The Nation’s Oldest City is a well-loved destination for people across the First Coast, whether you’re looking to sample fine cuisine, take in a spine-chilling ghost tour or tour a national monument. Why not bring along Fido for the fun? There’s a wide array of things to do in St. Augustine that allow man’s best friend to participate, whether the destination is solely pet-focused or simply a nice outing to bring along a dog.
Bone Appetit – A Pet-Friendly
Food Tour
Tours start at different locations all over the city. Purchase tickets at the Gifted Cork, 64-A Hypolita St.
www.staugustinehistorictours.com/pet-friendly-tours
$64 per human with one pet. $59 for human with no pet.
Bring along your favorite canine companion as you explore the diverse offerings of Saint Augustine with an expert, licensed guide. Treats and some special “Pet Stops” are included for your four legged friends. You’ll receive generous tastings on this foodie tour as we weave in the history of the city as it pertains to the food offered in our city. Learn about colonial pets and where they came from. An optional wine or beer pairing is available for just $19 extra.
Castillo de San Marcos National
Monument
1 S Castillo Dr., St. Augustine
A monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance, the Castillo de San Marcos symbolizes the clash between cultures which ultimately resulted in our uniquely unified nation. Still resonant with the struggles of an earlier time, these original walls provide tangible evidence of America’s grim but remarkable history.
Pets are not allowed inside the structure of the Castillo de San Marcos, but they are allowed in the exterior areas of the park. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
Colonial Quarter
33 St George St., St. Augustine
Take an immersive, captivating journey through centuries of St. Augustine’s rich history, brought to breathtaking life at the Colonial Quarter—the revitalized two-acre signature attraction in the heart of the downtown historic district. Experience the Nation’s Oldest City like never before with an Historical Adventure Tour that immerses you in the sights, sounds and smells of three centuries. You can also climb to the top of a 17th century watchtower replica, dine on classic pub fare, Spanish tapas and more! Bring your dog with you anytime to stroll the beautifully manicured grounds together, or to enjoy the ambiance on the patios of one of our dining establishments, Bull & Crown Publick House and Taberna del Caballo.
Your four-legged friend will enjoy relaxing in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district and won’t feel left out when you eat and drink, as they have dog biscuits and community bowls of water out for their pleasure.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine
www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
Enjoy a fascinating, informative, entertaining tour of Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original site of the Nation’s oldest city. Located in the area first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, historic St. Augustine is the oldest successful European settlement in the United States. Colonial America started right here, 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before Jamestown. Archaeologists have recently uncovered a thousand-year old domesticated Timucuan dog burial in the Park. Well-behaved leashed pets are most welcome both outside and inside the buildings.
A Ghostly Encounter
6 Cordova St., St. Augustine
Join storytellers as they take you through the old city visiting some of their favorite haunts. The tour begins in the Love Tree Cottage and then stroll the darken streets hearing stories of the long deceased residents who have not moved on, visiting two cemeteries along the way and ending in the tour at the World Famous Love Tree to hear the legend of eternal love. Well behaved leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the spooky fun.
Paws Dog Park at Ron Parker Park
607 Old Beach Rd., St. Augustine
Open: Sunrise to Sunset
SJC Paw Park is located next to Ron Parker Park. This off-leash park is fully fenced and has water, benches and is a great place for Fido to run. Owners must be with their dogs while in the park.
Paws Dog Park at Treaty Park
Paws Dog Park is located within the
Treaty Park Complex: 1595 Wildwood Dr., St. Augustine
Open dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted
Bring your furry friend to Paws Dog Park and give them a chance to experience Dog Life! They can run, play, jump, and enjoy life leash free while socializing with the other dogs at the park.
The facility includes a fenced small dog park with watering hole, along with a fenced large dog park that includes multiple watering holes, a shaded area with sitting bench and a mock fire hydrant.
Vilano Beach
2725 Anahma Dr., St. Augustine
www.sjcfl.us/Beaches/Access.aspx
Vilano beach is a popular spot for fishing, sunbathing, beach parking/driving and surfing (when the tide is coming in). As you enter at Vilano and drive south towards the St. Augustine Inlet past the jetties you enter Porpoise Point. This is a popular spot for fishing and launching jet skis. Leashed dogs are welcomed.
Joe Pomar Park
1600 Masters Dr., St. Augustine
www.staugustinegovernment.com/residents/parks.cfm
Joe Pomar, Jr. Park has a baseball diamond, football field, soccer field, a dog park and kayak launch. This is the only park in the city limits with a dog park and a kayak launch. The launch is located at a small creek which enters into the San Sebastian River, just south of the State Road 16 bridge. A pavilion is located at the entrance to the launching site. Improvements added in 2009 are restrooms, a concession stand for the baseball and football field, a picnic area and a road which winds close to the river which ends in a cu-de-sac. The park offers both a small- and large-dog fenced area with a kiddie pool and water.
Oldest Wooden School House
14 St George St., St. Augustine
www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com
The Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum and Gardens is the oldest wood frame building in St. Augustine. Used as a school for the neighborhood children in the early 1800’s and a guardhouse for soldiers during the Seminole War. Today you may tour the School House and learn the history and see what school was like in the 1800s. You and your furry companion can also enjoy the beautiful garden.
Spanish Military Hospital Museum
3 Aviles St., St. Augustine
www.panishmilitaryhospitalmuseum.com
Travel back in time to the Spanish Military Hospital Museum — where the doctor is always in. The 40-minute fully guided tour takes you back to colonial Spanish days of medicine. The museum covers the Second Spanish Period medical practices. The museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Spanish Military Hospital Museum is a pet-friendly attraction.
St. Augustine Eco Tours
111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine
St. Augustine Eco Tours was founded as an educational resource for the local and extended community. The goal of their programs is on-water interpretive experiences that focus on environmental education, conservation, and wildlife and habitat protection. The company offers boating, sailing and kayaking outings. Friendly and well-behaved dogs are welcomed on kayak and sailing outings.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
100 Red Cox Dr., St. Augustine
The St. Augustine Light Station is an active lighthouse that stands at the north end of Anastasia Island and was built in 1874. The property includes an 1876 keepers’ house, shipwreck archaeology, nature trails, a shipyard play area, wooden boatbuilding, tour, and other hands-on history lessons. Dogs are allowed on the grounds but not in the lighthouse structure itself. Admission for adults is $12.95, while kids and seniors are $10.95.
Veteran’s Park
1332 Veterans Parkway, St. Johns
www.co.st-johns.fl.us/recreation/parks/veterans.aspx
Veterans Park is a 50-acre complex that provides the community with the opportunity to honor history at Veteran’s Memorial Monuments. Each branch of the Armed Forces is honored with an individual monument and flag allowing our history to shape our future. Veterans Park offers recreation amenities to citizens of all ages. The park has 6 full-size lighted multi-purpose fields, 4 lighted basketball courts, skate park, picnic pavilions, and a playground. Dog owners have a three-acre playground to enjoy. The park is divided to separate the large dogs from the small ones, and offers drinking fountains, picnic shelter, Mutt Mittens poles and plenty open space to enjoy playing catch in.
