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Ripley's Red Train Tours St. Augustine

Great experience to know about the history of St. Augustine and to have fun at the same time. Thanks to our tour guide Alex, he made the tour better with his jokes and his knoledge.

- Janet Llambias Estrada

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19 San Marco Avenue St. Augustine, FL 32084

All Aboard the Red Express

Put the map down and kick up your heels on this narrated journey highlighting the city's unbelievable story, going back hundreds of years!

Choo-Choose Discovery

 travel through time, seasons of fun.

Climb aboard the all-new Red Express and take in the sights and charms of St. Augustine, discovering more than 100 points of historical interest, including the extraordinary Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Laugh and gasp alongside energetic and knowledgeable drivers on this fully guided, one-hour experience!

Check out seasonal adventures and special themed tours—from holiday lights to twisted history—throughout the year.

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Explore the world of Ripley’s with a combo ticket and save! Experience the excitement of four unbelievable family attractions in St. Augustine, Florida!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! St. Augustine

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Get hands-on and have fun exploring hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts, incredible art, animal oddities, pop-culture memorabilia, interactive games, and stories of people and places you have to see to believe!

Ripley's Haunted Castle Investigation St. Augustine

Venture inside the most haunted building in Florida and use state-of-the-art ghost-hunting equipment to investigate paranormal activity!

Ripley's Bayfront Mini-Golf St. Augustine

Putt with a view at Florida’s oldest mini-golf course, set along the bay in the heart of the historic district!

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Get ready to make memories and experience the excitement of Ripley’s Red Train Tours St. Augustine, your one-stop destination for family fun!

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May 1, 2024

Cartoon of the Day

Coconut crabs can live for up to 60 years.

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, Kieran Castaño is the eighth artist to continue the legacy of illustrating the world's longest-running syndicated cartoon!

Ripley's Red Train Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in St Augustine, Florida

