St. Augustine: Exploring Florida's little known paradise
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Peanuts are available at The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, allowing children (and willing adults) to feed the peacocks who roam the grounds. (Erik Courtney)
The quest for the Fountain of Youth was supposedly what drove Ponce de Leon to set sail, eventually landing in Florida. It's a story with little basis in fact, but the myth has endured. (Erik Courtney)
St. George's Street is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare filled with cafes, bars, restaurants and galleries. (Erik Courtney)
Close to St. Augustine, the Jacksonville Zoo is a must for animal lovers or those with children. It features several award-winning and must-see exhibitions, including the new Land of the Tiger exhibit and the Range of the Jaguar exhibit. (Erik Courtney)
One of America's most haunted cities, no visit to St. Augustine is complete without a ghost tour. Many roam the city at night, both by foot and by trolley. (Erik Courtney)
A founder of Standard Oil, American industrialist Henry Flagler had a huge architectural impact on St. Augustine. Several of its most prominent and beautiful buildings--including the Hotel Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College), Casa Monica Hotel, and the Hotel Alcazar (now the Lightner Museum) were owned or commissioned by Flagler. (Erik Courtney)
Real gold leaf adorns the ceiling of Flagler College. It was originally built as the Hotel Ponce de Leon, an exclusive winter escape for New York high society. (Erik Courtney)
Designed by Disney Imagineers, the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum houses one of the world's largest authentic pirate artifact collections. (Erik Courtney)
Mission Nombre de Dios is the site of America's first Catholic Mass. It is expected that King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain will be visiting later this year to mark the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine's establishment by Spain. (Erik Courtney)