Secrets of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Tour

Imagine wandering through a city famous for its charm and centuries-old architecture, but instead of just the usual history, you get to hear little secrets, myths, and lesser-known tales that most visitors miss. That’s exactly what the Secrets of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Tour offers. This isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill sightseeing stroll; it’s an intimate, eye-opening journey that aims to reveal the hidden layers beneath the city’s surface.

We love how this tour promises a personalized experience, limited to just 12 people, ensuring that you’re not just another face in the crowd. The focus on secrets, myths, and stories, rather than plain history, makes it stand out. And at just $30 per person, it’s a surprisingly good value considering the depth of local knowledge you’ll gain. The only caveat? Because it’s a walking tour, it requires a moderate level of physical activity, and you should be prepared for about an hour and a half of exploring.

This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts, curious visitors eager to explore beyond the typical sites, or anyone interested in local stories, architecture, and secrets. If you enjoy engaging guides who can answer questions and tweak the experience on the fly, this tour will likely be a highlight of your visit to Saint Augustine.

Key Points

• Intimate Group Setting: Limited to 12 travelers, ensuring a more personal experience.
• Focus on Secrets and Myths: Beyond standard history, uncover stories most visitors don’t hear.
• Knowledgeable Guides: Guides are well-researched, friendly, and able to answer all your questions.
• Flexible Experience: Optional extended tour includes a walk around Castillo de San Marcos.
• Great Value: At $30, it offers a rich, tailored experience without a hefty price tag.
• Walking Distance: Just over a mile of walking in the historic downtown, suitable for most moderate fitness levels.

A Closer Look at the Tour Itinerary

This tour takes you through a handful of carefully chosen stops around Saint Augustine’s historic core, each packed with unique stories and secrets.

Stop 1: Huguenot Cemetery

Starting at the Huguenot Cemetery, you immediately get a sense of the city’s layered past. The guide will talk about the surrounding areas and explore the significance of this quiet, historic site. While the cemetery itself is free to visit, the stories uncovered here set the tone for the tour’s mix of history and intrigue. Expect to learn about the early settlers and some of the lesser-known figures buried nearby.

Stop 2: Memorial Presbyterian Church

Next, you’ll visit the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Here, the guide explores why this church was built, by whom, and why it’s an important piece of the city’s spiritual landscape. It’s a chance to understand how a single building can tell many stories about the community’s development, architecture, and faith. The church’s story is a reminder that many structures in Saint Augustine are more than just pretty facades—they have deep roots and intriguing histories.

Stop 3: Historic Tours of Flagler College

Flagler College isn’t just an eye-catching landmark—it’s also a hub of stories and secrets. While the tour will generally mention the college, it also explores surrounding areas that often remain unnoticed, revealing the hidden history and untold tales behind the famous architecture. Many spots are not marked on maps or tour guides, which makes this part of the walk especially rewarding for those eager to discover off-the-beaten-path stories.

Stop 4: Government House Museum

The tour then moves to the Government House Museum, where the guide discusses the building’s significance and its role in the city’s governance history. The surrounding plaza is replete with points of interest, each with its own story. Expect to learn about local governance, notable historical figures, and some lesser-known facts about the city’s political development.

Stop 5: Bridge of Lions

The Bridge of Lions is more than a charming icon—it’s a site rich with stories about Saint Augustine’s maritime history, engineering feats, and the role of the sea wall and dock. The guide shares tidbits about its construction, significance, and some fun facts about the bridge and the area’s maritime life.

Stop 6: Saint Augustine

Finally, the tour covers the heart of the city—various hidden spots, myths, and stories that make Saint Augustine such a captivating place. Because the guide focuses on secrets, many of these stops aren’t on standard maps or tour scripts, and the guide keeps a lively conversation going, answering questions and sharing little-known facts. The tour lasts about 10 minutes here, but the stories and insights you gather will stay with you.

