17 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids

St. Augustine, FL has quickly made its way to the top of my list of favorite cities. It has a rich history as the oldest city in the United States, stunning and well-preserved Spanish Colonial and Spanish Renaissance architecture, and the laid-back vibes of a coastal city.

If you're looking for a family vacation destination that combines history, culture, and outdoor activity, I would highly recommend looking into St. Augustine.

We moved to Palm Coast, Florida in 2015, which is just right down the road from America's Oldest City! In fact, St. Augustine was where I gave birth to 3 of my children, so it will always have a special place in my heart.

Before we moved (all the way from Minnesota!), I remembered visiting St. Augustine for just a day as a child with my family, and knew it was a place I wanted to visit again with my kids! I was so excited to see the historic sites and take the unique tours again as an adult. I was not disappointed! We loved it so much that we made a point to visit St. Augustine multiple times each year.

Something that draws me to St. Augustine time and time again is the rich history of a city settled in 1565 and continuously occupied until the present day. There are so many opportunities throughout the city to learn about the indigenous Timucua tribes, the Spanish settlers, and all of the other nationalities that are represented in St. Augustine's history.

Because we are so lucky to live within driving distance, we have spent many weekends exploring St. Augustine and finding the best spots to hang out with kids. This is my comprehensive guide to the city, and I hope you find something here to help plan your next trip!

Thanks to Florida's Historic Coast for hosting a few of our activities in St. Augustine. All opinions are my own, and we keep going back to St. Augustine simply because we love it! It's a great city for families, no matter what age your kids are.

This post also contains affiliate links, which means if you click on my link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting this blog!

What to Know About St. Augustine Before You Go

St. Augustine is known as the nation's oldest city because it has been continuously occupied since 1565. While other cities were settled before that date, they have not been continuously occupied.
It's located in Northeast Florida on the Atlantic Ocean on what is known as Florida's First Coast.
St. Augustine has pleasant weather year-round, so any time of year is great for a visit! Here are some tips to help you choose when to plan your vacation:
- Winter tends to be a little cooler, though depending on the year you *may* still get some beach weather! Winter is also a great time to see the Night of Lights display of Christmas lights in downtown St. Augustine. If you do visit in winter, you may want to combine St. Augustine with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! It's such a fun after-hours party for kids, and will really get you in the holiday spirit.
- In spring the weather is warming up, so it can be nice and warm in the afternoons, though still cool in the mornings and evenings. Late April and May are great times to avoid the spring break and summer vacation crowds. If your main activities are going to involve walking around and visiting historical spots, spring is probably the best time to visit as it's not too hot and humid yet.
- Summer is a great time to visit St. Augustine if you're interested in visiting the beautiful beaches! However, summer is peak season in St. Augustine, so prices may be a bit more expensive.
- The weather is still pretty hot in the fall, but the crowds are definitely lower as kids go back to school. The only thing to keep in mind is that fall is hurricane season in Florida, so make sure your travel plans are refundable.
The closest airports to St. Augustine are Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. You could also fly into Orlando, though you'll have a longer drive.

What to Do in St. Augustine, Florida with Kids

There are so many fun things to do in St. Augustine with kids that it can be hard to know where to begin! Over the years we've had the chance to visit so many great St. Augustine attractions. As a local, let me share with you the best things to add to your St. Augustine itinerary.

Tour the City

I find it especially helpful to schedule a tour right when I arrive in a new city. There are several ways to do this in St. Augustine, but my favorite by far is the Old Town Trolley Tour.

It's a hop-on-hop-off style expedition around the city, so it doubles as your form of transportation for the day. It's just a bonus that you won't have to worry about parking!

My kids were thrilled with the open-air setup of the trolley since there was so much to see along the way. I brought a small umbrella stroller and had no problem stowing it under the seat.

A larger stroller would be doable, but a bit tougher to store. We like the Zoe Tour+ for a lightweight travel stroller that's easy to collapse with 1 hand! Use my link for $15 off your order!

Little ones can certainly sit on your lap as you all take in the sights and sounds, and your tour guide will share history and insights about the city's history!

Get off at any stop you want, and catch the trolley at any of the designated spots throughout the city. They come by every 15-20 minutes or so, which means you're never waiting with squirrely kids for too long.

Other city tour options include

Red Train Tours
St. Augustine Ghost Tours (Family friendly) - I took this ghost tour with some women from my church. Most of it was all in good fun, but at the end, there was kind of a haunted house portion with what seemed to be a seance. At that point, we decided to leave because we weren't interested in those things, so you may want to read reviews of ghost tours before you take them with kids.
Florida Water Tours

Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is educational and interactive, which makes it a perfect spot for families.

