USA – The hidden gems just outside St. Augustine
When one thinks of St. Augustine, iconic landmarks immediately come to mind – the Castillo de San Marcos, sugar sand beaches, or Anastasia State Park. Ponte Vedra Beach conjures up thoughts of luxurious seaside escapes or some of golf’s greatest modern-day moments at TPC Sawgrass. But if you journey outside the boundaries of the touristic areas of Florida’s Historic Coast another layer of fun and adventure awaits!
Travel southwest from St. Augustine on S.R. 207, and you’ll run into the town of Hastings. When Henry Flagler built his popular hotels in St. Augustine during the gilded age, he knew he would need a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to feed his guests. He convinced his cousin, Thomas Horace Hastings, to develop a small farm that eventually grew into a community. Hastings is now known as the Potato Capital of Florida. It may be a tiny town, but Hastings offers many events and fun experiences stemming from its rich agricultural roots.
Hastings Main Street is the heart of activity in town. There is plenty planned for this fall to celebrate that heritage. Visitors and locals won’t want to miss the inaugural Hastings Main Street Fall Festival of Art on November 25th. Presented in partnership with the St. Augustine Art Association, this one-day festival features a juried art show, a cottage artisans’ market, live music, food trucks, and more. Demonstrations by two of the original Florida Highwaymen artists, R.L. Lewis and Curtis Arnett and presentations by Dr. Seth H. Bramson, America’s top Florida history author, will be part of the festival.
Hasting’s Main Street is also the venue for the annual Hastings Hometown Christmas Parade and the Pop-Up Market, both taking place on December 9. Then on February 10th, 2024, Main Street travels back in time with the 7th Annual Boulevard Car Show. Stroll amongst classic and unique cars while enjoying live music, food trucks, and prizes.
Hastings new attraction the St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve, dedicated to the conservation of rare and endangered species of plants from around the world, will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, October 1st, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festivities include a Wild Wonders Show, a Butterfly Exhibit, live music, and more.
The eats in Hastings are pure country! Relax at a casual spot for a quick lunch or a tasty sandwich to-go at Sweet and Smoky’s Barbecue, stop into Norma D’s on Main Street for a casual diner setting featuring true home cooking with a soul food spin. Home cooks will want to earmark time to peruse County Line Produce Stand for the area’s bounty of fresh-from-the-fields fruits and vegetables.
The nearby community of Elkton also plays host to numerous cultural and community events. Perhaps most well-loved by the local community is the annual Sykes Family Farms Crop Maze. From October 7-29, kids and adults are invited to flock to Sykes Farm to participate in their uniquely themed maze. This year’s design features Reba McEntire!
Other events taking place in Elkton this fall include the 64th Annual Cracker Day on Saturday, October 21st. Taking place at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, Cracker Day showcases the history of Florida’s cracker cattle and cowboys. On Saturday, November 4th the Cottonmouth Quarter Marathon and 5k which benefit the St. Johns County 4-H Club starts from the Sykes Family Farm with a course that takes runners through lush Florida oaks and classic Florida farmland.
Then on Saturday, December 2nd, Armstrong Park in Elkton will echo with the sounds of traditional music, dance, food, and crafts at the Gullah Geechee Heritage Festival. This unique experience celebrates 450 years of West African Culture in St. Johns County. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Africans who were enslaved on plantations of the lower Atlantic coast.
Other outdoor amenities in the area include the Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail, a pristine cycling trail that connects St. Augustine to Palatka. Guided kayak tour, nature walk, and naturalist training programs are offered by outfitter Earth Kinship Kayak Tours and Nature Education. Animal lovers can learn more about horses at the St. Johns County Equestrian Center in Hastings. And great pizza, subs and more cane be found at Jim’s Place, located in the renovated general store building, once known as Masters’ Grocery.
For even more adventure, head north on C.R. 13 from Elkton to explore the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway. This beautiful farmland/river drive is dotted with great county parks including Alpine Groves Park, Beluthahatchee, the former homestead of renowned author Stetson Kennedy, and Trout Creek Memorial Park & Marina.
Operating out of Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina, Sea Serpent Airboat Adventure Tours allows passengers the opportunity to experience the Old Florida flora and fauna on a thrilling ride through parts of Trout Creek, Six Mile Creek, and Palmo Cove and the St. Johns River. While exploring this area stop in at Woodpecker’s Backyard BBQ. Located at SR16A and CR 13, Woodpecker’s shows up on numerous lists as one of the BBQ spots in the south.
Adventure happens when you journey beyond the boundaries! Be sure to take the roads less traveled and see the scenic beauty and fun when you explore Florida’s Historic Coast.
