Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine
Overview
Available languages
30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
Historic Tours of America - St. Augustine
Experience is offered by Historic Tours of America
What‘s Included
Admission to Old Jail
Transportation to/from attraction
Food and drinks
St. Augustine Old Jail closed on Christmas Day.
Options
Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine
Reviews
715 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This is a must when you visit St Augustine
Joseph B,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The history told on the tour was great. I was not a fan of the tour guide but that is preference. The museum and penny arcade have awesome exhibits.
Fun experience
Alexandrea S,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Louie was great! He had lots of knowledge and stayed in character throughout the tour. The stories were interesting and insightful of how the jail ran in the past. The inside of the jail was smaller than I had imagined and I could not imagine being an inmate there. This was a great tour and something to do to experience the history of St. Augustine.
Sykes Ole Time Weekend
Shawntaye S,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Just walking by you would be like. Nah!!!! But this is a must see. The history of the jail itself is everything.
Informative
cruerockchick,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very informative and interesting exhibit to visit. Our tour guide was informative and fun. Definitely worth a visit when you come down.
Poor advertising
rhondapp321,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00They did not change their hours online. We showed up at 4pm. They closed at 3pm instead of 5pm. Very upset we didn't get to do tour.
Don't forget your papers....
Karen B,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Don't forget your papers. This is a unique, historical experience that makes you grateful you were not alive to experience it in real time. And it was fun.
Entertaining historical tour
Christy L,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I enjoyed seeing the historic jail as well as the tour guide, Louis, who stayed in character making it fun for the kids.
Very interesting. Our...
Sam Z,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting. Our tour guy was very enthusiastic and did a great job! I was afraid it might be a bit cheesy — it was not.
Won’t go back
Turbo48,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Most unprofessional tourism experience of my life. The tour guide was not family appropriate, then actually had an altercation with 3 guest who didn’t speak English trying to kick them off the tour, assuming they didn’t have tickets, even though their spouses were still on the tour with their tickets. It was embarrassing for all participants. They offered a refund to the entire group after the guide walked away from the whole group mid-tour! It was so uncomfortable.
A lot of fun and thought provoking
IslandSquirrel,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lizzy was our tour guide and she was outstanding! I loved the way she interacted with the guest. She was very knowledgeable and really helped the guests to understand what being sentenced to that jail would have been like. It's amazing to think that it stayed operational until the 1950s.
From US$18.09
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Operated by Historic Tours Of America