10 Best Museums in St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is about all things nautical. The museum's collection includes artefacts and exhibits focusing on everything from shipwrecks to lighthouses.

The museum's most popular attraction is the St. Augustine Lighthouse. As the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, it’s already one of a kind. And that’s just the beginning – you can also climb the 219 steps to the top and take in stunning beach and city views. No wonder it’s considered one of the best museums in St. Augustine!

Located in the heart of city centre St. Augustine in the former Alcazar Hotel, the Lightner Museum features hundreds of antiques from the American Gilded Age. Take your time as you stroll through the many galleries featuring luxurious art, furniture, and home décor.

After perusing the exhibits, stick around a little longer for lunch at Café Alcazar. Located in the building’s former indoor swimming pool, this café features the best local ingredients on its menu. Do note that reservations are highly recommended for this in-demand restaurant.

As its name implies, the Old Jail Museum served as a St. Augustine jail from 1891 to 1953. It wasn’t until 1960 that this building was revamped and turned into a museum open to the public.

Today, you can take a guided tour of this historic jail – with a guide dressed like an inmate from that time period! Learn about the prisoners’ severe living conditions, listen to stories of former inmates and their families, and even take a peek into the maximum security cells.

The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum is undoubtedly one of the best museums in St. Augustine for kids. As well as being big on fun, this museum’s attractions are mostly history based.

During your visit, wander your way through authentic pirate artefacts, including clothing, weapons, and treasure! You can even get a little taste of classic pirate life through the museum’s interactive exhibits, the elaborate pirate ship replica, and a thrilling treasure hunt game for the whole family.

The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Centre is dedicated to preserving the history of St. Augustine’s African American community. It’s housed in the former Excelsior School Building, which served as the first public Black high school in the county when it opened in 1925.

Covering over 450 years of Black history, this museum has exhibits on everything from slavery and the civil rights movement to emancipation parades and jazz music. There are even dedicated galleries on impactful African American women, including Barbara Vickers, Kat Twine, and Mildred Larkins.

Castillo De San Marcos is one of the most recognisable landmarks in St. Augustine, and maybe even in all of Florida. Built in the late 1600s, this Spanish coquina-constructed fort was created to protect the city from attacks from other international power players, like the British and the French.

Today, you can take a guided tour of this historic fort and learn all about the many different battles and skirmishes that happened there. If you time things right, you may even be able to see a battle reenactment – complete with a cannon firing!

Founded in 1565, the city of St. Augustine is technically more than 200 years older than the US The St. Augustine History Museum showcases finds from the city’s near-500 years of history.

As you peruse the museum’s exhibits, you’ll find everything from weapons and photographs to toys and jewellery. These artefacts will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, allowing you to experience St. Augustine through the centuries.

Originally built in 1798, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum in St. Augustine is one of the best examples of Second Spanish Period architecture. Put another way, this coquina-constructed home fuses together the best of historic Spanish and British architectural styles.

While the architecture is unique on its own, it’s really the museum collection inside that transports you back into the past. On a guided tour, you’ll make your way through each of the restored rooms, where you’ll find 18th century furniture, décor, and more.

The Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens is located in the heart of city centre St Augustine. More importantly, it’s believed to be one of the oldest schoolhouses in the entire country.

Dating back to the early 1700s, there are only a handful of schools older than this that are still standing. While this building no longer serves as a school, it’s still a great place to learn about many different teaching methods used throughout history. And when you wrap up inside, why not go for a relaxing stroll in the gardens outside?

The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum is located just a few miles outside of St. Augustine in Ponte Vedra Beach. This museum features many exhibits on the history of golf, including the biggest golf tournaments in the world and the golfing greats throughout history.

After you wander through all the exhibits, you’ll want to put your golfing skills to the test. Luckily, the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum has a couple of options for you. Play over 165 courses on a golf simulator or take a swing on the difficult 132-yard Challenge Hole.