"From beach activities to shopping to exploring more than 450 years of history, there's no shortage of things to do in St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the U.S. This coastal city is one of Florida's most charming travel destinations, packed with beautiful architecture, splendid nature, and a robust restaurant and bar scene. If there's anyone who knows St. Augustine, it's Barbara Golden, the communications manager for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, and native Floridian Mandy Mizell."
"Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Spanish stone fortress that was built in 1695 and offers unbeatable views of St. Augustine Inlet from its ramparts. "I love to imagine what it was like living here in the 1600s, being on watch for approaching pirates or British invaders," Golden says. Nowadays, you're much more likely to spot dolphins and kayakers in the water. There are usually National Park Service rangers and reenactors around telling stories about the fortress. Mizell recommends visiting after sundown, explaining that "the fort has a special energy at night." Although you can't enter the monument after hours, you can walk around the grounds anytime for free. "The entire fort is illuminated, making for some fun night photos with palm tree shadows in the background," Mizell says. "You'll also overhear haunted tales as ghost tours pass through the area. Sit on the wall during a full moon and watch boats cruise"
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States with more than 450 years of history. The coastal city features beautiful architecture, abundant natural scenery, beaches, shopping, and a lively restaurant and bar scene. Locals include Barbara Golden and native Floridian Mandy Mizell, who attended Flagler College and created the Florida travel blog The Flohemian. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Spanish stone fortress built in 1695 offering views of St. Augustine Inlet, ranger-led stories, and reenactors. The fort is illuminated at night and the grounds are open after sundown for photos and nearby ghost tours.
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