Old Jail
#9 in Best Things To Do in St. Augustine
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- 4.0Value
- 3.5Facilities
- 4.5Atmosphere
St. Augustine's Old Jail was built in 1891 to accommodate the city's criminals. Financed by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the jail was designed to blend in with the rest of the Ancient City's buildings and features Romanesque Revival-style architecture. In 1954, a year after the jail closed, the property reopened as a historic attraction. The facility was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Past visitors praised the Old Jail's tours, which are led by guides dressed up in period attire. Tours are not only informative, but also offer a glimpse into the conditions prisoners encountered in the jail. If you have an interest in the paranormal, travelers recommended taking the multi-attraction Ghosts & Gravestones tour, which includes a night tour of the Old Jail, along with the Old Drug Store and Potter's Wax Museum.
The Old Jail can be found a mile northwest of downtown's historic area by the Florida Heritage Museum and Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. To get to the jail, visitors can drive or take the trolley to the No. 1 trolley stop. Free on-site parking is available, as well as restrooms and a gift shop. The attraction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission costs $9.54 for adults and $5.30 for children 6 to 12. Entrance fees are waived for children 5 and younger, and reduced rates are offered when tickets are booked in advance on Old Town Trolley Tours' website. Travelers who purchase a Ghosts & Gravestones tour ticket or one of Old Town Trolley Tours' attraction packages do not have to pay additional fees to visit the jail.
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2 of 10#1 St. George Street
Antiquities, historic attractions and delectable cuisine are just a few of the things you'll find on St. George Street, the city's central pedestrian thoroughfare. At the northern end of the street, visitors can explore boutiques like Sunburst Crystal and Tillie's Bath Cottage, as well as historic sites like the Old City Gates and the Oldest Wooden School House. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum are within walking distance; as you travel south, you'll see additional shops and cafes, plus art galleries and the Colonial Quarter.
Visitors in search of Southern charm will appreciate St. George Street. According to past travelers, you'll find unique shops and some of the best ice cream in the area. The area is also a great spot to stop in some shops to pick up souvenirs.
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