Im headed there with hubby, 19 and 13 yr old right before Christmas.so excited to see the lights! Its open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The beaches are more than 1,600 acres long, giving you plenty of opportunities to sunbathe and view wildlife among the sand dunes. Whether its the fresh smell of sea mist or the beautiful sound of waves crashing, its never a dull moment at the beach. In fact, the city dates back to 1565 and can claim to be one of the oldest settlements in the country. The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum is one of the best places to learn about this interesting and disturbing slice of local history. Yup, we were those parents. The farm also has many mammals, such as lemurs and sloths. Anastasia State Park is located at 300 Anastasia State Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080. But the tour guide (Dylan) was really nice and he was ok with us walking away from the group if we needed to. If you are looking for an educational and fun vacation with beach time and extra activities in the mix then St. Augustine is the perfect family vacation location for you and your family! St Augustine, Florida, is one of the most historic cities in the United States. Close to the fort, you can visit another of the best things to do in St Augustine. Make sure to try the 1905 salad or the traditional Cuban sandwich. Join My Flying Leap to get new blog posts, travel inspiration, and travel tips. The oldest wooden schoolhouse in the United States is located in St. Augustine, just a 3-minute walk from the Castillo de San Marcos. The Castillo de San Marcos is one of the oldest masonry forts in North America and the oldest in the US. Old Town Trolley Tours in St. Augustine offers all types of trolley tours, from nighttime ghost tours to daily package tours that include all the most popular sites. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab1a076ca5badb89a7ce9cbe14604333" );document.getElementById("d5809b89a0").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. If grizzly history is your thing though, then St Augustine has plenty to offer you. The park surrounding the facility is comprised of nearly 20 scenic acres, and during events, the amphitheater can seat thousands of spectators. The pier area offers other free amenities such as: Visitors can engage in different sporting games at the piers beach volleyball courts and bocce courts. We had heard the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park was a must visit while in St. Augustine, but we were skeptical. Its also right off Interstate 75, so it made navigating the rig easy. According to the National Register of Historic Places, the park covers less than one acre, with one building and one structure. Actually no, Bryanna calls all the shots, I just wear a Captains hat sometimes. So they are constantly jumping out of the water and are swimming all around the habitatswhere you can watch from the underwater glass window. But it is cool to visit and see all of the history especially since a lot of the history happened right around St. Augustine. There was so much to see and the park itself was just cool to walk around in. 1. Learn more about renting an RV here. It was definitely one of our favorite places we visited in St. Augustine. If you are interested in more history and architecture of St. Augustine, consider checking out these locations: Lightner Museum Formerly the Alcazar hotel, this Victorian beauty is now a museum. Don't miss the opportunity to dig deeper into the history of St. Augustine during the first Spanish period. Housed in the former Alcazar Hotel built by Henry Flagler, it is known for its opulence and attracted over 25,000 guests in the late 1800s and 1900s. It was quite a sight. They were climbing on top of each other to get to them. The alligator farm is one of the main St. Augustine tourist attractions. They even have wine and beer score! To experience more of Floridas great nature, one of the best things to do in St Augustine is to visit the 12 Mile Swamp Conservation Area. I actually moved my family here we absolutely love the St Augustine area. Sunset Grille is located across the street from the St. Augustine beach. After the tour we were lucky enough to do a touch and feed experience with one of the dolphins. Previously known as the Spanish Quarter, you can join tours led by guides in full authentic colonial dress, as you gain an insight into what life was like from the 16th through to the 18th century. Whether it's the fresh smell of sea mist or the beautiful sound of waves crashing, it's never a . Plus there were some exhibits including things that the kids could do throughout like learning to tie knots, playing with the flag poles, and pretending to set off a cannon. She loves seeing new destinations, especially where she can go to the beach or go for a long hike. They do have fantastic Christmas festivals and a lighting ceremony, though, if youre interested. Located on King Street in St. Augustine, The Lightner Museum is housed in a historic hotel that was originally built in the 1880s and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You pay in 15 minute increments and. For fun. There are 50 different courses you can go through, including soaring right over the crocodiles. The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum was a neat place to see. Theres lots to do and best to reserve a day to fully explore this lively street. Prices are pretty reasonable on the rentals. The museum is not large. They are dressed in period clothing and love to take photos with visitors! Many hotels and inns also offer bike rentals to help you get places faster. Through battle, economic progress, and political strife, the coquina foundation of St. Augustine has been left unconquered - its history is . Then you get to the middle section that is filled with humongous alligators. Whether its for a couple of days, a week, or full-time, we have selected our topmost interesting things to keep you engaged for your entire stay, ranging from historical sites, museums, beaches, and fascinating streets. If you dont park by the trolley and use that for transportation there is a large parking lot located right by Fort Castillo De San Marcos where you can park. But it is cool to visit and see all of the history especially since a lot of the history happened right around St. Augustine. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. The Lightener Museum houses an impressive collection of 18th-century art, along with a few more . The winery is located just outside of the city center. The tall lighthouse dates back to 1874 and rises to 50 meters. Located on South Castillo Drive along the western side of Matanzas Bay, Castillo de San Marcos is one of the St. Augustine Beach area's most popular and significant historic attractions and dates back more than three centuries. There is a snack bar too if you are interested in eating lunch there. I mean for real, check out the picture. I know they pride themselves on being a dog friendly city so you may want to reach out to verify that nothing has changed. They also have a distillery stop on the tour at St. Augustine Distillery where you can do free sampling as well. It was originally built in 1742 and was part of a huge Spanish military settlement. Keep that in mind when making your holiday travel plans. Original constructed in 1874, visitors can climb the 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse and experience amazing views of the entire St . They were climbing on top of each other to get to them. On the way you walk by some humongous tortoises. The water of the Atlantic is usually wavy which is perfect for a boogie board! It offers free beach access. Castillo de San Marcos is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay and is one of the most popular St. Augustine attractions. Hike along the small trail ending at the beach or spend the day viewing wildlife and fishing. The restaurant is just a short walk from the beach and features Caribbean and Latin American influenced cuisines sporting fresh local ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a chill, island atmosphere. There are a LOT of things to do in St. Augustine with kids from history to attractions to surfing! The trolley tour has 22 stops spanning from the Old Jail, through the Lightner Museum, to the Mission of Nombre de Dios, where visitors can get on and off to dine or sightsee, and shop to their hearts fill. The museums exhibits touch on a variety of topics from local history and culture to music, science, and art from the Victorian era. As youre walking down the street, every shop display has beautiful, unique hand-made items ranging from: Enjoy a variety of delicacies at the restaurants along this street. As such, this ancient city has a rich history and many legends and stories of ghosts abound. Dogs are welcome on the Red Train Tour but I dont believe they are on the orange trolley. The list is in order from top to bottom of what we recommend you do when visiting. Some of them surprised us since we didnt think the kids would enjoy them but we were wrong! We have been to quite a few forts but every time we go they are always so cool! All the rooms are equipped with minifridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission. Most rooms have a whirlpool tub, a TV, and a large bed. These things were huge and were really awesome to watch walk around. Package tours can start at about $35 per person. It allowed for as many people as you wanted in the picture. Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse Enjoy a variety of mouth-watering sandwiches, meat & cheese platters, and salads, St. Augustines very best. Wonderful. While its a top tourist city in Florida, St. Augustine also has many lesser-known attractions youll surely enjoy. Here are the best things to do in St. Augustine, Florida: Visiting St Augustines Castillo de San Marcos is a real historical highlight of any trip to the city. Its living history at its best, and youll see musket loading drills and perhaps even the odd cannon being fired too. You can walk along the old ramparts, gaze out across the Atlantic Ocean, and immerse yourself in the citys colonial history. Below are 15 things to do in and around St. Augustine Beach, Florida. Mid-range: Hampton Inn St. Augustine has free breakfast and is only 2 miles from Anastasia Beach and 1 mile from Ripleys Believe it or Not. If youre interested in learning more about the citys maritime history, take a trip to the St Augustine Light House and Maritime Museum. You can take a tour of the inside of the schoolhouse, as well as the beautiful property around it. Since 1967, The Whetstone Chocolate Factory has been producing St. Augustines most sought after sweets. Take an 80-minute narrated, historic tour around St. Augustine. They are willing to pose for pictures, share stories on the experiences of colonialists who dwelt at the fort and answer any questions you may have. It might seem like a niche subject, but this museum offers an intriguing insight into medicinal practices throughout the colonial period. This conservation area is found just outside of the city center. In addition to Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas was key to protecting their overseas territory. Anastasia State Park is a big hit with bird-watchers, hikers, and all-around nature enthusiasts. Im sure youve heard of all the amazing sites, and youre probably overwhelmed with multiple choices. To be honest this is one of the locations I wasnt too sure about. Wine connoisseurs will want to