There is so much history within the park from the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth itself where you can drink the natural spring water (full of minerals and smelling like rotten eggs), to a planetarium, a weapons demonstration (think cannon and rifle demonstrations) to recreations of the Nombre de Dios Mission, the Timucua village, and the Spanish settlement.

I think the Fountain of Youth will really appeal to kids who are of middle school age since they will likely be learning about Spanish explorers in school. If you have really young kids (babies, toddlers, preschoolers), there is still plenty for them to do and see.

They can help dig up an archaeological site or watch the peacocks roaming the grounds. There's a lot of outdoor space, so you won't feel stressed like you might when you have little ones in a quiet museum.

Yes, I drank the water from the Fountain of Youth. Am I forever young? Well, recently a cashier asked me if my 3 kids were my siblings, so you tell me.

The first time we visited I had a baby and a toddler with me, and I wasn't aware of the hourly cannon firings. We were a little too close when the cannon went off, and I was really worried about my baby's ears.

He ended up being fine (he's 8 now and his hearing is perfect except for when I tell him to clean up his room), but it was loud enough that I was concerned! If you have little ones or kids with sensitive ears, consider bringing some noise-canceling headphones.

(By the way, I used these at Disney World all the time when my 2nd was a toddler because he was super sensitive to loud sounds. It's always nice to have them on hand when you're in an unfamiliar environment!)

Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos is an old stone fortress located on the Matanzas River. It was used to defend the Spanish settlement against the English.

You can listen in on guided tours, see the oldest masonry fort, watch weapons demonstrations and a cannon firing, and walk through the rooms where the soldiers used to stay. There are incredible views from the gun deck on top, so make sure to bring your camera!

All ages are welcome at this historical fort, but if you bring your little ones, make sure to keep a close eye on them up on the gun deck, as there aren't really guardrails along the edge. My kids loved it and thought the cannons were so cool. I enjoyed the history of it all, so that's a win for everyone!

There's also a huge lawn all around the Castillo that we've found to be a great spot for picnics!

Colonial Quarter

If there's one thing I wish I could have done without my kids, or at least waited until they were a little older, it would have been the Colonial Quarter.

My inner history nerd was fascinated by our guide's stories and fun facts. He was incredibly knowledgeable and captivating as he explained what life was like for the early colonists in St. Augustine.

There are plenty of demonstrations and exhibits including a blacksmith exhibit and a cannon firing, and you walk with your guide from location to location learning about the different aspects of life in St. Augustine. This is a great way to learn about history while entertaining kids, too!

My toddler and preschooler were unfortunately not as fascinated as I was, but I aspire to bring them back in a few years when they'll be more excited about the demonstrations and I can actually take the time to listen.

Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is another one of the city's many historical sites and it's located right on St. George Street. This one-room schoolhouse has been around since the early 1700s and is a fascinating glimpse into what education was like a few centuries ago.

I had my preschooler with me, as well as my toddler in an umbrella stroller and there was plenty of room to move around. It didn't take long to see everything here, but is part of the city's rich history.

Go to St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine has a gorgeous coastline with myriad activities for families. Head to St. John Pier for a splash park with beach access. There's ample parking free of charge, and it's the perfect spot for kids to entertain themselves for a few hours while you work on your tan.

The beach is very wide with white sand, so we've really enjoyed visiting with our kids. There is so much space to run around!

St. Augustine Lighthouse

You can also visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and climb 219 steps all the way to the top for some stunning views of the harbor. The only tricky thing about this was that my 2 youngest were too small to do the lighthouse - kids must be 44 inches tall, and my oldest (age 5) just barely made the cut.

However, there is a pirate ship playground, grounds to wander, and the Old Lighthouse Keeper's house to explore with the younger kids if you want to split up and take turns climbing to the top of the lighthouse.

Anastasia State Park

If your family enjoys spending time outdoors, Anastasia State Park is a great spot to hike, picnic, or play. It's on the coast, so you can walk the beaches or the nature trails. Don't miss the coquina quarry!

Visit the Historic District

St. George Street is one of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors of St. Augustine and with good reason. As a mom of little ones, my favorite part about it is that it's a pedestrian thoroughfare, so no need to worry about cars (except when you're crossing the street).

There are shops, restaurants, historical buildings, and even spots to enjoy live music.

