Florida’s Historic Coast is introducing a variety of new experiences in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the surrounding areas, according to a Mar. 17 announcement. The updates include new places to stay, expanded dining choices, enhanced attractions, and improved travel connections.
The region now offers several new accommodations such as the Blue Carriage House boutique inn in downtown St. Augustine and unique programs like surfing lessons at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort through a partnership with Surf Station. Distinctive Beach Rentals has received recognition for its luxury vacation homes in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Cultural venues have also expanded with the opening of event spaces like The Venue – Hastings in the restored Stanton Ford building and La Casa Studios serving as an event venue and podcast studio since 2025. Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center now provides two rental venues for various gatherings.
Visitors can enjoy more activities including viewing twin bearded emperor tamarins at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park or using Old Town Trolley Tours’ upcoming real-time app to navigate historic downtown St. Augustine more easily. Other additions include small-group golf cart tours by Ancient City Tours and A Ghostly Encounter, Florida Water Tours’ Sunset River Jazz Cruise on Saturdays, customized scavenger hunts from Spyglass Travel & Tours, updated exhibits at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, expanded boat rentals by Gone2Sea Boat Rentals at Crescent Beach, seasonal food tours from The Tasting Tours, and shopping opportunities like The Pickle Factory or Good Condition boutique.
The area’s culinary scene has grown with openings such as Hugo’s Bistro at Hotel Amalga offering French-Spanish cuisine overlooking San Sebastian River; Harvest Restaurant and Market on Plaza de la Constitución; a relocated Floridian restaurant known for farm-to-table dishes; additional locations for Peace Pie ice cream sandwiches; Foxtail Coffee café in Ponte Vedra Beach; Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in St. Augustine Beach; Cajun Beach serving classic Cajun fare; Mayday Ice Cream shops including Cookie Crush bakery concept; Beach Bagels on St. Augustine Beach; Cidersmith Restaurant & Cidery—the city’s first cidery—on St George Street; Wobbly Whale Public House inspired by European pubs; Black Pearl restaurant featuring Italian-Japanese cuisine led by Chef Wei Chen in Ponte Vedra Beach; Ponte Vedra Wine Bar & Restaurant with craft cocktails since late 2025; The Local – Ponte Vedra specializing in seafood classics migrating from Jacksonville;
and Pecan Craft Kitchen focused on wholesome dishes cooked over pecan wood.
Travel to Florida’s Historic Coast is becoming easier with JetBlue restoring nonstop service between Puerto Rico and Jacksonville International Airport beginning March,
Air Canada relaunching Toronto flights starting May 2026,
and Avelo Airlines extending direct flights from Southern Connecticut through August 2026.
Jacksonville International Airport will open Concourse B near year-end 2026 adding six gates dedicated to American Airlines plus new retail options.
