Last updated on February 17th, 2026
Looking for fun things to do in St. Augustine with kids? We’ve rounded them all up here!
How do you find the right balance between fun, education, and a little R&R when traveling with kids and teens? St. Augustine, Florida makes this an easy question to answer!
Known as America’s Oldest City, St. Augustine, Florida has an unparalleled history and all the museums, historic buildings, and points of interest to go along with it! But there’s so much more to this town for families to explore. Beaches, historic sites, unique dining experiences, and plenty of adventures waiting to be had make St. Augustine an ideal family vacation destination.
We visit Florida often and spend a lot of time exploring St. Augustine. St. Augustine is located on the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Florida, also known as the Historic Coast. It is less than two hours away from Orlando, making this a doable day trip or a great extension to your Walt Disney World vacation if you want to add on some time at the beach.
Top 5 Picks: Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best family-friendly things to do in St. Augustine, I am here to help! Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
► Check out the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
► Play on the beach – one of the nicest stretches of sand on Florida’s Atlantic coast!
► Explore the area on the St. Augustine Hop On Hop Off Old Town Trolley Tour
► Take a sip of water and wander around the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
► Stroll through the historic district and visit the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
Keep reading for more details on these top five things to do in St. Augustine, plus lots more ideas to help you plan your trip!
Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids
From spending time at the beach to zip lining over alligators, here are the 21 best things to do in St. Augustine with kids and teens.
1. Zip Line & Explore the Alligator Farm
A visit to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a must. It opened in 1893, making it one of the oldest attractions in Florida.
The park is home to dozens of alligators and crocodiles, including rare species from around the world, as well as exotic birds, reptiles, lemurs, and monkeys. Elevated boardwalks wind through lush tropical exhibits, making it easy to explore while getting up close to the animals. Kids especially love watching the daily alligator feedings and live wildlife shows, which are both entertaining and educational.
One of the most unique features of the Alligator Farm is the rookery, where hundreds of birds nest in the trees above the alligator exhibits during nesting season. Seeing birds, gators, and crocodiles sharing the same space is fascinating and unlike anything you’ll see at a typical zoo. This was absolutely our favorite part of visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
There also are daily wildlife shows and alligator feedings. The Alligator Farm is definitely one of the best things to do with kids in St. Augustine!
But if you are visiting with older kids or teens, the real thrill here is the Crocodile Crossing Zip Line. Crocodile Crossing is a high ropes course and zip line tour that goes right over the alligators and crocodiles!
There are two different courses to choose from – a short route, the Sepik course, goes a maximum of 20 feet high and takes about 45 minutes. The second route, the Nile, is for the more adventurous! It goes a maximum of 60 feet high and takes about 90 minutes.
Both zip lining courses at the Alligator Farm take you through the treetops and over exhibits, including the Land of Crocodiles. But don’t be too scared; everyone wears a harness and is connected to a safety line.
- 999 Anastasia Boulevard, St. Augustine
- alligatorfarm.com
2. See the Sights on the Old Town Trolley Tour
There’s a lot to see in America’s oldest city! How to make sure you don’t miss anything? Hop aboard the Old Town Trolley and hop off at various stops to check out all the cool things to do in St. Augustine. Narrated by a live tour guide, the Old Town Trolley stops at 22 locations around the city, plus has a separate beach line you can take.
► Click here to read all about Exploring St. Augustine on the Old Town Trolley Tour.
If you are not staying at a hotel right downtown, I recommend starting the tour at Stop #1. This is Old Town Trolley depot. This stop offers free parking – something you won’t find much of anywhere else in St. Augustine. This makes it the perfect place to start your day!
Stop #1 is also where you will find the St. Augustine History Museum, Oldest Store Museum, and the Old Jail – more on that below!
The Old Store Museum was one of our favorite attractions in St. Augustine. Led by a fun and informative tour guide, it offers a peek at the type of items sold in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Admission to the St. Augustine History Museum is included with your Old Town Trolley’s Hop On Hop Off Tour. It is located in a building right next to the trolley loading area. We enjoyed this museum very much! It showcases the area’s origins and was a great introduction to our St. Augustine vacation.
3. Stroll the Historic District
With over 20 historical sites, St. Augustine’s Historic Downtown Area is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a compact and very walkable area, with lots of beautiful old buildings, museums, churches, and dining options.
Spend some time in the Colonial Quarter, a two-acre area in the center of downtown St. Augustine. The Colonial Quarter is a living history museum where visitors can experience what life was like in St. Augustine centuries ago. You can take a self-guided tour at your own pace, or join a guided tour. There are lots of spots where kids can participate in hands-on activities, along with demonstrations such as a blacksmith making tools and cooking utensils.
The Colonial Quarter also has a 35-foot tall watchtower from the 17th century. Climbing the tower is one of the most popular things to do in St. Augustine with kids!
