Page 8 - OCL October 2017 Old City Life Magazine

has never left us.
The Spanish influence is everywhere in
St. Augustine’s buildings. Many of its hotels, museums, churches, inns and public places have a distinct colonial flair. Spectacular archways, flying buttresses, stained glass windows and the magnificent lobbies of Henry M. Flagler’s grand hotels, all evoke a by-gone era.
The historic Colonial Quarter is a living theater allowing visitors to see how early settlers went about their lives, how they repulsed invaders or were occupied by them. Festivals are staged during all seasons of the year and are fun and informative and provide a perfect way for a family to learn together.
Anastasia Island, between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is an 18 mile vacationer’s paradise perfect for all outdoor recreational activities. Here you’ll find beautiful, clean, sandy beaches, the county fishing pier and the Anastasia State Recreation Area, which offers camping, hiking, nature trails, birding,
picnicking, fishing and volleyball. You’ll have an ample opportunity to view the spectacular abundance of native wildlife.
The St. Augustine Amphitheater, ranked as one of the best outdoor concert venues in the United States serves up first class entertainment of every type. John Legend, Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell, Crosby Stills & Nash, Carlos Santana and many more have graced this award winning stage. See www.staugamphitheatre. com for more information and a complete list of upcoming shows.
The 900 seat Ponte Vedra Concert Hall,
just up the road in neighboring Ponte Vedra Beach, is the little sister of our award-winning amphitheatre and offers top notch entertainment as well. See www.pvconcerthall.com for a complete list of upcoming shows.
Our coastal waters are home to porpoises; playful, intelligent creatures often
spotted frolicking in
the waves
close to shore. The area also hosts a sizeable colony of manatees. Spotting one of these gentle creatures in the wild is a thrill you’ll not soon forget.
Looking for American alligators is another favorite of visitors to Florida. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm on Anastasia Island opened in 1893 as the world’s first
of its kind zoological park with the world’s only complete collection of crocodilians, not to mention snakes, monkeys, birds and educational wildlife shows.
St. Augustine celebrated the 450th Anniversary of it’s founding in September of 2015, The oldest continuously inhabited European-established
settlement in the
U.S.
St. Augustine has a rich history in the Shrimping industry.
Photo by Addison Fitzgerald
8 GUEST ADVANTAGE 2017