Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

If you’ve been driving into Jacksonville for big concerts, please let me convince you there is another way!!  Last Sunday, my hubby & I enjoyed a date night- dinner at Harry’s then our first concert at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.  Let me tell you why it was so amazing…

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is N of St. Augustine, S of Ponte Vedra and just a mile from Micklers Beach!

First, parking was a breeze ($5).  We arrived almost an hour early, so there was no line at all.  We walked across the grassy parking area toward the entrance… and walked right in.  Did I mention there were no lines?  When is the last time you went anywhere downtown without experiencing some sort of headache (parking, traffic, long wait)?!  We didn’t even have our tickets yet, but we were directed to the window and helped without any problems!  Easy, breezy!

Protip: There’s a minimum purchase with credit card, so bring cash to eat and drink with!

A full bar (or three) is stocked and caterers sold food the night we visited.

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall was built as a church, not a public venue.  Consequently, “social spaces” aren’t as open as I would have liked but everyone was friendly and many mixed & visited & made new friends- again, it was a very comfortable, friendly atmosphere.  Seats were close together, so some concert-goers chose to stand along the sides or back wall.

Artists' merchandise is available before, during & after the show.

We arrived when there were only 3 people seated.  Seating varies depending on the event- from general admission to ticketed seats (what we experienced) to standing room only for a dance-type atmosphere.

As the concert drew near, the hall filled to capacity!  A nearby attendant mentioned this was the largest crowd he’d seen of the shows he worked!  I believe most of the staff are volunteers- which makes for a very friendly bunch.  We did feel they could have been a little better with directing as opposed to waiting until asked/correcting after something was done “wrong” {ie: using wrong door but no info was posted to advise not to use}.  They were always friendly… but when in doubt, you’d better ask!

The hall is large for a small venue... very small for a large venue... and just right for this gal!

I loved how intimate the space felt.  We weren’t miles back or up in the nosebleed seats (even though we were on the next-to-last row).  Next time I will purchase closer seats, though.  Since the floor isn’t graded, I was trying to peer over & around a few hundred heads the whole show…

Carolina Chocolate Drops were so much fun live!

But the sound filled the space beautifully!  The acoustics of a well-built church are hard to beat!  Read more about the Carolina Chocolate Drops here.  You’ve missed their amazing blend of folk and traditional get-back-to-your-roots music, but PVCH has plenty of other great shows lined up!!  Check out what’s coming our way next:

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
1050 A1A North
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

p.s. I forgot to mention the bathrooms.  No lines!  There were plenty of stalls and the restroom was very, very clean.  That matters to some people {ahem- me} so I thought I’d share.

St. Augustine Date Night

So you’re in St. Augustine for a romantic getaway, Valentines Day, or engagement.  You know about the carriage rides and strolls along the beach- all the usual gushy stuff.  But you want this trip to be set apart.  You want it to reflect your love’s preferences, not be a cookie-cutter romantic experience.  Sounds fabulous, but where do you start?!

Here are my favorite places in St. Augustine to round out a romantic picnic or dessert under the stars.  Mix and match for a special night that’s perfect just for you two.  If you need more ideas, ask me & other locals on my St. Augustine facebook page!

~ Romantic Places in St. Augustine ~

• Mission of Nombre de Dios is peaceful and not too busy.  It’s situated on the intracoastal and offers gazebos, benches, a chapel, grand oaks and sprawling grassy areas
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a 21 mile trip, but worth the drive with a rocky beach & cultivated gardens
• The Plaza in the heart of historic St. Augustine is lovely if you like to be in the midst of hustle & bustle.  My favorite time of year is when Nights of Lights illuminates the trees (roughly Thanksgiving through the end of January) but its venerable oaks and central gazebo are noteworthy year round.
• Stroll all around town on a hunt for all of St. Augustine’s Love Trees <- link
• The bayfront.  Simply stroll along the waterfront downtown and enjoy relaxing views of the river & the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.  Say something sappy like, “my love for you is as deep as the ocean”… or not.  Do pray the wind is blowing from the ocean because otherwise the smell of horses can be a bit strong here.
• Picnic on the green in front of the fort.  Everybody does it.  It never gets old.  And yes, you really must roll down the hill at least once in your lifetime.

~ Romantic Picnic Supplies in St Augustine ~

• Grab a bottle of wine from The Gifted Cork- they keep some bottles perfectly chilled & ready to drink.  If you ask nicely they’ll put your favorite in the cooler, too.  Glasses, etc available here, too.
• Claude’s Chocolates are now available from The Market on Grenada.  These are hand-crafted and absolutely amazing chocolates- you’ll never want a Hershey Kiss again…
• Tasting Room To Go stocks interesting picnic items, Bistro de Leon freshly bakes croissants each weekend and DeNoel Pastry is the oldest bakery in town offering cream puffs, pastries and french cheesecake.

~ St. Augustine’s Romantic Restaurants ~

• The Tasting Room
• Cafe Alcazar (lunch daily, dinner 1st Friday of the month only)
• Rhett’s Piano Bar
• Cap’s on the Water has a great view
• Collage is amazing for a special memory
• La Pentola