Lightner Museum

I was told if I was in town that I had to go visit the Lightner Museum. I was pleasantly surprised of the vast collective of art and exhibits from around the world. The grounds and museum were spotless clean and it was so well laid out that it really was easy to tour. I had walked several miles before I had gotten to the museum and found some inside seats that I was able to rest on occasionally. I talked with some ladies who were working and found them to be very friendly and so knowledgeable about the history that I was getting ready to tour. There are three floors to do through and there is an elevator that it makes it easy to move around.

Really enjoyed this museum housed in a beautiful building. The permanent collection was very interesting and varied, with a lit of history. The temporary collection consists of beautiful paintings. The gift shop offers beautiful curated items. The cafe was very unappealing. It sits on what used to be the pool, now drained. It's surrounded by dark, cement walls and decor is minimal. Museum consist of various floors, but the layout is confusing. Your best bet is using the elevator. Weddings are very popular here. I would love to visit again.

Otto Lightner encouraged people to collect things as a hobby and this museum is the perfect representation of that. This is a self guided museum that houses I believe the largest or one of the largest glass collections in the world. There is stain glass, curiosities, and so many beautiful things to look at. This place was extremely enjoyable to walk around.

What an amazing eclectic collection of art work and glass wear and oddities. The third floor had some Dutch school paintings on a temporary display that were nicely curated. The glass wear collection is extensive with fine examples of many objects and techniques, from giant urns to salt shakers. The second floor also contains some of the original fixtures from the hotel spa and it's interesting to see what was considered beneficial to your health back then. The first floor is a true "cabinet of curiosities" experience with everything from early typewriters to a stuffed lion and even a mummy. We had lots of fun exploring the place. The courtyard is also beautiful.

Wow! It's so beautiful, both the inside and the outside. And did you see those giant koi fish in the pond?

A beautiful location, an eighty year old museum within the 140 year old Hotel Alcazar. The entire hotel is preserved, and you can walk through it. It's the museum.

Great museum. So much to see. So much history. Highly recommend.

Larger than i expected. We breezed through in 30 minutes because we were short of time on the meter but i wish we had left a hour. There's more to see than i had expected and at the time the third floor wasn't even open. Almost kind of a shame it's not still a bathhouse. It looked like a fun place to visit back in the day.

First of all I love the fact that this is the old Alkazar Hotel. Just the building itself is amazing, but on top of that, it has so many awesome exhibits. Give yourself plenty of time because there is so much to see!!

Gorgeous area. We arrived too late to enter the museum, but we enjoyed the courtyard. When I was going through my photos later, I zoomed in to see if the museum name was clear and noticed what appeared to be a man in a top hat smoking a cigar. I don't consider myself a staunch believer in ghosts, but I really have no idea what I captured on camera.

Loved visiting the Lightner Museum! I enjoyed seeing all the different exhibitions and also taking in the gorgeous courtyard with koi pond.

The details of the history around this place, plus all the extras, is amazing. Well worth the tour.

A great museum to check out while in St. Augustine. The tours are really helpful for helping you envision how life used to be back when it was Hotel Alcazar. There were knowledgeable guides in each area that were really wonderful, taking the time to chat and tell you the history. It has many great collections as well as ones that are continually changing/ being updated. with different parts of Mr. Lightner's extensive collections that aren't normally shown. Henry Flagler originally built this to be a Hotel for the wealthy around the 1880s. In the 1940s Mr. Lightner bought it and fixed it up as his museum.

The Lightner Museum in St. Augustine is nothing short of spectacular! Housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, this cultural gem is a testament to Gilded Age opulence and the vision of its founder, Otto C. Lightner.

From the moment you step through the museum’s doors, you’re greeted by a captivating collection of artifacts that span centuries. The museum’s vast and diverse exhibits, ranging from Victorian-era artifacts to mesmerizing stained glass works, offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.

The architectural beauty of the museum is equally impressive – the Spanish Renaissance Revival style enhances the overall charm, creating an immersive experience. The exquisite details, elegant courtyards, and historic setting make each visit a journey through time.

Such a nice museum, the art on the building is just as beautiful as the art inside the building so don’t forget to look up when you visit :)

The museum was much larger than expected and held a nice variety of historical, beautiful, and fascinating displays. We especially loved the glass and crystal rooms, the top floor bicycle displays, and the view of the massive pool area. This was a very luxurious retreat in its day. The building itself is fun to meander through and notice the architecture. All of the guides are very helpful, too.

we had a wonderful time! Really neat collection of antique items. Along with detailed history. We were really impressed with the beautiful items, the staff and the cleanliness. It's a great choice to make on your vacation. Loved the info about the pool that was huge.

Wonderful collection. Literally I was full of wonder seeing these pieces from all over the world.

This place is magical. It takes you back in time. Shows you wooden objects and various other things. Glassware and statuesque photos of time when it was in the early stages of a state. Recommend if you are in the area. Only a few hours to go through. Unless you read everything then will take longer. Currently even available events of Art Deco.

A member of the NARM reciprocity network, and an amazing building with a fun and eclectic mix of art, glass, odd objects and memorabilia.