Spend the week in St Augustine

This week in St Augustine and St Johns County provides Historic City News readers with some ideas about free and low-fee entertainment and activities in America’s Oldest City.

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Tuesday – Friday, May 31 – June 3

Between Here and There Exhibition at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum
See the Shannon Estlund exhibition focusing on the individual’s relationship to place, titled “Between Here and There,” at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum. The artist, a Jacksonville native, works between painting, sculpture and site-specific installation. Estlund’s paintings pay particular attention to un-idealized natural places that are “readily accessible but often overlooked.” The paintings reference these spaces through a combination of lushly saturated color often juxtaposed with works that have a muted, more somber palate. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. 48 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine. 904-826-8530 www.flagler.edu/news-events/crisp-ellert-art-museum/upcoming-exhibitions

Wednesday, June 1

Music by the Sea Concert
Free weekly concert at the St. Johns County Pier features a wide variety of musical genres. The seaside concerts are 7 – 9 p.m. This week’s featured performer is Take Cover. Starting at 6 p.m. the Seafood Kitchen will offer dinners as an option for concert goers. All dinners are priced at $10 or less. Concert goers are encouraged to car pool or ride the shuttle from the St. Augustine Beach City Hall. The pier is located at 350 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine Beach. 904-347-8007 www.sabca.org

Summer Movie By the Bay
Ripley’s St. Augustine Attractions presents this free summer movie series at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. All movies begin at 8:30 p.m. This week’s movie is “Inside Out.” 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine. 904-824-1606 www.facebook.com/saintaugustineripleys

Thursday, June 2

Concert in the Plaza
From 7 – 9 p.m. every Thursday night through September 1, enjoy a live free concert under the oak trees in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitución. This week’s performance features The Driftwoods. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Corner of Cathedral Place and King Street, St. Augustine. 904-825-1004 www.plazaconcerts.com

Thursday – Sunday, June 2 – 5

St. Augustine Art Association Annual Honors Show
This juried exhibition features new works by the “best of the best” – award winning artists from the past three years. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 – 5 p.m. Admission is free. 22 Marine St. St. Augustine. 904-824-2310 www.staaa.org

Friday, June 3

Garden Walk
Visit Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on the First Friday of every month for a guided tour of the beautiful gardens. Meet in the garden parking lot at 10 a.m. and wear comfortable shoes. The tour will last approximately one hour. Admission into the park is $5 per vehicle, up to eight people; $4 per vehicle for single occupancy or $2 per person on bicycle applies. 6400 North Oceanshore Boulevard, Palm Coast. 386-446-6783 www.floridastateparks.org/park/Washington-Oak

First Friday Art Walk
From 5 – 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, the Art Galleries of St. Augustine features new exhibits, refreshments and live music at more than 20 galleries. The event is held rain or shine inside the member galleries and is a free, self-guided walking tour (tour maps available at participating galleries). Plus, free Art Walk Trolleys and Trains provided by St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer free transportation throughout downtown for the art walk. 832-779-2781 www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org

New Artists, Different Mediums Celebrate Summer at Plum Gallery
Plum Gallery presents three spectacular artists to kick off the summer season during First Friday Artwalk from 5 – 9 p.m. The show features the precise photographic images of Lenny Foster along with the painters Alma Castro and Gary Borse. Admission is free. 10 Aviles Street, St. Augustine. 904-825-0069 www.plumartgallery.com

Friday & Saturday, June 3 & 4

Drake’s Raid
The English corsair, Sir Francis Drake, and his raiders return to St. Augustine for an authentic re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city. Join Drake and his raiders on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the 16th century-style military encampment at the Fountain of Youth Park (regular park admission applies). There will be drills, demonstrations and living history interpretations. The reenactment of the sacking and burning of the town will commence on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in the old city, beginning at the City Gate on Orange Avenue and ending in the Plaza de la Constitución. 904-824-9823 www.fountainofyouthflorida.com

Saturday, June 4

GTM Research Reserve Guided Cultural Hike
Starting at 8:30 a.m. this guided cultural hike focuses on the Guana Peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history. This 1.5-mile guided walking tour departs from the Trailhead Pavilion located just west of the Guana Dam. The programs are free. There is a $3 parking fee. 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500 http://gtmnerr.org

Militia Muster and Training at Fort Mose
Visit Fort Mose on the first Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. of each month to be transported back to the 18th Century. The members of the Fort Mose Militia come together to practice their firing drills, teach new Militia members historic weapons use and safety, and more. Visitors will experience historic weapons demonstrations, including musket firing drills. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in the children’s militia training using wooden toy muskets and authentic uniform accessories. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission into the park is free. Admission into the Visitor Center is $2 per adult; youth under 6 are free. 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine. 904-823-2232 www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Mose

Living History Day at Fort Matanzas
From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad reenactors demonstrate Spanish cannons at this fortress that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. Admission is free, including the ferry ride to and from Rattlesnake Island. Fort Matanzas National Monument is approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-471-0116 www.nps.gov/foma

VIP All Things Chocolate Tasting Tour
Experience an indulgent walking tour of St. Augustine’s historic district where you will get to experience the most unique chocolate selections that our Nation’s oldest city has to offer. You’ll explore unique culinary venues and “foodie” hotspots to sample delicious chocolate in all forms, including wine, sauces, toppings, dips, desserts and much more. You’ll also learn about the history of St. Augustine from our licensed, professional guide as you explore several historic points of interest. This two-hour walking tour departs from Tour St. Augustine at 1 p.m. The cost is $59 per person. Advance reservations required. 4 Granada Street, St. Augustine. 904-825-0087 www.StAugCityWalks.com