St. Augustine Experiences walking tours offers visitors a different way to enjoy the marvel of the Nights of Lights holiday event.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the celebration, and once again the city will be illuminated with more than 3 million white lights, creating a dazzling spectacle that runs each evening, now through Jan. 26.
St. Augustine Experiences is offering a special evening time for the popular history walking tour. In addition to regular times at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., a special History Under the Lights tour will depart at 6 p.m.
Join professional guides as they delve into four-and-a-half centuries of St. Augustine’s rich history, illuminated by the enchanting Nights of Lights. Named by National Geographic as one of the 10 Best Holiday Light Shows in the world, this is truly a magical time to visit St. Augustine. The History Under the Lights tour will run through Jan. 26.
Afternoon culinary tours, including the Wine, Cocktail & Food Experience; the Beer & History Crawl; and the Bourbon, Whiskey & History Experience, provide the perfect daytime activity as guests await the evening’s stunning light display. Starting at 2 p.m. and finishing around 5:30 p.m., these tours offer a unique way to explore the city as the sun sets, culminating in a breathtaking light show as night falls.
For families and those looking for nonalcoholic options, the daytime Sweets & History Walking Tour and St. Augustine Food Tour are ideal. The sweets tour features a collector insulated bag that guests will fill along the route with delectable pastries, pralines, chocolates and more. The St. Augustine Food Tour focuses on favorite restaurants and dishes in town, making it perfect for all ages, including family members younger than 21 and those who don’t drink alcohol.
“We are celebrating five awesome years in St. Augustine,” said tour owner Alex Drywa, who opened St. Augustine Experiences in 2019 just before COVID. He and his business partner, Garry Zafrani, also own Manhattan Walking Tour in New York City, which was founded in 2010 and features small group history and culinary walking tours.
In 2022, St. Augustine Experiences was voted TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best for Top Wine, Beer & Spirits Experiences in the world. In 2023, St. Augustine Experiences was featured in Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Small Town.”
Drywa met the author of the article to discuss why he loves giving tours in St. Augustine and his favorite spots to bring guests for food and drinks.
To reserve a tour and learn more, go to staugustineexperiences.com.
