Wouldn’t miss the Villa Zorayda the 1883 winter home of Boston millionaire Franklin W. Smith. The home is modeled after the Alhambra Palace in Spain, and despite its small size, it aptly conveys the grandeur of those regal grounds. The museum is filled with antiques, collections, rugs, and artwork, as well as ancient curiosities like the 2400 year old rug made of cat hair, taken from an Egyptian pyramid. It’s a great example of Moorish architecture (visit Southern Spain without leaving the States) and it offers a glimpse into the people who were building castles and stunning hotels in St. Augustine at the end of the 19th century. 83 King Street. 904.829.9887
The Ponce de León Hotel – An opulent Belle Epoque 1880s former hotel with its fair share of Tiffany stained glass, Edison electricity, and of course, ghosts. Everyone from Hemingway to Mark Twain to Rockefellers stayed here but since Flagler College’s acquisition of the hotel in 1968, only college students inhabit these halls. You can take a historic tour.
