Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 739 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine worth booking?
Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine is a 0.5-hour experience in St Augustine, United States, from $19 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 739 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (739)
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- From
- $19 per person
Located on San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine’s Uptown District, the Old Jail Museum offers an educational and intriguing look into what it would have been like to be a prisoner in the Nation’s Oldest City. Take a guided
What you get
About this experience
Located on San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine’s Uptown District, the Old Jail Museum offers an educational and intriguing look into what it would have been like to be a prisoner in the Nation’s Oldest City. Take a guided tour led by the “jailers” for a compelling look at the cells where imprisoned men and women once lived, the maximum security area reserved for the most nefarious criminals and a collection of weapons.
What's included
Included
- Admission to Old Jail
Not included
- Transportation to/from attraction
- Food and drinks
- St. Augustine Old Jail closed on Christmas Day.
What you'll see and do
Old Jail Museum
For nearly 60 years – until 1953 – the Old Jail served as the St. Johns County facility for petty thieves and hardened criminals. There were even eight recorded executions, two of which were accused murderers. Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 after murdering his wife with a straight razor, is among the group. Today, visitors learn about the infamous Sheriff Perry, who served from 1889 until 1897 and again from 1901 until 1919. His stature as a “big, bold man” at 6’6” and weighing 300 pounds was intimidating even for the most hardcore of inmates. Though popular in the community, Perry was feared amongst cell inhabitants – both male and female – for his reputation of renting out prisoners to local farmers through a leasing system. Visitors can also take a look at the cell blocks, gallows and sheriff’s quarters. See where the sheriff, his wife and children lived, right upstairs from the prisoners, and how they used their own kitchen to prepare meals for the inmates. A tour through this attraction will show visitors what life was like as an inmate and how the Old Jail helped shape St. Augustine’s history.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Historic Tours of America - St. Augustine, FL
Experience is offered by Historic Tours of America
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Augustine
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Historic Tours Of America
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children 5 yrs. and younger are free
- Free parking available
- Reservations are not accepted; tours operate on a first come, first serve basis on the day of
- Museum is wheelchair accessible on lower floor only.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 738 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
738 verified traveler reviews for Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lizzie is the best guide EVER.
Amazing tour of an old jail. So much to learn. Your guide was amazing and clearly enjoys her job. Lizzie was phenomenal and a wealth of knowledge. Lizzie made our visit so fun and enjoyable. She’s just an all around amazing person. Thank you Lizzie from OKC and Sunset Grill.
via Tripadvisor
Cool Tour!
The old jail is interesting. The jail tour includes a tour guide that is in character as one of the prisoners of the past. They walk you through the building and its history telling you about life was like behind bars at the facility. Not an easy life for those convicted of a crime as justice was a bit different back in the day. Make sure you get a discount coupon from the trolley or local tour booklets. We spent about an hour here.
via Tripadvisor
Lovely area and experience
It was a lovely experience for a child to visit as well as adults. The guide was very knowledgable … worth a visit for sure
Response from the operator: We're so happy to hear that you had such a great time! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Come and visit us again!
via Tripadvisor
Old Jail Experience
The "Jail" tour was better than expected. It was like attending a live interactive theatrical experience. The tour guide (I think her name was Lydia) was extremely knowledgeable and played the part beautifully. I did leave a bit sad to think that people were treated so poorly even if they were guilty of societal infractions. Better to do this tour at the beginning of the day so you have time to recover.
via Tripadvisor
A Lock and Look at a Less Glamorous History.
It is important to recognize that with any tour, every individual is given a set of bullet points. They cannot deviate from it. Alongside is a collection of additional facts that they can share as they desire. In this fashion, everyone gets the same quality experience, but one that is unique to the individual. Having taken the old jail tour several times, each one has been enjoyable, even if the information isn't exact. The very first time we took the tour was with Patrick. Clearly passionate about what he does, and the information he shares. This time, we had prisoner trusty Peaches. The danger of having an exceptional experience is it sets the bar for everything to come. Peaches very quickly, established himself as someone equally as passionate and knowledgeable about the facility and material. The information provided is educational, sometimes there's an entertaining or humorous aspect, but other points weigh heavily on the gravity of the space and things that happened. One of the first things pointed out to us, is to imagine that there are no windows and no AC. Imagine what the space feels like in June, July, or August. Since the tour begins outside, it's easy to imagine how brutal the environment and temperature is inside. A fascinating building with great amounts of information, you are likely in good hands with anyone who leads the tour. Pro tip - ask questions, and take photos, especially with your tour guide, and whatever you do, make sure to grab a survey postcard. You can thank them with tips, and you CAN THANK them with feedback. If they deserve it, give it to them.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $19 to $22
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 259
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Augustine.
How much does Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine cost?
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Prices start at $19 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Augustine usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine take?
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Plan for about 0.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Augustine is not rushed.
Is Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 739 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Augustine, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine?
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Around 259 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Augustine can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Augustine and add a light layer if any part of the 0.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Augustine within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in St Augustine?
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St Augustine is walkable history: Castillo de San Marcos, Spanish quarter walking tours, trolley loops, lighthouse climbs and some of the best-attended ghost tours in the country. Guide storytelling quality is the main variable. On Outty we rank every St Augustine experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Medieval Torture Museum with Ghost Hunting and Tiny Art Gallery, St. Augustine's Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience, Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit St Augustine?
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February to May and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in St Augustine?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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