Exploring St Augustine

St. Augustine, Florida

Explore the Oldest City with The Odd Macabre and discover new sites and places with our Tours, Scavenger Hunts and Experiences.

Discover what you haven't seen in St Augustine with The 13 Keys Scavenger and Mystery Games!

The 13 Keys is a scavenger hunt with various types to choose from, such as a History Scavenger Hunt, Bar Crawl Scavenger Hunt, Nights of Lights Holiday Scavenger Hunt, Romance of Saint Augustine, or even a Nightly Ghostly Scavenger Hunt. Each of our scavenger hunts includes a clue kit, compass, and an answer sheet, taking on average 2.5 hours to complete while exploring 1.5-2.5 miles. It's an excellent activity for a family outing or to play with a group of friends. Plus, you'll be learning so much about the historic St Augustine Area. The 13 Keys Scavenger and Mystery is a creative, interactive way to explore every inch of the charming town of St. Augustine FL that is seemingly frozen in time.

Castillo de San Marcos

You can't talk about Saint Augustine without mentioning The Castillo de San Marcos. The fort took over 23 years to build, with construction finishing in 1965. Many historical events have happened at the Monument, including the imprisonment of Seminole tribe leader Chief Osceola. The fort was built to protect the town and city structures from unwanted visitors. Over the last 300 years, it has remained strong through storms and enemy attacks. Today, the fort is open to the public to explore and visit its beautiful grounds. With 13 keys, you'll learn more about the thrilling past of the Castillo de San Marcos.

Flagler College

The first-ever hotel created in Saint Augustine, called the Ponce de Leon, was a significant draw to the city in the late 1800s. The hotel was designed to be prestigious, with many wealthy elites coming to stay for months at a time. The hotel was built with impressive architecture that was handcrafted along with a well-kept garden area. More than 40 years ago, the original building was transformed into what is known now as Flagler College. The campus is open to explore if you want to feel like you took a step back in time. However, the walls hold some exciting secrets and surprises, as you'll learn in your 13 Keys Scavenger Hunt.

Lightner Museum

The Lightner Museum is full of some of the world's most unique items, from stained glass and crystal to shrunken heads and mummies. The hotel was initially opened in the late 1800s and went by the name of the Alcazar hotel. It featured countless amenities to keep guests entertained, such as tennis courts, bowling alleys, massage parlors, casinos, a steam room, and even the largest indoor swimming pool in the world. After the hotel closed in the mid-1900s, it became home to the Lightner Museum, featuring shops around the courtyard and giant ponds of koi fish. You can walk around this spot and see the attention to detail in the museum's architecture and remarkable history. There are some hidden gems that not many know about in the Lightner museum featured in the 13 Keys scavenger hunt.

Historic Saint George Street

Historic Saint George Street is full of cozy restaurants, quaint shops, and art galleries and is considered the heart of the downtown area. The pedestrian-only street will give you an idea of what the Old City looked like when it was first settled, as residents are not allowed to modify the original building's architecture. Some of the most famous spots along the route include the Oldest Wooden SchoolHouse, built more than 200 years ago, the Cathedral Basilica, the oldest church in Florida, and the Pena-Peck house, which the King of Spain constructed! While you might not learn the history from the outside appearance, many of the buildings on Saint George street have a colorful past that's worth exploring.

Ice Plant

Ice Plant is a warehouse that was transformed into a bar. Sipping a drink at this location makes you feel like you've stepped back into the 1920s. Plus, all their beverages are handcrafted, with unique concoctions featured on their menu.

Tini Martini

Located inside the charming Casablanca Inn, expect to have the most delicious martini in a relaxed, open-air environment. Tini-Martini is located right across from the waterfront and provides gorgeous views.

Stogies Jazz Club

The cigar smoke and dim lighting bring a jazz club vibe to this cute little spot. Stogies has a full wine selection and microbrews that can be paired with your favorite cigar. Sit inside to listen to music, relax on the cozy couches, or enjoy the outside fire pits.

The Oldest Jail

If you want to feel the ultimate supernatural stories firsthand, you need to experience the Old Jail. It's one of the most haunted locations in the city. The Old city jail was constructed in 1891 and housed prisoners in inhumane conditions. Some of the most dangerous criminals in the world were housed in the jail's maximum-security area, with multiple men being hung from the gallows.

