Looking for free things to do in St. Augustine, Florida?  You’re in the right spot!  As a popular tourist destination, St. Augustine, Florida offers lots to do – but costs can quickly add up when you’re paying for a St. Augustine hotel (check prices here), food, drinks, and admission fees.  

But your trip doesn’t have to break the bank!  There are ample free and very low-cost activities that can help you stretch your budget on your St. Augustine vacation.  The following are ten top free activities in St. Augustine, Florida for you to enjoy!

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Ten Free Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida

1.  Stroll Around Historic Downtown St. Augustine

A large part of St. Augustine’s allure is the historic downtown.  One of the best ways to explore it, in my opinion, happens to be free.  Just stroll around and enjoy the historic architecture and European feel of much of the town.  

Architectural styles you’ll encounter include Spanish Colonial, Spanish Revival, Moorish, Neo-classicial, and even modern influences.  This is a great article to help you identify what styles you are viewing: A Guide to Instagram-Worthy Architecture

You’ll notice a number of signs on buildings and streets that expand upon the city’s history.  For a better overview, check out a map.  Maps are readily available online (here’s one) and for free around town including at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center.

RUNNERS, Read This: If you’re a runner, pack your running shoes, wake up early (to beat the heat and crowds) and run around this historic downtown.  It’s a fun and unique way to see the city and scout locations to come back to later in the day.

2. Stand in Awe of the Cathedral Basilica

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084) is a stunning catholic church located at the south end of bustling St. George Street.  The church was initially built in the late 1700s and then rebuilt in 1887 after a fire.  While the church itself is historic but its congregation even older – it is the oldest Catholic congregation in the contiguous United States.

You are generally allowed into the church to visit Monday – Friday 8AM-5PM subject to change for special services and events.  As with any religious location, be respectful of services as it is an active church.

Local’s Tip: Chances are you’ll be doing a lot of walking on your visit to St. Augustine so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack sunscreen!

3. Chill Out on the Beach

Visitors to St. Augustine from out of state often center their trip around the historic downtown, but there’s also a beautiful beach just a few miles away that is worth visiting if you have the time.  There’s a beach just a few miles from downtown St. Augustine.  The parking lot at the St. Augustine pier offers the largest abundance of free public parking in one place, but it can fill up on nice days.

4. Take a Tour of Ft. Matanza’s

Visiting Ft. Matanzas National Monument is free!  You take a very short ferry over to the fort and then go on a brief guided tour where you learn about the architecture and strategic importance of the fort.

My dad and I did this a few years ago and it was a lot more fun than I thought.  Arrive early to ensure you get a seat as tickets can sell out. It’s short but worthwhile and if you want to extend your visit, you can enjoy a stroll on some of the nature trails, along the Matanzas River, or over along the ocean.  (You can swim too!)

Details for planning your visit to Ft. Matanzas can be found on the NPS website here.

5. Go for an Art Walk (First Friday or DIY)

If you’re in St. Augustine, Florida on the first Friday of any month, I highly recommend checking out the First Friday Art Walk, which runs from 5PM – (apx) 9PM.  It’s a fantastic, fun way to see a bunch of galleries at once in a community-forward atmosphere.  Oh, and 10-months out of the year, Old Town Trolleys provides free shuttle service between art areas.

If you’re not in St. Augustine on a first Friday, I still recommend going on an art-walk to explore the town’s many art galleries on your own.  Here’s a St. Augustine art resource page and gallery list from the St. Augustine Art Association that will help you plan your art-walk, whether its DIY or First Friday.

6. Enjoy Free Live Music

You can pretty consistently find some form of free music in St. Augustine.  On art-walk First Fridays, the Cathedral Basilica puts on free organ recitals from 6PM – 8PM.  

There are also seasonal shows.  You can enjoy free Wednesday night “Music by the Sea” at the St. Augustine Beach Pier (check out details and line-up here) from approximately May to September.  You can enjoy night concerts in the Plaza de la Constitución (check out the details line-up here) from approximately June to early September.

You can also aim or eat/drink at places, like Prohibition Kitchen (downtown St. Augustine) and Café 11 (St. Augustine Beach) that are known for hosting live music.

Local’s Tip: Even though it’s Florida, nights in winter can get cool and the beach can feel a lot cooler when it’s windy out. Pack a cozy women hoodie when visiting in fall through early spring.

7. Take an [Adult] Beverage Tour

The St. Augustine Distillery (guided) and San Sabastian Winery (self-guided) each offer free tours.  I’ve gone on the distillery tour twice and absolutely loved it.  You learn about the history of the distillery as well as the distilling process – oh, and a few samples too.

Read More: 10-Reasons St. Augustine Distillery is one of Florida’s Coolest Distilleries.

8. Explore Washington Oaks ($5 parking fee)

OKAY!  I’m busted. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park isn’t 100% free because you have to pay a nominal $5 for parking and it’s about a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Augustine. BUT there’s no admission fee an it’s a really beautiful park so it makes the list.

Washington Oaks is predominantly a maintained garden with trails nestled between the Mantanzas River and Atlantic Ocean, which I’d say is pretty unique.  The trails are easy, making it family-friendly, and the scenery photogenic, making it Instagram-friendly ;).  I also recommend bringing a blanket (like this one) little picnic or at least a snack to sit and soak it in. 

9. Picnic at the Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos, is an iconic fixture in downtown St. Augustine’s landscape.  There is a fee to tour the fort, but hanging out on its grounds is free and quite pleasant.  Pack a picnic and then walk along the bay and over the Bridge of Lions when you’re done.

10. Farmers & Night Markets 

The St. Augustine amphitheater is home to a fun Saturday farmers and arts market complete with live music on the patio. Sure, there’s a good chance that you’ll buy something small, but a coffee or sweet treat is nominal, and you don’t have to. With the live music, it’s just a fun place to walk around for a bit.  

If you’re feeling adventurous and willing to part with $8 per car drive over to Anastasia State Park after to enjoy the beach and some easy hikes.

Local’s Tip: If you’re on a budget, keep an eye out for free periodicals and coupon books around town. You can find coupons for attractions and restaurants in them.

Keep an eye out for free festivals and events!  

St. Augustine and its neighboring communities are known to put on various festivals and events.  Check out local print periodicals (again, you can often find these free at hotels and restaurants) and online to see what’s happening when you visit St. Augustine, Florida.

Looking for more resources to plan your St. Augustine, Florida trip?  Check out all my St. Augustine posts here. Want more photos & videos? Follow me on Instagram: @eclecticadventures

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