If you are looking for a cool and exciting holiday destination to choose as a family this year, you don’t have to go anywhere outside the United States to find it. Florida’s St Augustine is one of the top holiday destinations if you are looking for a great and affordable place to go with kids, teens, or toddlers on holiday.
photo source: Flickr.com via Doug Kerr
Here are some of the best things to do in St Augustine with kids.
Is St Augustine a Good Place to Visit with the Kids?
Yes, Florida’s St Augustine can be one of the best places to visit with kids if you want an affordable, safe vacation destination that doesn’t take you outside of the United States for a great cultural experience.
If you want a family-friendly holiday destination with the kids, there are many great reasons you should choose St Augustine.
One of the first reasons St Augustine is a great place for kids is the number of kid-friendly attractions you can find here. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Potter’s Wax Museum and the Fountain of Youth are great things to see in St Augustine.
St Augustine also has many great restaurant destinations where you can go to have a bite to eat with the kids – and rest assured, there are more than enough kid-friendly menu items that will satisfy even the fussiest ones in the family.
St Augustine has a very low crime rate, with less than 40 crimes per 1 000 residents. A visit to St Augustine is almost certainly guaranteed to be safe.
Even compared to other popular Florida towns and cities, St Augustine is one of the best (and safest) areas to choose for a family vacation with the kids.
What is So Special About St Augustine?
Many things make St Augustine a special place and a great place to go on vacation with the family for a break.
One of the best things you can see at St Augustine is attractions like the St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum – or if you like weirder attractions, go visit Ripley’s Believe it Or Not!
St Augustine is special because it’s one of the most easily accessible, friendly beaches in Florida.
Unlike some other beaches, St Augustine gets busy during peak times of the year – but it’s never flooded over with people!
The low crime rate in St Augustine also makes it stand out above some of the other beaches you might have chosen. St Augustine is ranked as one of the safest beaches in the state.
The state of St Augustine is also a place where you can find a lot of history packed into one place. Many museums here can take you through the colorful history of St Augustine through a day tour.
Unique Things to Do in St Augustine with Kids
Ripley’s Believe it or Not
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
If you and the kids want to see some of the weirdest attractions from one of the most famous and original museums of the weird, then you’ll want to plan a visit to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! located at 19 Sam Marco Avenue in St Augustine. It’s one of several famous Ripley’s locations in the United States, and admission can keep kids busy for an entire day (or two).
Potter’s Wax Museum
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Madame Tussaud’s is not the only famous wax museum in the world, but the Potter’s Wax Museum can be found in St Augustine. Admission is affordable, and you will see some of the most lifelike wax creations that will get to everyone’s imagination.
St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
St Augustine has a rich coastal history, which kids will immediately be interested in when parents say the words “real” and “pirates.” The St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is a very informative stop, and you will get to see some real pirate hauls from history along with a great guided tour.
Marineland Dolphin Adventures
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
While you’re so close to the beach, one of the best things you can do with the family is visit Marineland Dolphin Adventures. The company is one of the only reliable ones that will take you out on the water to experience the greatness of dolphins in their natural habitat. A day trip here can be affordable, fun, and informative for everyone — even the adults!
Free Things to Do in St Augustine with Kids
Fountain of Youth
photo source: Flickr.com via Chuck Coker
If you are looking for something fun to do in St Augustine with the kids that won’t cost an awful lot of money, then a visit to the Fountain of Youth is a great way to entertain their sense of wonder without blowing up the budget. The entrance is free and is one of the best photo opportunities.
St Augustine Beach
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
St Augustine Beach is one of the reasons why many people come to the area in the first place, and no vacation visit is complete without going here at least once. A trip to St Augustine Beach is a fantastic way to spend little money but have the best experience of the trip. There’s a lot to see, especially if you keep your cameras at the ready.
St George Street
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
One of the most famous parts of St Augustine to locals is St George Street, where you can find many people selling crafts and some great affordable restaurants, and sometimes you might even be lucky enough to catch a street performer on the move.
The Colonial Quarter
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
New Orleans isn’t the only part of the United States with a Quarter that’s worth seeing. In St Augustine, you will find the Colonial Quarter, which shows some of the most incredible architectural history of the area. Love pretty buildings? You’ll love to see this.
Things to Do in St Augustine Beach with Kids
St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
If you and the kids want an exciting day out that’s not your everyday experience, book a day visit to the St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. This is one of the best visits in St Augustine for nature lovers — and kids will get to see alligators like never before.
St Johns County Ocean Pier
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
If the family wants to spend a day in the water, visit the St Johns County Ocean Pier, where you will find a great family-friendly splash park. Admission is affordable, and there’s an area where parents can watch their kids have fun while keeping a supervising eye on safety.
Anastasia State Park
photo source: Get Archive
Anastasia State Park is a safe state park with many different things to see for the nature-enthused family. If you and the kids don’t mind a short walking trail, this is one of the best attractions for the scenic route.
Kid Friendly Ghost Tours St Augustine
Secrets of St Augustine Ghost Tour
The Secrets of St Augustine Ghost Tour is one of the most prolific ghost tours anywhere in St Augustine, and most of what you will see is friendly for kids to accompany if they don’t mind staying up late.
Ghost Tours of St Augustine
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Ghost Tours of St Augustine is a top-rated tourist attraction, and many locals go on the same tour more than once to see something different every time. Affordable, book your spot ahead, and you might see a ghost.
Where Should I Eat with Kids in St Augustine?
Metro Diner
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The Metro Diner is one of the best-recommended restaurants in St Augustine for families who want to dine close to the beach with a great view of the oceanfront. Everything, including comfort food, is on the menu, including their sweet and sour chicken.
O’Steen’s Restaurant
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O’Steen’s Restaurant takes some of the best seafood from the local coast and serves it responsibly so everyone can enjoy it. If your kids like seafood, this is the perfect restaurant in St Augustine -and the great news is that even if they don’t, there’s a lot else for them to try on the menu.
Borrillo’s Pizzeria, Beer & Wine Garden
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There’s a point in every family vacation where the kids need pizza, and the parents might need a beer. The perfect place in St Augustine for this is Borrillo’s Pizzeria, Beer & Wine Garden – and many appropriate dessert options exist.
What is There to Do in St Augustine for Kids at Night?
St Augustine Night of Lights
photo source: Flickr via Joe Ross
The St Augustine Night of Lights is one of the most famous nighttime attractions you can see in the St Augustine area, and you might be lucky enough to see it if you are vacationing here at the right time of year. The Night of Lights is the perfect way to see the sky light up, and it’s an affordable kid-friendly attraction they’ll never forget.
St Augustine Night Tour
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
There’s almost no better place to see the true beauty of the St Augustine area than late at night. The St Augustine Night Tour is a several-hour-long tour through the most beautiful parts of St Augustine with a tour guide, and you’re allowed to take photos of the best sights on the tour as it proceeds.
St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
While it’s not technically nighttime, a visit to the St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is one of the best things you can do with the family when it’s approaching the afternoon, and you need something to do. The museum closes at 6 PM, and it’s an especially informative place to see with the guided tour.