Eat

I highly recommend stopping at the Hyppo for all-natural fruit pops, especially on a hot day. Our kids begged to eat here every time we visited St. Augustine, and we couldn't resist! The fruit pops have some really unique flavors are are so refreshing.
Cousteau's has the best waffles and milkshakes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Prohibition Kitchen has a great vibe and mouth-watering food. Try the poutine!
A1A Burrito Works is perfect for a quick but tasty taco for lunch.
Spanish Bakery & Cafe has excellent soup, sandwiches, and pastries.
Check out Whetstone Chocolate for ice cream, fudge, and candy.

Shop

There are too many shops to list here, but I'll jot down some of my favorites. If you're looking for souvenirs, beachwear, and authentic Florida products, St. George is the place to shop. You could easily spend hours wandering in and out of the shops on St. George Street.

I love 360 Boutique for the boho-style clothes you can find there.
The Spice & Tea Exchange is great for tea lovers.
Tierra Fina & Market to Market has a great selection of beautifully painted ceramic goods.
I love the coastal feel of Serenity Blue boutique.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of the most popular stops in St. Augustine. Like the Lighthouse, it is actually located on Anastasia Island which is a little removed from the downtown area. Despite the name, it's not just a park full of alligators and crocodiles (though you will see a lot of those), but also includes birds, reptiles, and a few small mammals.

There's a small play area for kids, so young visitors are more than welcome here. You could easily spend a few hours looking at all the animals, playing, and watching the feeding demonstrations.

Definitely get your camera ready for the live feedings, as you'll get some great photo opportunities of the alligators leaping from the water.

My kids are still talking about Maximo, the 15-foot-long saltwater crocodile. We got to watch him eat some rodents during one of the feeding demonstrations, and it was honestly so exciting. You can also walk around the tank and get an underwater view of Maximo.

There are also fun activities like zip lining here, so older kids can experience some adventure too!

Marineland Dolphin Adventure

Marineland Dolphin Adventure is the world's first oceanarium, an ocean habitat for marine mammals. You can find a sand tiger shark habitat a few turtle tanks in the Neptune Park area of Marineland and a series of dolphin habitats overlooking the ocean.

I went with my 1 and 3-year-old, so we did not get to try any of the interactive experiences (kids must be 3 or older to participate). However, we had the chance to watch a few other groups interacting with the dolphins which delighted my kids to no end. Marineland offers multiple experiences at different price points from Touch & Play all the way to Dolphin Immersion and everything in between.

Even though we didn't have any interactive experiences, we loved the underwater viewing window where we watched the young dolphins playing together. When they saw us, they swam over and put on a little show, even splashing us! I was giggling and just as excited as my 3-year-old, and that alone made the trip worth it.

I would highly recommend this experience to anyone whose kids have a special interest in marine life, especially dolphins.

St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

The Pirate and Treasure Museum is one of the best ways to learn about the Golden Age of Piracy! Our kids were still pretty young when we visited (all 5 and under), so I wondered if it would be too scary for them.

We didn't need to worry. There were lots of hands-on and interactive displays that kids could experience, and it's also very stroller-friendly! Our kids ended up loving it, and even raved about their interaction with one of the employees dressed as a pirate (PIrate William, I believe).

This is perfect for the whole family, and we all had such a great time visiting.

You can get the St. Augustine Tour Pass which covers this museum along with many other attractions!

See Flagler College

Flagler College is located right in the downtown St. Augustine area and is a truly beautiful building. The grounds used to belong to the Ponce de Leon Hotel and now stands as a private liberal arts institution!

We have never actually toured inside, but I love taking pictures of the kids across the street from the college with the Spanish Renaissance-style building in the background.

Miniature Golf

There are several miniature golf options near downtown St. Augustine including Anastasia Miniature Golf, Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf, and RIpley's Bayfront Mini Golf.

If you're staying in the downtown area, check out Riplye's Bayfront Mini Golf since it's within walking distance - located right next to the Bridge of Lions.

This would be a fun kid-friendly activity that would give kids a break from all of the history!

St. Augustine Distillery

St. Augustine Distillery is a historical landmark in the Ancient City, and families with kids are welcome to take a self-guided tour. If you want to take a guided tour experience, you must be 21+.

It's a fun piece of history and a really cool building. Definitely a great place to go with older kids.

Potter's Wax Museum

Visit America's oldest wax museum and see wax replicas of some of the most influential people in world and US history. Over 160 wax figures are on display here, and you can also visit the on-site wax studio where each figure is crafted.

Bridge of Lions

The Bridge of Lions spans the Intracoastal Waterway connecting downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island. It's known for its iconic white marble lions positioned at the west side of the bridge. You can get spectacular views of the city from the Bridge of Lions, especially during sunrise and sunset, and even during the St. Augustine Night of Lights at Christmastime.

