This channel separates the mainland from the coastal barrier island chain and is a favorite for watersports enthusiasts of every stripe. The Spanish influence is everywhere in St. Augustine's buildings. Many of its hotels, museums, churches, inns and public places have a distinct Colonial flair. Spectacular archways, flying buttresses, stained glass windows and the grand lobbies of Henry M. Flagler's grand hotels, all evoke a bygone era. Simple structures such as the Oldest House and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse are maintained as living museums for all to enjoy.
Victorian style plays a big part in the city's overall look, too.
Spending a night or two in one of these charming hostelries, with gracious hosts, will give visitors a taste of 19th-century elegance. The antiques scene is no less sparkling. You can shop from individual dealers or from collective emporiums. If you like antiques hunting, the possibilities are endless here in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches. Art St. Augustine is famous for its many festivals and reenactments of British and Spanish colonial life.