Things To Do in Saint Augustine

Mounds, sand traps, and trees hem the fairways on Royal St. Augustine Golf and Country Club's 18-hole course. Its 6,529-yard layout plays long, as it has some strategically placed hazards and large greens. Ponds also come into play on multiple holes, making it problematic for any golfer whose driver doesn't double as a snorkel. Before beginning their round, golfers can warm up at a practice facility that includes a 20-stall, grass-tee driving range, a short-game area with sand traps, and a putting green.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 71 course
• Length of 6,529 yards from the tips
• Course rating of 71.9 from the tips
• Slope rating of 137 from the tips

A not-for-profit initiative of the World Golf Foundation, The World Golf Hall of Fame pays homage to golf's most prolific players with a vast collection of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Audio tours narrate the intricacies of more than 175 points of interest, including a life-size replica of the Swilcan Bridge that highlights an exhibit honoring the sport's origins as an ancient Scottish frisbee game. A trip through golf's evolving history culminates in a Trophy Room at the pinnacle of a 110-foot tower, which provides rare glimpses at championship crowns and cups from tournaments such as the Ryder Cup. Outdoors, an 18-hole, natural-grass putting green invites visitors to test their swing in the shadow of golf's finest, complete with a challenge hole that mimics the famous 17th hole at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass and awards shots that land on the green with a special limited edition Induction Ceremony print. In its ongoing quest to treat guests to an immersive, larger-than-life experience, The World Golf Hall of Fame is also home to a six-story-tall IMAX screen that inundates the senses with digital surround sound and 3-D displays of full-length and documentary-style films.

As a 100% NRA membership club, Ancient City Shooting Range brings together instructors and sportsmen who respect the responsibility required to safely operate a firearm. To help each member become a more seasoned marksman, Ancient City’s staff supervises a 40-acre outdoor range, where shooters can step onto 18 bays with targets positioned between 7 and 185 yards for pistol and rifle shooting. For an added challenge, some bays are outfitted with computerized pneumatic targets. The range also hosts weekend shooting competitions, encouraging camaraderie under expert supervision. In addition to overseeing such events, instructors also teach defense classes tailored for everyone from everyday citizens to security professionals. Additionally, Ancient City Shooting Range’s team supports the Wounded Warrior Project, a program which helps wounded soldiers return to civilian life.

The Oldest Wooden School House transports museum-goers to the early 18th century and allows them to meander through one of the oldest schoolhouses in the United States. Built more than 200 years ago out of red cedar, wooden pegs, handmade nails, and painstakingly carved Legos, the structure acted as a homestead before becoming one of the first co-ed schools in 1788. Animatronic children and schoolmaster describe a typical classroom day, and guest students examine copies of textbooks, artifacts, and cooking utensils used in the schoolhouse. After the tour, visitors stroll through the lush gardens that wind past the kitchen, privy, and well, and blossom with tropical plants and a 250-year-old pecan tree. Groupon holders can then head to the gift shop to receive 30% off any one item.

Holiday Art Shows gathers together a wide array of contemporary and traditional artwork for arts and crafts fairs held in Lexington, Kentucky; Wilmington, North Carolina; and St. Augustine, Florida. Visitors can shop for paintings, photography, and sculptures to decorate their homes or drape themselves in handmade jewelry and fiber art. A knowledgeable jury reviews each artist's offerings to ensure a high-quality selection.

Nestled amid a tangle of scenic tributaries and the boundless Intracoastal Waterway, Cast and Cruise Boat and Sport furnishes adventurers with the vessels they need to explore the water. Setting out from the Vilano boat ramp, kayakers can paddle along the gentle cerulean waves, spotting the pods of dolphins, flocks of seabirds, and manatee dance troupes that inhabit the area. Assume a higher vantage point and greater distance from the salty spray by taking the motorized reins of a ProLite 22CC, which comes replete with a fish finder, radio, and sunny or shaded seating for up to eight people.

St. Augustine Sailing releases people from their landlocked state of mind, allowing them to go nautical with captained sailing charters around the iceberg-infested Intracoastal Waterway and the St. Augustine inlet. Celebrate a late Valentine's Day with the object of your affections, or gather three friends and enjoy a private water ride on a modern sea car. Charter sailboats available with this Groupon include vessels such as the Hunter 36 and the Hunter 33, which are outfitted with comfy seating, luxurious amenities, and Captain Ahab. If you need more than four to keep your float session fun, upgrade to a group of five or six for an additional fee of $45 per adult or $30 per child (ages 3-12). Children under age 3 are free. Sailors can bring along their own seafaring fare and libations, including alcoholic beverages, or avail themselves of the two harbor restaurants that will cheerfully cook up charter cuisine if notified in advance.