ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – During this season’s City of St. Augustine Nights of Lights, Old Town Trolley guests riding the famous Nights of Lights Trolley can be assured of a safe and expedited tour experience during the favorite holiday event in the Nation’s Oldest City.
Nights of Lights is world-renowned for millions of twinkling holiday lights on display and running this year from Saturday, November 14 to Sunday, January 31, 2021. The event is spotlighted by global audiences and voted as one of the Top 10 “Best Holiday Lighting Displays in the World” by National Geographic while stretching for nearly 20 blocks, creating a mesmerizing wonderland.
According to Dave Chatterton, Old Town Trolley Tours & Attractions of St. Augustine General Manager, the company will implement all current Centers for Disease Control (CDC), local, and state guidelines to ensure visitors have a safe and pleasant experience with plexiglass partitions between rows of seating and increased focus on disinfecting and sanitation. Chatterton recently visited Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World attractions in Florida to observe exceptional guest experiences with large crowds, ticket and boarding queue lines, employee and guest interactions, and cleaning of ride vehicles. He brings the updated tour practices to St. Augustine.
Chatterton explained that Old Town Trolley Tours parent company, Historic Tours of America, has approved a costly upgrade to tour vehicles which has been in place during the pandemic. Passenger distancing shields have been professionally installed and are effective without impeding views of the historic city. To assure there is no comingling of guests, visitors will be sold a row of seating with a maximum of four persons per row.
At the beginning of each ride, which originates at the City of St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, 10 South Castillo Drive in downtown St. Augustine, the 30- to 40-minute ride will culminate at the same location and passengers will disembark on the south side of the visitor center. Reservations are required and no onsite purchases will be permitted at the departure location.
Highlights of this year’s trolley tours is having visitors vote for their favorite lighting displays in the company’s 8th Annual Light Up the Night! Contest. Each year, guests of Old Town Trolley are asked to help choose the city’s top three lighting displays through the website www.trolleytours.com/holidaylightcontest.Winners of the prestigious awards will receive cash, prizes and one of the most sought-after trophies in the city. Old Town Trolley Tours is also offering exclusive giveaways and coupons for festive walk-away treats to enjoy after the tours.
Old Town Trolley Tours booths are located throughout the city. Information and online booking is available at https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/nights-of-lights.Ticket pricing this year is $59.95 for one to four-person private trolley rows to provide guests with a safe and comfortable sightseeing experience and appropriate social distancing. The elimination of long lines through the reservation-based booking system and an increased focus is on disinfecting and sanitation. For more information and details about tours, age requirements, accessible and properly equipped vehicles for those with special needs and service pets, call 904-829-3800.
Parking is available 24 hours a day at the St. Augustine Historic Downtown Parking Facility and all city-owned pay stations and meters will clearly display the city crest. Privately owned lots are located throughout the city with pay stations and rates. For more information, visit https://www.citystaug.com/621/Parking-Garage. Discount parking for trolley guests is available at the nearby Old Town Trolley Welcome Center, 27 San Marco Ave., on a first come, first served basis.
“Celebrating 27 years of St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights is an honor for Old Town Trolley Tours and Historic Tours of America,” said Chatterton. He recommends all visitors allow advanced time to park and check in as traffic can be heavy, and to view the company’s local calendar for tour times. Reservations are required and guests must check-in 20 minutes prior to each tour time as seating is subject to cancellation. Face coverings are recommended, but not required.
For more than 19 years, Old Town Trolley Tours brings transportation and entertainment to St. Augustine by taking visitors and residents throughout the historic city, offering 22 stops with more than 100 points of interest. For more information, visit www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine or call 904-829-3800.