• Enjoy unlimited 1- or 3-day access to the train
• Create your own St. Augustine sightseeing itinerary
• Listen to live narration on the city's history
• Get exclusive discounts at local attractions
• Hop-on hop-off tour
• Driver/guide
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Food and drinks
• Location Name: Ripley's Believe It or Not Location Address: 19 San Marco Avenue St. Augustine, Florida, 32084 Directions: Ripley's is located across from the St. Augustine Visitors Center.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Dress code is casual
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• nfsullivan 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tiny Tim's Tour Recently took our took young boys on a Red Train Tour with Tiny Tim as our "Engineer" - it was excellent. A wonderful way to see St Augustine and to learn about it's rich history with lots of interesting tid bits and factoids sprinkled in by Tim. He was polite, professional, courteous and, most importantly, super nice to our boys, even letting them ring the trains bell at the conclusion of the tour. Would recommend Red Train Tours to anyone visiting town. Thank you, Tim, for a great tour! Read more Written April 7, 2024
• DarlinSteph 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Pet friendly and supposed to be educational about the history of the city. Pet friendly for well behaved leashed dogs (any size). This is NOT a hop on and off trolly so if you have a driver you can’t understand, you can’t just hop on another trolly to have a better experience. I was really excited for my nephew to learn the history of St Augustine but it was very difficult to understand our driver. We probably understood 1/4 of what was said. Driver was very nice and funny when we could understand him but we were disappointed at the cost of tickets and parking for a poor experience. Read more Written March 28, 2024
• Escape56414814079 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Worth the price We had the pleasure of riding on this red train tour today. It was an amazing experience. Beautiful tour in the historic St. Augustine town. We had the BEST tour guide/conductor Cheyenne. She was so informative, friendly, kind and funny. Yes Cheyenne, I laughed at your "dad jokes" Thank you for a great experience. Yours passengers for Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 Read more Written March 11, 2024
• jamiefQ9441QJ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Take a tour with Handsome Alex First visit to St Augustine and it’s been amazing. We went on a Ripley’s Red Train tour to become more familiar with this beautiful seaside town. We were immediate met with an energetic comical gentleman who gave us a trip to remember. Take the time to book one of these tours and ask specifically for Handsome Alex. He’ll expand your knowledge and make you smile! Read more Written March 9, 2024
• Ed_Kal 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Nice one hour overview A one hour tour on a little red train/trolly. This is not a hop on hop off. That is another trolly. A nice overview of the city and it took us by several places that we wanted to go back to, that weren’t on our original list of things to do. Also passed by several restaurants that would be good options for dinner that were outside the pedestrian area. Driver provided commentary, but at times was hard to understand. Well worth an hour of you time if visiting the city for the first time. Read more Written March 5, 2024
• 233abbeye 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The BEST Benji was an excellent tour guide and made the ride through town so much fun and interesting! Would definitely hope to get him again! Read more Written February 27, 2024
• 731kathrynk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles What a fun way to see st Augustine ! Benji was great!! Benji was a wonderful guide - he did such a great job! We enjoyed learning about local history and seeing the sights, fun way to get introduced to St Augustine Read more Written February 21, 2024
• MaryfromMI 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun and exciting Took the night light tour. Our driver wss Benji and he was so much fun! Great tour, so much fun! Highly recommend it. Love that we could bring our dogs. Read more Written January 24, 2024
• W6949IGlisah 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great family tour Alex was an amazing tour guide!! We would highly recommend to anyone traveling to St Augustine that wants to learn something new Read more Written January 20, 2024
• backtoGreece 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Makes a great gift Enjoyable evening tour of St. Augustine Night of Lights. Great driver, lively passengers, family and loud Christmas caroling. Read more Written January 8, 2024
• Maura P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Red Train tour guide - Handsome Alex Handsome Alex provided an excellent overview of St Augustine and made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. His sons should be aware of not only how handsome he is but how funny his dad jokes are too All the best Boston! Read more Written December 31, 2023
• salm2016 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Handsome Alex strikes again ! Handsome Alex was amazing! Keep up the jokes and humor and knowledge. And def keep it handsome 😎😎 My family and kids enjoyed their experience. Very entertaining and informative. Read more Written December 31, 2023
• E4331GDlynnea 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Not worth the money for the Lights tour. We went on a Night of Lights tour. We were very excited to be able to see all the lights on a guided tour. What a disappointment. We had Ed as our guide. He had the Christmas music playing so loud you couldn't have a conversation with the person right beside you. He drove a back road by the college to the square and then around the square 3 times. And then back to Ripley's. We thought we were going to see displays of lights, not the same lights over and over. And over. I don't know if that's the only route the Red Train runs for the lights, but if it is, it's definitely not worth the money! Read more Written December 12, 2023
• yolym483 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great town guide tour Amazing views and great tour guide. Alex was very informative, fun, friendly. Thank you, handsome Alex Read more Written December 9, 2023
• CvR083 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Bring back Day and Multi-Day Passes!!! Very disappointed... Bring back your day passes! We came into a town so excited to bring our 6 year old daughter on the red train. We talked about it for months. Showed up the weekend of 12/1 to find out they're only doing one hour tours, no day passes. This is so unfortunate. My wife and I have been coming to Saint Augustine since we meet, and have taken the red train every time. Please consider being the passes back. The "other guys" just aren't the same. Read more Written December 1, 2023

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Ripley's Red Train Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in St Augustine, Florida provided by Red Train Tours

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Red Train Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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RED TRAIN TOURS (St. Augustine) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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• St. Augustine

Red Train Tours

170 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine , Florida 32084 USA

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“The best way to see St. Augustine”

Since 1953, we've been St. Augustine’s ORIGINAL sightseeing train tour! Step off and re-board at your leisure at over 20 convenient stops for attractions, historic sites, restaurants, and shopping here in the “Nation’s Oldest City”. Ride the Red Trains for 3 consecutive days giving you plenty of time to see all that St. Augustine has to offer!

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St. Augustine Red Train Tours

St. Augustine Red Train Tours St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Welcome to the historical tour of the oldest city in the United States! St. Augustine Red Train Tours will show you the rich history since its founding in September of 1565. Get ready to dive deep into the fascinating past and gain a deep appreciation for the oldest city's rich history and the state of Florida. You'll understand the many challenges and triumphs that have shaped its past, and you'll leave with a greater understanding of the diverse and vibrant culture that makes this city so special.

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Should You Book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour? Review + Tips

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 //  by  Ashley Smith 4 Comments

I spend a lot of time in Florida–but still never enough, am I right?–and a good chunk of my most recent trip was spent aboard the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour .

Because I visit quite often, I’m slowly working my way around this medium-sized, newsworthy state. Finally, I recently checked off an item high on my Florida bucket list: St. Augustine.

