Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine facts for kids
| Slogan | St. Augustine's Best Sightseeing Tour |
|---|---|
| Parent | Historic Tours of America, Inc. |
| Founded | company founded in 1970s by Chris Belland, Mo Mosher, Ed Swift; Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine founded 2001 |
| Headquarters | corporate headquarters Key West, Florida, U.S.; Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine headquarters in St. Augustine, Florida, U.S. |
| Locale | St.Augustine, Florida |
| Service area | Various cities in U.S.; locally in St. Augustine, Anastasia Island, Vilano Beach, two beaches north of Vilano Beach |
| Service type | hop on and hop off tour bus |
| Routes | St. Augustine (Trolley Route), Anastasia Island (Beach Bus Route) |
| Stops | twenty-two in St. Augustine, approximately six on Beach Bus Route |
| Destinations | St. Augustine area |
| Hubs | one |
| Stations | one |
| Chief executive | Chris Belland |
| Web site | http://www.trolleytours.com |
Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine is a popular company that offers fun bus tours in St. Augustine, Florida. It's one of the two main tour companies there. Their special buses look like old-fashioned trolleys, but they run on regular streets with tires, not on tracks like a train.
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What is Old Town Trolley Tours?
Old Town Trolley Tours uses open-sided buses that let you see everything easily. They have many stops around the city. You can get off the bus at any stop to explore, then hop back on when you're ready.
The drivers also act as tour guides. They tell you interesting stories and facts about St. Augustine. If you stay on the bus for the whole trip, it takes about 70 minutes. Your ticket is good for three days in a row, so you have plenty of time to see the sights!
How Old Town Trolley Tours Started
From Key West to St. Augustine
The company started in the early 1970s. Three friends named Chris Belland, Mo Mosher, and Ed Swift worked together. They wanted to fix up old shops in Key West, Florida.
They noticed more and more tourists were visiting Key West. So, they decided to start a tour company to show visitors around. Their first tour vehicle was a simple bread truck with a homemade trailer!
Growing Across the U.S.
By the 1980s, their tours became very popular. They were able to buy brand new, custom-built trolley buses. They started offering tours in many other cities across the United States.
Some of these cities include Boston, Nashville, San Diego, and Washington D.C. Old Town Trolley Tours finally came to St. Augustine in 2001. It was one of the newest cities to join their tour family.
Different Ways to Explore with Trolley Tours
Standard Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour
The most common tour is the "hop-on, hop-off" one. This lets you explore St. Augustine at your own speed. You can visit museums, shops, and historic places.
Beach Bus Tour
Besides the city tour, there's also a beach tour. This bus takes you to different spots on Anastasia Island. It also goes to three beach stops north of Anastasia Island, starting at Vilano Beach. You can enjoy the beaches and other attractions on the island.
Special Night and Holiday Tours
Old Town Trolley Tours also offers unique tours for special times of the year:
- The Ghosts & Gravestone Night Tour: Around Halloween, the trolley visits spooky spots at night. It's a fun way to learn about the city's ghost stories.
- The Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley: From mid-November until New Year's Day, you can see amazing holiday lights. The trolley takes you to the best decorated areas in St. Augustine.
Private Group Charters
Groups can also rent the trolleys for special events. This is great for school trips, birthday parties, or other gatherings.
