Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Castillo de San Marcos is a National Park Service monument located on the water in St. Augustine. 

The fort was used to defend the city of St. Augustine from attacks and is now an iconic monument! The fort sits right outside the old city's gates and is a must-see landmark during your visit here. 

Once you enter, you can tour both levels of the fort, from the lower levels with its many chambers and rooms containing relics and stories from the past on display for your education. Then, climb to the top level for sprawling views of the city and the water and to see old cannons on display. 

It is recommended that you download the park app to help guide you as you tour the fort and interact with rangers for any specific questions you have about the site. The Castillo also does a historic weapons demonstration, so make sure to ask when the cannon will be launched for a trip back in time! Occasionally they will also demonstrate historic memorabilia within the fort for a chance to participate in games back in time! 

If you're visiting with kids, upon arrival ask about the Junior Ranger Program! As they tour the site, they can answer questions in the designated workbook for their chance to become a Junior Ranger. This is an excellent way to learn more about the sites visited, at an age-appropriate level. Upon completion, a park ranger will swear your child in to become an honorary ranger and reward them with a prize!

Need a bit to eat? There are plenty of great options in St. Augustine, from cafes to full-service restaurants. We recommend a stop at Crucial Coffee for sweet treats and unique flavors of coffees. If you want to sit down for a meal, check out Columbia Restaurant for great tapas in an iconic Florida restaurant!