The Weekend: See the cultural side of St. Augustine.

Start Here: Convenient to downtown's shops and restaurants, the Old Powder House Inn whisks you back to another era with its old-fashioned décor and attentive staff. Sit on the porch of this quaint Victorian (where gunpowder was once stored), sip a cocktail and listen to the click-clack of horse hooves as they pass on the brick streets. Guests rave about the homemade cookies — grab one in the lobby as you make your way out to explore.

Weekend To-Dos:

1. Plan your trip for the first Friday of the month, so you can enjoy the First Friday Artwalk downtown. Hide Tide Gallery is just down the street, where you'll find ocean-inspried works by a slew of Florida artists.  From there you can pick up a map of the other participating galleries, accessible on foot or via a free trolley that runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

2. The next day, visit the Lightner Museum — housed in Henry Flagler’s former Hotel Alcazar — where Thomas Edison’s 1877 phonograph and a Tiffany stained-glass window of St. Augustine are highlights. Take the winding stairway to find off-the-radar pieces like the 19th-century Balloon Back sofa from Burma and a huge antique button collection. 


3. For dining, try 95 Cordova.  Tucked inside the Casa Monica Hotel, the cozy hideaway gets a Middle Eastern vibe courtesy of lush fabrics, Moorish archways and the gorgeous ceiling, hand-painted with 24-karat gold. For an appetizer, try their unique take on fried green tomatoes with creamy smoked jalapeno sauce, goat cheese and basil oil.