Ancient City Tours

12/15/2024

If you’re looking for a really fun experience, bring your group on down to The Old Jail. This was really the jail in St. Augustine from 1891-1953. In 1891, Henry Flagler opened his famous grand hotel, The Ponce de Leon. Mr. Flagler wasn’t comfortable with just how close the jail at the time was to his high-paying, fancy guests, so he insisted on having a new jail built further outside of town. It was just as important to Mr. Flagler that the jail didn’t look like a jail. He had it built to look very much like a Victorian home. In fact, aside from the bars on the windows, you’d never know it was a jail. The jail was built by the same company that built Alcatraz in San Francisco.

Today, there are tours at The Old Jail daily…nightly too…. The deputies, trustees, and inmates do an outstanding job leading new “prisoners” through the experiences of life at The Old Jail.

If you’re interested in including The Old Jail, or most any other attraction, to your group’s itinerary, all you have to do is call our Guest Experience Team today!! We’ll help you set the perfect schedule for your students, family and friends, or business associates. We take care of everything including Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More!! We can help with single or multiple day trips!! Our professional team of trained and licensed tour guides are here to give your group the perfect visit to St. Augustine. Give Ancient City Tours a call!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

12/13/2024

One of the favorite spots for our groups to visit is the Fountain of Youth. Visitors have a chance to taste the water from the same spring as the Timucuan Native Americans and the Spanish Settlers back in the 1560s. They learn about the skills and practices of the Timucuan people from experts. They can also see demonstrations of weapons both large and small as well as the skills used by blacksmiths who helped settle the area. There’s so much to see and experience!! It’s no wonder its a favorite tour spot!

If you’re planning a trip to St. Augustine, our Guest Experience Team is available to assist with your visit to the Fountain of Youth and most any other attraction in the area. We’re ready to schedule your unique itinerary to allow you to experience the best St. Augustine has to offer. We take care of everything you need - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More! We can work with single and multiple day trips! And our professional, licensed tour guides are the best! At Ancient City Tours, We Make Learning FUN!! Give us a call today!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

12/10/2024

Here are a couple of pictures of the wall surrounding the grounds of the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. So, what’s so special about a wall?? I’ll tell you…

The wall is made of a substance called “Tabby”. Tabby is a combination of sand, water, limestone, and whole oyster shells. The same substance was used to build the walls around the Fountain of Youth.

Tabby was an excellent deterrent for potential enemies trying to climb the walls to attack whatever was on the other side. The oyster shells embedded in the walls got very sharp. If you were trying to climb the walls, you probably got cut. If you got cut in those days, you probably got an infection. And, since there was no such thing as antibiotics back then, if you got infected, there’s really no telling what you got…

There’s always something to learn about in our great, little city of St. Augustine! When you’re ready to bring your students, family, friends, or business associates to visit, give our Guest Experience Team a call at (904) 827-0807. We’ll help you set up a unique, individualized itinerary to see as much or as little of St. Augustine as your time allows. We take care of everything - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More. We can handle single or multiple day visits. And our professional, trained and licensed tour guides are the best in the business!

Call Ancient City Tours Today!!

12/07/2024

The Huguenot Cemetery is across Orange St. from the City Gate. It was established in 1821 to be the burial place for all non-Catholics. Originally, the cemetery was meant to be used for victims of the yellow fever epidemic of 1821, just after Florida became a US territory. According to local stories, there was a cargo ship coming to St. Augustine from Havana, Cuba in 1821. When the ship arrived in St. Augustine, the locals hailed the ship, but received no reply. Upon boarding the ship, it was discovered that every person on board was deceased. The ship was emptied of its cargo…and shortly after is when the yellow fever epidemic began to spread throughout the area, eventually claiming the lives of a full third of the city’s population. Burials continued at the Huguenot Cemetery until 1884 (not all from yellow fever).

You can learn more about the history and myths of the Huguenot Cemetery by giving our Guest Experience Team a call and setting up a tour for your students, family and friends, or business associates. While we are not permitted to go into the cemetery, we can take your group to see it. We can also take your group to experience most anything in and around St. Augustine. We’re here to assist with creating your own unique itinerary to experience St. Augustine as you’d like. We’ll take care of everything you need - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Hotels, Meals, and More!! We can work with single or multiple day trips! Our professional, trained, and licensed tour guides are the best in the business!! Give us a call today!!

