Colonial Quarter

Nestled within the ancient cobblestone streets of America's oldest city lies a treasure I stumbled upon with my family last summer—the Colonial Quarter of St. Augustine. What a revelation it was! June 30th, 2023 marked our first visit, though certainly not our last. The Quarter doesn't merely display history; it breathes life into it. Blacksmiths hammer red-hot metal into submission while musket fire cracks through the air unexpectedly—startling my daughter into fits of delighted squeals! Time bends here. One moment you're wandering through a 16th-century Spanish garrison, the next you're examining British military tactics that once dominated these very grounds. We devoured authentic colonial-inspired cuisine that burst with flavors forgotten by modern palates. Heavenly! The maritime exhibits particularly captivated my husband, who lost himself for nearly an hour examining shipbuilding techniques. St. Augustine has captured my heart so completely that I dream of making it my forever home. The Colonial Quarter stands as testament to why—it's where education becomes adventure, where history isn't just remembered but experienced viscerally through all five senses. You'll leave changed, carrying pieces of centuries past within you, already planning your return before you've even departed. Trust me, this living museum deserves every accolade it receives—and then some!

Cooper was amazing! Not a super long tour, but the presentation was worth it. Got combo tickets with pirate museum and felt it was totally worth it. Plus lots of shade!

Colonial Quarter is one of the best live music venues in downtown St. Augustine. The atmosphere is unbeatable—right in the heart of the historic district with a unique open-air setting that makes every show feel special. The sound quality was excellent, and the stage setup allowed for great views no matter where you were standing. The venue has a fun, lively vibe but still feels relaxed, making it a perfect place to enjoy music with friends. Being surrounded by history while watching talented performers created a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re looking for a great night out in St. Augustine, Colonial Quarter should be at the top of your list.

Always love being a tourist in our own city! We came back in January and had an amazing time! From roaming the property to the informative tour from the actor. The live canon demonstration was awesome! The view of the fort from the tower is amazing as well. Highly recommend stopping by and enjoying the history!

I am sure I can not be the only one that enjoyed Coopers presentation of this experience! He was hilarious and extreamly engaging! We were not sure what we would do while in the area and I’m so glad we choose this. You def want to do this with a tour which are done a certain times but well worth the planning. My 9yr old loved it and was answering and asking all the questions he could think of.

Climb the watch tower for a great view of town then hope Cooper leads your tour. Cooper can perform pirate shanties on concertina (vintage accordion), blacksmith among flames and hot coals, even set off a cannon, while making all ages chuckle at his jokes. The price was worth the history lesson from Spanish to Colonial times. Walking by, I always thought the complex was larger, but the signage was informative. The ship was a nice surprise. There was one interactive video exhibit, and some pulleys with blocks for children to try their strength.

We purchased the combo tickets with the pirate treasure museum, definitely recommend doing that as they’re both fantastic. Our tour guide was wonderful, you could tell that he was legitimately passionate about history and enjoyed educating the crowd. We loved the blacksmith demonstration, the tour of the old house was very interesting. You get to walk through and read about it. My son enjoyed learning about the different flags and the pulleys! He is a little sensitive to loud noises so was nervous about the cannon but overall he enjoyed himself. After the guided tour, you can walk around the different exhibits yourself. Son tried out the different pulleys, husband tried his hand at lassoing. There is even a watch tower that you can climb with excellent views!

Really beautiful buildings and cute shops. Lots of people out, very touristy for a Monday. The majority of places to visit charges. We visited the city hall and opposite there was a gorgeous university, all for free!