Things To Do With Kids

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The Best Family Sightseeing and Attractions in St. Augustine

The most efficient and entertaining way to visit the family-friendly attractions in the Nation’s Oldest City is with Old Town Trolley Tours. This essential hop-on, hop-off service offers a relaxing way for parents to tour, eliminating the stress of navigation and expensive parking. Old Town Trolley Tours connects families directly to over 100 points of interest, including historic landmarks and engaging museums that captivate all ages.

Why Old Town Trolley Tours is Ideal for Kids

• Ultimate Convenience: Families can avoid driving and parking in congested areas; the trolley provides continuous service between major stops.
• Engaging Narration: Travel time becomes part of the adventure as expert conductors share fun, true stories and interesting facts about St. Augustine’s famous and infamous history.
• Easy Access:Stops are conveniently located near the most popular kids’ destinations, minimizing the amount of walking required for little legs.
• Time Maximization:The hop-on, hop-off system allows families to spend as much time as desired at attractions like the Old Jail before easily rejoining the tour.

Top Highlights for a Family Day in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Attractions Accessible by Trolley Old Town Trolley Tours places families directly near the city’s most educational and interactive experiences.

• Historic Sites:The tour starts at the Old Jail (Stop #1) for a glimpse of 19th-century justice and offers easy access to the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse near the City Gates.
• Interactive Museums: Families can hop off near the original Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, where kids can see real pirate gold.
• Nature & Views: For island adventures, families can transfer to the Beach Bus shuttle at Stop #14 (Plaza de la Constitución). This shuttle runs approximately every hour and provides transportation to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
• Famous Landmarks:Enjoy doorstep access to the Castillo de San Marcos (Stop #17), the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States and a National Park Service site.

Unlock Adventures at St. Augustine’s Old Jail

The Old Jail, that is! Built by Henry Flagler in 1891, it was designed to look like one of his fine hotels and is one of the few surviving 19th century jails. Prisoners were incarcerated here for more than 60 years. Take a guided tour led by an expert Deputy and step inside the men and women’s tiny cement cells – kids and adults alike are fascinated by how small the cells are. You can also see the living quarters of the Sheriff and his family; they lived right upstairs from the prisoners! There’s a collection of weapons that were used in actual crimes on display and one of the scariest sheriff’s ever known to mankind, Joe Perry is waiting to meet you.

Take a Ghost Tour

For older kids, explore the darker side of the Nation’s Oldest City. Prepare yourself for a Frightseeing Adventure like none other as your resident Ghost Host shares tales both true and truly unnerving of the city’s tumultuous past. Discover the secrets of the Tolomato Cemetery and the apparition seen playing on the sacred grounds after dark. Could it be the spirit of five-year-old James or is it the Ghost Bride, still waiting for her walk down the aisle. Be sure to keep a watchful eye while passing by the old City Gates. Don’t miss this frightfully fun ghost tour!

Hunt for pirate treasure

The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is for every kid that’s been fascinated with pirates – and the adults that still wish they were kids. Step inside and be transported back to the time when pirates scoured the seas for treasure, drew their swords and flew the skull and crossbones flag with pride. At this unique museum, you’ll take a journey back to 17th century, the era of the Golden Age of Piracy. See real pirate gold and one of the only authentic pirate treasure chests in the world. There are also high quality animatronics, interactive exhibits, a main deck, a lower deck, a gun deck and the execution dock. From firing a real cannon and witnessing the final battle of Blackbeard and Captain Kid’s final voyage to seeing real pirate movie paraphernalia, this is a museum experience your family will never forget.

Sea the light

The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is a fun and educational outing for the family. Built in 1874, the lighthouse rises 165 feet above sea level and has 219 steps. Kids love climbing to the top and checking out the incredible views of the city and the ocean below. And there’s a walk-in kaleidoscope that they can play in and learn about the science of how the lighthouse works, learn to tie sailor’s knots and play in the shipyard playground.

Immerse yourself in St. Augustine’s history at the Spanish Quarter

Take a captivating journey with your family through the city’s rich history. Participate in a musket drill or climb to the top of a 17th century watchtower for a fun and memorable vacation experience. You can even dine on authentic 18th century British and Spanish food after a day of exploring the Spanish Quarter. Don’t miss out on this St. Augustine must-do in the heart of the historic district.

Fun for the young & young at heart in the ancient city

For a family vacation that has something for everyone in your crew, St. Augustine has it all and more. After you’ve taken the Old Town Trolley Tour, visited the Pirate & Treasure Museum and seen the many historic attractions, spend some time on Crescent Beach or any of the other unspoiled beaches in the area. It’s the perfect ending to an unforgettable family getaway.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

In St. Augustine, you’ll find the original Ripley’s where you can see mystical treasures, international oddities and exotic art forms. The attraction opened shortly after Robert Ripley’s death in 1950 and remains a popular point of interest for visitors and locals alike. Located in a beautifully restored 1887 historic landmark, a trip to Ripley’s is fun and exciting for the whole family. More on Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is a charming historical icon in St. Augustine. Inside the completely handmade structure, children and families can enjoy the automated teacher and students dressed in period clothing. Visitors learn about the barter system, subjects studied and use of the dunce cap. More on the Oldest Wooden School House.

Castillo de San Marcos

This is the one place no one should miss when coming to St. Augustine. The fort is the oldest and largest stone fort in the continental U.S. The fort was built by the Spanish during 1672 – 1695 with blocks of coquina. Ranger tours are available each day, and live cannon firings are held most Saturdays. A National Park Service facility. More on Castillo de San Marcos.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park

From crocodile feedings to a Komodo dragon, this alligator farm has it all. Families will love exploring the exhibits and participating in a variety of educational programs during a visit to the zoological preserve. The recently added Crocodile Crossing zip line has become a park favorite, where guests can zip across Alligator Lagoon and experience the zoo from new heights. More on the Alligator Farm.

Whetstone Chocolates Tasting Tours

For a sweet and unique treat, visit Whetstone Chocolates Tasting Tours. Henry and Esther Whetstone opened their first ice cream shop in 1966, and the business has grown from there. Tourists and locals alike can purchase a a chocolate tasting factory tour ticket, sample delicious chocolate and learn about the history of chocolate making. More on Whetstone Chocolates Tasting Tours.

Family Fun Factory

Go Karts and more. At the Outlet Mall, I-95 and S.R. 16. (Exit 318)