4.6 (11,501 Reviews)

Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, FL

75 King Street • St. Augustine, FL 32084
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Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida
Russian Malachite Urn on the second floor of the Lightner Museum.
The front lobby of the Lightner Museum.
Decorative shell art housed in Lightner Museum's collection.
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Overview

Located in the historic Hotel Alcazar, just steps from Flagler College in downtown St. Augustine, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of architecture, art history, and design. Guests of all ages will enjoy the museum’s four and a half floors of beautiful, curious, and intriguing collections that are on display.

Good To Know

  • Located in the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine, FL, about 20 minutes from I-95 and one hour from Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
  • Free admission for children ages 11 and under.
  • Plan on spending about 1-2 hours to explore all the exhibits.
  • City-owned metered parking is available behind and across the museum.
  • Be prepared to check large bags at the front desk.
  • No food or drinks allowed. The only beverage permitted is water.
  • ADA-accessible museum with ramped entrance and elevator access, except for the historic pool.
  • Wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Description

The Lightner Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of visitors through their extraordinary collection, historic building, and dynamic exhibitions and programs. Founded in 1948 by Chicago publisher, collector, and professional hobbyist Otto C. Lightner, the museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design.

The museum occupies the former Alcazar Hotel, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. Completed in 1888, the magnificent Spanish Renaissance Revival building was designed by the prominent architecture firm of Carrère and Hastings.

At the heart of the museum’s offerings are its compelling collections. From lamps by Louis Comfort Tiffany and exquisite shells and geological specimens from around the world to porcelain produced at Sèvres and Victorian mechanical musical instruments, the Lightner Museum’s collections are rich, eclectic, and always engaging.

Steeped in history, the Lightner Museum is not simply about the past. Just as Otto Lightner connected with people across America who wanted to enrich their lives through collecting, the Lightner Museum today offers new perspectives through its exhibitions, events, and educational programs.
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The exterior of the former Alcazar Hotel, now the Lightner Museum.
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Lightner Museum Reviews

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angeleyes27
Brigantine, New Jersey
"The volunteers here are the absolute nicest"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 24, 2025 NEW
This is a beautiful museum, both inside and out. They have a senior discount, child discount & one for local residents. On each floor, they have people here who will give you the history of items in the galleries. These people are so kind & a wealth of information. They go out of their way to help visitors. In some spots, it is difficult to find your way around. The bicycle exhibit was very interesting & the person there explained how the bicycle changed history. In the bottom of the museum is a cafe in what used to be the indoor pool which was cool. There was a section with cut glass, one with musical instruments, paintings, furniture, etc. The one desk there has 200 drawers. This is an interesting museum.
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joelrE6867KV
"Unique glimpse into the past"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 19, 2025 NEW
The collection of gilded age things….music players, bicycles, furniture, crystal…just amazing. The building itself is also awesome…one of the first two luxury hotels in St. Augustine.
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Noraatc
Sudbury, Massachusetts
"Brilliant Gilded Age and much more"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 17, 2025 NEW
The first sight in St.Augustine we headed to was the Lightner Museum (former luxurious Hotel Alcazar). It was free for us because we are NARM (North American Reciprocal Membership) members. It is such a treasure! The exhibit of Dutch paintings on the third floor is not worth it, in my opinion, as the paintings are very mediocre, but the rest of the museum’s collection is phenomenal. The collection of the museum founder, Otto Lightner (a prominent publisher in Chicago), exhibited in the former ballroom of the Hotel Alcazar on the second floor presents a lavish display of decorative art created during the American Gilded Age period. It is called “The Gilded Age from the Lightner Museum”. There are magnificent pieces of furniture, sculpture, Tiffany lamps from the Richard Dreihaus collection in Chicago… My favorites were the Art Deco crib, the Anglo-Indian settee, lovely marble statue of Cleopatra, and of course the Tiffany glass collection (I fell in love with the Richard Dreihaus Museum in Chicago in September 2024). The first floor is a hodge-podge of everything wonderful. Stunning collection of crystal owned by Mrs.Samuel Eberly Gross from Chicago, the Russian Baths, the Massage Cabinet of the Hotel Alcazar… Loved it! And on the ground floor there is a music room and the Science and Industry collection: this is where you can see Rota, the Churchill’s Lion, and the wooden statue of Francis I, King of France. The courtyard, which we have seen the day before, looked especially lovely today, in bright sunshine. The huge colorful fishes in the pond were delighted to greet us again.😊
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luv2travel076
New York
"Pleasant Experience"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 15, 2025 NEW
Very pleasant surprise. This is not an art gallery, although they have a number of paintings. They also have furniture, old bicycles, statues, crystals, glass and a myriad of other items. Lunch at the museum was great. We parked on the street for I believe $1 per hour.
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laurakU4914AO
"Please visit this museum."
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 13, 2025 NEW
What a gorgeous building and museum. The volunteers were very pleasant and knowledgeable. They seemed to love their job. The work that was put into this museum was amazing. The price for admission was well worth the price.
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Lightner Museum is located at 75 King Street • St. Augustine, FL 32084
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lightner Museum

How long does it take to go through the Lightner Museum St. Augustine?

This is a self-guided tour, so you can enjoy the museum at your own pace. However, you can plan to spend about 1-2 hours, as it is spread through four and a half floors.

Is there parking at Lightner Museum at St. Augustine, Florida?

The museum does not operate a parking lot. However, public metered parking lots are located directly behind the museum and across from the museum at Granada and Cedar Streets.

Are food and drink permitted inside the Lightner Museum in Florida?

Food and drink are not allowed inside the museum. Food and drink from Café Alcazar cannot be brought into the Museum but can be held at the admissions desk.

Are backpacks allowed in the museum?

No, luggage and larger backpacks must be checked at the admission desk. If you must have your backpack, you must wear it on your front or side, or carry it.

Does the museum have a gift shop?

Yes, the gift shop is accessible to the public and located on the museum's first floor.

Is the St. Augustine Lightner Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the museum is wheelchair accessible. Ramp access is via Granada and Cordova streets. The museum also has a limited number of wheelchairs for visitors on a first come, first serve basis. The museum has an elevator that accesses each floor except the historic pool, which is accessed via Granada Street.

Are pets allowed in the museum?

Pets are not allowed inside the Museum. The Lightner Museum complies with all ADA requirements and accepts service animals in the museum as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Lightner Museum does not allow Emotional Support Animals (ESA) or Comfort Animals, as they are not service animals as defined under the ADA.

Can I take pictures inside the museum?

Photography, without flash, and video are permitted for personal use; however, photography may be prohibited in special exhibitions. Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited for all indoor use.

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