Break out of the campus bubble to explore everything our town has to offer. Here are some plans for every type of student, regardless of interest, to look forward to this long weekend:
Nature enthusiast
Take your beach day up a notch- plan a mini camping trip to Anastasia State Park, just across the Bridge of Lions from campus. Anastasia State Park is just up the road from where you might usually spend a day on the island, and its home to 1,600 acres of protected beaches, tidal marshes, maritime forests and sand dunes.
Capitalize on the flexibility of the long weekend, and reserve a camping site for a night or two here. If hiking is your thing, the Ancient Dunes Nature trail gives you an eight-mile loop to explore a shaded maritime forest, the beaches and dunes. While you’re on the hike, keep your eyes peeled for some of the beautiful bird species that populate the area. Anastasia State Park is situated on The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and is home to more than 200 bird species in addition to its vibrant aquatic ecosystem.
Bring your board and post up on the beach all day, you can even grab some hot food from the Island Beach Shop and Grill if you don’t feel up to the task of cooking over a campfire. Haven’t mastered surfing yet? No problem, you can rent paddle boards, kayaks, sailboats or canoes from the park’s watersports service.
History buff
We know, it may feel cliché to explore the historical sites in and around St. Augustine. But as a local, it’s easy to forget about some of the fascinating spots that are right in your neighborhood.
Start your day of exploring by catching the sunrise at the Castillo de San Marcos. It might be painful to wake up so early, but you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the harbor with minimal disruption from tourists. Afterwards, head down the street to enjoy breakfast at Harbor View Café, a classic American diner with a view of the water.
Instead of hitting up spots you’ve probably toured already like the Fountain of Youth or the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, check out spots like the Medieval Torture Museum, the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum or right across from campus, the Lightner Museum.
End your outing by grabbing a pizza from Carmelo’s and heading to the St. Augustine Lighthouse park for a picnic, and post-lunch trek to the top of the lighthouse for a view of the town that never gets old.
Sustainable fashion lover
To fuel up for a day of thrifting and vintage shopping, stop by your go-to coffee shop like Relámpago, The Kookaburra or Sweetwater.
The start of the school year is the ideal time to spruce up your closet with some stand-out vintage pieces. Despite its limited selection and high prices, one stop of your day should be to The Way We Were, a selectively curated shop of vintage pieces spanning the decades. It’s great for fashion-inspo and might have that gem of a statement piece you’re ready to invest in. For a more eclectic and affordable vintage experience, check out Cool and Collected or ReChic Unique Boutique.
Everyone needs basics and accessories, so swing by Ayla’s Acres Thriftique, a large home and apparel thrift store where proceeds go to supporting a no-kill animal rescue.
Music-obsessed
You can spend your weekend hopping around live music gigs and concerts without driving all the way into Jacksonville.
Colonial Oak Music Park, located in the heart of our historic district at 21 St. George St., is an intimate and well-established local concert venue. Coming up this Labor Day Weekend, you can catch country, funk, classic rock and folk in their lineup. Before you find a seat underneath the 300-year-old oak tree, order some food from the on-site restaurant, St. Augustine Seafood Company.
Sunday night, snag tickets for a double headliner concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre featuring American rock band, O.A.R. and roots indie-rock band Dispatch. Budget some extra time before the 6 p.m. show to enjoy a quick meal at The Village Garden food truck park with food trucks like refreshing acai and poke truck, Big Island Bowls or the Filipino-inspired truck, Kusina Colorado.
Seeking R&R
The first few weeks of school can be mentally and physically exhausting. If you’re already feeling the early stages of burnout and stress creep in, you might want to spend your weekend recharging with spa treatments and relaxation.
Start your day with a restorative yoga class at The Yoga Collective on the island which offers vinyasa, yin, ashtanga and hot yoga classes.
Go ahead and book a treatment for this weekend at one of the multiple spas downtown like a massage at Cassage Therapy, a custom facial at Casa Monica’s Poseidon spa or a salt cave therapy session at Salt Spa St. Augustine.
To complete your day of rest and relaxation, head to a health-focused restaurant like Crave, which specializes in fresh bowls and wraps, or The Sprout Kitchen, a vegan spot just off of St. George Street.
