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St. Augustine surprised us in all the best ways. I expected historic streets and Southern charm, but I hadn’t realized how many free adventures were tucked into this coastal city. Between wandering along St. George Street, combing beaches for shark teeth, imagining cannon fire over ancient forts, and spotting what our youngest insisted was a “pirate ship” off the pier, we never once heard our kids say they were bored. They just asked, “What are we doing next?”
And the best part? Some major parts of our itinerary didn’t cost us a thing. If you’re planning a family trip that’s rich in history and easy on the wallet, here are some of our favorite free things to do in St. Augustine with kids.
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Self-Guided Tour of St. George Street
We started our day at the Old City Gates, letting the kids be the first to walk through and “open” our self-guided tour of St. George Street. This pedestrian-only lane in the heart of the historic district is lined with shops, cafes, and centuries-old buildings, so you can wander at your own pace without spending a dime.
We let the kids lead the way through the Old City Gates to kick off our day on St. George Street.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
We ducked into shady courtyards, peeked at historic sites like the Governor’s House and the Cathedral area, and people-watched while street musicians played. With so much rich history packed into a few blocks, it felt like the perfect place to let the kids burn off energy while we soaked in the atmosphere.
Visiting Beautiful Beaches in St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s beautiful beaches were where our boys would have stayed all week if we let them. Each offered peaceful, simple fun that balanced out our busier sightseeing days.
DON’T MISS! Top 5 Family Beaches in St. Augustine
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach became our go-to, partly because of the wide, soft sand and partly because of the free parking near the pier. Access to the beach and splash park is free, and there’s a small fee if you want to fish or sightsee off the fishing pier.
Walking down to St. Augustine Beach with buckets in hand and zero plans beyond the sand.
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
(It was $2 for sightseeing and $6 for fishing at the time of our visit). My partner took our oldest to fish while I enjoyed the sights with our youngest, who has never had the patience for fishing.
Vilano Beach
On another day, we headed north to Vilano Beach. Beach access is free, and there’s even free beach parking in designated lots. The retro signage and views over the Atlantic Ocean from the free public pier have a postcard feel. Stop here for sunsets, dolphin watching, and boat-counting contests.
Vilano Beach vibes: calm water, boats to count, and zero rush to be anywhere else.
Photo by Kristin Wilson on Unsplash
Ponte Vedra Beach
For a quieter stretch of shoreline, Ponte Vedra Beach gave us room to wander, collect shells, and watch tiny sand crabs dart along the surf. There are free parking lots, but they fill up quickly on weekends.
Slow beach walks, tiny sand crabs, and plenty of time to just wander at Ponte Vedra Beach.
Photo by Ryne Anderson on Unsplash
Hunt for Shark Teeth
If your kids love a treasure hunt, sign up for a free Shark Tooth Exploration Walk through St. Johns County Parks at Mussallem Beachfront Park. A naturalist shows families how to spot fossilized teeth in the shell line. Our boys proudly pocketed their tiny “dinosaur teeth,” and we still can’t walk a beach now without someone shouting over a new find.
Hiking at Anastasia State Park and Other Nature Trails
We spent two days trading our beach towels for sneakers at Anastasia State Park on Anastasia Island. For a small fee (it was $8 per vehicle when we visited), visitors get access to more than 1,600 acres of dunes, tidal marshes, and maritime hammock.
DON’T MISS! 20+ Awesome Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids!
There are miles of nature trails and four miles of protected shoreline. Some good, shorter trails for kids are the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail, the Marsh Trail, and the Spanish Quarry. Cape Francis Beach Walk is longer (around 7 miles) for families with older kids, but it’s also relatively flat and easy.
There’s so much to explore at Anastasia State Park.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Another day, we went “park-hopping” to other state parks in the area, including Nease Beachfront Park, Nocatee Preserve, and Bird Island Park near Ponte Vedra Beach, each offering free trails, boardwalks, and wildlife viewing.
Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Manazas
St. Augustine’s forts are where the city’s rich history really comes alive. At Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., kids 15 and under are free. Walking the fort and exploring different lodgings and weaponry lets families imagine the Spanish explorers who once guarded the harbor.
My boys had the best time posing with cannons!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
For a completely free fort experience, we drove south to Fort Matanzas. You will still need a ferry ticket (it’s free, but it’s first-come, first-served). From there, families ride the ferry across the river to a smaller watchtower with short trails and ranger talks. It’s a mini adventure wrapped in a history lesson. Just keep in mind passes for the ferry may run out early on the weekends (even before 11 a.m.).
Historical Churches and Free Historical Sites
Some of the most memorable stops on our trip were the free, faith-rooted historic sites downtown. We slipped into the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, America’s oldest Catholic parish, for a quiet walk beneath painted ceilings and stained glass. From there, we visited Mission Nombre de Dios and the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, following shady paths to the towering Great Cross and small chapels.
Not what the kids expected, but they were surprisingly into it.
Photo by Mr. Great Heart on Unsplash
Just off St. George Street, St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine added another layer of history with exhibits and an icon-filled chapel. Nearby, the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum and the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum welcomed us in for free, giving the kids a simple look at how families once lived in the nation’s oldest city.
Enjoy Free Music
On summer evenings, Concerts in the Plaza turn Plaza de la Constitución into a family living room under oak trees. We packed snacks, spread out a blanket, and let the kids dance near the gazebo.
On concert nights, this quiet plaza fills with music, blankets, and families dancing near the gazebo.
Image by Michelle Pitzel from Pixabay
Another night, we found ourselves at Colonial Oak Music Park off St. George Street, where free, family-friendly shows play under the branches of a huge oak tree. If the timing of your visit lines up with West King Wednesdays, the whole West King Street corridor comes alive with vendors, art, and live bands. It’s one of those fun things that makes you feel like a temporary local instead of just a tourist.
Free Art Exhibits in St. Augustine
On rainy afternoons, we swapped sand toys for sketchbooks and went hunting for free art. Don’t get me wrong – we had fun at stops along the Old Town Trolley Tour like the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, Lightner Museum, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, but those “little” costs can really add up!
The Pena-Peck House and Gardens on St. George Street offers complimentary, donation-based tours that weave local history together with paintings by Felix de Crano, William Staples Down, and other local artists.
Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States, has many local boutiques and art galleries!
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
A short walk away, the St. Augustine Art Association is a great place to see rotating exhibits with free admission. If you happen to be in town for the First Friday Art Walk, galleries across the historic district open their doors in the evening. Our kids treated it like a game and had a great time picking a “favorite piece” in each space, while we got a glimpse of how much creativity is packed into this little coastal city.
When You Go
Where Families with Kids Should Stay 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.
Traveling 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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