Top 5 Museums in St. Augustine

Educate Yourself at These Fun and Fascinating Museums!

When you visit a place as thoroughly immersed in history as St. Augustine, you’d be remiss not to take the chance to see one of the many intriguing museums in the area. Whether your interests lie in maritime history, old-fashioned weaponry, pirates, African American history, or art from the Gilded Age, you’re sure to find a museum to pique your curiosity. Read on to learn more about our favorite museums in St. Augustine!

1. Excelsior Museum and Cultural Center

In the spirit of St. Augustine’s rich African-American history, the Excelsior Museum, and Cultural Center operates out of what was once St. Augustine’s first black public high school. The museum contains exhibits on the history of Lincolnville, runaway slaves who built Fort Mose, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, entrepreneurs, black social and historical societies, and black churches in the area. It also houses Ray Charles’ piano from his performance at the School for the Deaf and Blind, as well as local photographs and artwork.

Hours:
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Thursday through Saturday           

Price Range:
Donations Accepted

2. Lightner Museum

Housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, the Lightner Museum is the embodiment of the Gilded Age—right down to its foundation, when it was built in the Spanish renaissance style in 1887. Today, the three floors of the museum showcase the extravagance of the Hotel Alcazar during its glory days, as well as furnishings, costumes, mechanical musical instruments, and other artifacts from the era.

Hours:   
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily Closed on Christmas Day              

Price Range:
$5 – $10
ID Required for Students and Military
Free for Children 11 Years and Under

3. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

A museum dedicated to the Nation’s Oldest Port, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum allows visitors of all ages to learn about local and national preservation efforts and maritime archaeological research. The museum also features interactive exhibits where children can uncover clues from a shipwreck and explore the lighthouse tower. Children must be 44” or taller in order to climb the lighthouse; children who do not meet this height requirement will receive free admission to the museum.

Hours:  
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Daily
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Summers and Holidays
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Closed During Inclement Weather

Price Range:
$11 – $30
Free for Children Under 44” Tall

4. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

Hosting the world’s largest assortment of genuine artifacts and interactive exhibits related to all things pirate, St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum will appeal to the swashbuckler in anyone. Inside, you can find rare treasures from a real shipwreck, one of the only two remaining Jolly Roger flags in existence, the Book of Pirates, the world’s only pirate chest, and a below-deck experience of Blackbeard’s last battle designed by Disney’s Imagineers. Unlock your inner Captain Jack!

Hours:
10:00 am – 7:00 pm Daily

Price Range:
$7 – $14
Free for Children 4 Years and Under

5. Ripley’s – Believe It or Not

Featuring a host of oddities like a motorcycle made from bones, shrunken heads, and an exhibit on a headless chicken, Ripley’s Believe It or Not has cultivated its reputation as a museum dedicated to extraordinary wonders and seemingly impossible occurrences. The museum is comprised of over three hundred exhibits and artifacts and nineteen themed galleries. What’s inside? You’ll have to visit to find out!

Hours:   
9:00 am – 8:00 pm Daily
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Christmas Day

Price Range:
$7 – $24

The Ocean Gallery – Where Your Dream Vacation Comes True

After a long day of exploring the gorgeous tropical city of St. Augustine, make sure you have a private, comfy place to rest.

Plan Your Trip

Contact The Ocean Gallery to learn more about other fun activities in St. Augustine when you book your very own vacation home or condo with us today!