As you can imagine, there’s a lot to see in St. Augustine. It was founded in 1565 and is the oldest city in the United States. That means it has had over 450 years to rack up sights and attractions, tasty eateries and ghost stories. And I only had one day in St. Augustine to see it all.

It look a lot of planning, a bunch of checklists, and the help of a whole pride of peacocks. (You’ll see when you get there.) But I came, I saw, I conquered, I finished it off with a delicious coconut beer. Read on to see how the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour played a part in it all.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is the most popular way to see the sights in St. Augustine. You sit back and relax, feel that ocean breeze in your face, pick your hair out of your lip gloss, and learn about all of St. Augustine’s most famous landmarks while a guide makes dad jokes over a microphone.

They created these sightseeing tours to take you around town and show you what’s what. The guide narrates your tour with historical anecdotes and you’re welcome to hop off and back on at designated stops all around the city. These tours are also available in Key West, Boston , San Diego, and a handful of others around the U.S.

You can relax and enjoy the entire 80-minute tour around the city, or you can use the trolleys as your own personal transportation around St. Augustine, hopping on and off at will, like I did.

Why I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour because I needed to see as much of the city as possible in just one day . I didn’t want to waste a lot of time driving from attraction to attraction, sitting in traffic, finding a place to park, etc. And I also didn’t want to spend a bunch of (beer) money on parking at all the different locations. 

I chose to book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour because I figured it:

• would save me money on parking all over the city
• save me time commuting between the attractions
• while learning a lot about America’s oldest city at the same time

Am I glad I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour?

So now that my trip’s over, am I glad I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour? Overall, yes. I had a pleasant-enough experience. Can you label me a 100% satisfied customer? No.

I wasn’t completely satisfied with my Old Town Trolley tour experience, but I wasn’t entirely dissatisfied either. Let’s examine some things that makes this tour great, and some things that might turn you off.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour: Pros

I’m officially categorizing my St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour as “pleasant-enough.” There are definitely some good reasons to book your spot on the trolley, and some of them may be of more importance to some over others. For instance…

Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and have someone drive you around town. The weather is beautiful in St. Augustine (even in January when I visited) and riding around town on an open-air trolley is sometimes just what your vacation ordered.

Free parking

When you book a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour, you get to park for free (for the whole day) at the origin location. Then, you get chauffeured about town, never having to move your car or pay for parking anywhere else.

Great route

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour makes 22 stops around downtown St. Augustine at all the popular spots. Because of this, a trolley stop is never far away when you need one.

Also, they have enough vehicles in their fleet that you never have to wait long until the next one comes around. It’s pretty damn convenient actually.

Friendly service

Everyone I encountered, from the people at the ticket windows to the trolley drivers, was nothing but friendly.

Free beach shuttle

Though it makes a lot of stops, the Old Town Trolley doesn’t go everywhere you need it to go. For instance, if you wanted to visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse (which you do).

For that, the beach, and a few other sites, Old Town Trolley cooperates with a free shuttle bus to those sites from the center of downtown.

Hop on/Hop off service

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour doubles as your very own hop on/hop off transportation service. When you book a tour, you have full day access to come and go as you please, using the trolleys as much or as little as you want.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour: Cons

My St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour was “pleasant-enough,” but there were still a few things I could’ve done without or changes I would’ve made. For instance…

The commentary

I did like that the tours were 100% live-narrated and not pre-recorded commentary. But it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I mean, I did expect it to be a little corny, but I caught myself rolling my eyes more than anticipated.

I wanted it to be more about the history of the city and about specific sites, and less about the guide’s personal opinions on the things we drove past. (Like his utter distaste for Chinese art. And how, after telling us he thought these statues were so ugly said, “Leave it to the Chinese.” I don’t know what he meant by that, but I could’ve done without it.)

I also didn’t leave the tour with the feeling that the information we were told was totally accurate. There were many times I thought to myself, “Yeah, I better double check that.” I realize this is just a lighthearted sightseeing tour and not an intellectual seminar, but I still want my facts straight!

I think some of the things they said were just to get a few oohs , ahhhs , and giggles from the cheap seats in the back.

Not enough time

The last tour of the day is 4:30 PM and that is way too early. I booked the tour with the hopes that I wouldn’t have to drive the whole day, but I ended up having to drive to the last stop so as to not get stranded.

If you’re just using the trolley tour as a sightseeing tour, that won’t be an issue. But if you’re using it as a hop on/hop off service like they advertise, I think we can all agree 4:30 PM is entirely too early to end your day.

