Florida’s Historic Coast is the Sweet Spot

Valentine’s Day has gone but you can continue celebrating everything sweet and indulgent on Florida’s Historic Coast. 

Chocolate was first tasted in North America by the residents of St. Augustine, where newly discovered treats from Central and South America were first found.

In fact, the first written record of the word chocolate in North American history was on a cargo list from a ship porting in St. Augustine in 1641.

“Sweet Beginnings: Unwrapping St. Augustine’s Chocolate Legacy,” will be on display at the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum through March 31, 2025. This engaging exhibit is funded by a Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant. Through an ArcGIS story map and a virtual tour, visitors can trace the roots of chocolate in the Nation’s Oldest City.

Since 1967, the Whetstone family has been crafting chocolates savored by residents and visitors to Florida’s Historic Coast. What began as a young couple’s kitchen pastime has become Whetstone Chocolates, a multi-generational business. Its factory, located in downtown St. Augustine, still creates confectionaries from the finest cacao beans, offering daily tours where patrons can see the chocolate-making process, enjoy samples, and purchase treats.

For a full chocolate experience, visit Claude’s Chocolates, which specializes in small-batch bonbons and truffles made with Belgian chocolate; Peterbrooke Chocolatier, which uses Old World European techniques to craft classically American treats; and Crème de la Cocoa, with chocolates, French macarons, cakes, and more.

For a guided tour, take St. Augustine Experiences’ Not Just a Chocolate Tour, which features candy shops, bakeries, coffee, and history.

For those with a more grown-up palate, try sweetness with an adult bite with hand-crafted bourbon and rum tastings at the St. Augustine Distillery. Take the behind-the-scenes tour or sign up for an in-depth tasting course.

Wines vinted by the San Sebastian Winery are uniquely made with muscadine grapes, known for their juicy flavor. At the end of the free tour, sample their wines, sherry, and port.

Enjoy local brews at Ancient City Brewing’s Taproom on the Plaza where guests enjoy Matanzas River Red Ale, Ponce’s Pale Ale, Anastasia Island Style IPA, and other signature brews.

Go with a pro and explore the town’s sweetest bites and sips with a luxury foodie tour from The Tasting Tours.

A Historic Coast trip gets even better when booking a sweet package at one of the destination’s charming Inns, or at a luxury oceanfront resort.

Use the new and improved Trip Planner to create a tantalizing itinerary. It’s packed with useful information and an interactive mapping feature.

Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches.

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