Romantic Things to Do in St Augustine as a Couple

Are you ready to ignite the spark in your relationship and experience the magic and romance of St. Augustine?

This is not just a surface guide you find on a business website, I got you covered from a St Augustine local photographer’s perspective.

Read all the way to the end for my very unique quirky dating ideas as seen on Tik Tok and Instagram!

Romantic Places to Stay

If you're looking for a luxurious vacay during your stay here, St. Augustine has a large selection of boutique hotels with top-notch amenities: spa services, rooftop lounges, and romantic dining options that will leave you feeling totally pampered up.

Upscale Hotels:

• Casa Monica – In the center of Downtown, this grand Moroccan-themed hotel, built in 1888, has an ornate lobby with frescos, fountains and chandeliers.

• Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel – An ornate exterior conjures thoughts of a Gilded Age hotel, but inside the Renaissance St. Augustine guests will find a thoroughly modern property.

• Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Historic District – Across Route 1 from the San Sebastian River, this relaxed hotel is 3 minutes' walk from the Old Jail Museum and a mile from Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

If you prefer the cozy charm of a bed and breakfast, St. Augustine has a never-ending abundance of cute, cozy, vintage and old Florida style BNBs.

Cozy Bed and Breakfasts:

• The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens - In a group of 9 late 18th-century buildings set around a lush, landscaped courtyard, this boutique hotel is less than 1 mile from the Castillo de San Marcos historic fortress and 3 miles from oceanfront Anastasia State Park. Warm, traditional rooms have period furnishings and come with free Wi-Fi, plus flat-screen TVs, granite kitchenettes, and stylish bathrooms with subway tiles.

• Cedar House Inn Victorian Bed & Breakfast – Victorian home that was built in 1893 and currently serves as an intimate 8-guestroom Bed & Breakfast.

• Casa de Solana Inn – Casa De Solana Bed and Breakfast offers elegant romance in the heart of Florida’s “Ancient City”: St. Augustine. Their gorgeous garden courtyard is one of my favorite spots to take photos, hands down!

• Centennial House Bed and Breakfast – The Centennial House is a luxurious St. Augustine bed & breakfast, perfect for a romantic Florida getaway, or to house a wedding party for your reception!

• Bayfront Marin House – Located directly across from the Matanzas Bay, in the heart of the historic district, this lovely hotel alternative offers elegant guest rooms for the perfect St. Augustine romantic getaway.

And after spending your days exploring the romantic attractions of St. Augustine, you'll definitely work up an appetite. From intimate candlelit dinners to charming cafes tucked away in historic streets, the dining scene in St. Augustine offers a huge variety for food junkies.

Dining Experience

When it comes to a romantic getaway, no trip is complete without a little taste testing, am I right? St. Augustine offers a plethora of options.

For adventurous:

• Prohibition Kitchen – Gastropub with quick bites and live music

• Forgotten Tonic - American food + wine bistro

• Barley Republic – Irish food, best fish-n-chips in town

• Columbia Restaurant – Cuban cuisine, tableside food presentations

• Bull & Crown Publick House – Colonial era feels and quick bites

For romantics:

• Old City House Inn & Restaurant – Tucked away, pretty lights, romantic atmosphere, great drinks

• The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens – Great spot for photos, romantic, fireplace, greenery

• Tini Martini Bar – large martini selection, pretty lights, on the bay front

• Collage – intimate setting and eclectic menu

For seafood lovers:

• Harry’s – New Orleans style restaurant – pretty courtyard, great cheddar biscuits

• OC White’s – Free parking and live music

• A1A Ale Works – Riverfront marina balcony views and great beer selection

• Catch 27 – Freshest fish in town

• O’Steen’s Restaurant – Best shrimp in town

For farm-to-table types:

• The Floridian – modern, fresh food, many vegetarian options

• The Ice Plant – outskirts, on top of the distillery, industrial, local seasonal and fresh food

For keeping a lower budget:

• Taco Shop (Downtown) – try the UFO, open late

• Carmelo’s – at the gas station, comfort food, best white cheese pizza

• Planet Sarbez – best grilled cheese, live bands, quirky, arcade, craft beer

For going all out:

• River & Fort Restaurant & Rooftop Bar – fort and river view, rooftop, nice dinner

