St. Augustine, Fla. (October 28) – When it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving, Florida's Historic Coast has history on its side. The first Thanksgiving meal took place in St. Augustine in September of 1565, when the native Timucua people hosted Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and more than 800 Spanish settlers. Now, in 2025, visitors can create new Thanksgiving memories, with dining, history, and an array of activities on Florida's Historic Coast.   

For diners who prefer to enjoy an early meal, Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen is hosting a special holiday breakfast buffet. It will later transition to a plated, four-course holiday meal. For a Thanksgiving experience with all of the fixings, Santiago's Florida Kitchen & Craft Bar and Vernon's First Coast Kitchen & Bar at Sawgrass Marriott are hosting traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinners. Asado Life is offering order-ahead, to-go Thanksgiving options for those who prefer to enjoy their holiday meal at their lodging or pack it up for a relaxed picnic on the beach or one of the area's beautiful parks.  

Other eateries serving up feasts in Downtown Historic St. Augustine include Columbia Restaurant,  Aviles Restaurant & Lounge, Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa, O.C. White's Seafood and Spirits, and the Raintree Restaurant. North on Vilano Beach, The Reef Restaurant offers oceanfront holiday dining. Visit the Villagio Grille and Bar at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, north on I-95, for classic American fare for Thanksgiving.

St. Augustine Beach is home to Amici Italian Restaurant and Harvest & Reel at Embassy Suites at St. Augustine Beach. Continue south to enjoy Thanksgiving in Palm Coast at the Atlantic Grille or the Hammock Beach Resort & Spa, which lays out a buffet spread of traditional and local specialties.

Pairing the holiday with a golf or resort getaway? Head to Ponte Vedra Beach, where the 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop offers an upscale Thanksgiving experience with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Sawgrass Marriott is home to the casual Alice & Pete's Pub. For surf or turf, Aqua Grill focuses on fresh seafood, while Ruth's Chris Steak House is renowned for its prime cuts and elevated steakhouse preparations.

Stay the weekend to enjoy  St. Augustine's world-famous Nights of Lights by walking around Historic Downtown St. Augustine or taking a walking, riding, or boating tour- Make the most of the experience to know before you go by downloading the new Night of Lights App from Google Play or Apple Store.  Go local for holiday shopping by visiting the Christmas Experience at Ancient City Farmstead, The Christmas Market St. Augustine, Vilano Holiday Village,  or hitting up one of the area's many farmers' and artisan markets.

While in St. Augustine, be sure to visit Mission Nombre de Dios and Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archeological Park where the First Thanksgiving took place in 1565.

For a unique night out, illusions abound at the Magic Hideaway at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa. And for those who love a turkey trot, the Shut Up & Run 5K, the First Coast Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run, and the Black Friday Run Off the Turkey 5K and Fun Run are all kicking off Thanksgiving week.

Getting to Florida's Historic Coast this Thanksgiving season is a breeze, with three major airports less than two hours away and easy driving access from all directions. Plan the perfect Thanksgiving itinerary using the trip planner or the helpful AI Assistant.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach: and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine, and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast.