St. George Street in St. Augustine is a thoroughfare, pedestrian-only street lined with restaurants, shops, attractions, and immersed in history.
Planning your day on St. George Street.
Starting at the Old City Gate, you can walk St. George Street all the way to the Plaza de la Constitucion; although the pedestrian-only zone ends at the plaza, we encourage you to continue south for a few blocks to find yourself in the Lincolnville Historic District.
Like the Castillo de San Marcos, the Alligator Farm, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. George Street is a destination hotspot in St. Augustine. It’s best to reserve an entire day to fully exploring the lively and famous street. Since the street has so much to offer, we thought we’d highlight the most popular restaurants, attractions, shops, and historical sites to help you easily plan how you’ll spend the day on St. George Street!
While walking on St. George Street, check out the historical sites.
Old City Gate
The Old City Gate is located at the very north end of St. George Street. In 1808, the residents of St. Augustine built the coquina pillars and a wall as a defense mechanism. Today, the Old City Gate is a historical siting and a unique photo opportunity.
Oldest Wooden School House
Built over 200 years ago, the Oldest Wooden School House is representative of simpler times. It was built with red cedar and cypress and put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails. In the 1700s it was established as the residency of Juan Genopoly, who under British rule was no longer an indentured servant. In the following years, Genopoly opened his home to children and taught them to read and write English as well as practice arithmetic.
Pena Peck House
Photo from the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine.
The Pena Peck House was home to influential families of Spain, Britain, and America. First, it sheltered Spanish Royal Treasurer Juan Estevan de Pena and his wife Maria Antonia. When the British took rule, it was turned over to governor John Moultrie, followed by his successor Governor Patrick Tonyn. Most recently, three American generations of Pecks resided here. The last of the Peck’s donated the house and asked that it be maintained “as an example of the old ante-bellum homes of the South.”
Additionally, there are several attractions on St. George Street.
Medieval Torture Museum
The Medieval Torture Museum is a truly unique attraction, but it is not suited for those with weak stomachs or young children. The museum covers all genres of medieval torture through displays, props, and manikins which are all paired with descriptions of the torture methods.
Sheriffs Ghost Walk Tours
Sheriffs Ghost Walk Tours, is a walking tour where you will explore the inner city streets learning about haunted areas such as houses, bed and breakfasts, and cemeteries. With over four centuries of complicated history, many unwanted visitors have adopted the Old City as their permanent home. Now, they lurk the streets at night waiting to be unveiled.
Colonial Quarter
The Colonial Quarter is a St. George Street gem known for its small shop, restaurant, and outdoor venue where you can listen to free live music on occasion. However, the Colonial Quarter also hosts hourly tours where attendees can travel back in time and learn about life as an early European Settler. The tours main focuses are blacksmithing, live musket demonstrations, and climbing the watchtower.
Locally-owned shops and boutiques abound on St. George Street.
St. George Street is likely viewed as a shopping destination by many as it is bursting with unique shops and boutiques. Sunhats and handmade jewelry are showcased in window displays, handcrafted pocket knives and men’s accessories are plentiful, home décor items are the focus of many shops, and of course, you can find one-of-a-kind gift shops for souvenirs.
Enjoy a variety of plates at the restaurants on St. George Street.
From sweet treats to savory meals, restaurants on St. George Street offer a variety of delicious options. There are no shortages of bakeries, cafes, candy shops, ice cream parlors, or casual eateries. Stop by the Spanish Bakery Café for a midday empanada or cool down with a popsicle from The Hyppo. Staying for dinner? Grab a slice or two from Pizza Time, said to be the number two pizza in the country; dive into our culture and enjoy a bowl of Menorcan Chowder from the Seafood Company; eat like a local at the Mill Top Tavern, a hotspot for St. Auggie’s; try century-old family recipes like Roast Pork “A la Cubana” or Filet Mignon “Chacho” at Columbia Restaurant.
Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this article. Please credit OldCity.com when sharing and re-posting. Photo credit: Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine
