St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and its beaches offer exceptional opportunities to explore the Florida outdoors, music, art, heritage and culinary adventures - all centered on the diverse groups of people who have lived here for nearly 460 years.

In the St. Augustine Historic District, visitors will discover five centuries of architecture and history, with eclectic art galleries, music concerts, opera, theater, dance and celebrations year-round. Nearby, upscale Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the PGA TOUR headquarters and its regal history, as well as the unique Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. St. Augustine's coastline offers a laid back vibe, unspoiled beaches and fresh seafood, all with a colorful artistic flair.

Anytime of year is the perfect time to visit. Fall is the season of renewal and Florida’s Historic Coast is the place for new and fresh experiences in 2023. St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches welcomes autumn with a host of new eateries, hotels, and experiences. The fresh, new spaces are just waiting for eager visitors!
Winter brings the most spectacular time of year to St. Augustine. From mid-November through January, 2024 the 30th Annual Nights of Lights will shine in the Nation's oldest city, setting a brilliant stage for dozens of events and performances.

In March, The PLAYER'S Championship, along with scores of the world's best golfers return to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra for the most competitive tournament in the world; and the Annual Celtic Festival take place to celebrate St. Augustine's very interesting cultural ties.

April and May are filled with food, art, music events that tell the many cultural influences that are part of this most important city's past, present and future.

New lodgings and great Dining!
- The internationally-recognized Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach recently opened the brand-new Cabana Beach Club with access to 26 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, a junior Olympic pool, and three distinct eateries for resort guests to enjoy. The 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop provides spectacular views of the Atlantic.
- drinks.

The oceanside community of Vilano Beach is now home to the highly-anticipated Hyatt Place Vilano Beach. The has a fresh and welcoming look - classic Florida Vernacular architecture with Art Deco compliments. Along with the 120 guest rooms, a second-floor swimming pool, plenty of parking, 7,200 Square feet of meeting and event spaces, it lays just steps from Vilano beach. It also features dining experiences conceptualized by lauded local restaurateur Michael Lugo. Pesca Vilano features globally-inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and a cheeky imagination. Indoor fine dining on the main floor features an expansive wine list, while the rooftop offers a curated menu and crafted cocktails with a one-of-a-kind view of St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.

- In mid-November, the Casa Monica Resort & Spa is launching a reimagined restaurant concept, Cordova – a Coastal Chophouse & Bar. This indulgent coastal chophouse comprised of 145 indoor seats, with a lounge, private dining room, and intimate wine room. The menu is inspired by the bright, fresh cuisine of Spain and Morocco and showcases classic chophouse favorites.

- Chef Barry Honan’s Lotus Noodle Bar is all the rage in St. Augustine’s culinary scene. Opened in September 2023, Lotus has a creative menu that is described as modern Japanese with French technique. Each dish is creative story filled with a delightful surprise of flavors, textures, and visual composition rooted in a sense of constant evolution. A thoughtful selection of Saké, Japanese beer, and wine are available. Lotus has limited seating and is a reservation only dining experience.

- In Uptown St. Augustine Chez L’Amour, a new elevated dining concept, offers a social experience through tapas-style small plates, plant-based upscale cuisine, decadent desserts, and a full bar, complimented by intimate jazz and piano music performed by world-class musicians.

- A new concept, Dining at the Plaza, celebrated the successful launch of their evening offering, Bourbon & Boards. Crafted with nightlife in mind, Bourbon & Boards is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11pm. They serve up a curated selection of over 137 bottles of bourbon, 900 bottles of wine, hand-crafted cocktails, late-night bar-cuterie boards, and specially-made tapas. Live jazz music create an intimate, speakeasy atmosphere. Dining at the Plaza is also home to the Ancient City Brunch Bar and Ancient City Supper Club.

From modern galleries to exclusive exhibits to the design of historic cathedrals, the visual arts offer an endless feast for the eyes and the imagination. The areas arts scene dates back to the 19th century, when New England artists and wealthy tourists visited and made their homes in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra. The city of St. Augustine became a haven for creative sun-seekers, and the spirit of expressive freedom and arts appreciation continues today.

Music, Art & More.
Occupying the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. The Lightner Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding and the 135th anniversary of its iconic home with a series of new exhibitions and events. The latest major touring exhibit, The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art, features organic furniture of Louis Majorelle, alluring posters of Alphonse Mucha, and luminous works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and will be on display November 17, 2023 to March 15, 2024.

Continuing tradition, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series is set to welcome another year of exceptional performances to the historic grounds of Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. From February 8-17, 2024, the event promises to blend rich history with the vibrant sounds of jazz and blues, featuring a lineup of internationally renowned artists like Common, Preservation Hall JAzz Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis, Keb’ Mo’, and more.

Fort Mose is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. In 1738, an estimated 100 Africans made Fort Mose their home and sanctuary in seeking liberation from English enslavement amidst a large-scale power struggle between European powers in the New World. Pulling from Native American, Spanish and English cultural customs, the founding residents of Fort Mose created a new cultural community.
In 1994, Fort Mose was designated as a Historic National Landmark.the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series has not only celebrated musical excellence but also focused on bringing awareness to the historic site and supporting the Fort Mose Historical Society in its goal to reconstruct a representation of Fort Mose. The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series not only celebrates musical excellence but also focuses on bringing awareness to the historic site and supporting the Fort Mose Historical Society in its goal to reconstruct a representation of Fort Mose.