Lightner Museum - St. Augustine Bed and Breakfasts

Historically, St. Augustine Florida Beach was a place that wealthy northerners and the world’s elite descended upon year round for their Florida Beach Vacations. Henry Flagler, an American business tycoon, and partner of Gilded Age mogul John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil, began to establish St. Augustine Beach as a tourist destination in the late 1880s. He built and contributed to numerous buildings and endeavors in the Old City; one such place was the Hotel Alcazar. Known for being one of the most luxurious hotels in the country at the time, the Hotel Alcazar was quite opulent. Its architecture was designed by famous architects Carrère and Hastings and resembles the architecture that was prominent throughout the Spanish Renaissance. Today, this magnificent structure houses the Lightner Museum, a popular St Augustine Attraction.

The Lightner Museum was founded by Chicago publisher and businessman Otto C. Lightner. Lightner purchased the former Hotel Alcazar and its amazing amenities including an enormous steam room, a turn of the century massage parlor, the world’s largest indoor swimming pool at the time, gymnasium and sulfur baths to house his collection of antiques and other collectibles that he had amassed during his lifetime. Many of these items were from the Victorian period in England and include Victorian glass, tiffany style lamps, Victorian antiquities such as a small shrunken Egyptian head, and so much more. While the building itself is a famous St Augustine Attraction and Historic Place in St Augustine, the contents inside are definitely worth a trip! Tour three floors of amazing items and see the exhibits of paintings, sculpture, antique musical instruments and a grand escritoire, an exquisite piece of furniture that was created for Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland.

While most visitors just tour the Lightner Museum, others seek out the former hotel as a host site for a special St Augustine Event, and often Weddings St Augustine are hosted here. In addition to the grand facilities and banquet halls, the Lightner Museum Courtyard St Augustine FL is one of the most beautiful places in the state! The lush landscaping and garden courtyards were world renowned during the height of its heyday as the Hotel Alcazar, and the Lightner Museum Courtyard St Augustine FL is still a must see today! The Lightner Museum also has a gift shop where you can purchase unique items and replicas of some of the museum's famous pieces.

Interested in visiting St Augustine Beach Florida? If you seek sun, sand, shopping, world class dining, and St Augustine Beach Lodging then stay in our St. Augustine Bed and Breakfasts. Our St Augustine FL Hotels are some of the most luxurious and inviting St. Augustine Bed and Breakfasts, and all offer St Augustine Lodging for Romantic Florida Getaways for Two. Plan your trip today and book a room in one of our St. Augustine Bed and Breakfasts. If you are looking for fun Things to Do St Augustine Florida then browse our site and learn more about the area St Augustine Attractions.