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Old Jail Museum St Augustine, FL

167 San Marco Ave • St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Two kids pose behind bars at the Old Jail Museum with a realistic prisoner figure in the foreground.

Visitors view the outdoor gallows at the Old Jail Museum in St Augustine with a guide in prisoner costume.

Visitors sit inside a historic jail cell at the Old Jail Museum, with a costumed guide dressed as a prisoner.

Five smiling visitors standing behind the bars of a jail cell during a tour of the Old Jail Museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

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Total Price: $18.03 (USD)

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Overview

Tour the Old Jail Museum in St Augustine—an 1891 Romanesque landmark that looks more like a resort than a prison. Explore cells, gallows, and sheriff's quarters, get "booked" and try to escape during this immersive guided tour.

up to 0.5 hrs 1 or more people

Good To Know

A fun and insightful tour of the St. Augustine Old Jail, an historic old prison block that operated for nearly 60 years.
Guided tours depart every 15-20 minutes and last approximately 30 minutes.
Suitable for all ages.
Children under 4 are admitted free.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Bring your camera.

Description

Built in 1891 and funded by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Old Jail Museum in St Augustine offers a compelling glimpse into the gritty side of Florida's past. Though it housed some of the region's most notorious inmates for over 60 years, the jail's exterior—designed in Romanesque Revival style—looks more like a resort than a maximum-security facility. The restored structure still closely resembles its original appearance from over a century ago.

This imposing landmark served as the St Johns County jail until 1953 and was once overseen by one of the toughest wardens in the South: Sheriff Joe Perry. Known for his harsh discipline, Sheriff Perry not only ran the jail but lived with his family just steps from the cellblocks.

On the 30-minute guided tour, led by costumed interpreters, explore the men's and women's cells, the sheriff's living quarters, and the gallows where executions were carried out. Exhibits feature 19th-century judicial practices, early punishment methods, and a unique collection of weapons and historical artifacts.

This immersive tour is as educational as it is entertaining. Families enjoy the interactive elements like trying to "escape" from a cell block for a fun photo op, while history buffs appreciate the authentic stories and preserved architecture. Located near the heart of St Augustine, the Old Jail Museum remains one of the city's most engaging and unexpected historic attractions.

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Visitors explore the sheriff’s dining room inside the Old Jail Museum with a costumed guide.

Guests gather in the brick courtyard outside the Old Jail Museum's historic red-brick building.

Old Jail Museum is located at 167 San Marco Ave • St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Frequently Asked Questions about Old Jail Museum

Where is the St. Augustine Old Jail located?

The historic Old Jail is located at 167 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

When is the Old Jail open?

It's open from 9:00AM - 5:30PM everyday. Tours are held daily with the last tour leaving at 4:30PM unless stated otherwise due to holiday operating hours.

How long does it take to tour the Old Jail?

Guided tours last approximately 30 minutes, and depart every 20 minutes beginning at 9 am.

Is the Old Jail wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes, the first floor and the outside perimeter are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The close confines and historic features limits wheelchair mobility.