I wanted the Old Town Trolley to be a one-stop shop (ok, 22 stops) for all my St. Augustine sightseeing needs, but that it was not.

And though they do offer a free shuttle to the Lighthouse, it too stops running at 4:30. Not to mention, the Beach Bus, as it’s known, only runs once per hour . I waited a good 20 minutes for it at one point then gave up because I have a schedule to keep, people ! 

More Florida tours ─ Want to take some more cool tours while you’re in Florida? Head down to Tampa and check out my post on 7 terrific tours to take in Tampa before you do! It’s got big cats, beers, buccaneers, and beyond!

It’s pretty slow

Part of the reason I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour was to save time walking from attraction to attraction. But there were many times I thought to myself, “I could’ve walked there faster than this.”

It’s not just that it moves slow, but it makes a lot of circles and backtracks a lot where, if you were walking, you could just walk across one park (or block or sidewalk) and already be there.

Sometimes it was so frustratingly slow I wish I’d just walked or taken my car. But I paid almost $30 so I just kicked back and enjoyed the breeze. 

Not 100% handicap accessible

Which I’m about to talk more about. Keep reading.

Things to Know Before you Book a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

The main thing you should know before booking a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is that it’s not entirely handicap accessible.

Is the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour handicap accessible?

Of the 22 trolley stops on the tour, the driver is only allowed to operate the lift at 5 of them. Stuff about level surfaces and sharing the road, etc.

At one of the stops, our trolley had to leave a man in a wheelchair behind because the driver wasn’t allowed to operate the lift at that stop. Needless to say, the man and his lady friend were pissed . The reasons are understandable enough, but these are two people who were clearly not told about those rules upfront.

They have only two accessible trolleys in their fleet and they ask for 24 hours notice of your arrival so they can make sure their handicap trolley is operating.

If this applies to you or one of your travel companions, you won’t be able to take advantage of the 22 stops the Old Town Trolley brags about.

In the case of the man we left behind, he had to backtrack a couple of stops and then wait again for another trolley to come by. Also, this was pretty damn close to 4:30 so that man and his lady could very easily have been stranded.

For more on their accessibility availability, head here . And it’s not just them, Florida actually has a pretty bad accessibility infrastructure . Yes, Florida, the state that I’m willing to bet has the most wheelchair users in the country. 

The last tour is at 4:30

And again, know that the last tour starts at 4:30. This will almost definitely affect your planning for your day in St. Augustine.

And just FYI, should you get stuck somewhere without a trolley back to your car, St. Augustine does not offer Uber . 

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour or Ripley’s Red Train?

You should know, the Old Town Trolley is not the only sightseeing tour available in St. Augustine—the other is the Ripley’s Red Train tour . As in, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Ripley’s Entertainment, etc. Here are a few insights that may help you choose one over the other.

Little disclaimer here: I have not personally taken the Ripley’s train. I’m only sharing with you the research I did before I chose the Old Town Trolley.

Embarrassment level

First of all, the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is definitely the less ridiculous-looking of the two . The Old Town Trolley is a typical tram-style, orange and green vehicle. The Ripley’s Red Train is little more than an oversized bright red choo-choo you can see a mile away, chugging into St. Augustine from Toon Town.

If you think you’ll feel awkward toot-tooting about town on what looks like a child’s ride you’d find on the sidewalk outside Costco, take the Old Town Trolley. Ripley’s Red Train = the little engine that could (make you look like a fool). 

Stops, times, and costs

The Ripley’s Red Train tour also has 22 stops and from what I can tell they’re exactly the same as the Old Town Trolley. However, Ripley’s last tour starts at 5:00 PM instead of 4:30. It’s not much, but there you go. Both tours are 80 minutes long, start to finish, with the option of hop on/hop off.

Costs for either tour are basically the same so that shouldn’t be a determining factor. Plus, Ripley’s also offers free parking at 5 of their stops.

Even though I didn’t ride the Ripley’s Red Train myself, I can still vouch for how annoying their drivers are. I could hear the shrill shouting of the Ripley’s tour guide/driver down the street, clear as day. And I wasn’t even on her train! Had I been on that tour, I most definitely would’ve hopped off for good. Probably while the thing was still in motion.

The Old Town Trolley drivers may have been cheesy and make questionable comments about other nationalities, but they didn’t make me want to shove Cuban sandwiches into my ear holes.

