Picture this: You’ve been saving up your hard-earned money for months and months with the hope of going on a tropical vacation. The time has finally arrived when suddenly, you’re hit with an unexpected set of expenses.
Has this happened to you? Whether you’re a full-time student heading to St. Augustine for Spring Break, you’ve got a whole family to support, or you’ve retired and are no longer earning an income, it can be tough to save money when planning a vacation.
Make up for some expenses by taking advantage of The Ocean Gallery’s top favorite free activities, outlined below.
Head to the Beach
A trip to the beach might seem like an obvious choice for a tropical vacation, but visitors should never underestimate the value of St. Augustine’s forty plus miles of pristine, well-preserved, and—best of all—free beaches, with parking just steps away from the sand. Swim, play, and soak up the sun by the ocean!
Sample the Wine at San Sebastian Winery
The complimentary wine tours—held daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday through Saturday and from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays—offered at San Sebastian include free wine tastings and do not require reservations for groups numbering under twenty people.
Explore “The Jewel of St. George Street”
St. Photios Greek-Orthodox National Shrine, or “the Jewel of St. George Street,” features Byzantine art from centuries ago, coupled with old-world architecture and exhibits on the history of the Greek colonists of St. Augustine. Complete a self-guided tour on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or on Sundays from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Tour the Pena-Peck House
According to local legend, pirates once traveled across the vast Atlantic Ocean just to loot this St. Augustine home, its former occupant the treasurer for the Spanish royal court. The home was built in 1750 by order of the king of Spain, passing through the ownership of the Pena family (among a few other families), who owned it for ninety-four years before being donated to the city of St. Augustine in 1931 as a museum. Guided tours are available on Sunday through Friday from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm and on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Unlock Your Inner Conquistador at Fort Matanzas
Located at the southern end of Anastasia Island, this historic monument is accessible from the free ferry ride to Rattlesnake Island.
The visitor center issues free boarding passes for the ferry, which are required in order to ride.
Reenactments of Spanish colonial mounted guard watches bring the old fort to life, while the immense height of the structure makes for striking views of the surrounding area.
Fort Matanzas is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
Plan Your St. Augustine Vacation
These are just a handful of our incredible St. Augustine beach rentals, but we have plenty more to choose from to guarantee you’ll find the best option for your group. Parties big and small are welcome, and we’re just minutes from everything great about St. Augustine.
The Ocean Gallery Has Inexpensive Options to Fit Your Needs
No one should have to sacrifice comfort and luxury on the vacation of a lifetime! At The Ocean Gallery, we believe in offering prices that work for all budgets, which is why we offer a wide range of vacation rental properties for all tastes. Ask our reservation specialists to point you in the right direction when you book your next stay in St. Augustine with us today!
