessels approaching St. Augustine
from the south, and the cannon blocked potential enemy advancements
up the Matanzas River, the backdoor to St. Augustine. Fort Matanzas
now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the New
World.
The Lightner Museum
Relics
of America's Gilded Age are elegantly exhibited on the museum's
three floors. Costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments
and other artifacts give you a glimpse into 19th century daily life.
The Lightner collection includes beautiful examples of cut glass,
Victorian art glass and the stained glass work of Louis Comfort
Tiffany.
Family Fun Factory
Get
your motor running, head out on the highway. If you're looking for
adventure, Family Fun Factory has your ticket for fun! Enjoy over
80 games including pin-ball, bowling and air-hockey. Visit our gator
feeding pond or test your putting expertise on a challenging 18-hole
miniature golf course. Seven batting cages will get you in the swing
of things. OR for exciting racing action, ride our Go-Karts or Dune-Buggies.
Younger kids can join in the fun and drive one of our Kiddie-Karts.
Test your racing skills with our super dragsters that will take
you from 0-75 in 3 seconds!
Ghost Tours of St. Augustine
A Ghostly Experience is a leisurely 1 1/2 hour walk through the
historic district, stopping at several locations along the way to
tell our tales of legends, lore, and ghostly experiences. We begin
across from the Old School House on St. George Street at 8pm every
night. Memorial Day through Labor Day we do an additional tour at
9:30 from the same location. We also offer the Haunted Lighthouse
Tour every Friday night at 8:00 starting in front of the Lightkeeper's
House. You may look forward to a frightfully good time!
Marineland of Florida
Marineland
of Florida is the Grandaddy of the aquarium-themed attractions,
founded way back in 1937 as Marine Studios -- an innovative center
for nature film production. Their system of using fresh seawater
filtered through beach sand not only provided clear water for photography,
but kept the fish in top condition as well. Today, Marineland offers
their trademark dolphin shows, as well as the original big reef
tank. A new program allowing visitors to interact with dolphins
is attracting thousands.
Old Florida Museum
At
St. Augustine's only "Hands-On" history museum you can
write with a quill pen, use an old corn mill, pump water with a
pitcher pump, try your hand at roping at the lasso station, use
colonial pump drills, play Native American games, work on a dug
out canoe and much more! Rare breed animals live on site year round.
Specialized programs available for school groups and adults group
tours.
Old St. Augustine Village
Replete
with original houses and ancient archaeological sites, Old St. Augustine
Village is one of America's most historically rich places.
This area of the walled colonial city represents the general location
of the 1565 settlement of St. Augustine, a city that was founded
decades before the colonies of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 and Plymouth
Plantation in 1620, and one that has been continuously occupied
since the 16th century. The Village's 10 houses, courtyards
and gardens form an entire city block in St. Augustine's oldest
historic district. Among the structures are rare Spanish Colonial
period and Territorial period houses as well as stately Victorian
era homes.
Potter's Wax Museum
Explore St. Augustine's Wax Museum featuring over 150 wax figures
including authors, artists, celebrities, inventors, scientists and
explorers from the Founding Fathers to recent events. It's a chance
to learn about world history face-to-face with those who lived it.
Featuring a 12 minute theater show challenging every age group to
strive for greatness! Group tours are always welcome with special
rates available to groups of 10 or more. Potter's Wax Museum is
a unique educational experience guaranteed to unlock your imagination.
Ripley's Believe It or Not
The
original museum, since 1950, offers hours of fun for all ages. Experience
the thrill and adventure while exploring three floors of reality-based
interactive exhibits. Ripley's is located in the Castle Warden,
a beautifully restored landmark built in 1887. Laugh one moment
and gasp the next! You'll be amazed and wonder why! Where sometimes
truth is stranger than fiction. See the unusual, the unorthodox,
and exotic collected from the far corners of the world by Robert
Ripley.
The San Sebastian Winery
The
San Sebastian Winery opened in St. Augustine in December of 1996
and has been producing exceptional award winning wines ever since.
Currently with twelve different varieties ranging from dry to sweet,
red and white including a Port, a Cream Sherry and one Sparkling
wine. Each wine is unique to itself, and there will certainly be
one or more your liking. The Winery offers free tours and wine tasting
seven days a week and you are sure to learn a little about wine
while you're there. The relaxed atmosphere and wonderful wineshop
will definately please every palate.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
St.
Augustine's and Florida's oldest continuously operating attraction,
the St. Augustine Alligator Farm celebrated its centennial anniversary
on May 20, 1993, with the grand opening of "Land of Crocodiles",
a major exhibit featuring all 23 species of crocodilians from around
the world. The Alligator Farm is the only place in the world where
a complete collection can be viewed. In a century of operation,
the Alligator Farm has played a major role in the growth of Florida's
tourist industry, which dominates the state economy.
St. Augustine Historical Society
In
St. Augustine's oldest residential neighborhood is the St. Augustine
Historical Society and its Oldest House Museum Complex. The Gonzalez-Alvarez
"Oldest" House is the area's oldest surviving Spanish
Colonial house. The complex includes two other museums including
the only exhibit in St. Augustine covering 400 years of St. Augustine's
history; a gallery with rotating exhibits, picnic areas, and the
Museum Store carrying unique items and books relating to the history
of the area.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum
Take the challenge of climbing 219 steps to the top of the tower
for a breathtaking and panoramic view of St. Augustine and the beaches.
Learn more about St. Augustine's rich maritime past through interactive
exhibits and hands-on activities. Explore the lives of the keepers
and their families in the museum in the restored keepers' house.
Browse the museum store and take home a unique lighthouse or maritime
souvenir.
Old Town Trolley Tours
Visit St. Augustine Old Jail Complex and climb aboard a green and
white turn-of-the-century trolley. Let the sands of time slip by
as your St. Augustine Trolley winds slowly the narrow streets of
Old St. Augustine. The completely narrated seven mile tour, given
by our licensed guide, will acquaint you with the Nation's Oldest
City from the landing of Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, establishing
America's first permanent European settlement, to our present day.
St. Augustine Sightseeing Train
It's
the Way to See St. Augustine! Our tours operate every day except
Christmas from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The 7-mile narrated tour of the
city takes a minimum of one hour. During the tour, the train stops
throughout the city at attractions, historical sites, restaurants,
and shopping. Your train ticket allows you to step off and reboard
the train at your leisure for up to 3 consecutive days.
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