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When most families think of a “Florida vacation,” Disney World or beach resorts usually come to mind. But my partner has been trying to talk me into moving to Florida, and I wanted to see a different side of the state. That’s how we landed on St. Augustine, a place that felt less like a theme park and more like stepping into a living history book.
Known as the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, long before Jamestown or Plymouth Rock. The city blends old-world charm with family-friendly fun, offering ghost tours, pirate museums, and even the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Here’s what we discovered and some of our picks for the best things to do in St. Augustine with kids.
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Getting Around St. Augustine: The Old Town Trolley Tour
The Old Town Trolley Tour is the perfect way to explore the historic district, especially if you’re traveling with kids. The on-and-off service means no fighting (or paying) for parking and no worrying about tired legs. Our boys loved hopping on the trolley, and the tour guide made history sound like a story instead of a lecture. Plus, it’s covered, so the shade was a lifesaver in the heat.
The covered trolley was perfect protection from the sun (and the little rain we had!). Photo Credit: Visit St. Augustine
Castillo de San Marcos
Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in America, is absolutely massive. There are indoor and outdoor areas to explore, each telling a story of the people who lived there. My boys had a blast posing next to the cannons, and one of the great things is how much kids can interact with the exhibits. The boys stayed entertained while my partner and I admired the history.
My boys had the best time posing with cannons!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
For kids who love adventure, the Pirate and Treasure Museum is a must. I could hardly keep up with our boys because they immediately took off on the scavenger hunt. The interactive exhibits kept them moving from room to room, and at the end they even won a small prize. For them, it felt like a game. For me, it was a chance to see artifacts and pirate history come alive in a way that’s actually kid-friendly. My favorite exhibit was a darkly lit room with headphones. Sit on benches to hear a pirate story that makes you feel like you’re actually there!
The Pirate & Treasure Museum had so much spooky fun!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Florida is known for its gators, and families can see hundreds of them at St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Beyond the gators, there are also birds, reptiles, and a chance to see wildlife up close. The boys were half-fascinated, half-nervous when they realized how close they were standing to some of the massive alligators. It was one of those “only in Florida” stops that we’ll never forget.
We were up close and personal to the gators!
Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
We almost skipped Ripley’s because we showed up 45 minutes before close, but it turned into one of the most fun stops of our trip. It’s packed with oddities and exhibits that kept our boys laughing and exploring. There’s a spot where you stand to look down at a gator head, then the floor gives out, giving a scare and lots of laughter. Another favorite was the bridge that sways across a spinning light tunnel, making you feel like the whole world is tilting. It was the perfect mix of quirky exhibits and fun things for kids to try.
Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is great for incredible views and curious kids. Climbing the lighthouse is a workout, but the views from the top are worth every step. The museum itself is full of shipwreck artifacts, interactive displays, and maritime history that somehow kept our boys’ attention longer than I expected.
St. Augustine’s lighthouse is also a museum!
Photo by Eric Tompkins on Unsplash
Tours That Kids Will Love
St. Augustine has a tour for everyone. Ghost tours are a big hit if your kids are old enough for a little spooky fun. Ours loved hearing about the haunted history of the city as we walked down the cobblestone streets by lantern light. There are also pirate-themed boat tours, food tours (yes, even with kids), and wildlife tours that offer the chance to see dolphins and other marine life.
My critter-obsessed kiddo loved the wildlife tour we did!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
St. Augustine Beach
Florida has no shortage of beautiful beaches, and St. Augustine Beach is no exception. It’s wide, sandy, and family-friendly, the perfect place to build sandcastles or go boogie boarding. Compared to some other Florida beaches, it feels relaxed and low-key.
St. Augustine’s wide, sandy beach had plenty of room for my boys to run around and dig in the sand.
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Other Beaches Worth Visiting
North of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach is even quieter and less crowded. Our boys loved exploring the tide pools and running down the dunes.
Our house is covered in seashells from different vacations!
Photo by Brett Kunsch on Unsplash
Just north of St. Augustine’s downtown area, Vilano Beach is where families should visit for beachcombing. Go after a storm or at low tide to hunt for seashells or sharks’ teeth.
DON’T MISS! Top 5 Family Beaches in St. Augustine, FL
Silver Glen Springs
I loved our family trip to Florida. If there was anything that would convince me to move there, though, it would have been Florida’s springs. I’ve never seen water so clear that you could see your toes at the bottom.
Water so clear you can see your toes at the bottom!
Photo Credit: Shane Kirk
We visited Silver Glen Springs twice. There was a deep hole that served as the spring’s feed, and thousands of fish swirled around inside. Our boys tried to swim down and touch them, which turned into a hilarious family challenge.
We had so much fun that we had to go back for a second day!
