Must See Sights and Landmarks in Sawgrass Country Club Area

"What started out as a primitive watchtower erected by the Spanish to intercept enemy vessels approaching Anastasia Island, became the site of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The lighthouse has undergone much throughout its tumultuous history, changing hands from Spanish, British, to, eventually, American rule in 1867. Beginning with the onsite maritime museum with its massive collection of 19,000 objects, archival documents and archaeological specimens, there is no shortage of Instagrammable content to capture here."

"Like so many other sites in St. Augustine, the Lighthouse is a cherished landmark from another era. It’s significant for two main reasons—first because of its role as a vital watchtower that led ships safely into the St. Augustine port for more than a hundred years and second because of its longstanding survival as an architectural icon to the city. The original lighthouse was closed in 1874 on the same day that the new one was completed."

"The St. Augustine Light Station is an active lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida. The current lighthouse stands at the north end of Anastasia Island and was built in 1874; it is the most recent of a number of towers built in the area."

"You simply you can’t visit St. Augustine with kids without taking them to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The 15-acre water-front park is a site of significant national historic importance. It was here that St. Augustine was founded by Pedro Menendez 55 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock and 42 years before Jamestown was colonized."

"The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a privately owned 15-acre park in St. Augustine, Florida, located along Hospital Creek, part of the Intracoastal Waterway."

"For a moment of reflection when you visit TIAA Bank Field there’s a 20-meter black granite tribute to Jacksonville’s fallen servicemen and women, a few steps west of the stadium. The monument was unveiled in 1995 and is unique for honoring veterans from every conflict since WWI, from the country’s six service branches: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The wall is also the venue for the solemn Memorial Day ceremony in May, when new names may be added to the wall."

"The Veterans Memorial Wall is a solemn attraction in Jacksonville, but there’s no better place to honor the sacrifices of our servicemen. The first thing to know is that it doesn’t exclude anyone from the Jacksonville area who died in the line of duty. It’s a rare memorial that includes soldiers from every branch of the military and every conflict that the U.S. has had."

"There are three resident sports franchises at the indoor arena next to TIAA Bank Field. You’ve got the ABA’s Jacksonville Giants (Basketball), the NAL’s Jacksonville Sharks (Indoor Football) and the EHCL’s Jacksonville Icemen (Hockey). Safe to say there will be high-quality sport on the menu, almost year round."

"Concerts, basketball games, circus performances, it’s easy to find an event according to your liking through Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Find your spot in this 15,000-seater multipurpose stadium by purchasing tickets at Ticketmaster.com, Downtown, or Walmart. URL: http://jaxevents.com/tickets/"

"The Bridge of Lions spans Matanzas Bay, which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, connecting the Old City of St. Augustine with Anastasia Island, and is designated SR A1A. It is a double-leaf “bascule” or drawbridge, providing clearance for boat traffic, with a span of 1,574-feet. The bridge is named for the stately pair of stone lions at the base of the bridge on the west end. The Carrara marble Medici lion statues, named “Firm” and “Faithful,” were created as copies of statues found in the Loggia die Lanzi in Florence, Italy."

"The Bridge of Lions is a Mediterranean style bascule bridge located in the heart of the National Historic Landmark District of St. Augustine, Florida, the nations oldest continuously occupied European settlement. The bridge, built in the Florida boom of the 1920's, with its graceful arches, tile-roofed towers and marble lions statues is listed on the National Register of Historic Places ."

"Part of the scenic Hwy A1A the Bridge of Lions connects St Augustine to Anastasia Island. There are pedestrian walkways on both sides of the bridge. The Bridge of Lions is a draw bridge that opens up to let boat traffic through the Intracoastal Waterway."

"Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns River Park (a/k/a Friendship Park), on the south bank of the river, just west of Main Street. When the park opened in 1965, the Fountain of Friendship (named at the suggestion of a Rotary Club member because one of the Club’s cardinal principles is friendship) was the world’s largest and tallest fountain, capable of spraying 17,000 gallons of water a minute to a height of 120 feet. Accentuated by colored lights at night, it soon became a popular tourist destination and local recreation site."

"Situated at the west end of the Southbank Riverwalk adjacent to the Museum of Science and History is Friendship Fountain. Whether you are looking for a peaceful place for a picnic, or just want to watch the river flow by, Friendship Fountain provides the ideal setting for a sunny afternoon or a romantic evening Downtown."

