You begin the day with a visit to The Ximenez-Fatio House. You are standing at the museum admiring the furnishings of period arts and historical articles providing you with authentic setting, and portraying the territorial life and how the people of St. Augustine aspired to reach their statehood. This museum served as a boarding house for years for women, thus representing one of the few socially acceptable business ventures for a 19th century woman called Louisa Fatio.

In 1798 Andres Ximenez, a Spanish storekeeper used coquina to build the original portion of Ximenez-Fatio House and made a separate detached kitchen. It was used as a general store, and tavern. Then it was used as a private residence and later a fine boarding house for armed officers, sea skippers, notables, and families from the north and south, as well as from Canada and Europe.

In 2002, when the 10th archaeological dig began on the grounds, an extraordinary small cross was discovered from items in a trash pit. . Cure revealed a dark tarnishing of crusted salts which exposed the dazzling white bronze material and fine details. Titled after a hillside town in south-eastern Spain, this Caravaca Cross is believed to have become popular in the 17th century to rejoice the end of the plague. It is so intricately made and unique that not two of the same kind can be found easily.

The Ximénez-Fatio House has well-documented historical and cultural significance for the state of Florida, as it is one of St. Augustine's oldest, best-preserved, and most studied historic properties. According to documentary evidence a second story was added above the wing sometime between 1830 and 1842. The museum complex is located on Aviles Street, America's first platted thoroughfare, in the centre of the city's oldest community, the Old Town area south of the Plaza. A new Visitor Centre with state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and a Museum Store are now located inside this museum. It also received an honour in 1995 by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida.

• Tour times may change due to special events.
• Contact them to book a wedding, reception, or family event or business event.
• Take a tour of the first floor here, and then go to upstairs for a tour of the second floor.
• You can order online by check using the Printed Order Form.
• Learn more about the history of the museum with their online games.
• Use the clues to discover items found in various rooms of the Ximenez-Fatio House during the 1800's. The clues also shed light on gadgets and transportation of the era.
• Bring students to the house museum for Florida history lessons. Group rates are $4.50 per person for groups of ten or more.
• They ask that no more than thirty come at the same time, to give each group a more enjoyable experience.
• Their educational resources for teachers and students will be updated periodically, so come back often.
• Experience the hope and despair of Florida's Territorial Period through the eyes of a contemporary boy.
• With him, see how the clash of wealthy planters, independent Crackers, oppressed Blacks and proud Seminoles contributed to Florida's evolution from a territory to a state.
• The story begins with a modern day boy in the school library. He inserts a disk into a computer and discovers an interactive encounter with the events of Florida's Territorial Period.
• This video (now available in DVD) was designed as an additional educational resource for this period of Florida's history.
• Each guest room is themed toward the variety of boards who may have resided there.
• You have to see the downstairs dining room and the upstairs private parlour.

• For Adult: $ 7
• For Family: $ 15.
• For Student, Senior, Military: $5.00 
• Group Tours Welcome ($4.50 per 10 or more)

• Tours are hourly Starting at 11:30am & Last tour at 3.30pm.

• Gaufres and Goods: Polish, Greek
• Denoel French Pastry Shop: Bakery
• La Herencia Cafe: American, Cuban, Vegetarian, Soups
• Centro: Steak house

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in St Augustine before you plan your trip.

Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in St Augustine and book an accommodation of your choice.