A bad reputation?

The good thing about Old Town Trolley is that it’s American owned and operated by a company called Historic Tours of America. Ripley’s Entertainment is part of a Canadian-based international conglomerate called The Jim Pattison Group.

Ripley’s bills themselves as “St. Augustine’s ORIGINAL sightseeing train tour!” But really, all they did was buy out St. Augustine Trains Inc. (who’d been operating train tours in the city since 1953) in 2004. Buy whoever you want to buy, just don’t lie to me.

Ripley’s vowed to keep all 46 of the St. Augustine Trains Inc. employees after the buyout but failed to discuss terms. However, there’s talk amid some online forums that when Ripley’s came in, the first things they cut were the health benefits for the employees, and turned their full-time employees to part-time ones. Just something to consider.

Add some beach ─ Heading south for some sun and sand? Check out my 5 favorite ways to spend a weekend in Clearwater, Florida . See, sometimes I do relax.

Would I Take the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour Again?

So would I take the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour again? Probably not. I don’t regret my experience with it, but I also could’ve done without it. This is based on my personal needs and reasons for booking it.

I wanted to save money on parking, but I was able to find free street parking when I needed it anyway. I ended up having to drive to the one place I couldn’t walk to anyway. And I wanted to save time by taking it place to place, but walking actually would’ve gotten me there faster.

Plus, St. Augustine is compact and one of the most walkable cities I’ve ever visited. Had I known this before my trip, I probably wouldn’t have booked the Old Town Trolley.

Also, I wanted to learn about St. Augustine, but the drivers didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already learn at the attractions themselves or from reading the informational placards around town.

Should You Book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour?

If what the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley offers sounds good to you, then yes. Should you want more than what it offers, like I did, skip it. If you want to casually tour the city, learn some fun facts, see some sites, then it’s perfect.

If you’re trying to fit in more than humanly possible in a single day, using it to get around town in a hurry, and as an alternative to walking or driving, save the cash and use it for Sangria at Columbia! You’re better off on foot.

If you’re not great with walking, the trolley is a decent alternative. And it’s not such a huge investment that it’s a major financial risk.

One day in St. Augustine ─ If you’re visiting St. Augustine on a day trip or just for one night, check out my 1-day St. Augustine itinerary . It covers a crazy amount of sites, includes great spots for lunch and dinner, and gives some helpful sightseeing tips as well.

Alternatives to the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

If you’re keen to explore St. Augustine more than just by walking through it, there are other tour options available that aren’t trolley or trains. Check out these optional St. Augustine tours:

History Tour of St. Augustine by Guided Golf Cart

This 1-hour and 15-minute private, guided, narrated tour takes place in your own personal golf cart fleet so groups are small and intimate. Think of it as your very own tiny trolley tour.

You'll pass by St. Augustine's most popular attractions and monuments while learning their interesting history. They make sure you get some great photo ops around town and you can choose between morning or afternoon tours!

This tour is a super popular, well-loved favorite in St. Augustine. NOTE: The price shown is for the whole group.

St. Augustine Boat and Walking Tour

I absolutely love taking boat rides whenever I'm in a city, well, that has water. It's such an interesting and unique way to see a city. 

The first half of this 2.5-hour tour starts with a relaxing boat ride through St. Augustine's Matanzas Bay. The second half includes a walking tour where you'll see many of the sites mentioned in my post on my 1 day in St. Augustine.

Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine

Another great way to see some of St. Augustine's most popular sites is from the water at sunset! This 1.5-hour tour includes:

• local guide with live commentary
• free parking
• amazing Florida sunsets
• and alcohol! 

This tour has rave reviews and a delightful price tag.

More info for your time in St. Augustine

› Heading to St. Augustine? Find great places to stay here . › Don’t forget a Florida guidebook for the rest of your Florida sightseeing! › What else have I covered in the area? Check out  these posts . › Like this post? Have questions? Reach out on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

What will you do with your time in St. Augustine? Let me know below!

But first, pin me ⇣⇣⇣

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 33 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

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Old Town Trolley Tours St Augustine 4.6

Hop On Hop Off St. Augustine Tours

Welcome to St. Augustine!

Hello, I’m Dave Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley of St. Augustine. With nearly 500 years of history, including rule by Spain, Britain, and the U.S., St. Augustine is full of sights and attractions that entertain and educate. For over 30 years, Old Town Trolley Tours has provided St. Augustine sightseeing tours highlighting the best of the city.