"The Friendship Fountain is one of Jacksonville’s most recognized attractions. It is one of the most iconic free things to do in Jacksonville, FL. When this fountain originally opened, it was the largest fountain in the world. That record has since been beaten, but it is still a breathtaking sight."

"If grizzly history is your thing though, then St Augustine has plenty to offer you. Another intriguing historical site to visit is the Old Jail, where you can delve into the fascinating past of St Augustine’s criminals. The jail dates to 1891, and you can join guided tours through the cells that are actually led by actors dressed as inmates, in full historical outfits."

"Observatory, Educational Site, Historical Site, Architecture. Life in prison was made more unpleasant by such hard labour tasks as turning the crank machine, shot drill or climbing the tread wheel. It was thought that these useless and often exhausting activities would act as a preventive and discourage prisoners from committing further crimes on their release."

"The Old Jail of St. Augustine was financed by Henry Flagler in 1891 so that he could control its look and location. The Queen Anne stucco style brick building is on the National Register of Historic places. You would never guess from its pleasing exterior that Flagler commissioned the same company that would eventually build Alcatraz for the project."

"It is home to the central congregation of the Trinity Parish, which convened in 1821. The building itself has been renovated and expanded several times over the last two centuries, including the pre-Civil War installation of some truly stunning stained-glass windows that still remain today (such as the triptych above the central altar). The rest of the building is no less a work of stunning architectural art, with graceful lines and sweeping buttresses adorning the exterior."

"Fronting on the central Plaza in St. Augustine’s Old City district, the original historic Trinity Episcopal Church was constructed from 1830-31 and rebuilt in 1902. It is the oldest of the Protestant churches in Florida. The original church, constructed of local coquina stone, was 36 feet wide by 50 feet long."

"Trinity Parish Church was established in St. Augustine in 1821 and is the oldest Protestant Church in the state of Florida. The first building was erected in the 1830s and was made of coquina."

"This historic Catholic church was first destroyed during the Civil War, rebuilt in 1874, and then burned down during The Great Fire of 1901 with only its Virgin Mary statue remaining intact (the statue can still be found inside the church). The minor basilica was rebuilt in 1910 by architect M.H. Hubbard, and it’s one of Florida’s best examples of late gothic revival architecture."

"In 1887, Henry Flagler hired the same artisans who constructed his Ponce De Leon Hotel to erect the Grace United Methodist Church. The Spanish Renaissance Revival-style sanctuary with its terracotta spire and moldings is an enduring reminder of the influence that Spain has had on the city. The building was a replacement for the wood-frame Olivet Methodist Church that occupied another plot of land that Flagler wanted for his opulent Alcazar Hotel."

"Grace United Methodist Church, 8 Carrera St., is a historic church which Henry Flagler had built from 1886 to 1887 in St. Augustine, Florida."

"Henry Flagler built the Grace Church in 1887, using the same builders and architects that he used to build the Ponce de Leon Hotel."

"Hyperion Brewing is located on North Main Street and they have a unique taproom experience. They also offer bruschetta, 3 cheese truffle bread, a fluffer nutter sandwich, nutella bites and much more from Chef’s Corner to snack on with your beer. And you have got to try their Strawberry Mustache Milkshake IPA. It will be released 10/16/20."

"Family-owned craft brewery offering an endlessly rotating line-up of beers with a unique and refreshing taproom experience. 1740 N Main St.Jacksonville, FL32206United States"

"Originally built in 1938 as a service station, Strings features two dining areas, a bar and a brewery built behind glass windows. There's also a covered garden in the back. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, small plates and smoked wings, ribs, brisket, sausage and pork belly."

"Strings Sports Brewery is the best spot in Springfield to enjoy any and every sport in their art deco space."

"Stretching for almost a quarter-mile over the water, the Jacksonville Beach Pier is the best hangout spot in the area. You aren’t allowed to bike or skate, so the foot traffic is always calm, but there’s plenty of entertainment to be had from local bands, bait shops and food trucks. Fishing is the most popular activity at the pier; there are even designated areas for deep-water anglers."

"Like most piers, the Jacksonville Beach Pier is in a constant struggle against the elements. The first pier from 1922 was destroyed in 1999 by Hurricane Floyd. This was rebuilt within five years, but then Hurricane Matthew came along in October 2016, and Irma a year later, causing new damage."