Posted: 1/14/2013 5:56:15 PM EDT
| So the sammich maker and I are finally taking a vacation without the kid after nearly 4 years of preggo and diapers. We are subjected ourselves (diapers are expensive - don't hate) to timeshare hell in St. Augustine. Please help me with sights to see and food to not miss for a 3 day weekend. We know the castle is on the list but there are so many BS tours locals please help a HTF member and I will return the favor for SWFL (Naples/Fort Myers). Hole in the wall breweries and great food is appreciated. We eat and drink well being from Naples. Price is always considered but in Naples a dinner out is a Franklin for a couple unless the McRib is considered gourmet. HIve please chime in: |
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If you have got three days there is plenty to do.
Some places I would check out are: Osteens- best friend shrimp hands down. Cheap place for lunch but the line outside will explain how good the food is. A1A Ale Works- great brew and great food. Fun place to hang out for dinner. Not to pricey but it is kind of loud so if you are looking for quite and romance this place is out. The Columbia- Another local favorite. Can get touristy at times but I still enjoy it. Can get pricey. I'll think of some more, the girlfriend and I go down every once and a while and walk around. |
| O.C. Whyte's has a great breakfast and dinner, and the building is a historic home that is quite cool. Their patio area is neat and overlooks the water and bridge- it's on the main drag. Columbia, as mentioned before, is very good but since we have one here in Ybor City in Tampa I don't go out of my way to hit that. |
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Also in old town is Harry's...... Wife and I love that place.
http://hookedonharrys.com/ Another great place with a spectacular view at sunset and awesome food is Cap's on the Water. A little pricey but I have never had a bad meal here. http://www.capsonthewater.com/ If your looking for good beer check out JP Henleys they have about 50 on tap. |
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Stop by the alligator farm with the kids if you wanna kill a few hours.
http://www.alligatorfarm.com/ Its not much but its something to do and you'll probably take some cool photos none the less. ETA: its not as cheap as it once was, but you'll still get a Florida resident discount. |
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I preface this with a statement that I have not been to this place in 15 years. However, looking at the website, it looks like the same people still run it.
The Spanish Bakery makes some of the BEST bread I have ever tasted. I would happily shoot a motherfucker in the face for a loaf fresh from their oven and no jail sentence. 
If it's out of your way, I would call before you go and make sure they still have some bread, or just go if you want some pastries/cookies/whatever. The bread is what makes it worth going too, though. Take the boat out to Fort Matanzas, it's worth it. The ferry is free, and leaves on the half hour from 09:30 to 16:30. |
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All of the places above mentioned are absolutely recommended.
The pirate museum across from the fort is also very good. All of our out of town visitors always enjoy it. There is a Greek Orthodox Shrine on St. George Street that's free and worth a look. It's easy to miss though, wife and I walked by it for years before we spotted it. Flagler College tour is cool, although you can walk around some without paying for the tour. The White Lion Pub, across from the Fort has/ had a good Happy Hour with potent Rum Runners and a good view of the fort. 
If you like cigars, there is a Cuban Cigar Roller in one of the shopping ally's on St. George Street Also, The Conch House Restaurant near the Lighthouse is good. If the weather's good, you can eat in outdoor Crow's Nests with a fantastic view. (lunch is much cheaper than diner). Avoid this place on Sundays unless you like loud reggae parties. The Old Jail, complete with hanging gallows, very close to The Fountain of Youth. On certain weekends, they have Reenactors and cannon firings. Lots to do. Have fun. |