The Nights of Lights is definitely one of the highly anticipated festivals in St. Augustine FL. Tourists from all over the world look for best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights festival. With 3 million white lights that make the downtown trees and rooftops sparkle every night creating that holiday atmosphere, it is no surprise that it is one of the top ten holiday light displays in the world according to the National Geographic. If you’re planning to experience this magical glow in the nation’s oldest city, here are 8 best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights festival in St. Augustine FL.
1. Train tour
One of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL is to tour the city by train. Hop on the Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train for as low as $12.99 and take a trip around the historical city sparkling with holiday lights.
2. Lighthouse visit
Have you imagined how the entire city lit with sparkling white lights would look like from above? Easily one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL! Climb 219 steps to reach the top of St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and bask in the majestic view of the city.
3. Wine & carriage ride
Nothing beats a holiday trip that is well spent with loved ones—especially if there’s booze! If you’re with your significant other or you’re out with friends looking for the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL, then a wine & carriage ride is perfect for you. The Tasting Tours will satisfy your night cap as you tour around the city with your friends, family, or loved one. You can choose from their ‘Private Carriage Rides’ or their family-friendly ‘Roaster Ride with the Grinch!’ package starting at $69 per person.
4. Sailing
By far, one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL is to aboard St. Augustine Sailing‘s charters. For 75 minutes, float away from crowd and see the sparkle of the city by the sea right in the comforts of a luxurious vessel, which can seat up to 6 people.
5. Guided tour
St. Augustine is a beautiful city that is rich in history and culture. If you’re up for some historical trivia about the city then one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights is to go on a guided tour while watching the city’s holiday lights. Ancient City Tours offers a 90-minute walking tour where you can learn about the traditions and folklore behind the nation’s oldest city.
6. Trolley tour
A crowd-favorite and one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL is by touring around the city through Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour. But the highlight of the tour aside from the picturesque view of the white lights is that you can get complimentary sugar cookies paired with a warm glass of apple cider—a nice treat for your eyes and tummy!
7. Hang out with ‘pirates’
As a city surrounded by water, St. Augustine never runs out of fun things to do along that coastal. You have sailboats, water adventures, eco-tours, cruises; but if you want to kick your holiday experience up a notch, then one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights is to hangout with some pirates! The Black Raven Pirate Ship offers just that. You can even have pirates sing a few Christmas carols for you or crack a pirate joke or two.
8. Helicopter ride
Experience an aerial view of the scenic city and coastal area of St. Augustine through First City Helicopters. Their bird’s eye tour packages are certainly one of the best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights in St. Augustine FL. Starting at $49 per person, you can choose from their 8-mile or 17-mile tour where you will be flown along the coast of North Beach, around the Castle Ottis, past the Lighthouse and other historical and iconic structures in St. Augustine. This spectacular tour from above will definitely give you the best view of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights.
With St. Augustine’s vibrant community and richness in culture, you will definitely not run out of best ways to enjoy the Nights of Lights festival. Good thing the festival is celebrated for over a month, which means there’s plenty of time to try out these activities and have the best holiday trip with your friends and family.