The Extended Tour: A Walk Up to Castillo de San Marcos

For those interested in more, an extended option adds about 30 minutes and more walking around the Castillo de San Marcos. Here, you’ll walk the perimeter, learning even more about the fort’s history, construction, and some of its best-kept secrets. It’s a natural extension for those who want a deeper dive, especially since the main tour ends near the fort.

What Travelers Say

The reviews consistently praise the knowledge and friendliness of the guides, especially noting that they are eager to answer questions and customize the experience. One reviewer mentioned, “Laura was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions,” highlighting how personalized and engaging the tour can be. Others appreciated the intimate feeling—”We had a perfect time with Laura,” said one reviewer—showing that small group size really makes a difference.

Many travelers highlight that this tour offers a different perspective compared to larger, more generic tours. As one reviewer stated, “Walking is a very different perspective,” and another mentioned, “We even got stuck on the trolley, but the guide waited for us,” emphasizing flexibility and personalized attention.

The value is also a common theme; for just $30, guests walk away with a deeper understanding of Saint Augustine’s secrets and stories that most visitors overlook, making it well worth the price.

Practical Details and Considerations

This tour begins at 28 Orange Street, in the heart of downtown Saint Augustine. It lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, covering just over a mile of walking—manageable for most people with moderate fitness. The group is capped at 12 travelers, which helps ensure everyone can ask questions, and the guide can tailor the experience.

The tour runs rain or shine, so come prepared with rain gear if necessary. Since it’s a walking experience, comfortable footwear is recommended. It’s also suitable for those with a moderate physical fitness level and is friendly to service animals.

The price of $30 per person represents excellent value when you consider the depth of stories, the personalized nature, and the expert knowledge of the guide. The tour is booked on average 14 days in advance, so planning ahead is advisable.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour?

If you’re someone who has already seen the main sights of Saint Augustine and craves hidden stories and secret tales, this walk will satisfy your curiosity. It’s perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and local lore lovers. If you enjoy engaging guides who can adapt the tour based on your interests, you’ll likely find this experience a highlight of your visit.

It’s also a great choice for travelers wanting a small-group, personalized tour that offers more than just standard facts. And those with a sense of humor and an interest in ghosts, myths, and local legends will find plenty to enjoy.

The Sum Up

The Secrets of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Tour offers a well-balanced mix of hidden stories, local secrets, and engaging storytelling. It’s perfect for visitors who want to go beyond the typical sightseeing fare and really connect with the city’s lesser-known tales. The knowledgeable guides, intimate atmosphere, and focus on authentic, often overlooked stories make it a highly worthwhile addition to any Saint Augustine itinerary.

For history enthusiasts, curious explorers, or anyone eager to uncover the city’s secret layers, this tour delivers on its promise. It’s an affordable, fun, and enriching way to spend a morning or afternoon wandering through one of America’s oldest cities.

FAQ

How long is the tour?
The main tour lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, covering just over a mile of walking in downtown Saint Augustine.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at 28 Orange Street and usually ends around Treasury and Charlotte Streets unless you book the extended option, which ends at Castillo de San Marcos.

What’s included in the tour?
You’ll have a licensed guide who provides researched information as you walk through historic spots.

Is there an option to extend the tour?
Yes, there’s an extended add-on that adds about 30 minutes and includes a walk around the Castillo de San Marcos.

Is the tour suitable for all fitness levels?
Yes, but a moderate physical fitness level is recommended given the walking involved.

What about rain?
The tour takes place rain or shine, so dress accordingly or bring an umbrella.

Can I bring my service animal?
Absolutely, service animals are allowed.

How far in advance should I book?
Most travelers book about two weeks in advance, but it’s best to secure your spot early, especially in peak seasons.

In summary, the Secrets of Saint Augustine tour is ideal for those craving a personalized, storytelling experience that reveals the city’s uncovered secrets. Its affordability, knowledgeable guides, and intimate setting make it a standout choice for any visitor eager to see Saint Augustine through a more authentic and intriguing lens.