There is no southern city in Florida historically rich as St. Augustine, FL. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine is must-see city for any traveler and has been a recommended location in Patricia Schultz’s book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”

There are many popular attractions in St. Augustine, but here is a sample of the ones we liked most:

The Fountain of Youth: When discovering Florida in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon was actually looking for this legendary spring that reportedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks its waters. The Fountain of Youth is located in an archaeological park with many attractions, including a Planetarium, the ancient Indian village of Seloy, a reproduction of the Salt Cellar, which was a gift to Ponce de Leon from Christopher in commemoration of their voyage across the Atlantic, and re-enactments of founding of St. Augustine. Expect to see a lot of pirates on the grounds!

The Potter’s Wax Museum is the oldest wax museum in America. You can find the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Richards, Angelina Jolie, and Johnny Depp inside. Over 170 famous people, including presidents, explorers, artists, actors, and composers have been “reproduced” in wax form at the Potter’s Wax Museum.

The Cathedral of St. Augustine is a National Historical Landmark. This cathedral features Spanish Mission architecture, a Spanish Renaissance style bell tower, and was constructed in 1797. Within the walls of the church, you will find replica paintings from the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican.

If you can’t believe it, you might want to visit the oldest Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, an “Odditorium” which is located in the Castle Warden, a famous former hotel in St. Augustine that used to host many famous guests. Because of the success of this particular museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum opened additional locations throughout the country, including in Branson, Missouri, and throughout the world. This location is rumored to be haunted, so it’s great fun for the entire family.

The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine is a unique gallery featuring the golfing achievements of both men and women golfers. As of October 2006, 114 renowned golfers are showcased in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Your trip to St. Augustine features tickets for two to this venue.

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the United States also happens to be located in St. Augustine, which was built in the early 1700s or prior (the exact date is undetermined). This school happens to be the first “coeducational” institution. Today, this Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is a theme-park attraction where children receive make-believe diplomas as a souvenir for their visit.

Finally, St. Augustine is a nature lover’s paradise: within the confines of the Anastasia State Park, visitors may find wildlife, birds, and plants. The park is broken into a variety of settings, including a tidal salt marsh and beach. Visitors can participate in numerous water sports or walk on several nature trails on the Anastasia State Park campgrounds.

This is just a little of what you could do on your affordable and historical St. Augustine, FL vacation. If you desire to learn more about the history of this country, St. Augustine is a must-stop on your United States historical adventure.