Visiting St. Augustine B & B's and Inns

St. Augustine was founded in 1565, 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Today this beautiful Oceanside city is the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States.

If you enjoy American history, in addition to the more than 85 historic sites and attractions, there are several historic reenactments throughout the year covering the past 450 years.

Near the end of the 19th century, oil magnate Henry Flagler envisioned St. Augustine as "America's Riviera," preserving much of its centuries-old structures and initiating exciting new architectural and recreation features that turned this sleepy town into one of Florida's earliest resort locations. The architecturally stunning buildings of Flagler College and the Casa Monica hotel give testimony to this great era.

Discussing my pleasant visit to St. Augustine, my friends recalled driving to Florida with their parents year after year with a regular stop in this fine area.

Lots of tours are available via horse and carriage, trolleys and trains, river cruises and walking tours. We participated in a trolley tour, a ghost tour (more fun than you would expect) and a short walking tour. I could easily go back. There is so much to see plus one has to eat, shop, golf, read a book and walk on the beach…

And it was the 42 miles of glistening beach that caught the eye of the Spanish explorers who sailed to this area of Florida nearly 500 years ago. Today, these same pristine beaches draw families, couples and water sports enthusiasts for the perfect oceanside holiday. You will find dozens of public access points and ocean front parks offering seclusion or family oriented spots to enjoy the gentle surf. Explore the beaches of Anastasia Island, the Vilano / North Beach area, or Ponte Vedra Beach.

Although I wasn't able to stay in any of the 26 St. Augustine Historic Bed and Breakfast Inns on my last visit, we did tour several sampling breakfasts and dinners. Who cares about sleeping if you can keep eating! Every property was unique offering a combination of rooms, suites and cottages. The history lesson better than any classroom.

As a sample, the St. Francis Inn (circa 1791) is the oldest inn in St. Augustine, and its sister inn, Casa de Solana (circa early 1800's), are owned and operated by Joe and Margaret Finnegan. A short two block walk from each other, they comprise a total of 27 rooms and suites. The St. Francis was chosen by the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources to receive an historic plaque that pays tribute to Anna Marie Dummett.

The plaque will be placed in front of the Garcia-Dummett House (now known as the St. Francis Inn). Owning or managing a boarding house in the mid 1800's was one of the few suitable occupations available to women of that era. Anna and her sister Sarah were given the Inn in 1845 by their mother.

Anna, a staunch supporter of the Confederacy, spent many years caring for the children of her deceased sister Sarah, whose husband was confederate general William J. Hardee. Anna was also responsible for erecting the Confederate War Memorial now located in the downtown ‘Plaza' of America's oldest city. The local chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy was named in her honor to which she remained loyal until her death in 1899.

Historically, the Inn is still recognized as the Garcia-Dummett House, although the business has been operating as the St. Francis Inn since 1948.

www.stfrancisinn.com
www.casadesolana.com 
Owner - Joe Finnegan: 800-824-6062

The St. Augustine Historic Inns are major community supporters and once again working with the Police Athletic League of St. Augustine to create their ninth ‘Holiday Tour of Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns' for Sunday, December 8, 2002. Since 1998, the organization has donated more than $30,000 to P.A.L., helping St. Augustine's youth realize that sports and wholesome activities keep kids ‘off the streets'.

During the December tour, the children assist innkeepers with various aspects of the special day from set-up and greeting visitors to directing people from inn to inn and being available to volunteer where needed

Within walking distance to every corner of St. Augustine's ‘Ancient City', the Holiday Tour features the finest local restaurants' signature sweets and savories in each of the participating Inns.

Tickets priced at $15 (available at participating B&B's) are a 'Keepsake Holiday Book' with recipes, tour map and 2003 St. Augustine calendar of upcoming events. For ticket information, call: Ken Cerotzke at (904)824-5214.

From The Victorian House's 33-year collection of hand-crafted ornaments, hand-stitched tablecloths and napkins in holiday theme to Our House's natural Florida treasures of seashells, palm fronds and Spanish moss, the bustle begins early enough to be ready for the famous ‘Nights of Lights' illumination (November 23-January 31). It boasts over two million lights in the ‘ancient city'! At Peace & Plenty Inn, innkeeper Glenna Terrell is recreating an 1890 Victorian Christmas with historic dolls, perfumed sachets and decorative evening handbags. Getting into the holiday spirit, the Centennial House decorates with Ellen & Jeff's family heirloom ornament collection.