visit the excellent San Sebastian Winery, which is found in St Augustine. The workers are very active with the dolphins playing with them, feeding them, and training them. The cathedral is home to the nation's first Catholic parish, it was first built in 1797, then rebuilt after a fire in 1887. The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is located at 14 St. George Street, St. Augustine FL, 32084. Ghosts & Gravestones Tour 27 San Marco Ave St Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 826-3663 Ghosts & Gravestones Tour walks people through a frightening adventure in St Augustine. Plus the kids had chocolate covered pretzels from the wine store so they were good to go :)! The pier is also within easy walking distance of the citys popular Wednesday morning farmers market. So you can take your time exploring the city and spread it out over 3 days. They have one of those little feeding dispensers where you can put in a quarter to get a handful of pellet food. Again I wasnt sure about visiting with the kids and if it would be worth it. They had hats and costumes the kids could wear, a lantern, working shutters, a printing press. Sport-fishing, boating and kayaking along the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway have always been popular, and there are abundant lodging and dining options too. If youre a lover of all things pirates, youve certainly traveled to the right city; one of the best things to do in St Augustine is to join a cruise on the Black Raven Pirate Ship. This is a fun activity with kids. There is also the World Golf Hall Of Fame and multiple Art Galleries throughout the city. Whether youre visiting alone, with friends, or as a couple, St. Augustine has something for everyone. Find Fun Things to Do for the whole family. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Again it may be one you would overlook, but if your kids are into history and they enjoy playing make believe then. Our kids were 8, 5, 5, and 3 at the time and the 8 year old and one of the 5 year olds did really well and were interested in everything. Our favorite stop was the San Sebastian Winery where they do a free wine tasting! You pay in 15 minute increments and you can only do up to 4 hours at a time, I believe. With general admission you can walk around the grounds and see the sea turtle they have on site, the sting ray, the sharks, and the dolphins. Of course, there are samples along the way, and most visitors choose to swing by the gift shop before heading out to pick up an item or two. They offer not only wines, but cheese and chocolates to compliment them too. At the end our kids were about to break out in a wrestling match so again I think the timing is just right for young kids. Tours start at around $24 per person, depending on your time of day and tour length. Unique Things to Do in St. Augustine -Walk Down the Oldest Street in the U.S. Take a Tour of the Oldest Masonry Fort in the United States Unique Things to Do in St. Augustine - Stay at the Oldest Inn in America Unique Things to Do in St. Augustine - Taste Test an Ice Cream Sandwich with a Cool History Take a Three-Hour Drinking Tour of Downtown St. Johns Pier is the most popular spot on St. Augustine beach, located south of Anastasia State Park. They have TONS of different kinds of alligators and right when you walk in you can see the Albino alligator along with a bunch of baby albino alligators. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is committed to ensuring the survival and ethical treatment of all the species that are in their hands. Plus if you are hungry they have a cafe there too! Budget: The Cozy Inn is family-owned and operated. We splurged and did both the alligator and the snake! Walking down George Street in downtown St. Augustine is an experience in itself. The area is one of the regions most scenic, and the pier is a great place to relax while taking in the remarkable ocean vistas, or with a good book and a cold drink. Marineland Dolphin Adventure is about 20 miles south of St. Augustine on A1A (beach front avenue!). Awww! Its open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.95. St. Augustine is pretty small and safe, so walking everywhere is easy. We have been excited to visit St. Augustine, FL since we started traveling. If you dare, you can even sign up for a nighttime tour. This post was contributed by Natalie Castle. This was another one that fell into the category of not sure if it would be worth it. There is a wide variety of things to do for all ages in the nation's oldest city. The Whetstone Factory is located on King Street and was built in the mid-80s. Materials are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. It was a little much for the other 5 year old and 3 year old. It was named St. Augustine because it was established on August 28th, the feast day of St. Augustine. You can drink from the well at the park, claimed to provide a youthful glow to those who drink from it. Yes, I did say our dogs drank from it. Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf features an 18-hole course thats adjacent to a hotel popular with out-of-state visitors. Check out all of the stops here. Another great state park to visit when you are in St Augustine is Anastasia State Park. With the European influences apparent throughout the city, youll feel like youre strolling down the cobblestone streets of Spain or Italy. We didnt stop while we were on the trolley and were going to try to make it back for the free sampling, but ran out of time. The last thing was to feed him. This information does not represent a specific offer of sale or solicitation to purchase property within Shearwater. If you dont park by the trolley and use that for transportation there is a large parking lot located right by Fort Castillo De San Marcos where you can park. 8 Things You Dont Want To Miss In Mammoth Hot Springs, 8 Breathtaking THINGS TO DO Near Yellowstone National Park, Why you need Independent Trailer Suspension and Trailer Disc Brakes, Crazy Family Adventure One Year of Full-Time Family Travel - Crazy Family Adventure, The Ultimate Florida Road Trip - Crazy Family Adventure, Traveling with Dogs - How this family of six does it in an RV, 20+ Things To Do In Florida On The Ultimate Sunshine State Road Trip, florida beaches: 25 best family vacation destinations, 18 Amazing Places to Visit in Florida With Kids, 12 RV Parks In Florida That You Will Want To Visit, 33 Sensational Things To Do in St Augustine for Every Traveler Type, 49 Things To Do In Florida: Unmatched Experiences in the Sunshine State. All information, plans, and pricing are subject to change without notice. The Colonial Quarter. We have been excited to visit St. Augustine, FL since we started traveling. Another quirky stop on your travel itinerary when visiting St Augustine should be Ripleys Believe It or Not. It was also cool to see how much they love the animals at Marineland and how happy and healthy the dolphins were! The best part for the kids was the hands on experience in one of the houses on the property. If you ever get a chance I recommend stopping to try one! I think because there were so many our chance of seeing one move was a lot higher. Craig sampled a couple of fall flavors and said it was very good as well! You can take selfies with any of the 160 wax figures including Harry Potter, Captain Jack Sparrow, Yoda and more. The wine tours and tasting are complimentary, so feel free to learn about the wine-making process and sample different kinds before buying. Then, follow the signs for US1 South. You should do a return visit with updated pics of things to do for older kids! Relive history by watching professional costumed historians relive the life of soldiers and their families. If you like to get out on the water then the Scenic Cruise of St. Augustine is a great way to do that. The museum features old shipwreck artifacts, boatworks, World War II-era structures, and heritage trails. Well, IT WAS AWESOME!! Check it out and subscribe to our channel! It stands 165 feet high with an impressive 219 steps. The waters off Floridas Atlantic and Gulf Coasts were once crawling with pirates and other nefarious characters involved in rum-running and pillaging coastal towns. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse for exceptional views along the coast, while the on-site museum offers a wonderful glimpse into local maritime history, in what is one of the oldest cities in the United States of America. Did you know St. Augustine, Florida is the U.S. nations oldest city? Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. For a fine dining experience, try Llama Restaurant. Mine did some strange things that wanted me to do a u-turn, which aint easy with at 39 motorhome and a toad! While they have every kind of white and red wine you can think of, they specialize in Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Your trip to St. Augustine is sure to be a lively one! Located on Aviles Street in St. Augustine, the Ximenez-Fatio House was built in the last few years of the 18th century. San Sebastian Winery was founded in 1996. Nature lovers and history buffs love this coastal city because of the many museums and hiking trails. They also do presentations, Junior Ranger programs, and had a cannon firing as well. All of us (even our 3 year old) was able to take a fish and toss it in Sunnys mouth. You cant go wrong with kids and water! The Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum. The Best Things to Do in St. Augustine Are Waiting for You! This archaeological site in the city claims to be the landing site of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer who came to the Americas in search of the fabled Fountain of Youth in the early 16th century. Theres also a 4-mile hiking trail, picnic pavilions, and long stretches of beach where you can go cycling or shelling. And they have some really cool flavors like Sweet Potato Pie, Resiling, Vanilla bean, Peanut Butter, and then your typical fruit flavors. Its evolved into a rather unusual tourist attraction within the city, and while theres little factual basis behind the park and its supposed archaeological finds, its still a unique place to visit. Its full of local art shops, small museums, and great cafes. The ride is about an hour and a half, so if you bring snacks for your kids and talk about all of the things you are sailing past (the lighthouse, the bridge, other boats) I think they should be well occupied. It was relatively close to St. Augustine (about 20 minutes) and we left every day to go to the beach or St. Augustine so it worked out well. They also have a trolley system that stops at all major tourist attractions and the nearby beaches. The park is comprised of more than ten acres and includes historic markers describing the landing, as well as a partially reconstructed village of the Timucuan Native Americans, who lived in the area for generations before it was officially discovered and settled. This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link. The house is known for its quaint and historic stone architecture and gives visitors a unique glimpse into the manner of living more than two centuries ago when the area was unexplored and dangerous. The 25th annual Taste of St. Augustine, a signature food festival, will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. They do a great job including all of the history of St. Augustine along with all of the cool attractions and things they have built up. ], 12 Best Things To Do In Houston With Kids. 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