Historical Day Trips in Northern Florida

Visitors to Northern Florida wanting to soak in some sun kissed history might want to start their stay in historic St. Augustine. Take in the Spanish-period sights by starting at Old City's Native American and Spanish foundation at Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park . Then follow the cross to Mission Nombre de Dios . Afterward, check out the Colonial Spanish Quarter and check out the Plaza de la Constitucion and Cathedral-Basilica . Next, tour Old St. Augustine Village taking care to stop by Prince Murat House (1790), which represents one of the oldest surviving colonial structures in St. Augustine. Time permitting, stop by the Spanish Military Hospital and the Oldest Wooden School House .

History buffs may want to spend the day in the Oldest House Museum Complex. Among the sites included here are the Manucy Museum ; the Tovar House , the Oldest House Garden the González-Alvarez House ; and the Page L. Edwards Gallery. Full information on St. Augustine's attractions can be found online.

Moving north, hop on board the Jacksonville Trolley. This five mile route between Atlantic Beach and South Jacksonville stops at Beach Avenue, a few blocks from the Beaches Museum & History Center. The museum's permanent and traveling exhibits tell the history of the Village of Mayport, Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beaches, Palm Valley, and Ponte Vedra. Be sure to take a tour of Pablo Historical Park where you can see the Mayport Railway Depot, #93 Foreman's House, the Old #7 Locomotive and the Pablo Beach Post Office. Tours of Pablo Historical Park are offered on the hour from 11am to 3pm. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm. Admission is Adults: $5 , Senior Citizens (65+): $4 and Children 6 to 17: $3. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Lynyrd Skynyrd fans may want to pay tribute by visiting Freebird Live, a live music venue in Jacksonville Beach run by Ronnie Van Zant's widow to commemorate Jacksonville as the birthplace of Southern Rock.

Then head north to Beaches Town Center, which is located at the Royal Palms and Atlantic Boulevard trolley stop. At this spot where Atlantic and Neptune Beach merge be sure to stop by Peterbrooke Chocolate and sample their specialty Chocolate covered popcorn.

Continuing the northward trek, go up to Fernandina Beach for a relaxing sightseeing tour along the Amelia and Cumberland rivers. This narrated tour tells the story and history of Amelia Island and Cumberland Sound. Travel along salt marshes, wilderness beaches and historic river banks for a narrated tour that explores the stories and history of Amelia Island and Cumberland Sound. Along the way, one might be able to catch a sighting of wild horses, dolphins, sea turtles, sea birds and manatees. Tours range from one to two hours in length. For times and ticket prices, log on to their website.