Spanish Military Hospital Museum

The basics

Both educational and entertaining, the Spanish Military Hospital Museum is the place to discover medical history, see centuries-old medical tools, and travel back in time to understand the Spanish colonial period. Most visitors spend about an hour here, including a guided tour. This landmark is often combined with a broader exploration of St. Augustine, such as a ride on the hop-on, hop-off trolley, a history-themed sightseeing tour, or a ghost tour.

Things to know before you go

• Besides regular tours, this museum offers nighttime “Quackery: Dark Side of Medicine” tours; check the website for up-to-date details.

• This museum is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

• The Spanish Military Hospital Museum is a pet-friendly museum.

• This landmark might not be a match for visitors who are squeamish about medical procedures, as the tour includes some vivid detail.

How to get there

Located at 3 Aviles St. in the heart of St. Augustine, the Spanish Military Museum is a short stroll from the Bridge of Lions. Most visitors arrive on foot from nearby hotels; limited parking is available within the historic area. One convenient transportation option is the hop-on, hop-off trolley, which connects several historic landmarks without worrying about parking.

When to get there

This museum is open seven days a week but closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Most visitors plan a trip to St. Augustine between November and May when the weather is pleasant but not too hot. The summer months can bring extreme heat, humidity, and storms.

Haunted history in St. Augustine

Beyond the Spanish Military Museum, St. Augustine offers several avenues for exploring the city’s spooky history. One option is haunted-themed walking tours, some at nighttime and led by lantern light, that explore the most haunted streets of St. Augustine and include stories of haunted happenings at landmarks like the old city jail.