Photo Credit: Shane Kirk
Springs are also much colder than the ocean. The water was almost frigid, but refreshing on a hot day. If you don’t like cold water, it might not be for you. My father-in-law is the type who doesn’t like cold water, no matter how hot it is outside, so he wouldn’t go in it.
Wildlife Warnings
Not everything about the Silver Glen Springs was serene. We spotted a gator lounging on the side of the springs (but he didn’t bother anybody). A bear also kept coming out of the treeline and hunting for food. We ended up taking our cooler back to the car and eating there before going swimming. The people next to us covered their food with a towel. The bear, of course, smelled it and made his move as soon as they went to the water, stealing their food and their towel! He was not aggressive, and the staff chased it off by banging a bucket with a stick.
Anastasia State Park
Just minutes from St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park is a haven for families who like to mix beach time with outdoor adventures. We biked through trails, spotted birds, hunted for seashells, and ended the day with a picnic near the water. Visitors can also rent kayaks or paddleboards.
Enjoy beautiful views like these in Florida’s state parks.
Photo by Jessica Camacho on Unsplash
Medieval Torture Museum
My kids love to be spooked, especially now that they’re both in double digits (10 and 12). By far, the spookiest thing we did was visit the Medieval Torture Museum. The devices on display really instill a sense of horror (as do the descriptions of how they were used). There’s also a ghost-hunting spin. Visitors can download an app and hunt for spirits throughout the museum. The app gives info on the ghost’s grisly deaths as guests hunt them down.
From Ripley’s to the Torture Museum, the darker history was cool to explore!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Other Honorable Mentions for St. Augustine with Kids
Some attractions worth rounding out your itinerary include:
- The Colonial Quarter, an outdoor museum with hands-on history
- St. George Street, packed with shops, treats, and street performers
- The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where kids can drink from the legendary spring
- Anastasia Island Arcade Museum, a retro arcade packed with classic games that the entire family will love
- Old Jail Museum, where costumed guides lead tours through the historical jail, making for a fun and slightly spooky experience
- Whetstone Chocolates, kids will have a great time on a chocolate tasting tour while they learn how it’s made
- Fiesta Falls Mini Golf, complete with waterfalls, pirate ships, and 18 holes of fun
- Lightner Museum, housed in a former hotel that mixes Gilded Age history with fascinating collections
St. Augustine is packed with historic sites, so even the smaller attractions you stumble upon between stops can turn into memorable family experiences.
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Day Trips to Orlando Theme Parks
For families that do want the “theme park” experience, there are parks about two hours away, perfect for a day trip. We visited SeaWorld Orlando, but Aquatica Orlando, LEGOLAND (in Winter Haven), Universal Studios, and Disney Orlando are also nearby. Traffic can get CRAZY on I-95 and I-4, so plan travel times around traffic to avoid the trip taking longer than it should.
When You Go
Where to Eat with Kids in St. Augustine
One evening, we stopped by Ichiban Buffet after exploring. The pricing was affordable, even for the all-you-can-eat crabs add-on. The food was hot and fresh, with a good selection. It also has the least expensive AYCE crabs anywhere we’ve vacationed.
My favorite meal was at Sunset Grille. We waited about 30 minutes to sit, but it was well worth it. I loved the Caribbean Snapper, and there were also good options for the kids. We sat inside, but on the roof, there’s a beautiful view of the ocean at sunset!
The Caribbean Snapper was incredible!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Beachcomber’s is one of the best places to grab fresh seafood right by the water. The seafood is delicious, there are several kids’ menu options, and it’s dog-friendly. Beachcomber’s even sells a couple of items for your pup on the menu, which my youngest thought was so cool!
Where to Stay with Kids in St. Augustine
Hampton Inn has all the basics for families. Enjoy a daily breakfast buffet, outdoor pool and hot tub, and coin-operated laundry. Laundry is a big perk if you’re traveling by plane and don’t have as much packing space.
The Kenwood Inn is a stunning, Queen-Anne style house. It has a lot of complimentary perks for guests, including a saltwater pool, hot breakfast, bike loans, parking, drinks, and snacks. Mom and dad will appreciate the wine socials.
There are also tons of vacation rentals in the area. This is the route our family took because we traveled with a group of 12. Check out the map below to find your perfect hangout if the ones above aren’t a great fit.
Getting to St. Augustine from Los Angeles
There is a small airport in St. Augustine, but Los Angeles families are most likely to find flights from LAX to Jacksonville Airport. Rent a car (or Uber), and it’s less than an hour to St. Augustine. Most flights have at least one layover, but take around 6-8 hours with one stop. Delta, Southwest, American, United, and JetBlue airlines all make the flight.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We literally save hundreds using it.
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