Historically recognized as the First Coast, Northeast Florida is home to some of the oldest and most well-preserved historic sites in the United States. So, if you’re a history junky searching for some beautiful historical places to visit near Jacksonville and St. Augustine, you’re in luck. Here’s a comprehensive guide to nine historical sites in Northeast Florida.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The Castillo de San Marcos Monument is the country’s oldest masonry fort. It’s located on the shore of Matanzas Bay and offers incredible insight into nearly 450 years of the historic First Coast. Don’t miss your chance to visit these ancient battlements and centuries-old architecture.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
The Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine is a historic cathedral in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida, offering guided tours and a gift shop. It also serves as a wedding venue, music venue, and the seat of the Catholic Bishop of St. Augustine.
Basilica of The Immaculate Conception
The Basilica of The Immaculate Conception is a beautiful historic church in Downtown Jacksonville, one of the parish churches in the Diocese of St. Augustine. This gorgeous church represents the oldest Catholic congregation in Jacksonville.
Florida Theatre
Opened in 1927, the Florida Theatre is a must-see piece of Florida’s entertainment history. It’s a gorgeous and well-preserved venue that, to this day, hosts internationally recognized comedians, musicians, and artists. So, if you want to experience some history and a world-class show, you should check out what’s playing at the Florida Theatre.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is a lighthouse that was constructed in the 1700s and designed to provide a beacon for ships to follow from the ocean. It also has an adjoining museum featuring artifacts and exhibits collected over the hundreds of years of history on the historic first coast. If there is a must-see landmark in St. Augustine, it’s the Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.
Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum is located directly across the street from Flagler College. It’s an iconic building in the country’s oldest city, St. Augustine, offering an immersive and intriguing experience of architecture, history, design, and art. The Lightner Museum’s mission is to inspire curiosity, enrich lives, and excite minds.
Treaty Oak Park
Treaty Oak Park is a park featuring a 250-year-old oak tree with sprawling limbs that stretch out in all directions, creating a beautiful, natural work of art. It’s famously the oldest living thing in Jacksonville – even older than the city itself!
The Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a historic site that is fun for the entire family. You can spend the day exploring history, discovering the park’s wonders, and excavating long-lost relics. The park also offers access to a planetarium, a blacksmith exhibit, the Spring House, a riverwalk, and much more!
The Huguenot Cemetery
Are you looking for a spooky historic site in St. Augustine? Well, look no further than the Huguenot Cemetery, which was established between 1821 and 1884. It’s a spot featured on many of St. Augustine’s famous ghost tours! Believed to be the most haunted graveyard in St. Augustine, Huguenot features approximately 436 ancient gravestones.
Interested in Living in This Historic Area?
Are you thinking about moving to the historic First Coast? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here at the Welch Team, we specialize in finding individuals and families the homes of their dreams in some of the best cities in the country. Contact us today to learn more!
And while you’re here, don’t forget to grab a free copy of our buyer’s guide. It provides a step-by-step guide to the home buying process, tips from our experts, and a list of our trusted vendors.
