by Susan Young
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Thu December 14, 2017
Take a break from the cold and visit the nation's oldest city for an old-fashioned dose of Christmas.
St. Augustine comes ablaze during its 24th Annual Nights of Lights event. Imagine three million lights bedazzling the historic district as you stroll among the many restaurants and shops during the holiday season.
National Geographic Magazine listed St. Augustine as one of the top ten cities in the world for holiday lighting displays. It is in good company with the likes of Vienna, Austria; Brussels, Belgium; and Hong Kong.
The event runs from November 18 to January 31 so, even if you don't have time during the busy season, you can take in the beauty in the month of January when the crowds are smaller. The town stays open later during this time, which encourages taking your time, meandering the streets, noshing at the restaurants and shopping the night away.
While exploring the lit-up streets, stop at a favorite among locals and tourists alike: The Lightner Museum. Showcasing PBS series Downton Abbey's collection of 36 costumes and accessories in its "Dressing Downton, Changing Fashion for Changing Times" exhibit, items are staged among the beautiful antiques and artifacts on display in the former Alcazar Hotel (built in 1888).
If you'd rather not walk on your own, there are several tours available for those not familiar with the city.
Wine and Carriage Tours offer carriage rides, both individual and group, to guide you while sipping wine and getting schooled on the history of this old city. Run by The Tasting Tours, of St. Augustine, you might want to grab that awful Christmas sweater gathering dust out of the drawer and join the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl each Friday and Saturday through December 23.
Another way to get around town is with the Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour where you'll be driven through the city while enjoying caroling, hot cider and homemade cookies. Special "magical viewing glasses" are included in your tour, which adds to the spectacle of the lights. If Ghosts and Gravestones are more your cup of wassail, hop a trolley for a ghost tour among the oldest cemeteries in the country.
One cannot discuss St. Augustine without mentioning water.
The city sits on Matanzas Bay, home of Florida Water Tours. It offers three boat tours nightly, presenting a unique way to view the lights of the city during this time of year. Wool blankets are provided for chilly evenings, and guests are free to bring their favorite beverages and snacks.
Yes, Florida does sometimes experience chilly evenings but nothing like the snow storms up north. So, come on down to St. Augustine for the Christmas experience, where the weather is beautiful and the historic ambiance is even better.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