• Pizzaley’s Chianti Room (Italian) – free parking, italian, upscale

• Blackfly – free parking, contemporary, seafood, sushi, upscale

• Preserved Restaurant – elevated southern, romantic, upscale

• Raintree Restaurant – steak, seafood, victorian, fireplace and koi fish

For cocktails:

• Prohibition Kitchen – Gastropub with quick bites and live music

• Odd Birds Lounge – Innovative craft cocktails, fancy finger foods

For smokes and good music:

• Stogies Jazz Club – Patio, live jazz, stogies, beer & wine only

For late night dancing:

• No Name Bar – Rustic, easy-going, live music, dancing

• White Lion Bar – Upstairs pool tables and darts, downstairs nightclub (best on weekends)

It's time to plan the perfect date night in St. Augustine, immersing yourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of this enchanting city.

Plan the Perfect Date Night in St. Augustine

Start your evening with a leisurely stroll through the historic streets, hand in hand, as you soak in the charm and history that surrounds you. The soft glow of the street lamps and the cobblestone pathways will transport you to a bygone era, setting the stage for a truly magical night. Lose yourselves in the elegant architecture and the captivating stories that whisper in the air, feeling the weight of centuries of love stories that have unfolded in this very place.

My quirky ideas (as seen on TikTok and Instagram):

• Play board games and sip prosecco at vintage and tucked away Spinster Abbots. My favorite game is Mantis. Sometimes they play old romance movies and there is always a food truck outside. BONUS: they are attached to an organic local produce grocery store.

• Grab shelled peanuts (The Tiger convenience store has some), head to Lady La Leche Cathedral Park for a stroll (it’s in front of the Big White Cross in uptown) and feed the hundreds of squirrels there. They eat right out of your hands. It’s peaceful and you can light a candle inside their shrine covered in beautiful green ivy.

• Go through the city gates and take the first right (tucked away square) off St. George Street. You will dead end into a brick square with a scenic fountain. Relax unwind and choose between a glass of wine at Bin 39 or ice cream at the Kilwin’s next door. Or both!

• Sit on the balcony at Sangria’s Wine and Tapas bar and people watch! This one never gets old.

• Have a full on wine tasting and a cheese and fruit plate and be sure to grab some of the most interesting gifts for your family and friends at The Gifted Cork. I am talking about “more quirky than even the Cracker Barrell store”. You will leave happy.

• Rent a vintage scooter from Saint City Scooters (it’s incredibly affordable) and zig zag through and down Bridge Street and Charlotte Street stopping for photos in front of the BEST backdrops. Fun and photogenic! BONUS: Wear your fifties outfits.

• Have the best Fish n Chips in town and a Guinness at Barley Republic.

Romantic Streets:

• Charlotte Street - if you and your partner are architecture and history geeks, stroll down Charlotte St for a variety of beautiful buildings and tucked away parks.

• Aviles Street - gives Harry Potter alley vibes, don’t forget to stop by Peace Pie for some ice cream sandwiches and be on the lookout for horse-drawn carriages.

• Bridge Street - Start at the bayfront and walk all the way down Bridge St to enjoy taking in architecture, adjacent cobblestone streets, and arrive at the back of Lightner Museum and one of my favorite breweries - Dog Rose.

• Magnolia Ave - located in uptown next to the famous Fountain of Youth, this is a street adorned with Spanish draping moss trees and swarming with peacocks. Check it out for yourselves!

Tours:

• Saint Augustine Lighthouse

• Corks and Forks Tour

• Private Carriage Ride with Wine

• San Sebastian Winery

• St. Augustine Distillery Tour

• Ghost Tours

• Flagler College

Activities:

• Saint Augustine’s Not Just A Chocolate Tour

• Wine Tasting at Gifted Cork

• St. Augustine Beach

• Sunset Cruise Along the Bayfront

Museums:

• Fort Castillo De San Marcos

• Dine and explore Cafe Alcazar

• Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

• Colonial Quarter

• Alligator Farm

• Lighthouse

As the night progresses, consider taking a moonlit carriage ride through the historic district. You can find a horse-drawn carriage that is ready to go anywhere along the bayfront. Snuggle close to your partner as the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels create a soothing backdrop to your whispered conversations.

Capture Timeless Memories With Me as Your Photographer

For memories that last, bring along your friendly documentary photographer. Allow me to tell your love story against the backdrop of St. Augustine's romantic nooks & crannies.

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

— Maya Angelou