Fort Mose Gardens Travel Guide

St. Augustine

Day 1 of my road trip across the USA brought me to my favorite city in Florida, St. Augustine; the oldest city in the country, and easily one of the most beautiful. 👇🏽 I snapped this shot at Fort Mose Historic State Park. This incredible site is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and the rich history of this place is something that every school should be teaching our youth. 👇🏽 Hidden away in the marshes of St. Augustine is one of the most important sites in American history: the first free community of ex-slaves, founded in 1738 and called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose or Fort Mose (pronounced Moh-Say). Fort Mose played an extremely important role in the development of colonial North America. 👇🏽 As early as 1687, the Spanish government had begun to offer asylum to slaves who managed to escape from British colonies (the first Underground Railroad ran SOUTH to Florida from the colonies!). In 1693, the Spanish Crown officially proclaimed that runaways would find freedom in Florida, in return for converting to Catholicism and a term for men of four years' military service to the Crown. In effect, Spain created a maroon settlement in Florida as a front-line defense against English attacks from the north. Spain also intended to destabilize the plantation economy of the British colonies by creating a free black community to attract slaves seeking escape and refuge from British slavery. 👇🏽 Fort Mose was the first free African settlement legally sanctioned in what would become the United States and had a total population of about 100. The village had a wall around it, with dwellings inside, plus a church and an earthen fort. 👇🏽 The history of Fort Mose is far deeper, and far more interesting then I can convey on @Instagram so please do your own reading on it and learn more about the very earliest history of what is now the United States.
Day 1 of my road trip across the USA brought me to my favorite city in Florida, St. Augustine; the oldest city in the country, and easily one of the most beautiful. 👇🏽 I snapped this shot at Fort Mose Historic State Park. This incredible site is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and the rich history of this place is something that every school should be teaching our youth. 👇🏽 Hidden away in the marshes of St. Augustine is one of the most important sites in American history: the first free community of ex-slaves, founded in 1738 and called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose or Fort Mose (pronounced Moh-Say). Fort Mose played an extremely important role in the development of colonial North America. 👇🏽 As early as 1687, the Spanish government had begun to offer asylum to slaves who managed to escape from British colonies (the first Underground Railroad ran SOUTH to Florida from the colonies!). In 1693, the Spanish Crown officially proclaimed that runaways would find freedom in Florida, in return for converting to Catholicism and a term for men of four years' military service to the Crown. In effect, Spain created a maroon settlement in Florida as a front-line defense against English attacks from the north. Spain also intended to destabilize the plantation economy of the British colonies by creating a free black community to attract slaves seeking escape and refuge from British slavery. 👇🏽 Fort Mose was the first free African settlement legally sanctioned in what would become the United States and had a total population of about 100. The village had a wall around it, with dwellings inside, plus a church and an earthen fort. 👇🏽 The history of Fort Mose is far deeper, and far more interesting then I can convey on @Instagram so please do your own reading on it and learn more about the very earliest history of what is now the United States.
Fort Mose Historic State Park which includes tranquil scenes and wetlands
Fort Mose Historic State Park featuring a bridge and forests
Fort Mose Historic State Park featuring a bridge and tranquil scenes

Popular places to visit

St. Augustine Beach showing landscape views, general coastal views and a beach

St. Augustine Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at St. Augustine Beach during your travels in St. Augustine? Experience the area's great live music and fascinating museums.

St. Augustine Beach
Florida featuring street scenes

St. George Street

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at St. George Street during your visit to St. Augustine. You can enjoy the cafes while in the area.

St. George Street
M52A0J The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls.

World Golf Village

You can study the exhibits at World Golf Village, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in St. Augustine. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event in this quaint area.

World Golf Village
Spanish Historical Building St Augustine Florida, Shutterstock ID 36372406, Purchase Order: Wave 0 First Batch, Order Number: , Client/Licensee: Hotels.com / BEX, Other: Mixed Budget

Flagler College

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit Flagler College during your trip to St. Augustine. Discover the area's fascinating museums or seek out its local tours.

Flagler College
Castillo de San Marcos which includes heritage elements

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

You can learn about the history of St. Augustine with a trip to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Discover the area's fascinating museums or seek out its local tours.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Vilano Beach, Florida lifeguard stand shortly before sunset.

Vilano Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Vilano Beach during your travels in St. Augustine? Amble around this family-friendly area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Vilano Beach

Top hotels in Fort Mose Gardens

Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach

Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach

3 out of 5
860 A1A Beach Blvd St. Augustine FL
The price is €150 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
€150
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,930 reviews)
Wish I could have got an ocean view room

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach
Villa 1565

Villa 1565

3 out of 5
137 San Marco Ave St. Augustine FL
Stay at this hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,962 reviews)
The staff wasn’t welcoming as expected. We checked in 24 minutes before check in time and multiple guests were checked in before and after us and we were checked in 4 minutes before 4pm. We had palmetto bugs in our room and it was not the best experience. They did provide extra towels

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

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Villa 1565
Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach

Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach

3 out of 5
117 Vilano Road St. Augustine FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €128 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€128
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free beach shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,197 reviews)
The room was nice and spacious!

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach
Embassy Suites By Hilton St Augustine Beach-Oceanfront Resort

Embassy Suites By Hilton St Augustine Beach-Oceanfront Resort

3.5 out of 5
300 A1A Beach Blvd St. Augustine FL
The price is €227 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
€227
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Augustine. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,311 reviews)
The breakfast was very good. The pool and beach are really nice. The restaurant is good.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Embassy Suites By Hilton St Augustine Beach-Oceanfront Resort
The Smart Stay Inn

The Smart Stay Inn

2.5 out of 5
2365 FL-16 St. Augustine FL
The price is €79 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
€79
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,987 reviews)
Everything about the property was great. It feels safe and is affordable.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

The Smart Stay Inn
The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel

The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel

3 out of 5
1111 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine FL
Stay at this hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,380 reviews)
Everything and everyone was fantastic

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

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The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Fort Mose Gardens

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Nelmar Terrace

While visiting Nelmar Terrace, you might make a stop by sights like Matanzas River and San Marco Antique Mall.

Nelmar Terrace
Ponce de Leon\'s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park which includes interior views and industrial elements as well as an individual male

Magnolia

While visiting Magnolia, you might make a stop by sights like Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and Mission of Nombre de Dios.

Magnolia
Aerial view of serene sunset over Vilano Beach shoreline, St. Augustine, Florida, United States.

Vilano Beach

Travellers to Vilano Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Vilano Beach and Castle Otttis.

Vilano Beach
Flagler College in St. Augustine.

Uptown

While visiting Uptown, you might make a stop by sights like Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and Mission of Nombre de Dios.

Uptown
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Ravenswood

While Ravenswood may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like San Sebastian Winery and Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

Ravenswood
Flagler College Tour

Flagler Model Land

While visiting Flagler Model Land, you might make a stop by sights like San Sebastian River and Flagler College Tennis Center.

Flagler Model Land

Fort Mose Gardens Travel Guide

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