St. Augustine Historical Tour by Golf Cart: Nation's Oldest City

An hour through 450 years: the fort, the mission, the oldest house, and the stories that connect them

A small-group golf cart tour of St. Augustine's historic downtown, led by a guide who points out the main landmarks (from the 1565 Mission Nombre de Dios to the Castillo de San Marcos fortress), and explains the history behind each one. The tour covers more ground than walking and leaves time to explore deeper afterward. Meet at the public parking garage on the north side, downtown only. Live guide in English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided historical tour of St. Augustine

• Board electric golf cart
• Cruise through historic district
• Pass Mission Nombre de Dios
• View Castillo de San Marcos
• See Ponce De Leon Hotel
• Visit Cathedral Basilica
• Pass Tolomato Cemetery
• Drive by Saint Francis Barracks
• Explore Plaza De La Constitución
• Pass Fountain of Youth site
• See González-Alvarez House
• Pass Memorial Presbyterian Church
• Cross Bridge of Lions
• Pass Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Ask guide questions

The experience

You're visiting St. Augustine for the first time, or you have a free afternoon and want to see the essentials without spending hours on foot. The golf cart tour starts at the north side of the downtown parking garage and moves through the historic district at a pace that lets you absorb the landmarks instead of rushing between them. Your guide points out the Cathedral Basilica (the oldest Catholic church in the city and the oldest parish in the country), then moves to the Tolomato Cemetery, in use since the 18th century, and the Saint Francis Barracks, built of coquina stone between 1724 and 1755. You pass the Plaza de la Constitución, where a public market has operated since the 1500s, and see the Bridge of Lions, a 1927 art deco crossing to Anastasia Island.

The route includes the Mission Nombre de Dios, where Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed in 1565 and founded the city, and the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. You'll also see Flagler College, the former Ponce de Leon Hotel, and the Memorial Presbyterian Church, built in 1890 and modeled on the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice. The González-Alvarez House, the oldest surviving Spanish colonial residence in Florida, and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park round out the stops. Ripley's Believe It or Not passes by without a halt.

The guide is your source for questions and local recommendations: what to eat, where to dig deeper, which sites are worth a return visit on foot. Many travelers book this tour first to get oriented, then come back to specific landmarks or neighborhoods they want to explore in detail. The tour takes about an hour, which means you can fit it into a morning or afternoon and still have time to walk the streets, visit museums, or sit in a café afterward.

What’s included

• Golf cart transport through the historic district.
• live guide in English who shares history and local recommendations.
• views of the Mission Nombre de Dios, Castillo de San Marcos, Cathedral Basilica, Tolomato Cemetery, Saint Francis Barracks, Plaza de la Constitución, Flagler College, Memorial Presbyterian Church, González-Alvarez House, Fountain of Youth, and Bridge of Lions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Explore Tours And Pickups

Is this one for you?An hour is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, which makes this tour the right first step if you're visiting St. Augustine for the first time and want to know where to go next. If you need a full-day deep dive into one neighborhood or a multi-stop itinerary with entry to museums and attractions, a longer private tour or self-guided walking route will serve you better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the oldest thing I'll see on this St. Augustine tour?

The Mission Nombre de Dios dates to 1565, when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded the city at that site. The Castillo de San Marcos, built by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and has stood for more than 450 years.

How long is the golf cart tour of St. Augustine?

The tour runs about an hour, covering the downtown historic district and the main landmarks without the time commitment of a walking tour. That leaves your afternoon or morning free to explore on your own or visit museums and attractions in more depth.

Where do I meet the tour, and is parking included?

You meet on the north side of the public parking garage in downtown St. Augustine (the only public garage in the city), which faces the Renaissance Hotel. Parking is your responsibility, though the garage is the standard option for visitors. Plan to arrive early to secure a spot.

Can I request pickup at my hotel instead of the parking garage?

Pickup at specific locations in the downtown district is available by request only. Contact the operator with your hotel or location, and they'll confirm whether it's possible for your departure time.

What will the guide tell me about the Cathedral Basilica?

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic church in the city and the oldest parish in the country. Your guide will share its role in the city's founding and its place in the centuries of history that followed.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

The tour works for all fitness levels and families. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are allowed. The golf cart keeps the pace relaxed, and an hour is short enough for most children to stay engaged.