Potter's Wax Museum

America's first wax museum opened in St. Augustine in 1949, and it still occupies its place by the old city gate. More than a hundred and sixty figures fill the galleries, each one sculpted, haired and finished by hand using techniques that have barely changed in a century.

The collection ranges wide — presidents and monarchs, explorers and scientists, religious figures, film stars and musicians — with displays explaining how the figures are made, from the clay head and the glass eyes to the individually inserted hairs.

A separate gallery given over to horror and film monsters is the part most visitors remember, and photographs are encouraged throughout. It takes about an hour, sits directly on the walking route into the old town, and is pleasantly cool on a hot Florida afternoon.