Tour of St. Augustine Old Jail Museum
Tour of St. Augustine Old Jail Museum
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
2 hours (approx.)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience
Visit anytime until 6 Nov, 2026 without worrying about committing to a date today
Visit anytime until 6 Nov, 2026 without worrying about committing to a date today
Expert local tour guide
Expert local tour guide
Get your booking confirmed instantly
Get your booking confirmed instantly
Step back in time at St. Augustine's Old Jail Museum, where history comes alive with tales of its past as a county jail operating for 62 years from 1891 to 1953. The building, disguised as an unassuming Victorian house on the outside, housed up to 72 prisoners and offers visitors unique insights into their daily lives in late 19th and early 20th century Florida. Actors dressed in period attire guide you through this intriguing part of St. Augustine's history.
Step back in time at St. Augustine's Old Jail Museum, where history comes alive with tales of its past as a county jail operating for 62 years from 1891 to 1953. The building, disguised as an unassuming Victorian house on the outside, housed up to 72 prisoners and offers visitors unique insights into their daily lives in late 19th and early 20th century Florida. Actors dressed in period attire guide you through this intriguing part of St. Augustine's history.
At St. Augustine's oldest city site lies a historic jail on the National Registry of Historic Places.
During your guided tour, explore the intriguing history that characterizes this renowned facility.
Witness firsthand the men’s and women’s cells, cell blocks, gallows, and kitchen as you explore the premises.
Venture through the maximum security section to view where death row was located within the jail.
Learn about Sheriff Joseph Perry's legacy during your visit; he served as this prison's warden.
Admission to the St. Augustine Old Jail Museum
Guided tour of The St. Augustine Old Jail, delivered in English
Travel costs
Shuttles and transfers
Personal spending
Visitors inside a cell at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum, with a child holding keys.
Your Experience
Located in Florida, the historic St. Augustine Old Jail offers an intriguing peek into its storied past as a county jail from 1891 until 1953 for 62 years. This renowned tourist attraction invites visitors to explore life behind bars during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Despite its exterior resembling a quaint Victorian house, this former prison was intentionally designed in such a manner to avoid alarming St. Augustine's residents. Local guides dressed as jailers will lead you through various cell blocks, maximum security areas, gallows, and the overhead sheriff’s living quarters. They share chilling stories about the facility's history of capital punishment, where eight prisoners met their fate on the gallows.
These knowledgeable guides also recount tales about Sheriff Perry, a figure both revered and feared for his strict rule over St. Augustine Old Jail Museum. While some may find these narratives grim, they are crafted to educate and captivate visitors with insights into the penal system while interspersing moments of levity throughout.
The Tour of St. Augustine Old Jail is far from an ordinary attraction; it promises a memorable experience filled with historical intrigue and unexpected humor.
Tour group with guide inside St. Augustine Old Jail Museum cell.
Tour group at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum gallows with guide in striped uniform.
Visitors inside a cell at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum, with a child holding keys.
Tour group with guide inside St. Augustine Old Jail Museum cell.
Tour group at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum gallows with guide in striped uniform.
Visitors explore a historic kitchen exhibit at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum.
- Masks are recommended indoors for those who aren't vaccinated.
- Please note that not all areas of the Old Jail can be accessed by wheelchair users.
- The tour is conducted exclusively in English.
Visitors have access to free parking at the site.
Tour Schedule and Availability
Scheduled tours depart every 15 minutes, with admission on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each session has limited seating available.
- Operating hours are daily from 9am to 4:30pm, with the final tour leaving at 4:30pm.
- The last tour departs earlier at 3pm on December 24th.
Closed for visitors on December 25th.
St. Augustine Old Jail Museum cell interior with iron bars and wooden benches.
St. Augustine Old Jail Museum sign with historical details on a pink wall.
Visitors explore a historic kitchen exhibit at St. Augustine Old Jail Museum.
St. Augustine Old Jail Museum cell interior with iron bars and wooden benches.
St. Augustine Old Jail Museum sign with historical details on a pink wall.
Book your tour at least a day in advance during peak season to avoid sold-out sessions since tours are on a first-come-first-serve basis and run every 15 minutes.
If you plan to visit multiple attractions, start with the Old Jail as it’s situated within walking distance of other historic sites in St. Augustine's oldest city area.
Consider wearing comfortable shoes since some portions are not wheelchair accessible, ensuring a more enjoyable experience exploring all areas like the cell blocks and maximum security section.
Customer Reviews
Discover what our customers are saying about their experiences
Loading reviews...
By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .
FAQs
You might also like ...
Explore more experiences in St. Augustine.