By the way - We can also get you connected with our partner company, A Ghostly Encounter, to add a ghost tour to your visit. There’s so more more to learn about St. Augustine…

☎️ (904) 827-0807

12/05/2024

Here are a few recent pictures of The Great Cross taken from boats in the Matanzas Bay. The cross has become a landmark in St. Augustine and is located on the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios. The cross, as known as the Mission Cross and the Beacon of Faith Cross, stands 208 feet tall over the skyline of St. Augustine. It is constructed using 70 tons of stainless steel and was dedicated by the Archbishop of Madrid in 1966 in recognition of the 400 anniversary of the establishment of St. Augustine (1565).

The Great Cross marks the location where Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles placed a small cross on September 8, 1565 and held the first Catholic Mass in the New World, under the religious leadership of Father Francisco Lopez.

To see The Great Cross and many monuments and statues (including Father Lopez), head over to the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios.

Our Guest Experience Team can help your students, family, friends, or business associates arrange for tours of the mission as well as almost any other attraction in St. Augustine. Just give us a call today at (904) 827-0807. We’ll take care of everything to make your visit a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can assist with transportation, attraction tickets, meals, hotels, and much more. We’re ready to help with single or multiple day trips. And our professional, trained, licensed tour guides will be here to work with your group every step of the way.

12/04/2024

We had a group of fourth graders spend some time exploring the St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum yesterday. They had the opportunity to climb the 219 stairs up to the top of the lighthouse as well as spend time in the Lighthouse Keepers House. Currently, the entire site is setup with their Christmas decorations throughout the grounds.

They are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse.

If your group is interested in checking out the lighthouse or most any other historic site in St Augustine, give our Guest Experience Team a call at (904) 827-0897. We’re ready to help with your individualized itinerary to give you the experience that suits your interests. We have a trained, licensed, professional team of guides here to make you visit as easy and meaningful as possible. We’ll take care of everything - Meals, Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Hotels and more. Give us a call TODAY!!

12/01/2024

Nice cool morning at the St Augustine Alligator Farm. All of the critters were very active!

The Alligator Farm is a favorite with our school groups! There’s so much to see, learn about, and experience!

If you’re interested in learning more about booking time at the St Augustine Alligator Farm or most any of the other historic and cultural attractions around St Augustine, just give our Guest Experience Team a call. Our licensed, trained, professional tour guides are ready to show your students, business associates, or family the finest St Augustine has to offer! We’ll take care of everything - Attraction Tickets, Transportation, Meals, Hotels, and more!!

Give Ancient City Tours a call for details!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!! Also…Happy Native American History Month!!

In honor of both, here is a little information about some of the Native Peoples of St. Augustine.

When Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived in 1565, there was a population of Timucua Natives already here. In fact, they had very peacefully lived here for over 4000 years, and helped the Spanish establish the first permanent European settlement. That settlement was located in the Timucua village of Seloy, located on the grounds we now call the Fountain of Youth. In fact, there are some who say the first Thanksgiving was really in St. Augustine - 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth.

The Tolomato Cemetery is a very popular stop for ghost tours. But, did you know that originally it was the Tolomato Native’s village?? The Tolomato were a Christian people and their village burial grounds were served by the Franciscans. Today, it is known as the Catholic cemetery inside the walled city of St. Augustine.

Finally, there’s a picture of the Seminole War Chief Osceola. He was tricked by the American Army, and was taken prisoner under a fake flag of truce. He was imprisoned for a short time at Fort Marion, or as we know it, the Castillo de San Marcos.

No matter what interests your group, we have a tour for you!! Give our Guest Experience Team a call to schedule your specialized itinerary! We’re ready to take care of every need for your students, family, friends, or business associates - Transportation, Meals, Attraction Tickets, Hotels, and More!! Our availability is filling up fast, give us a call. TODAY!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/25/2024

If you’re driving into St. Augustine, you’ve probably spent more than your fair share of time in and around this structure - The Historic Downtown Parking Garage. But, do you know the history??

