Florida’s Historic Coast is introducing a range of new experiences for visitors in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the surrounding areas, according to a Mar. 17 announcement. The region is seeing additions in lodging, dining, attractions, shopping options, and travel connections.
The developments are expected to attract more visitors by offering unique stays and activities in one of the country’s oldest cities. New hotels such as the Blue Carriage House boutique inn have opened downtown with themed suites near St. George Street. The Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort now features a surfing program for guests through a partnership with Surf Station.
Cultural venues have expanded as well: Hastings has launched The Venue – Hastings event space inside the historic Stanton Ford building for large gatherings or concerts; La Casa Studios serves as an event venue and art gallery; while Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center now offers two rental spaces for events in historic Lincolnville.
Visitors can enjoy enhanced attractions including new bearded emperor tamarins at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and updated exhibits at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Tour companies like Old Town Trolley Tours are rolling out real-time trolley tracking apps while Ancient City Tours adds golf cart-based history tours.
Dining options have grown with openings such as Hugo’s Bistro at Hotel Amalga featuring French-Spanish cuisine; Harvest Restaurant pairing fine dining with local artisan goods; Cidersmith Restaurant & Cidery serving house-made ciders; Black Pearl bringing Italian-Japanese fusion to Ponte Vedra Beach under Chef Wei Chen; along with several new cafes, ice cream shops, bagel stores, and pubs throughout the region.
Travelers will find it easier to reach Florida’s Historic Coast thanks to JetBlue resuming nonstop service from Puerto Rico to Jacksonville International Airport starting March 2026—the first full-time connection in over ten years—alongside Air Canada relaunching Toronto flights and Avelo Airlines extending service from Connecticut through August 2026.
