Historical Tours of Flagler College — Attraction in Saint Augustine

Flagler College, located in the heart of historic St. Augustine, Florida, is a true gem of architectural and academic excellence. During my visit, I was captivated by the college's stunning campus and rich history.

Historical Significance: Flagler College is housed in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture. This building, completed in 1888 by Henry Flagler, is a National Historic Landmark and a true marvel to behold.

Architectural Beauty: The campus exudes elegance and grandeur. The intricate details of the buildings, from the carved stone work to the impressive courtyard, reflect an era of opulence and craftsmanship.

The Iconic Rotunda: The centerpiece of the college is the breathtaking rotunda in the main hall. Its Tiffany stained glass windows are a sight to behold, casting a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors across the room.

Academic Excellence: Flagler College is not just about its architectural splendor; it's also a hub of academic achievement. The college offers a range of programs and is known for its commitment to quality education.

Lush Grounds: The college's campus is beautifully landscaped, with lush greenery and tranquil courtyards that offer a peaceful escape for students and visitors alike.

Location, Location, Location: The college's location in historic St. Augustine means that it's surrounded by centuries of history. It's a short stroll away from historic landmarks, charming shops, and the picturesque waterfront.

My visit to Flagler College was a delightful journey through history and architecture. It's a place where the past and the present coexist harmoniously, offering a unique and enriching experience. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone looking to explore a beautiful campus, Flagler College is a must-visit destination that will leave you inspired...

Flagler college tour was more of a historic hotel tour. The college is mentioned, but not the focus of the tour. You are given all of the hotel's history in all its over extravagance, walk through basically 2 rooms, get to take pictures of all the stuff purchased to coax the rich to pay $4000 cash to attend, then you're done. You're told how the upper floor is the freshmen dorms that are coed, but the focus was the wealth and history of how the owner had 3 marriages, changed laws so he could divorce, and died as a result of his injuries from falling down stairs he specifically had made with leather so he wouldn't slip. The tour guide was very nice and did her speech well and quickly. I'm not sure if we signed up for the wrong tour, but we wanted to tour the college... Get info on tuition, classes offered, etc. We paid $16+ each and we were placed in a large group of about 20 people. The entire tour was about 35 minutes. We saw the foyer entrance, the waiting room, the patio garden, then was walked into the dining room. The day we arrived they were doing a massive renovation on a third of the building- no tour of the dorms at all, not...

A very passionate and kind tour guide, but the tour is flawed because far too much focus is placed on the least interesting parts of the hotel/college, when it has a lot of offer. Here are some ways to fix it:

Far too much time is spent focusing on the dining hall and the outside plaza, leaving the most fascinating room to receive the least amount of time.

To expand on number one, the parts of the room that were focused on we’re really not all that interesting. I think far too much time is spent focusing on the chairs from the time and the sundial outside. This left literally no time to experience the exclusive room at the end, which features tons of historical artifacts from the time. Was really bummed that I missed a majority of this last cool room full of artifacts.

There is simply not enough to see to make the experience worth $17. Two of the areas in which the tour is held are public spaces, and one of them already has free information on display that the tour guide simply repeated. Was hoping we would get a glimpse of how one of the hotel rooms would’ve looked, but it’s all part of...