raw bar and large craft beer selection . And events are attracting visitors and locals alike with a free summer concert series , food festivals and the popular New Year ’ s Beach B l a s tO ff !
Anastasia Island
Anchored by the St . Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum , Anastasia Island is an emerging shopping and dining area . Concerts at the St . Augustine Amphitheatre include world-renowned artists , but it ’ s the “ Amp ’ s ” new Backyard Stage events that everyone is talking about . The Backyard events – which actually take place in a small staged area behind the venue – are free or low cost and feature up-and-coming bands with food trucks and local artists displaying their wares .
The St . Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is always one of the area ’ s top attractions . And why not ? With that amazing view from the top after climbing 219 steps . But it ’ s what ’ s under water that ’ s really getting attention . Shipwrecks . Secrets from the sea , artifacts , and archaeologists . That ’ s all we can say . You ’ ll have to see it for yourself .
Vilano Beach
What used to be a local secret has become a burgeoning stretch of A1A attracting vacationing families with coquina sand beaches , plenty of seaside lodging options like the funky Magic Beach Motel , a shopping complex with swimwear for sale , surfboards to rent , and a pet friendly restaurant knowns as Beaches where you can ride up on your boat or wave runner .
Lincolnville
There ’ s a lot going on in this small part of St . Augustine that ’ s listed on the National Register of Historic Places . A free walking tour and markers tell the little known history
Art Walk on Aviles Street
St . Augustine Distillery Tours
of Lincolnville ’ s important role in the Civil Rights movement . From 1963 to 1964 , the area originated peaceful protests led by Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . and Andrew Young .
Attracting attention to Lincolnville in a completely different way , the St . Augustine Distillery is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in town . The St . Augustine Distillery utilizes local ingredients to produce whiskey , rum , vodka , gin and bourbon in hand crafted small batches . Since opening in 2014 , the Distillery has already won awards and many fans for its products . The Distillery is housed in a historic building that once served as an ice plant and free tours and tastings take place daily .
Uptown
The Uptown area is still known for the beautiful Mission Nombre de Dios and the great cross that towers over the Nation ’ s oldest city . But the once quiet , empty stretch of San Marco Avenue is now lined with eclectic boutiques , a wine bar , and the popular “ Uptown Saturday Night ,” event that brings out shoppers the last Saturday of the month who enjoy live music , libations and the chance to mingle with friends old and new . The always popular Raintree Restaurant has expanded with a romantic brick courtyard adding to the cozy , up-tempo vibe of this newly chic region of the city .
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