Have you ever wanted to visit St. Augustine but didn’t want to leave your dog at home? Well, St. Augustine is known to be a very pet-friendly town. So to be sure that the information I read was accurate, I made sure I took a visit to see for myself. I have to agree we had the best time checking out this oldest city in the U.S that is situated on the northeast coast of Florida.
Where to stay: I stayed at the voco St. Augustine in the Historic Area. It is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts. This art deco hotel just recently opened in July 2021. It caught my attention because it was close to all the things to see and near all the great restaurants. When I go on vacation I try to find a location that I won’t have to rent a car or drive too much. This hotel fit the bill on that. You can walk less than a mile and be in the historic area. It is also a great scenic walk. If you prefer riding a bike you can find public bikes you can rent using an app called Movatic. While I was there they did suggest a company called Scotts Scooter Shuttle that covers a 15 mile radius and will pick you up and drop you off for $5 so that is really nice. Here is the phone number if you decide you want to use the shuttle (904) 829-3800. Another thing I loved about this hotel is that it has a boutique feel and the staff makes you feel very welcomed. The rooms are a nice size and have a Nespresso maker and a nice size fridge you can use. They also offer an excellent restaurant and bar so its easy to get something to eat and drink. Another nice amenity they offer is complimentary parking. I feel that complimentary parking is so rare now so if you drove you can self-park your car in their garage or parking lot. The pet fee is also only $35. Check out their website for more information: https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/st-augustine/ustan/hoteldetail#scmisc=nav_hoteldetail_undefined Address: 215 Anastasia Blvd. St. Augustine, FL Phone: 904-217-7052
Things to do: There is so much to do in St. Augustine you need a few days to complete them all. If you are short on time, I highly suggest taking one of their trolleys to get an excellent overview of everything to do. These trolleys offer to hop on and off. They have two companies you can choose from Old Town Trolley Tours or Red Train Tours. Old Town Trolley is not pet-friendly. They only allow service animals, so keep that in mind when choosing. Red Train Tours do allow dogs on their trolleys. You can purchase tickets online or when you arrive.
St. Augustine Distillery is a great place to stop at because you can check it out for free, you don’t need a reservation, and they offer complimentary samples of their gin, vodka, bourbon, and rum. If you enjoyed something, you could also purchase it at their gift shop. They are also pet-friendly. https://www.staugustinedistillery.com
If you prefer a complimentary wine tour and tasting, you can check out San Sebastian Winery. This location is also pet-friendly, and your dog can come with you on the tour and join you on their rooftop bar as long as they are on a leash. Their cellar upstairs bar and restaurant is located on the rooftop and is open on weekends only. You can enjoy live music from talented locals and regional bands. While you are there, you can enjoy some delicious light bites. There is no cover charge. https://www.sansebastianwinery.com
Authentic Old Jail is a fun thing to check out. You can see an extensive collection of weapons & artifacts and some prisoners just roaming around telling you tales of what it is like living in the penal system of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also a fun place to take photos. It is approximately a 30-minute tour.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is where you can drink water from the fountain of youth. Also, don’t think they forgot about your dog. Your dog can try the Fountain of Pooch. I highly recommend checking this out. So many places for you to roam around, and it’s outdoors, so your dog can enjoy it too.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is pet-friendly the only thing your dog can’t do is climb the steps to the top of the lighthouse.
I didn’t have time to do anything else but I will provide you with a list of other things you can do if you stay longer that are pet-friendly:
The Oldest Wooden School House
Spanish Military Hospital Museum
St. Augustine Eco Tours
Places to Eat: Anywhere with outdoor seating is pretty much a pet-friendly location. I did try two places that I enjoyed called Forgotten Tonic and O.C White’s. Forgotten Tonic does have outdoor seating but keeps in mind they only have six tables outside. I highly recommend making a reservation through OpenTable. https://forgottentonic.com O.C White’s has a larger outdoor area, and their indoor seating is located in the historic Worth House circa 1790. http://www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com
I want to thank Florida’s Historic Coast for providing me with the opportunity to tour this great city. I highly recommend checking out their website for more information about St. Augustine.They provide a wealth of information from things to do, eat, and stay. https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com
If you would like a list of pet-friendly Florida hotels check out my blog post: https://www.livingafairytail.com/?p=484
