Plan for a St. Augustine weekend

With most of its diversions clustered within walking distance, smart planning and a pair of practical shoes are enough to start aweekend getaway on the right foot. It’s possible to visit several of the area’s signature stops before even checking in to the hotel. Here’s a timetable:

Approaching St. Augustine from South Florida, take Interstate 95 to Exit 305 (Route 206) and follow the signs to Fort Matanzas National Monument. Admission is free and the fort can be toured easily in an hour.

Fromthe park entrance, the drive north on State Road A1A offers the option of sand and surf at St. Augustine Beach. Eventually, the road winds into downtown St. Augustine, but first take the time to stop at the St. Augustine Lighthouse andMuseum (81LighthouseAve.).

After the lighthouse, it’ll be time to check in at a hotel, then embark on an afternoon stroll in the Colonial Quarter. (Those interested in bed-and-breakfast options can visit bedandbreakfast.com/ saint-augustine-florida.html for listings and rankings of the city’s numerous options.)

It’s worth the time to stop at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center at San Marco Avenue and West Castillo Drive, which is a one-stop spot for tickets to an array of attractions (LightnerMuseum, ghost tours, Old Jail and others).

Consider booking a ghost tour for that evening, an outdoor attraction for the following morning and museum for the following afternoon. In addition to trolley tours, there are ghost-hunting excursions that focus on local bars and pubs, an option thatmakes a good group activity.

Tickets inhand, it’stimeforbrowsingin the old city or a beer at the Mill Top Tavern (191⁄ St. George St.) before dinner. There are a variety of restaurants, but the Spanish dishes atColumbia(98St. George St.) are a reliable favorite.

After an evening ghost tour, it’s time for a late nightcap at one of the cozywatering holes. Stogies Jazz Club and Listening Room (38 Charlotte St.) is an ambient setting.

It’s possible to take a morning meal at a hotel orbedandbreakfast, but it’sperhaps more fun to hit the streets early for a hot cinnamon roll or pecan sticky bun at The Bunnery Cafe (121St. George St.).

It’s a good idea to tackle the outdoor attractions first, before the energy-sapping heat of the day. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm (999 Anastasia Blvd.) is one of the oldest zoos in the country. In addition to dozens of gators, the rookery showcases an impressive bird population.

St. Augustine is bordered by 43 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches. There are also deep-sea fishing charters, boat and kayak rentals, surfing and parasailing available.

For lunch, consider the New Orleans fare atHarry’s (46 AvenidaMenendez), a nod to St. Augustine’s French influences, or the casual elegance of Cafe Alcazar (25 GranadaSt.), a lunch option in the LightnerMuseum AntiqueMall.

After lunch, it’s time to move indoors for a tour of the Gilded Age treasures of the LightnerMuseum (75 King St.). Flagler College conducts daily afternoon tours of its ornate buildings, once part of Flagler’sHotel Ponce de Leon.

For dinner, try the seafood and regional cuisine at Florida Cracker Cafe (81 St. George St.), a fixture for two decades.

Another relaxing option is a wine-tasting tour at theKingStreet headquarters of the San SebastianWinery. On weekends, there’s a wine, jazz and blues bar on the winery’s rooftop, a nice spot to celebrate the dimming of the day.

There’s nothing like a little wine to set themoodfor a St. Augustine sunset.