Day Trip to Historic St. Augustine from Orlando with Hotel Pickup

A day trip from Orlando to St. Augustine, the historic coastal town in northeast Florida. The outing combines a guided visit to the old town with free time for walking, dining and optional add-ons.

Departing from Orlando, this day trip heads northeast to St. Augustine, a town of colonial Spanish neighborhoods, older stone buildings and cobbled streets. Time is free for wandering and for lunch at one of the cafes along the promenade. The town is recognized as the longest continuously inhabited European-founded settlement in the United States, and its main sights include the Castillo de San Marco fort and the Fountain of Youth.

Hotel pickup is part of the outing. Several upgrades can be added: a scenic boat cruise lasting one hour on the waterways of the Bay of Matanzas, a hop-on, hop-off trolley that comes with a guided commentary of the historic old town and lets you get off wherever you like, and a visit to the Medieval Torture Museum, which focuses on the cruelty of medieval rulers and executioners.

No particular experience is needed. The day suits visitors passing through Orlando who want to see a different side of Florida, families with older children, and anyone curious about colonial history. Participants should plan on spending the day away from the city, with transportation handled by the organizers.