St. Augustine Distillery & Ice Plant Bar — St. Augustine

Forget the tourist shops on St. George Street the real hidden gem in St. Augustine is this locally-owned craft distillery inside a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century ice plant. The tour is free, the tastings are free, and the cocktails at the Ice Plant Bar next door are some of the best in Northeast Florida. Julie's obsessed with their bourbon and Jamie keeps going back for the gin. The building alone is worth the visit exposed brick, original machinery, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to sit at the bar for three hours and talk to strangers. This is the St. Augustine experience the tourist guides don't tell you about. Best time: Year-round, go during the week to avoid weekend tourist overflow Cost: Free tour and tasting