“Hop aboard one of our trolleys and you’ll experience Transportainment ® , a delightful combination of transportation and entertainment.”

Our friendly conductors narrate the St. Augustine tours with a fascinating and fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. It will be our pleasure to guide you through America’s oldest city on one of our orange and green trolleys.

As a St. Augustine resident, I assure you that Old Town Trolley Tours is the best way to see the city. Because we cover the entire city, you can avoid costly parking and city driving. The tour is also designed so that you can hop on and off and explore on your own at any time. With frequent pickups at all our stops, this helps you avoid walking long distances.

Here are just a few reasons why Old Town Trolley is the best sightseeing tour in town:

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee *
• Your ticket is good for all day on and off re-boarding at 22 stops
• FREE Admission to St. Augustine History Museum
• Over 100 Points of Interest
• FREE Beach Shuttle to Alligator Farm and the beach
• Stops include the Old Jail , Potter’s Wax Museum , and the Old Drug Store
• Hop on and off ALL DAY

“With your trolley ticket, you’ll receive our free full color map and the chance to purchase our Essential Guide book for $5 with all our stops & things to do at each one!”

Old Town Trolley Tours makes many stops including the Old Jail, St. Augustine History Museum, Potter’s Wax Museum, the Spanish Military Hospital, and the Ximenez-Fatio House.

You’ll also see the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, the oldest documented colonial house in Florida, lived in by British, Spanish and American colonists. Visit the San Sebastian Winery; Explore Flagler College, built by Henry Morrison Flagler, an industrialist, railroad pioneer and oil magnate, who originally used the building as a hotel then known as Ponce de Leon hotel. Look for the orange and green trolleys for the best sightseeing tour in town!

Watch our Welcome Video now!

Get ready to see the best of St. Augustine with our fun welcome video! From exploring the cobblestone streets of this charming city to discovering its rich history and vibrant culture, our video will give you insightful tips for the perfect adventure through St. Augustine aboard the Old Town Trolley.

Click the link below to watch now!

There’s no better way to see all the St. Augustine attractions than with Old Town Trolley Tours

To receive a brochure by mail, go to contact us.

More Reasons to Visit St. Augustine

Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine has been designated as a GEM by AAA’s Florida Tour Book. A GEM is a “must see” point of interest that offers a great experience for members. These attractions have been judged to be of exceptional interest and quality by AAA inspectors.

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Ripley's Red Sightseeing Trains is not currently available.

The original sightseeing train tours in St. Augustine, Ripley’s Red Sightseeing Trains offer narrated tours of the area’s most popular attractions, shopping districts, historic landmarks and more along a scenic 7-mile circuit. Tours include 80 to 90 minutes of narration about the city’s rich history, and each ticket is valid for three consecutive days for added convenience.

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Ripley's Red Sightseeing Trains Reviews

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Ripley's Red Sightseeing Trains is located at Ripley's St. Augustine • 19 San Marco Ave. • St. Augustine , FL 32084

Nearby Things to Do

• Ripley's Believe It or Not! St. Augustine
• St. Augustine Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley of the Doomed
• St. Augustine Tour Combo Package
• Potter's Wax Museum
• St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

Nearby Hotels & Lodging

• DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District
• Holiday Inn St. Augustine - Historic, an IHG Hotel
• Homewood Suites by Hilton St Augustine San Sebastian
• Hampton Inn St. Augustine-Historic District
• The Flagler Inn

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Call and Book Your Next Trip Today!

1-800-590-8125.

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Don’t take any chances with your trip. Whether you need assistance booking, helpful details for you to be prepared, or need to make a change, our knowledgeable and helpful customer support team is prepared to assist you.

Historical Tour

Discover the oldest city in the US with our 90-minute Historical Tour for only $25. From its founding in September 1565 to modern times, our experienced guides will take you on a journey through the city's rich history. See iconic landmarks and learn about the cultural influences that have shaped the city. Group rates available & special tours after dark can be booked. Join us for a memorable tour of the Oldest City in the US!

Senior, Military & Group rates available!

We can work directly with Educational facilities.

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We can do Special Tours after dark (by appointment only)

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The 10 Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

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We recently got another chance to visit St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in the US. I’ve been fascinated with this Florida city for a long time because it has so much history and was home to some of the central figures in the development of Florida. So, today, I want to talk about some of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL!  