The parking garage was originally home to the first high-end hotel in St. Augustine, the Hotel San Marco. Builtin 1885 by Isaac Cruft, the San Marco became a destination for the rich and famous…including Mr. Henry Flagler. In fact, after his stay at the San Marco, Mr. Flagler decided St. Augustine had enough potential for him to build more hotels and a train route.

In 1888, Mr. Flagler finished building the Ponce de Leon Hotel (now, the centerpiece of Flagler College). People started flocking to the new hotel and, by 1896, the San Marco was falling on hard times. The following year, 1897, the hotel mysteriously burned to the ground. Some say Mr. Flagler was responsible, but most local historians say that is highly unlikely.

There’s history on every corner in St. Augustine. When you’re ready to see and learn more, give us a call at Ancient City Tours. We’ll take care of all your needs for your students, family and friends, or business associates. We have got everything covered - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More!! Our professional, trained tour guides are ready to create the most memorable experience for your group. Give us a call!!

11/21/2024

While you’re downtown checking out the Nights of Lights, which starts this weekend, take a closer look at this really cool chain hanging around the Flagler College campus. It’s called “Bay Chain” or “Harbor Chain”. It was used to control entry in the bay. When the Spanish wanted to close off the bay, they would string the chain to about 3-4 feet below the surface of the water. Enemy ships wouldn’t be able to see it…

Take a good look the next time your around the campus…

Now is a great time to be in St. Augustine!! And we, at Ancient City Tours, have so many options for seeing our beautiful city.

We partner with Old Town Trolley for Nights of lights.

We offer 90-minute historic walking tours around town led by trained tour guides.

Our partner company, A Ghostly Encounter, provides the finest ghost tours in St. Augustine.

And we’re always ready to provide tours for school groups, family reunions, or friend and business groups.

Just give our team a call!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/17/2024

These are just a few of the many pictures of our student tour groups loving and learning in St. Augustine. These pictures were taken at the Castillo de San Marcos, the Colonial Quarter, the Old Jail, the Fountain of Youth, and the St. Augustine Aquarium. And by the way…ALL of these pictures were taken in ONE week!! We love sharing the history and culture of our beautiful city with students from all over the southeast.

If you’d like more information about how to share these sites and more with your students, family and friends, or business associates, just give our Guest Experience Team a call!! We can take care of EVERYTHING - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and so much More! We’re ready to assist with single or multiple day trips. Our professional, trained, and licensed tour guides are the best in the business. Call Today!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/14/2024

We are running as fast as we can!! We’ve got school tours all over town this week!

Whether it’s the Castillo de San Marcos, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, the Fountain of Youth, or one of the many other cultural or historic sites in St. Augustine, we’re here to make your visit unforgettable!!

Give our Guest Experience Team a call to arrange for a unique itinerary specifically designed for your group. It’s perfect for students, family and friends, or business associates! And we’ll take care of everything for you - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More! And every aspect of your tour will be led by our professional, trained, licensed tour guides. Give us a call to schedule your visit today!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day from Ancient City Tours! We thank all of our veterans - past and present…

Pictured are…

1. The Lightner Museum
2. The Veterans Cemetery
3. The WWI Memorial
4. The Flag at The Florida National Guard Headquarters

The military history in St. Augustine is long and impressive!! If you’d like to learn more about our connections with our veterans, give us a call. Our trained, professional, and certified staff of guides are ready, willing, and able to share our city with your students, business associates, or family. Ancient City Tours is available to assist with every aspect of your trip - Meals, Attraction Tickets, Transportation, Hotels, and More! Just contact us and a member of our Guest Services Team will lead you through the process.

☎️ (904) 827-0807

11/09/2024

Happy birthday to our very own, LEE!!! We hope you have an extra special day. 🤗 ♥️

11/07/2024

Saint Augustine’s Coat of Arms

* pic 1: The original coat of arms at the Castillo de San Marcos contained symbols of a castle and a lion, representing the two original kingdoms—Castile and Leon—who merged to form Spain. (Removed and encased inside the fort for preservation)

* pic 2: The replica coat of arms as displayed at the Castillo de San Marcos, located on the base of the ravelin.

