St. Augustine, Florida with Kids
If you’re looking for a way to get your kids hooked on history while also having a beach vacation- check out St. Augustine. The oldest permanently settled city by a European power in present day United States (older than Jamestown!), this city is an open-air history museum- all with pristine beaches and fascinating architecture nearby. Here were our favorite places to visit in St. Augustine, Florida with kids.
The Fort (Castillo de San Marcos National Monument)
The Spanish settled St. Augustine in 1565- a whole 42 years earlier before the English settled Jamestown, VA. A key part of defending that Spanish settlement was the fort- Castillo de San Marcos. While it’s not as old as the city itself (construction on the fort began in 1672), it is still the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
Today it is a part of the National Park Service, and it is an absolute must see while in St. Augustine.
Situated right on the water, this fort is the heart of St. Augustine. The views of the fort from the outside are incredible alone, but once you enter you cross over bridges and into the center of the fort.
The lower level of the fort has exhibits set up featuring different aspects of life in the fort or the fort’s history and there’s something of interest for everyone.
On the upper level of the fort you can explore different lookouts and get incredible views of the river.
For kids- this is the best place to pretend they’re a Spaniard from centuries ago keeping an eye out for British ships.
Don’t Miss- The Jr. Ranger Program
And be sure to ask about the Jr. Ranger Program. We complete the Jr. Ranger programs at every NPS site we visit with our kids, and this one was quite possibly one of the best we’ve seen so far.
They not only have a booklet that is perfect for elementary schoolers, but a sheet that is great for toddlers and preschoolers as well! I loved that for my kindergartner, it really encouraged her to notice details about the fort that we would have missed otherwise.
One task even had her ask a park ranger their favorite thing about working there. And the park ranger that spoke to my daughters was AMAZING. She took the time to really answer my five year old’s questions, she engaged with her, and she took my daughter seriously. I can’t recommend the Jr. Ranger Program enough. (Plus, it’s free and they get to earn a badge!)
We spent a couple of hours here, but we could have easily spent more time.
St. George’s Street and the Oldest Street in America
Just across the street from the fort you’ll find St. George’s Street. This is one of the oldest cities in St. Augustine and today it is for pediestrian traffic only. Restaurants, ice cream places, and gift shops fill the street and it’s a neat area to walk through. (Think Gatlinburg- but historic.)
On the other end of St. George’s Street is the oldest street in America. Plaques mark it- you can’t miss it.
When visiting St. Augstine with kids- this is a must do. Where else can they say they’ve walked down the oldest streets in the United States??
I actually liked this street a lot more. Much less touristy, you really felt like you were in a historic city. On this street are also historic houses and buildings that are interesting.
We were short on time so we didn’t linger a ton hereand I’m not a huge shopper), but we all really enjoyed experiencing this cobblestone street. My girls loved how different the street looked from ones we’re used to at home, and my kindergartener LOVED knowing that she was walking on the oldest street in the United States.
And I loved that it was free.
Flagler College
Walking just a bit past St. George’s Street, you’ll come across Flagler College. Before it was Flagler College, this was the site of a luxurious hotel built during the Gilded Age.
The architecture is absolutely stunning. Spanish influences are heavy throughout the buildings and while walking around the grounds, you can definitely feel like you’re walking through an old city in Spain.
The details on each building and fountain are unique and intricate, and my girls loved noticing all of the different etchings.
The interior of the main building is also a prime example of Gilded Age architecture, with ornate ceilings, banisters, and sculptures.
And while I know that people normally don’t think “kids will love this architecture”- these buildings were so beautiful and unique that even my very small children LOVED walking around.
Anastasia State Park
For as crowded as St. Augustine was on the day we visited- we had Anastasia State Park almost completely to ourselves.
This park is absolutely beautiful. There’s a campground, walks amongst the sand dunes, a great playground, and a small eatery/store with souvineers. It’s a perfect place to visit with kids.
But the real treat are the beaches. These are some of the most pristine beaches I’ve seen on the Atlantic coast.
I’d love to come back and camp at Anastasia State Park and be able to spend more time here soaking in the views of the Atlantic Ocean.
And only a few minutes outside of St. Augustine, this would be a great place to either camp in and then use as a hub to explore the city or just get away from the crowds for a bit for a quiet picnic lunch.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Every kid loves lighthouses, right? If you’re visiting St. Augustine with kids, think about adding this to your list.
The lighthouse that is currently here was built in the late 1800s, but this site has been the site of different watch towers since the time of Spanish colonization.
The history here alone marks major changes in Florida history, from Spanish colonization, to belonging to the British, to eventually becoming a part of the United States.
You can climb the stairs of the lighthouse to see the views at the top.
Additionally, there is a maritime museum if you’re wanting to learn more about St. Augustine’s history.
If you’re low on time though, you can see views of the lighthouse from Anastatia State Park.
Logistics with Kids
The main area of St. Augustine is definitely walkable, but if you have little kids, I highly recommend a stroller wagon. Make sure your stroller wagon can go over cobblestone streets and uneven terrain. Our stroller wagon is absolutely what made it possible for us to cover so much ground in such little time with two little kids along for the ride.
For parking, there is free parking in front of the fort, but it fills up fast. I highly recommend parking in the paid garage just a block or so away from the fort. While I hate having to pay for parking as a rule, there were ample spaces and it was a convenient location.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more money, you could also consider the trolley tours that go through the city. You can hop on and off at different spots and learn more about the city along the way. Because we were short on time and trying to keep this trip under budget, we decided to just walk, but a trolley tour is definitely something I would consider on a future trip.
All in all, we loved visiting St. Augustine, Florida with our kids. The beaches and the unique history made for such a memorable trip.
And if you’re staying in the Orlando area, it’s only a couple of hours away and can make for a fun day trip.
And if you are in the Orlando area and looking for budget friendly things to do with kids (that’s not Disney), check out my post here.
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