Davis Park

Ponte Vedra, Florida 32081 (St. Johns County)

Hosted by:

Ponte Vedra Girls Softball

Wednesday, July 7th - Sunday, July 11th

Florida - District #1

Updated Davis Park Weather

Things to do when not playing softball

Although you're coming to Ponte Vedra to play in a softball tournament, your schedule may afford you the opportunity to explore some area attractions.  Those featured on this page are located in St. Johns County, either near Davis Park in Ponte Vedra, or in St. Augustine, about twenty miles south of the park.

Known as the Nation's Oldest City, St. Augustine has a wide variety of attractions that can be enjoyed during a morning, afternoon or evening off from tournament play.  They include rides, picnic areas, museums, natural history, things weird, ghostly and really old.

If your tournament schedule allows, a great way to experience the old city is to arrive early in the morning when parking is easy and crowds are light.  However, there is plenty to do at night too. 

A favorite activity is going on a city or ghost tour with a guide:

• Ancient City Tours - (904) 827-0807

Some attractions are on Anastasia Island, which is just across the Matanzas River, east of the Ancient City.  Take the Bridge of Lions, which spans the Matanzas River, to Anastasia Island.  There you will find good restaurants and some of the attractions listed below.  The Bridge is being rehabilitated, so the lions have been temporarily removed.

Have fun enjoying St. Augustine's wonderful attractions...
 

Davenport Park Carousel

Located at the intersection of San Marco Ave (A1A) and May Street (Vilano Beach Causeway), the carousel is the unofficial northern gateway to St. Augustine.

This is a great way to get a St. Augustine adventure started.  Take the kids for a whorl then move on to your next destination.

The Fountain of Youth

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

Explore the site where Ponce De Leon staked a claim of possession for the Spanish King and the birth of La Florida.

This is an excellent spot for an afternoon lunch.  There are guided tours, extensive gardens, a great view of the bay, canon firings and the oldest planetarium in the U.S.

www.FountainOfYouthFlorida.com

(800) 356-8222

(904) 829-3168

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday-Thursday

9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday-Saturday

Get out of the heat and enjoy a couple hours of pure fancy. 

Enjoy incredible illusions, an interactive gallery and more than 800 bizarre and unusual artifacts.

Located near the heart of old town St. Augustine.

www.staugustine-ripleys.com

(904) 824-1606

Castillo de San Marcos

8:45 AM to 5:15 PM daily - Ticket booth closes at 4:45 PM

The Castillo was constructed in 1672 and is the oldest masonry 17th century fort in North America.  The fort is an excellent place for to bring a lunch.  Explore the outer fortifications and inner dwellings.  Re-enactors in period dress give demonstrations of historical weapons including periodic firings of the cannons.

The 20.5 acre grounds are excellent for viewing July 4th fireworks.

www.nps.gov/casa

(904) 829-6506

St. George Street

Open daily... It's a public street

St. George Street is the heart of historic old St. Augustine.  It is across the street from the Castillo (see above).  Enjoy a stroll up and down the street.  There are plenty of eateries, shops, beautiful buildings and courtyards.  It's an easy walk south to Flagler College, the Lightner Museum, Potter's Wax Museum and various galleries.

www.staugustinelinks.com/st-augustine-history.asp

Flagler College

The college was originally built by Henry Flagler as the Hotel Ponce de Leon, a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture.  Explore the grounds, count the frogs, and try to get a peak into the cafeteria... designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The college is located at the southern end of St. George Street and a block west.

www.flagler.edu

(904) 829-6481

The Lightner Museum

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily - Last admission at 4:00 PM

The museum was originally built by Henry Flagler as the Hotel Alcazar and is located across the street from Flagler College.  After the hotel closed, it was purchased in 1946 by Otto C. Lightner to house his extensive collection of Victoriana.

www.lightnermuseum.org/main_lightner.html

(904) 824-2874

Schooner Freedom

Day and evening sails are two (2) hours long.

The schooner is moored on the west side of the Matanzas River, adjacent to and south of the Bridge of Lions.  Sit back and enjoy the sites of St. Augustine from this unique perspective.  Bring a pair of binoculars to look for dolphins, manatees and birds.  Reservations are highly recommended.  Go to their Web site for schedule details.

www.schoonerfreedom.com

(904) 810-1010

Alligator Farm & Zoological Park

Anastasia Island

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM extended summer hours

Located east of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, the Alligator Farm was founded in 1893 and is one of Florida's oldest zoological attractions. 

www.alligatorfarm.us

(904) 824-3337

St. Augustine Lighthouse - Anastasia Island

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily

9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in July

Allow one hour to explore the grounds and museum, and climb the tower, which was built in 1824, is 165 feet above see level and has 219 steps to the observation deck.  If you can handle the height, the view of St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean is spectacular.

www.staugustinelighthouse.com

(904) 829-0745

Known primarily for the Tournament Players Club of Sawgrass, which hosts annually THE PLAYERS Championship, Ponte Vedra Beach has some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and is home to the Guana River Wildlife Management area.  All these destinations are located within minutes of Davis Park.
 

Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass

Guests of the Marriott at Sawgrass will have access to tee times to the world renowned Stadium Course, which is the venue for THE PLAYERS Championship.  Bring lots of balls...

www.tpc.com/Sawgrass

(904) 273-3235

Ponte Vedra Beaches

8:00 AM to sunset

Public beach access to area beaches can be found along A1A at Mickler Road and south in the Guana River Wildlife Management area - North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach access parking lots.  The parking lots are on the west side of A1A.

Guana River Education Center

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily

Located off A1A at 450 Guana River Road, about 10 miles south of the intersection of A1A and Mickler Road, the Education Center has a variety of exhibits for you to view and scavenger hunts for the kids.  Explore the habitat and animal ecosystems of the Guana, Tolomato, and Matanzas Rivers.

www.gtmnerr.org

(904) 823-4500

The village is located at the intersection of International Golf Drive and I95.  In addition to the Hall of Fame and IMAX Theater, the village has golf themed shops and restaurants and large areas of grass to play and relax.  If you have a free afternoon from the tournament, the village would be a wonderful destination for dinner and a movie.
 

World Golf Hall of Fame & IMAX Theater

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday thru Saturday

Noon to 6:00 pm Sunday

Guests can explore the museum during a self-guided tour with knowledgeable Hall of Fame volunteers.  Complimentary guided tours for groups of 10 or more are available by appointment by calling (904) 940-4118.

Enjoy the thrill of IMAX movies.  Show times are from 10:00 AM to late in the evening.  Go to the Web site for details.

www.wgv.com

(904) 940-4123