There is never enough time to begin selecting color schemes or testing the thousands of feet of twinkling lights that make the St. Augustine Historic Inns come to life by November 23. This year, Casa de Suenos becomes a sparkling gem with opulent gold and silver accents inside and a multitude of lights adorning the arched palladium windows, columns and porches outside; this turn-of-the-century Mediterranean home is certainly a 'house of dreams'. Burgundy, pink and gold are the colors chosen by Old Powder House, in addition to the Victorian shoes hanging on their tree as a little Santa cheerfully greet guests from the mantle. Casablanca Inn invites their Ghost of Christmas Past, Lady with a Lantern, to join the festivities as she stands on the widow's walk overlooking the Bayfront! What is a Victorian Christmas without the magic of Agustin Inn's front veranda and garden ablaze with the sparkle of clear white lights. Old City House promises the uniqueness of ancient cities' accents in their festive bedrooms, a warm invitation to join them for a fireside Hot Toddy in their cozy lounge and a holiday meal to remember in their award-winning restaurant.

With St. Augustine's quaint shops, themed and fine dining, a full schedule of theatrical performances, parades, caroling and historic sites, this year is truly an enchanting moment of old-world charm that begins with the anticipation of a memorable season of dreams.

63 Orange Street 
The Agustin Inn 
Alexander Homestead 
Aunt Peg's 
Bayfront Westcott House 
Carriage Way B&B 
Casablanca Inn on the Bay 
Casa de la Paz Bayfront B&B 
Casa de Solana Casa de Suenos 
Castle Garden 
Cedar House Inn Victorian B&B 
Centennial House 
The Inn on Charlotte Street 
The Kenwood Inn 
Old City House Inn 
Old Mansion Inn The Old Powder House 
Our House Of St. Augustine 
Peace and Plenty Inn 
Penny Farthing Inn 
St. Francis Inn 
The Saragossa Inn 
The Southern Wind 
Victorian House 
The Whale's Tale     2003 Special Events in Historic St. Augustine