St. Augustine is old, really old, and is a place where lots of historical “firsts” happened. It’s a city full of interesting landmarks, beautiful beaches, good food, and sunny weather.  

The St. Augustine area merges old-world American history, Spanish charm, and modern amenities to create a fantastic vacation destination for the entire family. The heart of the city is very walkable. You can visit almost all the major attractions by taking a hop-on, hop-off trolley that stops at the popular locations.  

In this post, I’ll cover the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL, and give you some tips on how to make the most of your visit!

The Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

Visiting  St. Augustine  is always a lot of fun for our family. You know that walkability is very important to us when we travel. Therefore, it’s no surprise that St. Augustine’s walkability and tourist-friendly layout add much to our experience. 

The town is relatively compact, with most major attractions located downtown or nearby. St. George Street is a pedestrian-only street that runs through the old city center. It’s packed with shops, restaurants, and fun attractions.  

St. Augustine can get very busy, especially during holidays and weekends, when the city swells with visitors. The streets will get filled with people, and the pace of activity is fast, especially around St. George Street. When you travel, bring good shoes, water, sunscreen, and an adventurous spirit! 

The Old Town Trolley Tour in St. Augustine

Before diving into my list, I want to quickly discuss the  Old Town Trolley Tour . Throughout the post, I will mention that there is a trolley tour stop near various places. Therefore, it is an excellent activity for first-time visitors who want to get a feel for the area! The trolley tour stops at or passes by many of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL.

The Old Town Trolley Tour is a  hop-on, hop-off trolley  that stops frequently at critical locations throughout the city. It comes around often and drops riders off at 21 different stops. You can get on and off an unlimited number of times all day long.  

Purchasing an  Old Town Trolley Tours ticket  also gives you some discounts on local attractions. We used the trolley and enjoyed it. It gave us flexibility and the ability to cover more ground.  

In the heat of the summer Florida sun, it’s also a welcome reprieve from walking. The trolleys are not air-conditioned, but they are open-sided. Most stops will probably be busy with people waiting during peak travel times. You may need to wait for the next train. I want to manage expectations and ensure you give yourself plenty of time. However, on our visit, we waited 5-15 minutes, at most, at any stop before boarding. 

My best trip would be to take the trolley first thing in the morning. Likewise, you can always buy a two-day ticket ! 

List Of The Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

So, let’s get started and look at some of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL!

There are a lot of  things to do in St. Augustine . St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous US. Many attractions tell the story of the original Spanish people who founded the city in 1565.  

This list includes some of the most popular things to see in St. Augustine. I’ve focused on locations that are noteworthy as historical landmarks rather than on purely tourist-oriented attractions. If you are using the Old Town Trolley, be sure to research ahead of time to plan where you will get on and off the trolley. Batching your sightseeing by trolley stop will make things easier and quicker and prevent back-tracking later. 

#1 Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

The  Castillo de San Marcos  is the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. This massive fort looks out over the city’s bay. It is fascinating to explore and provides a fun way to engage with the area’s history.  

Tickets are required to enter the fort. The interior is filled with intriguing nooks and crannies where you can learn more about a soldier’s life in the fort. The rooftop has many types of cannons and a fantastic view of the harbor.

We recommend setting aside 2-3 hours to visit Castillo de San Marcos, and in my opinion, this tops the list of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL.

#2 St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

The  St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum  is a historic lighthouse built in 1874. Climb the 219 steps to reach the observation deck, which offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. The museum also has a children’s play area and a puppet theatre.  

The new Maritime Center offers many hands-on and interactive displays regarding maritime culture, navigation, and transportation. Children must be at least 44 inches tall to climb the stairs, and tickets are required.  

#3 Lightner Museum

The  Lightner Museum  was once known as the Hotel Alcazar, a palatial hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler. Flagler was instrumental in the development of Florida in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Flagler Florida East Coast Railway allowed for the development of the Florida Keys, and his grand vision brought prominent visitors from all over the US to experience Florida. At the Lightner Museum, you can tour the iconic building and see the museum’s collection of art and historical pieces. The museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. Tickets are required.  

If this Florida railroad history interests you, you may want to pick up one of my favorite books titled  Sunshine Paradise: The History of Florida Tourism

#4 Flagler College

Flagler College is a private liberal arts college in St. Augustine. The school itself was founded in 1968. 