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Fort Matanzas is located about 14 miles south of Castillo de San Marco, so you'll need to rent a car to get there, but it's one of several great historic sites to visit in St. Augustine. This fort defended the southern side of the St. Augustine settlement.

St. Augustine Night of Lights

St. Augustine Night of Lights takes place every year around Christmas from November until the end of January. Visitors can see millions of tiny white lights glowing and hanging from the Spanish Colonial architecture. It truly is a bucket list-worthy experience to have in St. Augustine!

You can simply walk around St. George Street, the Bridge of Lions, and near Flagler College, or you can take the Christmas Trolley Tour where you don 3D glasses and see the lights from a different point of view all while festive music plays in the background.

It's truly an unforgettable way to celebrate the holidays!

Day Trips from St. Augustine

St. Augustine is located on Florida's First Coast and is within driving distance of so many incredible destinations. After living in this part of Florida for 5 years, here are my top recommendations for day trips from St. Augustine!

Flagler Beach

We lived in Palm Coast just outside of Flagler Beach, and it ended up being one of my favorite spots in Florida because it's still under the radar. Flager is a quiet surf town along A1A with lots of local restaurants and wide open beaches.

Be sure to eat at the Golden Lion (this was our go-to restaurant when we had visitors), check out the Flagler Beach Pier, and visit Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

Read: what to Do in Flagler Beach, Florida with Kids

Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida is just north of St. Augustine, and is the largest city by area in the continental United States!

Visit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, check out the Museum of Science and History, relax on Jacksonville Beach, or get a sugary treat at Sweet Pete's.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island is a little bit further north than Jacksonville, and a perfect place to escape with kids. It's unspoiled beaches and lovely state parks make it a kid-friendly spot without all the hustle and bustle of the larger cities in Florida.

We stayed at the Omni Amelia Island and it was a dream! The workers were so warm and welcoming to the kids, and we had the best time looking for shark teeth on the beach and swimming in the heated pools.

Visit Fort Clinch State Park for some history and nature, then head to downtown Fernandina Beach for small shops and local restaurants.

Read: 10 Reasons the Omni Amelia Island Resort is Perfect for a Family Vacation

Daytona Beach

If you head south from St. Augustine, you'll eventually find yourself in Daytona Beach. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk is brimming with old-fashioned family fun with arcades, shops, and water parks!

The beaches are wide with soft white sand, and there are plenty of family-friendly oceanfront hotels to choose from.

You could Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball game, tour a chocolate factory, or visit the Daytona International Speedway.

Read: Daytona Beach with Kids Travel Guide.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is actually just under a 3-hour drive away from St. Augustine, so it would be doable to combine these 2 charming cities on a family vacation! Savannah is such a fun city to visit with kids with its historic squares, riverfront walkway, and charming houses.

There are plenty of playgrounds and museums to visit there, too, as well as nearby beaches to explore.

Read: Day Trip Guide to Savannah Georgia with Kids

Orlando

If you drive 2 hours southwest of St. Augustine you'll find some of the best theme parks in the world in Orlando.

Spend a few days at Disney World, visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, or swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove.

Read:

Where to Stay in St. Augustine

Since we live nearby, we haven't had a chance to stay in any of the lovely hotels in St. Augustine, but you can find some amazing deals at Booking.com! I would definitely recommend staying in the downtown area if you want to be able to walk everywhere. However, there are less expensive places a bit further out that will give you more space to spread out. Just be aware that if you're renting a car you'll have to pay for parking downtown, which can add up pretty quickly!

We have gone cabin camping at the St. Augustine Beach KOA Holiday, which was a wonderful experience! We stayed in the deluxe cabin with a full bath and shower that sleeps up to 6 people which was perfect for our growing family.

It's especially lovely to visit in the fall (just beware of student field trips) and at Christmastime when you can see the St. Augustine Nights of Lights from November through January when the entire city is decorated in white lights.

It's really spectacular, and fun to take your kids on the Nights of Lights trolley tour which plays Christmas tunes while you enjoy the holiday decor.

St. Augustine is an amazing place to visit in Florida, and there are so many fun things to do with kids!

After spending 5 years living in Florida and traveling around the state as a travel writer, I have over 30 articles on my website with destination guides and tips for visiting the Sunshine State! From theme parks to beautiful beaches, from big cities to beach towns, there really is something for every age and every type of traveler in Florida.

Whether your family prefers theme parks, water parks, state parks, or national parks, Florida has something for everyone!