Sightseeing Trains

August’s Restaurant Pick

Daniel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:42:40 +0000

Conch House

57 Comares Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 829-8646

If you like the Caribbean, you’ll love them!

This is a full service award winning casual Restaurant features the finest seafood, steaks, salads, and Caribbean style cuisine. Eating there just last week I had the Minorcan Burger off their lunch menu. A large burger fit for a king with Pork and Chorizo, Pepper Jack Cheese, Fire Roasted Peppers and Onions Served on a Toasted Kaiser Roll and served with Fries all for just $9.95. This meal finishes off nicely with a cold draft beer.

The Seminole Raw Bar and Everglades Dining Area with its Live Alligator Exhibit are the newest additions to the resort. I wondered over to check out the gators they had. There were several kids around it enjoying the display.

After dinner you can wonder on down to the 200 slip marina located on the property on the Salt Run just off the Intracoastal waterway and 1000 ft from the St. Augustine Inlet. I enjoy wondering around looking at the very large boats that I will never be able to afford while listening to the live entertainment. You may also catch one of the many charter fishing boats coming in with their various catch of the day. While they are cleaning the fish you will see many pellicans waiting around for scraps.

While this restaurant is not directly on the path of the Sightseeing Trains, it is well worth the trip over the Bridge of Lions and not more than 2 miles down on your left.

Located on Anastaca Island, take the car about 1.5 mile on left over the Bridge of Lions.

Dan’s suggestion is to ask to be seated in the “Sky Box”!

When life gives your change, Go Shopping!

Daniel — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:29:18 +0000

St. Augustine is famous for its wonderful little shops along St. George Street. You’ll find over 200 specialty stores, ice cream shops, restaurants, art galleries and so much more. If you’re looking for refreshments, beach towels, cold drinks, collectibles, shells, trinkets of all kinds, and a bite to eat, St. George Street is the place to be. Located in the heart of the Nation’s Oldest City, many of our stores are also historic properties, with some buildings dating back to the early 1700’s. St George Street’s shopping district is off limits to vehicles and stretches from the Original Old City Gates to the historic plaza located in the heart of downtown St Augustine. You can get there very easily with our Red Sightseeing Trains. Simply step off at stop #6 to enjoy the North end of St George Street or get off at stop # 13 at the Plaza to start at the South end. When you’re done enjoying St. George Street, simply return to any of our Red Train stops, where one of trains arrives every 15 – 20 minutes to pick you back up.
After a day of shopping you can always relax in the city’s Plaza for a Free Concert featured every Thursday Evening during the summer months. It’s the perfect way to end a perfect day of shopping.
For those of you into Antiques, a perfect place to visit is our Antique Shopping district located at stop #19 on San Marco Avenue. A trip to St. Augustine is not complete without a stroll down the Antique Shopping District, also known as Uptown St. Augustine. Many of our 19th century homes along this street are now antique stores and art galleries. There are hundreds of featured artists who show their works and dozens of collectors displaying some of the finest antiques found in the southeast.

Ripley’s to Welcome Fitness “Freak” Eddie Nelson

Daniel — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:27:57 +0000

World’s most physically fit 69-year-old to sign books, perform feats, and challenge guests Saturday July 11

St. Augustine, FL – Think you can do more pull-ups than some 69-year-old man?

Think again. Especially if that “old” man is Jacksonville, FL. native Eddie Nelson. Nelson has appeared twice in the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Cartoon panels thanks to amazing physical feats he has performed at an age when most folks have trouble getting out of bed, and now Nelson will be appearing at the original Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum in St. Augustine, FL from noon until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11 to perform some of those feats, challenge guests to out-do him, and sign copies of his newly released book Old School Workout.

Ripley’s General Manager Ed Shaffer says he will give free admission to the museum during the event to anyone who can do more pull-ups than Nelson. “And Eddie will have a 45 pound weight tied to his waist,” adds Shaffer.

Nelson often works out three times daily. “I usually get my first one in at about 2:30 in the morning”, says Nelson, a fitness consultant at World Gym in Jacksonville. “I’ll do some more work before lunch and then again before bedtime, which is a little after 6 o’clock. I feel great!”

Nelson’s awards and medals may be too numerous to count, but he was most recently featured in the world famous Ripley’s cartoon in 2006, when he swept the Jacksonville Senior Games at age 65, winning the long jump, shot put, discus, and 100 meter dash categories.
Old School Workout is a how-to book from High-Pitched Hum Publishing designed to “encourage people to get physically fit using Eddie’s philosophies and activity plans.”

ART FESTIVAL HAPPENED ON JULY 3RD

Daniel — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:11:29 +0000

Ed Miller (aka Metal Man) on display at First Friday Art Walk

JULY 3, 2009

July 3, 2009 Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum hosted it’s first ever Art Festival.

