America Begins Here a monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance

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Since this is the first week of the new year, and everyone is talking about new beginnings, I thought, What better time is there to talk about Florida s First Coast? Not only is it Florida hotels in uk s first coast, but  the first coast (by over 50 yrs. from Plymouth Rock) of the entire nation as well. (See a bit of the history below). Florida has a myriad of wonderful destinations for your family beach vacation, and what better way to start your family fun then to discover a little of our history while enjoying your family hotels in uk holiday? Read on to explore more kid friendly fun facets about this fascinating and beautiful area, and see why the First Coast is perfect for your Florida family beach vacation.
This stretch of northeastern hotels in uk Florida coast known as the First Coast is steeped in history – and is known for many firsts. The Spanish founded St. Augustine in 1565, making it the oldest continuously occupied European city in the New World – that is 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown, and 55 years before hotels in uk the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
The name First Coast was coined in the 1970s, when a group of representatives from local Chambers of Commerce wanted to market the region of Northeast Florida in a manner similar to other Florida regions, which had chosen such names as Sun Coast , Emerald Coast , and Treasure Coast . (click hotels in uk on links to find out more about each coast ). The region includes all of the counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, and St. Johns .
The history of the First Coast can be traced back over 12,000 years, when the area was first inhabited by indigenous Native Americans. At the time of initial European contact in the mid-16th century, the Timucuan people were settled here. Modern European colonization began in 1564, when René Goulaine de Laudonnière founded the French Colony of Fort Caroline, near the mouth of the St. Johns River, close to modern-day Jacksonville. On August 28, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded the city of St. Augustine for Spain. After defeating the French in skirmishes around hotels in uk the area, Spanish forces firmly established the area as their own. Spanish rule continued until 1763, when Spain ceded control hotels in uk of Florida to Great Britain. As the territory was taken over by the British, most of the Spanish hotels in uk population left the area, many of them going to Louisiana and other French territories. Many of the remaining native population also migrated before encroachment by Anglo-American colonists. After the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783, Britain ceded Florida back to Spain, beginning the second period of Spanish rule. During this time, many pioneer settlers emigrated to the First Coast from the United States. The town of Cowford, now Jacksonville, was settled in 1791. In 1819, Spain signed hotels in uk the Adams-Onís Treaty with the United States, giving all of Spanish Florida to the U.S. for $5,000,000.
Florida s First Coast is such an interesting and varied area that your family will love all the diverse things to do here.  History seamlessly blends with the modern and everyone will find something intriguing while discovering our past and having fun. You ll find many significant historical landmarks including one of my favorites, Castillo de San Marcos , in St. Augustine, Florida where the Spaniard s took a stand over 400 years ago. Another one of my favorites is visiting the old colonial school house while walking along the old brick streets of St. Augustine.
hotels in uk America Begins Here a monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance, the Castillo de San Marcos was originally constructed to defend Florida against pirates hunting the Spanish treasure fleets traveling along the Gulf Stream, and symbolizes the clash between cultures hotels in uk which ultimately resulted in our uniquely unified nation.
The Junior Ranger Program encourages children ages 6 through 12 to participate in their visit to the Monument and is a fun way for young visitors and their families hotels in uk to get the most out of their visit. Booklets are available from the information kiosk at the Fort Entrance. Read exhibits and view the movie in the Theater or take the self-guided tour. Attend a ranger talk or demonstration and ask questions. Then complete the activity sheets in the booklet. hotels in uk Completing all the activities in the booklet will earn children a certificate of completion and an official Junior Ranger hotels in uk Badge from the site.
Get a great view of the city and a little history at the same time. The St. Augustine hotels in uk Lighthouse Museum is fun for the whole family. It s recommended that you allow at least 1 hour to tour the site and climb the tower. The last ticket to climb the tower is sold at 5:45 pm. The site closes at 6:00 pm. During July and many holidays open until 7:00 pm, with the last ticket being sold at 6:45 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 24th and December 25th. During bad weather, the observation deck and /or tower may be closed for your safety. If the weather looks threatening, please hotels in uk call us at 904-829-0745 to check the tower s status. Be sure to shop in the museum store for quality lighthouse replicas as well as maritime gifts. Admission is not required to shop.
The original Ripley s! You can t go to Florida s First Coast and not see Ripley s Believe it or Not Museum. This place is packed with the weird, hotels in uk odd and just plain strange, but more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Make sure to get a ride on the big red train, hotels in uk or take the ghost train adventure, the kids will be talking about this one for the rest of your First Coast vacation visit their website to see what s in store!
The Pirate Ship Black Raven is a one-of-a-kind live pirate show full of music, thrills and pure entertainment! Participate in a real pirate adventure, hotels in uk sing along with the crew, and find your inner pirate hotels in uk while you see the beautiful sights hotels in uk of the Matanzas River. This is more for kids than adults, but as a kid friendly adventure, it s one they ll not soon forget. See the video below:
And just a note, don t bother going to Potter s Wax Museum , it isn t worth the price of the tickets, you re better off going to the Irish Pub across the street and getting the ice cream..it s divine!
Crescent Beach is located hotels in uk in the southern area of St. Johns County. It is situated on Anastasia Island, a wildlife refuge. This beach offers a serene, natural setting and is a great place for beachcombers. It is one of the most scenic, unspoiled beaches in Florida. Crescent beach offers boating, diving, fishing, and many other attractions. It is convenient to excellent RV and camping facilities
St. Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island where you can enjoy sandy beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, a playground, pavilion, fishing pier, volleyball courts, bait shops, fine restaurants, shopping and more. RV and cabin camping areas are located nearby. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas
Anastasia State Recreation Park is a protected bird sanctuary and consists of 1,700-acres and five miles of beautiful, sandy beaches. It features swimming, lifeguards, a bath house, hiking, nature trails, a boat ramp, fishing, a volleyball court, beach equipment rentals such as umbrellas and beach chairs, canoes, nature trails, grills and picnic areas, concessions, a covered pavilion, gift shops, playgrounds, and camping. Vehicles are prohibited from driving on the beach at this time.
Hours and Admission fees: Hours are generally 8:00am until sundown. Admission $8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
This serene beach is a local best-kept secret offering a wide variety of vacation rentals, lodging, waterfront hotels in uk restaurants, the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, parasailing and Sea Doo rentals, and many parks. Be sure to visit Surfside Park, 3070 Coastal Hwy, and enjoy a picnic shelter, beach access and outside showers. You may even choose to charter a deep sea fishing boat or a sailboat. hotels in uk Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas.
North Beach offers a serene oceanside environment and two campsites. Enjoy the ocean and the intracoastal waterway. North Beach features great seafood restaurants, boat ramps, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers.
South Ponte Vedra Beach is located in northern St. Johns County and just south of Ponte Vedra, which is home base for the PGA Tour, the Players Championship each spring, and the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. You ll find many resorts, upscale shopping opportunities and parks. However, beach access is limited hotels in uk and no vehicles are permitted on the beaches.
Guana River State Park is a 2,000 acre sanctuary for endangered species. Recreational activities are many and varied. It features two public beach access facilities, consisting of parking lots and associated dune crossover boardwalks, along a 4.2 mile stretch of otherwise undeveloped beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, shelling and other traditional hotels in uk beach activities are enjoyed here. Pets are prohibited on the beach, but are allowed in other areas of the park on a six-foot, hotels in uk handheld leash. There are no overnight camping facilities or developed picnic areas. For a calendar of events or more information, hotels in uk visit their web site.
One of my very favorite places on Florida s first coast is Fernandina beach, and Amelia Island. They are so beautiful hotels in uk and a one-of-a-kind experience that would be a blas