* January Nights of Lights (Jan. 1-31) - Holiday Illumination throughout historic St. Augustine 1-800-OLDCITY 
* Limelight Theater (thru Jan. 18) - "Always Patsy Cline" (904) 825-1164 for reservations limelight-theater.com 
* EMMA Series (Jan. 19) - "Gilbert & Sullivan: Aspects of Love" Flagler College Auditorium. For information: (904)797-2800 visit EMMA at: staugustine.com 
* First Friday ArtWalk (Every Month 2003) - Self-guided walking gallery tour 5p-9p (904)829-0065 visit staugustinegalleries.com 
February 
* Emma Series (Feb. 1) - "Corey Cerovsek, Violinist" (904)797-2800 Call for all 2003 concerts 
* San Sebastian Winery (Feb. 15-16) "Wine Fest" celebration of the grapes! (904)826-1594 sansebastianwinery.com 
* Menendez Festival (Feb. 21&22) - Birthday celebration for Don Pedro Menendez, founder of St. Augustine: flotilla, fireworks, fiesta, Spanish entertainment, masked ball. (904)825-5087 
* St. Augustine Historic Inns - Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) - Plan a romantic bed & breakfast getaway for someone you love. staugustineinns.com 
* Limelight Theater (Feb. 6-28) - 'Hospitality Suite' by Roger Rueff 904-825-1164 for details limelight-theater.com 
March 
* Lighthouse Festival (March 15) - "11th Annual" with Victorian activities, hands-on living history, 5k Bud Light run (904)829-0745 
* St. Augustine Historic Inns - Plan a mid-week March heritage/historic/getaway. staugustineinns.com 
* Film Society of St. Augustine - Always the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, showing the most interesting international and art films at the St. Augustine Art Association. (904)823-9969 or email at: info@augfilm.com 
* St. Augustine Jazz & Heritage Festival - (March 21-23) "Lions of Jazz Bridge Past & Present" A Jazz Festival featuring renowned musicians, arts & crafts and food. (904)461-7656 staugjazzfest.org 
April 
* Regalos Festival (Date TBA) - 4-day Spanish Colonial Heritage Festival (904)829-3300 
* Epic Celebration of Spring (April 23-27) Gala Celebration of food, gardening, B&B tour & historic architecture in Nation's Oldest City. (904)829-3295 visit epiccommunityservices.org 
* Spring Arts & Crafts Festival - (Date TBA) Artisans display & sell their hand-made signature items, held at Belz Factory Outlet World (904)826-1311 
* Easter Sunrise Services - One of the year's most beautiful mornings overlooking the Matanzas River from historic downtown St. Augustine. visit oldcity.com 
May 
* Mother's Day - The St. Augustine Historic Inns invite you to give Mom a special gift and sweep her off her feet to a bed & breakfast mid-week getaway. visit staugustineinns.com 
* Art Association (1st Friday) Annual art exhibit for Florida Artist Group, multi-media artists 824-2310 staugustinegalleries.com 
* Concerts in the Plaza - (Every Thursday evening May-Sept) Free outdoor music; bring your folding chairs and relax while enjoying breezes off the Bayfront. 7pm (904)825-1010 
* 5th Annual Fine Art & Jazz Show (May 10-11) San Sebastian Winery features Florida's top multi-artists and renowned Jazz performers. (904)826-1594 sansebastianwinery.com 
June 
* Senior Sweethearts! The St. Augustine Historic Inns welcomes you to a month-long special promotion Sunday-Thursday nights. Our website has details! staugustineinns.com 
* Father's Day Weekend (June 13-15). Treat Dad to a Golf and Romantic B&B Getaway! staugustineinns.com 
* Greek Landing Day Festival (Date TBA) Sponsored by St. Photios Nat'l. Greek Orthodox Shrine. Celebrate the arrival of the first colony of Greeks in N. America. (904)829-8205 
July 
* Fourth of July Celebration. One of the East Coast's largest fireworks shows bursting over the Fort & reflecting in the Matanzas River! Fireworks begin at sundown. (800)-OLD CITY 
* 4th Annual Playwright's Festival. The Limelight Theater features new playwrights throughout the summer. Call for Show, dates and curtain. (904-825-1164) limelight-theater.com 
* Take a moonlight sail on the Schooner Freedom, stroll the ancient city, treat yourself to a mid-week spa getaway at a historic bed & breakfast. staugustineinns.com 
* Film Society of St. Augustine. There's always a foreign film or vintage movie for 'flick' fans. info@augfilm.com 
August 
* 1st Annual St. Augustine Historic Inns Read-A-Book month. Gather 'best sellers' & 'best fellers', check in for a lazy getaway where you read, relax and just enjoy being Inn. staugustineinns.com 
* First Friday Art Walk. Free, self-guided walking tour of St. Augustine's art galleries from 5-9pm. Refreshments served at each gallery. Info: 904-829-0065 staugustinegalleries.com 
* 6th Annual Harvest Festival. (August 23-24) Grape stomping, tasting, music & fun. sansebastianwinery.com 
September 
* Womens Escape to the Inns & Antiques of St. Augustine. (Sept. 21-24). Third annual 'for women only' escape. Bring a friend, your mom, sister, daughter or just solo, for the nationally acclaimed B&B and art gallery event of the year! staugustineinns.com 
* Labor Day (Sept. 1) Summer concerts in the Plaza, reminiscent of days gone by. (904)825-1010 
* St. Augustine Birthday Festival (2nd weekend in Sept.) Traditional celebration of the birthday of the Nation's Oldest City, our 438th! (904)825-1010 
October 
* 15th Annual Colonial Folk Arts & Crafts Festival. (Columbus weekend Oct. 11-13). (904)810-5587 Art demonstrations, craftspeople, music by period musicians. 
* Art Galleries of St. Augustine 'Beaux Arts Ball' (Oct. 26) 'Lost in Space' gala costume party. visit staugustinegalleries.com 
* Haunted St. Augustine is Everywhere! (Halloween, Oct. 31)Hayrides, ghost walks, trick or treat parties. (800) OLD CITY 
November 
* 19th Annual Great Chowder Debate (Nov. 2) Local restaurants compete with their award-winning chowder recipes. Yum! Call The Conch House (904) 829-8646 
* 6th Annual Holiday Open House at the San Sebastian Winery (Nov. 22-23) Wine tasting, great music, hors d'oeuvres. sansebastianwinery.com
* Lincolnville Festival (Date TBA) Jazz, blues, soul and gospel chronicle the freedom quest of Lincolnville, one of the oldest black settlements in the U.S (circa 1865). (800) OLD CITY 
* Nights of Lights! (Nov. 26-Jan. 31) More than a million white lights outline historic St. Augustine. Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Entertainment. Let the Holiday Begin! (800) OLD CITY 
December
* St. Augustine Christmas Parade (Dec. 6) A grand St. Augustine tradition in 49th year. Bands, floats, Santa Claus. (904) 829-5681 
* 21st Regatta of Lights (Dec. 6) Holiday parade of boats presented by the Junior Women's Club on the Bayfront at 6:30pm (904) 377-0974 
* Tenth Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns (Sunday, December 14) Award-Winning St. Augustine Historic Inn tour where the inns and innkeepers are dressed up in holiday finery and invite guests inside for merry taste of hospitality. Sample specialty treats provided by the city's top restaurants. staugustineinns.com

 


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