Huguenot Cemetery

This cemetery was opened in 1821 and is the resting place for anyone who was not of the Catholic faith. Many who rest in this ceremony were victims of the horrible yellow fever disease that swept over the town. The cemetery holds over 430 bodies in its ground and allowed burials until 1884. Ghosts frequently haunt the cemetery both in the day and the night. With our Haunted Hunt, you'll learn all about the famous souls who rest in the Huguenot Cemetery.

Spanish Military Hospital

The Spanish Military Hospital was built on top of a Timucuran burial ground, which are the Indians who were native to the Saint Augustine area. Visitors often see patients in hospital gowns, hear screams or cries, and notice the outline of bodies lying in beds. When you enter the hospital, you may feel the presence of souls or a heavy, sad aura in the room.

More to Explore in St. Augustine

Beyond the well-known landmarks, St. Augustine is filled with hidden courtyards, narrow alleys, and centuries-old cemeteries that tell stories of the city's layered past. Walking through the historic district, you may notice plaques marking significant events or architectural details that reveal the city's Spanish, British, and American influences. The Odd Macabre encourages visitors to look beyond the surface and uncover the lesser-known tales that make St. Augustine truly unique.

For those interested in the supernatural, the city offers a variety of ghost tours and paranormal investigations. The Old Jail, with its grim history and reported apparitions, is a favorite among thrill-seekers. Nearby, the Huguenot Cemetery and Tolomato Cemetery provide a quiet, eerie atmosphere where some claim to have encountered unexplained phenomena. These sites are often included in our scavenger hunts, adding an extra layer of mystery to your exploration.

Planning Your Visit

St. Augustine is a walkable city, but comfortable shoes are essential, especially if you plan to participate in one of our scavenger hunts that cover up to 2.5 miles. The best time to visit is during the cooler months from October to April, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. Summer can be hot and humid, so be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or inside air-conditioned museums and shops.

Parking in the historic district can be challenging, so consider using the city's parking garage or arriving early to find a spot. Many attractions are within walking distance of each other, and the trolley tours offer a convenient way to get an overview before diving deeper on foot. If you're staying overnight, there are numerous bed and breakfasts and historic inns that add to the old-world charm of your visit.

Dining and Refreshments

After a day of exploring, St. Augustine's culinary scene offers everything from casual seafood shacks to fine dining in historic settings. The Ice Plant and Tini Martini are just two examples of unique bars that blend history with craft cocktails. For a true taste of the region, try local favorites like datil pepper sauces, Minorcan chowder, or fresh-caught shrimp. Many restaurants are housed in buildings that date back centuries, so you can enjoy a meal surrounded by history.

If you're looking for a quick bite, the streets around St. George are lined with bakeries, ice cream shops, and cafes. Be sure to check out the local coffee roasters and chocolate makers for a sweet treat. For those on our Bar Crawl Scavenger Hunt, you'll have the chance to sample drinks at several historic taverns while solving clues that reveal the city's spirited past.

Beyond the Historic District

While the downtown area holds many treasures, venturing further out reveals even more of St. Augustine's allure. The St. Augustine Lighthouse, with its maritime museum and ghost stories, is a short drive away and offers panoramic views of the coast. The beaches of Anastasia Island provide a relaxing escape, and the state park there is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of Florida's northeast coast.

For a deeper dive into the city's history, consider visiting the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where Spanish explorers first landed, or the Mission Nombre de Dios, a serene site with a towering cross and historic chapel. These locations, along with many others, are featured in our extended scavenger hunts and tours, giving you a comprehensive experience of the oldest city in the United States.

Why Choose The Odd Macabre?

Our scavenger hunts and experiences are designed to be more than just a walk through history—they are immersive adventures that challenge your mind and ignite your curiosity. Each clue is carefully crafted to reveal fascinating details about St. Augustine's people, places, and legends. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, you'll discover something new and unexpected.

We believe that the best way to experience a city is through its stories, both light and dark. The Odd Macabre offers a unique perspective that blends history, mystery, and a touch of the macabre. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the streets of St. Augustine, and see why this city continues to captivate the imagination of all who visit.

Interactive scavenger hunts for all ages
Expertly researched historical content
Flexible scheduling for groups and families
Exclusive access to hidden sites and stories