St. Augustine from Orlando: worth the drive, better with a night

Getting there

St. Augustine is on the northeast coast. The drive usually takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from Orlando, mostly on Interstate 4 east and then Interstate 95 north. Traffic around Orlando and Daytona can add time, so leave early.

A car is the simplest way to go. Some tour companies run day trips from Orlando, but they leave little free time. See Orlando: rental car or not if you're still deciding.

Why it's worth the drive

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental United States. The historic district is compact and walkable, with narrow streets, Spanish colonial buildings, old stone walls and grand late-1800s hotels. It feels completely unlike Orlando. The streets were laid out long before cars, and the town reflects centuries of Spanish, British and American rule. You'll see that history in the coquina stone walls, the balconies, the plazas and the street names.

The key sights are close together: the Castillo de San Marcos, a stone fort on the bay; St. George Street, a pedestrian street lined with shops and cafés; Flagler College, housed in a former grand hotel; and the Lightner Museum, in another restored hotel across the street. The lighthouse, across the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island, has views from the top.

A day trip in order

1. Leave Orlando by 7:30 a.m. and park in the large garage near the visitor center.
2. Walk to the Castillo de San Marcos and tour it first, before the heat and crowds.
3. Stroll St. George Street and have an early lunch on a side street.
4. In the afternoon, take a tour of Flagler College or visit the Lightner Museum.
5. Drive across the bridge to the lighthouse, or end with a walk along the bayfront at sunset.

A hop-on, hop-off trolley tour is a good option if anyone in your group can't walk long distances. It covers the main sights and includes parking at its base in some packages.

For lunch, the side streets off St. George Street are usually calmer and better value than the main strip. The bayfront has seafood and casual spots with water views. If you want a beach break, St. Augustine Beach and Anastasia State Park are about 15 minutes away across the bridge, with wide sand and fewer crowds than Daytona.

Why stay the night

A day trip works, but four hours of driving makes it a long day. Staying one night lets you see the town in the evening, when the tour groups leave and the streets are lit. You can take a sunset sail, eat a relaxed dinner and see the lighthouse or nearby beaches the next morning.

The city has historic inns, chain hotels near the highway, and beach hotels on Anastasia Island. Book ahead for weekends, when rates rise and the best inns fill weeks out. Weeknights are usually cheaper and quieter. If you're also visiting the coast farther south, you can stop at Daytona on the way back; see the Daytona Beach day trip.

When to go

Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summer is hot, humid and busy. From around mid-November through January, the city usually runs its Nights of Lights, when millions of small white lights decorate the historic district. It's beautiful but very busy on weekends. See Orlando in November for planning that time of year.

Mistakes to avoid

• Driving into the historic core to park. Streets are narrow and spaces scarce. Use the garage.
• Wearing the wrong shoes. Brick and uneven streets are hard on sandals.
• Trying to see everything. Pick three main sights.
• Leaving at 5 p.m. on a Sunday. I-95 and I-4 back up badly.
• Falling for every ghost tour pitch. Evening walking tours are popular and fun, but quality varies. Read recent reviews and pick one.
• Skipping water and a hat. The fort's walls and open plazas get very hot by midday, even in spring.