St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches celebrate rich historic heritage throughout the year
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St. Augustine, Fla. (August 25, 2025) – National Hispanic American Heritage Month, beginning Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have influenced and enriched the nation. Those contributions are deeply embedded in the history and current landscape of Florida’s Historic Coast.
A simple stroll through Historic Downtown St. Augustine reveals the influence of 16th-century Spanish architecture, a legacy of Florida’s first European visitors and settlers. Landmarks like the Cathedral Basilica, Oldest House Museum Complex and Gardens, and The Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum echo other well-known cities of Spanish influence, like San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Visitors can experience Hispanic flavors at a range of eateries across Florida’s Historic Coast.
St. George Street’s iconic Columbia Restaurant has been serving award-winning Spanish cuisine and wine for over 100 years. At Crescent Beach Paladar Cuban Eatery creates classic Cuban dishes, from Guava and Cheese Pastelito and Café Con Leche to Revueltos and Empanadas. For a traditional Argentinian asado, or live fire grilling, Asado Life, situated on the banks of the San Sebastian River, grills over an open flame, using Argentinian-inspired cooking methods including ember roasting, smoking, and live-fire parilla grilling.
The celebrations start early in September. The 2nd Annual Aviles Street Festival, September 5-6, celebrates National Hispanic American Heritage Month with live music, flamenco dancing, sword dueling demonstrations, and plein air artists, as well as tours of the Spanish Military Hospital Museum, Ximenez-Fatio House, Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum, new historic plaques, and hidden courtyards.
Founder’s Day, on September 6, celebrates the 460th Anniversary of Pedro Menendez de Aviles’ historic landing on the grounds of what would become the Mission Nombre de Dios and the first Thanksgiving meal at the present-day Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Return in February when the Spanish Food & Wine Festival celebrates everything Spanish wine, cuisine, and culture
Throughout the month, take a guided glimpses at Historic Downtown St. Augustine on a walking tour with St. Augustine Free Walking Tour, hop on an open-air electric vehicle for a foodie tour with The Tasting Tours, or ride a trolley with Old Town Trolley Tours.
Explore more of Florida’s Historic Coast’s iconic places and spaces by viewing the award-winning Must-Do Experiences video playlist.
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach: and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; @ViajaStAugustine, Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine, and Facebook.com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast
