Things to do nearBridge of Lions
The Bridge of Lions spans Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida, drawing visitors with its Spanish Renaissance towers, sweeping water views, and living architectural history.
The Bridge of Lions has anchored the St. Augustine waterfront since 1927, when it was built to replace an earlier wooden toll bridge and to accommodate the growing flow of automobiles into the young city. Designed in a Mediterranean Revival style that echoes the Spanish colonial architecture lining St. Augustine's streets, the bridge features two symmetrical bascule spans that can be raised to allow marine traffic through Matanzas Bay. The pair of marble Medici lions standing at the western entrance were donated by a local physician and philanthropist in the 1920s, and they have since become the most photographed symbols of the city. After decades of heavy use, the bridge underwent an extensive restoration completed in 2010 that preserved its original character while bringing it up to modern safety standards.
On foot or by bicycle, the crossing offers some of the finest views available anywhere in St. Augustine, taking in the full facade of the Castillo de San Marcos, the waterfront park, and the broad expanse of the bay opening toward the Atlantic. The eastern end of the bridge lands on Anastasia Island, putting visitors within easy reach of St. Augustine Beach and Anastasia State Park. Boat tours departing from the bayfront pass directly beneath the raised spans, offering a perspective on the bridge's engineering that few travelers consider.
The surrounding neighborhood rewards slow exploration, with galleries, cafes, and historic inns clustered along Avenida Menendez. The Bridge of Lions endures as a working piece of civic infrastructure that also functions as an open-air monument to the city's architectural ambitions, making it an essential stop for anyone seeking to understand St. Augustine beyond its oldest streets.
Tips for visiting Bridge of Lions
Visit during the golden hour before sunset, when the bridge's white bascule towers catch the warm light and the bay turns copper below.
Walk across on foot rather than driving to take in the full panorama of the St. Augustine skyline and the Castillo de San Marcos to the north.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture both marble lions in a single frame from the western plaza.
Time your visit to coincide with a scheduled bridge opening, when the twin leaves rise to let tall-masted sailboats pass through the channel.
Stop at the small historical marker near the western approach to read about the bridge's 1927 origins and its major restoration in the early 2000s.
Top tours & experiences near Bridge of Lions
Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset with a cash bar onboard
Cruise Matanzas River on a Pirate Treasure Hunt
Sail on the Black Raven for a 1.5-hour pirate treasure hunt
Sunset Boat Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise the Matanzas River at sunset for Bridge of Lions views
St. Augustine Sunset Cruise With Live Music
Sunset cruise on the Black Raven with live music and St. Augustine views
Sunset Sailing Charter in St Augustine
Private 2-hour sunset sail past St. Augustine bayfront landmarks
Dolphin Watching Cruise with BYOB & Guides
Cruise coastal marshes and spot dolphins and wildlife with expert guides on a BYOB pontoon boat.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise in St. Augustine
Experience a scenic sunset cruise with dolphin sightings and iconic St. Augustine views.
St. Augustine Wine Tasting Cruise
Cruise the St. Augustine Bayfront with a guided wine tasting (21+)
Cruise St. Augustine on a 1.5-Hour Wildlife Watch
Spot dolphins and coastal wildlife on a 90-minute cruise with a bar on board
St. Augustine Sunset History Golf Cart Tour
Cruise historic St. Augustine at dusk by golf cart and capture complimentary sunset photos.
St. Augustine Nights of Lights Boat Cruise
Admire millions of holiday lights from the water on an intimate 1-hour evening cruise.
Historic Matanzas Bay Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise Historic Matanzas Bay and see landmarks from the water
1.5-Hour Adults-Only Pirate Comedy Cruise in St. Augustine
Adults-only pirate comedy cruise with explicit skits, songs, and jokes
St. Augustine Photography Tour: Golden Hour Architecture
Capture golden hour shots and learn composition and technique from a professional photographer
Sunset Sailing Charter in St Augustine
Private 2-hour sunset sail for up to 6 in St. Augustine
Sunset Dinner Cruise in St. Augustine
Private sunset sail with a chef-prepared four-course dinner
Sail on a Shared Day Charter in St Augustine
Sail past St Augustine landmarks on a 2-hour small-group charter
Sunset Sailing Cruise in St Augustine
Sail into sunset views of St Augustine landmarks on a small-group charter
Explore St. Augustine on a 1-Hour Golf Cart Tour
See St. Augustine landmarks by golf cart with a certified guide and free photos
Private Sunset Sailing in St. Augustine
Sail a luxury yacht at sunset and see St. Augustine's historic bayfront
Adults-Only Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset on a 21+ boat with a cash beer and wine bar
Cruise St. Augustine Sunset & Nights Of Lights
Cruise the sunset, then see Nights of Lights from the water (21+)
2-Hour St. Augustine Dolphin & Nature Sailing Tour
Sail St. Augustine waters and learn about dolphins with your guide
Nights of Lights Sunset Cruise St. Augustine
Sail into sunset, then admire St. Augustine's dazzling Nights of Lights from the water
Explore St. Augustine in a Street Cart Rental
Rent a street-legal kart and tour St. Augustine’s historic district at your own pace
2-Hour Salt Marsh Kayak Tour in St. Augustine
Paddle from downtown St. Augustine into quiet salt marshes on a guided kayak tour
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset on a private captained boat
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine’s Intracoastal on a private captained sunset boat
Private Open-Air Boat Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine on a private open-air party boat with your own captain
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise Matanzas Bay on a private captained sunset boat ride
Sunset Nights Of Lights Cruise On Island Breeze
Cruise into twilight for sunset views and Nights of Lights from the water on an enclosed boat
Take a Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Private 90-minute sunset boat ride for up to 8 in St. Augustine
Sunset Jazz Cruise in St. Augustine
Adults-only sunset jazz cruise with St. Augustine waterfront views
Private 2-Hour St. Augustine Sunset Cruise
Cruise St. Augustine’s bayfront at sunset with a private crew
St. Augustine Historical Landmark Cruise
Cruise St. Augustine’s waterways with narrated landmark views
Sunset Clear Kayak Tour in St. Augustine
Paddle a clear kayak at sunset with LED lights near the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Private Clear Kayak Tour in St. Augustine at Sunset
Paddle St. Augustine in a clear kayak with LED lights at dusk
Hop-On Hop-Off Ride Pass & Guided Tour In St. Augustine
All-day downtown St. Augustine rides plus a 1-hour historical tour
Island Boulevard Food & Cocktail Tour in St. Augustine
Ride an open-air electric vehicle to four Island Blvd food and cocktail stops
Private St. Augustine Sunset Cruise on Matanzas Bay
Private captained sunset cruise past St. Augustine landmarks
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Private captained cruise past St. Augustine sights at sunset
Cruise Matanzas Bay On A Private Sunset Charter
Private captained sunset cruise in St. Augustine, up to 10 guests