In the mid-1500s, the Spanish came upon its first North American land discovery.
No, it wasn’t in the New England area, either.
St. Augustine is the oldest, continuously occupied settlement that came from across the pond in the country.
That’s great for us here in the 21st century, but it did not bode so well for the Native Americans at the time.
Luckily, we have the technology today to tell their stories and a whole lot more about the area.
So, come with us on a journey to learn more about the oldest US town, ghost stories, and all.
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Things to Do in St Augustine With Kids
1. St. Augustine Beach
Offset from downtown is a stretch of beach along the A1.
There are a slew of hotels and restaurants along the road that make taking a snack to the beach much more convenient.
The stretch goes on for four miles in total and there are multiple entry points.
The main spot where visitors go to access the beach is St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park.
However, if you’re staying off A1, the most you need to walk is across two lanes.
Since there are many homes lining the beach, there are plenty of side roads to go down and walk straight on the beach.
2. St. Augustine Lighthouse
The local lighthouse is well known for its age but also one of the most prolific episodes of Ghost Hunters.
Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most haunted places in America.
That might have something to do with the fact that this spot has been in use since the mid-1500s.
Starting out as a wooden watchtower, centuries passed before the lighthouse resembled its current incarnation.
Tours are available that take you all the way to the top but if you want to do something different, go at night.
Dark of the Moon Tour has two parts.
The first takes you through the grounds, including the building that the light keeper called home.
The second is a trip up the stairs.
It can be spooky good fun for kids with the right temperament for such but make sure they are big enough to go up themselves.
Going up requires a lot of energy and carrying a little person might be a bit much.
Views at the top are worth it, though!
3. Anastasia State Park
Come early to Anastasia State Park because closing time is sunset and there’s plenty to check out until then.
To start with, because it’s a park, many travelers to the city don’t realize you can spend the day at a beach here.
Doing so means avoiding the big crowds at St. Augustine Beach.
For convenience, there is a little store at the entrance with all the snacks and needs you may require for your time at Anastasia Park.
Wanting to fish but forgot poles at home?
All the necessary equipment can be purchased at the store.
Aside from the beach, get some shade by taking one of the several diverse trails.
4. Fountain of Youth
It’s not hard to see the beauty Ponce de Leon saw when he came upon the area.
You can almost imagine a big ship spotting land from the ocean and coming through the marshes to explore.
Before getting tickets for the day, there’s a BBQ joint at the entrance.
Once inside, the first thing you’re directed to is the actual fountain for which the place was named.
It’s small, inconspicuous, and would be easy to miss otherwise.
Get a blast from the past by seeing what churches of the day looked like and where the natives were buried.
Many of those natives passed away after converting to Catholicism, so their graves are unusually religious.
Peacocks also roam the place, which is always a lot of fun.
5. Downtown St. Augustine
Also known as Old Town, this area looks and feels like a walk back through time.
Nothing gives that vibe more than the beautiful Spanish architecture.
Another great place to bone up on your exercise, downtown offers a leisurely day of shopping and eating.
Much of the buildings are reminiscent of the past and are similar to a village.
Immediately across from Old Town is a retired fort to tour around.
6. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Want to really spice up the trip?
Come spend the day with alligators, crocodiles, and a menagerie of exotic creatures.
That includes hundreds of birds in varieties of every sort.
The park is exciting and educational.
Talk about a win/win for kids and parents.
7. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Fort Mose is a unique spot because of both historical and cultural significance.
The park is the first free African settlement in North America.
Entering the visitor center opens your eyes to the lives of slaves who were able to escape the colonies.
The fort that was a safe haven to those who fled is no longer standing but the legacy remains.
8. Splash Park
Want a place where the youngest of kiddos feel like the big kids?
On especially warm days, Splash Park has all the fun of the ocean but on a smaller, more engaging scale.
Of course, admittance into the park comes with beach access, so it’s a win for everyone.
9. Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine
If your little one has a love of cars, the car museum is a great way to spend the afternoon.
This isn’t just any car museum.
We’re talking original motor cars from the end of the 19th century through the fastest of the pack today.
Plan ahead, the museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
St. Augustine Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: St. Augustine Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fountain of Youth real?
By real, the best answer is that it is a real location.
Spanish explorers were obsessed with finding treasure.
Ponce de Leon was no exception.
When he came across the Fountain of Youth, he believed it had properties that made it unique and would extend the life of the drinker.
It sounds as nice as the City of Gold, another place that a Spanish explorer was hunting down.
To be fair, the water in the fountain tastes unlike other water.
It has sort of a sulfur flavor to it and is kind of oily.
You can take a cup right over to the actual fountain and try some!
While it may not keep you forever young, you can get a souvenir bottle to take home!
Has St. Augustine become too touristy?
To be fair, St. Augustine is very much a town that is built around tourism.
With that being said, there are ways to avoid massive crowds.
Coming in the offseason, winter would be a great way to avoid spring breakers and kids out of school for the summer.
But, since this article is about things to do with kids, it’s likely that those times of year are exactly when you have the ability to travel.
To make the most of your experience, call ahead to restaurants and make a reservation, so you don’t have to have a massive wait.
Also, don’t be afraid to look just outside the city for more breathable accommodations.
Get a hotel on the water if your group wants to swim more than other things so you’re right where you’ll spend the most time.
The earlier you go to the beach, the earlier you can leave and do something else like get lunch or check out another thing to do.
There are fewer people on the beach in the morning, it’s a clever way of avoiding herds of tourists.
Is St. Augustine a walkable city?
Yes and no.
If you’re staying downtown, yes!
The whole city will be at your fingertips.
That includes touring Old Town and the fort, as well as a multitude of shops.
If you’re staying by the beach but plan to be downtown, it might be less convenient.
With that being said, there are plenty of things to walk to.
Whether you’re staying on the beach or near the attractions.
Does that mean you need a car?
Not necessarily.
There is local transportation, such as trolleys, and plenty of tour shuttles with easy access.
The best thing to do is map out the types of attractions you plan to visit and make a decision based on distance.
When is the best time to visit St. Augustine?
This Floridian city has the benefit of being on the beach so the temperatures keep it enjoyable for longer than other places inland.
Florida in general stays warmer longer than most places, just ask Disney.
So, that means you can visit in December and not be freezing.
It might not be the best time to go swimming, however.
If swimming is your focus, come between May and September.
If sightseeing is your goal, come in the spring or autumn.
Fewer people always make taking in the attractions more pleasant.
It’s also nice not to overheat when walking around.
Being on the coast, St. Augustine has a tendency to be humid.
That’s something to think about if you want to do walking in the summer.