Flagler College’s centerpiece building is the Ponce de Leon Hotel, which was built in 1888 by Henry Flagler. The hotel is a gorgeous example of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture and was one of the first buildings in the world wired for electricity. Flager’s friend, Thomas Edison, provided the power with his new DC generator.  

Henry Flagler established an art colony at the hotel and built an artist’s studio building to the rear of the hotel. The Ponce de Leon Hotel is home to the most extensive collection of Luis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows.  Visitors are frequently in awe of the incredible dining room!

Paid  historic tours  of the campus and buildings are available.  

#5 Gonzolaz-Alvarez House (The Oldest House)

The  Gonzolaz-Alvarez House  is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial house in St. Augustine. Construction began around 1723, and the house was in its final form by 1790. Evidence of St. Augustine’s diverse history of occupation by Spanish, British, and American forces can be seen at the house.  

The Oldest House Museum Complex offers guided tours, a museum, a colonial kitchen, an ornamental garden, and a museum store. Tickets are required. Guided tours are available every half hour. The St. Augustine Surf Culture and History Museum is located in the same complex, and admission is included with the Oldest House Museum admission.

#6 Fountain of Youth Archeological Park

The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is a fun museum and park for the whole family. It plays off the famous legend of the “Fountain of Youth” – a spring of waters that would grant drinkers immortality.  

When Ponce de Leon arrived in 1513, he found a local native tribe called the Timucua. He and his men traded with the Indians before relationships became hostile. The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park showcases the fascinating lives and culture of the Timucua people. You can see the Timucua Indian exhibit, a great interactive learning experience, a planetarium with a show about maritime navigation, and explore the park.  

The park is 15 acres with venerable oak trees, an observation platform over marshes, native peacocks, and other birds.  Tickets  are required.    

#7 St. George Street

St. George Street  is the bustling main street that runs through the center of old St. Augustine. In the early days, it was the city’s main street, and today, it is the center of tourist attractions, shops, restaurants, and bars.  

This area includes a vibrant, busy, pedestrian-only street lined with attractions of every kind. It’s fun to walk down the street and see all the cute shops, galleries, and restaurants. I recommend coming here for lunch or dinner, as there are many great places to eat.  

The City Gate, Oldest House, and Cathedral Basilica are located along St. George Street. Be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth at Whetstone Chocolates, a local confectionary in business since 1967!

#8 Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic church in the city, and the Parish of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic parish in the country. The first Catholic mass in the continental United States took place here.  

The Cathedral’s Spanish Mission architectural style is beautiful, and the interior is adorned with exquisite murals, stained glass windows, sculptures, and artifacts. The Cathedral is open to the public, and guided tours are available.  

#9 National Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios

The Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche was built in 1609 in honor of Our Lady of La Leche – a Marian apparition popular with early settlers. It’s considered the oldest shrine in the US. The complex consists of The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche, the Great Cross (a really tall cross), the Rustic Alter, and a beautiful Rosary garden.  

President John F. Kennedy once called it the “Most sacred acre in America.” Admission to the National Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios is free, and self-guided tours are available.  

#10 Gates of St. Augustine 

The Gates of St. Augustine are located at the very north end of St. George Street. It’s a historic landmark built by St. Augustine residents in 1808 and used as a gate to defend the city. The gate is made of coquina, a locally abundant limestone sedimentary rock comprised almost entirely of sand-sized fossil debris.  

The gates are an excellent place to take pictures and memorialize your visit to  St. Augustine ! They also signify the start of St. George Street and entry into the historic district.  

RELATED POST:  My Favorite Books About Florida

So Many Things To See In St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a fantastic destination for families looking for many options in a relatively small area. There are so many things to see in  St. Augustine . The downtown is packed with things to do, and the surrounding city blocks contain numerous museums, landmarks, and interesting locals.  

This list only shares 10 of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL. However, there is so much more to do and see while visiting this charming Florida coastal community. I recommend browsing  Trip Advisor’s Things To Do in St. Augustine  page for even more fun activities.

For us, the trip was a perfect mix of archeology, educational immersion, and fun nightlife. If you’re interested in the history of Florida or just want to have fun in the sun, it’s a required trip!  

Looking for a hotel in St. Augustine?  Check out what’s available on Booking.com !

Love Florida Travel? You May Enjoy These Related Posts

If you enjoyed any of the items on my list of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL, you will probably enjoy some of the other Florida communities we visit. Here are a few posts that may pique your interest!

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