* pic3: The modern day St Augustine coat of arms:

—In 1715, city residents petitioned King Phillip V of Spain for a symbol of their own. They requested: a fleur de lis, a castle, a lion, and a strong arm with a cross in the middle.

—Their petition was granted; however, news of the design and it’s approval never made it to Saint Augustine.

—In 1911, the city again made the request and received quite a surprise! Their original petition and coat of arms had been designed and approved all the way back on November 26, 1715! St Augustine would now have her own coat of arms to reflect the town’s valor and loyalty to Spain. This is the coat of arms we use today.

And now you know!

11/05/2024

We had so much fun at this year’s St George Street Trick or Treat! Tell us how you celebrated this holiday in the comments below. We hope to see you next year! 👻 🎃 ♥️

🎥: JRapp and PParamore
🎶: Danny Elfman, “This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack

Join us as the downtown vendors of historic Saint Augustine open their doors to trick-or-treaters of all ages for one of the biggest Halloween celebrations i...

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from Ancient City Tours!!

What else would we post today?? It’s three of the most well-known cemeteries in St. Augustine, the State of Florida, and, maybe, the United States…

The Tolomato Cemetery is the Catholic cemetery inside the City Gate. Gravestones date back to the early 1700s.

The Huguenot Cemetery was created for all of the non-Catholics. It’s located just across the street from the City Gate.

The last few pictures are from the Veterans Cemetery, located right next to the Florida National Guard Headquarters building.

We’d love the opportunity to share these cemeteries with you, but there’s one very important thing to remember…. We DO NOT have permission to enter the Tolomato or Huguenot Cemeteries. SMALL groups may enter the Veterans Cemetery. These rules are from the city and we don’t have control over them…Sorry…

If you’d like to learn more about the history of each of these cemeteries or most any other site in St. Augustine, just give our Guest Experience Team a call! We’ll assist with setting a unique itinerary just for your group! We’re here to take care of everything for your students, family, friends, or business group! We’ve got you covered with Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More!! We can help with single or multiple day trips! Our professional, trained, and licensed tour guides are waiting to work with your team!! Give us a call today!!

By The Way - We can also set up tours for your group with our partner company, A Ghostly Encounter. Their Ghost Hosts are more than ready to share the ghostly historic stories throughout St. Augustine. We share a phone number, so you can book either or both. Just let our team know!

☎️ (904) 827-0807

10/29/2024

The Markland Plantation, Bridge of Lions, Ponce de Leon Statue, and Flagpole in the Plaza de la Constitucion area all have something in common - Dr. Andrew Anderson II.

Dr. Anderson’s father, Dr. Andrew Anderson Sr., laid the cornerstone of the Markland Plantation. Unfortunately, Dr. Anderson Sr. passed away shortly after during the Yellow Fever epidemic, leaving Andrew II and his mother, Clarissa, to move into a much smaller, scaled back version of the home.

As he grew, Andrew Anderson II became Dr. Andrew Anderson II, personal physician for Henry Flagler, a Mayor of St. Augustine, and benefactor to the community. The Markland Plantation home is now part of the Flagler College Campus. Dr. Anderson II sold the land east of the home to Henry Flagler. Mr. Flagler turned that land into the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels.

Dr. Anderson II donated the flagpole to be built as a memorial to those from the area who paid the ultimate price during World War I. He also donated the life size statue of Ponce de Leon and the lions at the base of the Bridge of Lions to the city. St. Augustine would definitely have been a much different place without the generosity of Dr. Andrew Anderson II. By the way, the Anderson family is still going strong in St. Augustine!!

If you’re looking for more information about the influence of Dr. Andrew Anderson II, or any other historic figures in St. Augustine, give our Guest Experience Team a call!! We’ll be happy to help you set a unique, individualized itinerary to see St. Augustine in the way that suits you best! We’ll take care of everything for your students, family and friends, or business associates - Transportation, Attraction Tickets, Meals, Hotels, and More!! We’re ready to work with single or multiple day trips. Our trained, professional tour guides are here to make your St. Augustine adventure memorable, educational…and FUN!! Give us a call today!!

☎️ (904) 827-0807