As the Sightseeing Trains pulled up at the museum (stop # 18), hundreds of guest visiting St Augustine for the Fourth of July festivites stepped off to enjoy many local artist showing what they had created. You got to shop and talk directly to the artist themselves. Other activities included Free face painting and balloons for the children.

FACE PAINTING VERY POPULAR WITH THE KIDS

The first ever Art Festival at Ripley’s Believe ti or Not Museum seemed to be very big hit! There were over a dozen asrtist schedule for the event and many other activities planned as well. The Art Festival was held on July 3rd to coinside with the City’s First Friday Art Walk. It ran from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. You could mingle around and view the works and chat with the artist themselves. Free for the kids were balloons, flags, and face painting by Chelsea. The entertainment was provided by DJ Dinger with VIP Mobile DJ Service. Guest also had the option of enjoying delicious hot dogs and cup cakes from Luli’s.

Visit the Castillo de San Marco

Daniel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:25:29 +0000

Spectators are allowed to get close enough to feel the concussion from the explosion. They yell out “COVER YOUR EARS” and they mean it.

The Castillo is the oldest stone monument in the country filled to the brim with tales, leagends and history. This is a must see for history buffs.

Have you been to the Castillo? If you have, leave a comment!

July’s Restaurant Pick

Daniel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:44:01 +0000

Dan’s Restaurant Pick for July

Schooners Seafood House
3560 N. Ponce de Leon
St Augustine, FL 32084
904-826-0233

This place is off the beaten path but worth the short journey. Not to far from downtown, they have Minorcan Clam Chowder to Gator tail. If you are looking for great seafood without a great seafood price look no further. Prices are very reasonable. Those of you who crave a nice cut of meat, there is also a nice selection form NY strip steaks to center cut Pork Loins. Along with great food and the perfect atmosphere, the employees are friendly, polite and very attentive. This makes your experience there top notch.
Dan’s favorite: The Blacken Catch of the Day!
½ mile North of stop #1 The Sugar Mill Station (take the car, there is plenty of free parking).

Is there an area restaurant you would like a review on? Let me know at carignan@redtrains.com

Great Dining in St. Augustine

Marcie — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:11:53 +0000

A visit to St. Augustine wouldn’t be complete without a meal at Colombia Restaurant. Florida’s oldest and most honored spanish restaurant is located in the heart of the historic district on St. George Street.

The food is traditional Spanish cuisine set in a lovely atmosphere. You have to have their signature salad the “1905″! One of the best I have ever had!

Columbia Restaurant

Pure Barcelona

Marcie — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:29:34 +0000

The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is a tapas and wine restaurant located in the historic portion of St. Augustine. Highly recommended, it is on Cuna Street, in the heart of the tourist section definitely not a tourist trap. This is great food and wine restaurant for anyone looking to relax and enjoy. The ambiance is warm with vibrant colors very Spanish but very sophisticated.

The food is tapas style, small bites, fresh ingredients and imported specialties directly from Spain.

On the weekends you can also enjoy live music. Make sure to try The Tasting Room.

First Friday Art Walks

Marcie — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:59:19 +0000

First Friday Art Walk

If you love art, you have to attend one of the First Friday Art Walks in St. Augustine. These are so fun! You just stroll down the street on a self guided tour of local galleries, enjoying complimentary refreshments and live music all while viewing some of the newest artists on the scene. This is a lovely time and is highly recommended for anyone who loves art!

There is also a FREE Artwalk Train on First Friday by Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains! You can hop on starting at 6pm on King Street. The train makes a loop around town to other neighborhoods of AGOSA galleries every 15 minutes or so. You can park at The San Sebastian Winery, Rembrandtz Gallery, or Butterfield Gallery to catch the train. Come early to catch a parking space and enjoy the galleries starting at 5pm. The train and trolley tours start at 6pm until 9pm. Call 829.0065 or 825.4577 for more info. This is a FREE service from our wonderful patrons, the Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains .You can also enjoy wonderful catered delights at many of the galleries sponsored by our patrons, The St Augustine Independent Restaurant Association. Thank you!

Great Bed and Breakfasts

Marcie — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:44:25 +0000

Casa de Sueños

St. Augustine has some of the most charming Bed and Breakfasts!

One of my favorites is the Casa de Suenos (House of Dreams) is in a great location central to everything in St. Augustine

This lovely b&b has 5 beautiful rooms, each with their own individual touches. The rooms and the house are comfortable and clean.

The owner, Kathleen was an amazing hostess and provides very special touches in each room which makes this place perfect for couples. For instance, you get complimentary sherry in your room, comfortable bath robes, and my favorite – bubble bath and candles for around the jacuzzi tub to set the perfect mood! Each room also has a private porch or balcony.

The food is amazing! You have to try this place.