Some places have become little more than tourist destinations. This is sad for the locals, but is there anything inherently wrong about being a place for visitors? Sometimes it's a sad affair, like the relentless tourism traffic through the classical city of Venice, Italy. But not all tourist destinations are hopelessly commercialized bits of antiquity. Take St. Augustine, Florida. Though the relatively tiny town sees a huge influx of tourists filtering down from nearby Orlando, it's still a charming center of striking beauty and culture.

St. Augustine has an illustrious history as well. For one thing, it happens to be the oldest continually occupied city in the continental United States. After a few failed attempts at colonization, the kingdom of Spain established St. Augustine in 1565. For a long time the town served as a major military outpost. Its first governing official was Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles and it saw numerous attacks by foreign forces, mostly British, over its first century. The famous Spanish fort still stands in modern St. Augustine, with daily cannon demonstrations and history lessons.

Thanks to its favorable weather and a 19th century railroad expansion, St. Augustine became a popular destination for Northern vacationers in the winter. They built a number of illustrious mansions there, many of which remain to this day. The architectural tours are really something to behold.

St. Augustine has also long been a center for pivotal moments in African American history. It's the site of the first recognized ex-slave community in America, was a stop along the Underground Railroad and became a major battleground in the fight for civil rights in the 1960's, drawing the attention of Martin Luther King and thousands of sympathetic demonstrators.

Today, St. Augustine is a thriving port afforded beautiful views of the Atlantic coast of Florida. The city itself, despite the bustling tourism industry, has the feeling of a laid-back surf town. It's a great place for a romantic getaway with its numerous oceanside hotels and intimate bed-and-breakfast options. St. Augustine is also ideal for families who would prefer a quieter, more genuine Florida experience outside of Disney World. The historic section of the town is full of shops and sidewalk attractions, there are ghost tours, beaches and plenty of other all-ages fun, too.

The community of St. Augustine has planned events throughout the year. The Coastal Community Center provides everything from dance lessons to art shows, while the seasonal farmer's markets are great places to grab some fresh produce and get a feel for how the locals live. Amateur Oenologists will definitely want to stop by the San Sebastian Winery on King Street for one of their popular tasting events.

St. Augustine, Florida is a lovely coastal town with a lot of history and natural beauty. Despite being a big draw for tourists, the city retains its charm and its rich identity. If anything, the interest (and dollars) of the out-of-town set have afforded St. Augustine a sense of culture and entertainment that is disproportionate to its tiny population of 12,000. There's something for everybody in St. Augustine.