St. Augustine’s Historic District is close to the fort, Pirate Museum, Colonial Quarter, Potter’s Wax Museum, and the waterfront, so it is easy to combine these popular activities in a day.
4. Visit the Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail was constructed in 1891 and served as the jailhouse for the city of St. Augustine until it closed in 1953. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Today, the Old Jail Museum is one of the most popular attractions in St. Augustine. More than just a museum, you’ll be taken on a tour by a costumed guide and hear stories about the inmates who once called this jail home and what life was like at the prison.
We did not originally plan to visit the Old Jail Museum, but bought our tickets on a whim when we arrived to catch the Old Town Trolley. This ended up being one of our favorite places in St. Augustine!
Tours depart every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, and night tours of the Old Jail are offered as part of the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour.
- 167 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine
► Click here for discount tickets to the Old Jail Museum
5. Visit the Pirate Museum
If there’s one museum I highly recommend for kids, this is this one! The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum has nearly 50 displays and exhibits detailing the fascinating – sometimes scary – history of pirates going back more than 300 years.
There are authentic artifacts, cannons, and even interactive experiences for kids, teens, and adults of all ages to enjoy. It is truly one of the best things to do in St. Augustine with kids!
My son especially loved the interactive activities and exhibit featuring artifacts of the Red Sea Pirates.
There is also a very cool exhibit featuring pirates in the movies.
Upon paying admission, museum staff will give you a treasure map and you can hunt for treasures hidden around the museum in spots marked with a skull and crossbones (as in X Marks the Spot!). This makes for a truly fun and interactive learning experience. At the end, kids who complete the activity get a prize.
- 12 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
- thepiratemuseum.com
6. Take a Scenic Boat Ride
See St. Augustine from along the Intracoastal Waterway and Matanzas Bay on a St. Augustine Scenic Cruise.
The boat tour is about 75 minutes long and cruises past many of the area’s waterfront attractions, including Castillo de San Marcos, the Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine Lighthouse, and much more.
We took this tour late in the day after sightseeing, and it was so nice to be able to kick back, sip a cold drink, and just enjoy the sights and lovely sea breeze. We even got to see dolphins!
The tour is narrated, so you learn about the area and the homes and landmarks on the water. Tours depart several times a day from Municipal Marina, just south of Bridge of Lions in Downtown St. Augustine.
7. Check Out the Fort at Castillo de San Marcos
Castillo de San Marcos sits along the coastline of the Old City and is within walking distance from the downtown area. It was built by the Spanish in 1695 to protect their treasure fleets from the British and from pirates. This national monument is the oldest masonry fort in the country.
Kids will enjoy exploring the fort, checking out the cannons and learning about how the military lived and worked. Best of all, the entrance to this fort is just $15.00 per adult and children 15 years old and younger are admitted free. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, admission is also free!
Castillo de San Marcos sits along the coastline of the Old City and is within walking distance of the downtown area.
- 11 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
- nps.gov
8. Take the Free Ferry to Fort Matanzas National Monument
For a quieter and often overlooked historical experience, head to Fort Matanzas National Monument. This small but fascinating site protects the southern approach to St. Augustine and offers a fun adventure for families.
The highlight for kids is the free ferry ride across the Matanzas River to reach the fort. The short boat trip alone makes this a memorable experience! Once on the island, you can explore the historic coquina stone fort, learn about Spanish colonial defenses, and enjoy views of the surrounding marshlands.
The visit is relatively quick, making it perfect for families with younger kids or as a half-day outing paired with beach time nearby. Admission and ferry rides are completely free, which makes this one of the best budget-friendly things to do in St. Augustine.
The ferry runs Thursday through Monday, every hour from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is completely free, but boarding passes are required for every person including children and babies, and they must be picked up in persona at the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center located within the park. I recommend going early in the day to ensure you are able to get passes, especially during busy times of year!
- 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine
- nps.gov/foma
9. Enjoy Some Beach Time
Having time to play at the beach is a must when you’re visiting the Florida coast! St. Augustine consists of more than 40 miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, where Spanish explorers first set foot hundreds of years ago.
Beaches in St. Augustine are free to enjoy and parking is easy to find, making beach time hassle-free.
We stayed in Vilano Beach and really enjoyed this beautiful and quiet stretch of sand. There are lots of shells on this beach, so if you like to hunt for shells this might be the perfect spot.
One of the most popular and family friendly beaches is Anastasia State Park. Anastasia State Park is a 1,600-acre state park, located on the peninsula on Anastasia Island, across Matanzas Bay from downtown St. Augustine.
10. Eat at an Authentic Spanish Tavern
Get a real feel for what life in America’s oldest city was like by dining at an authentic Spanish tavern. There are two in Old Town, both resembling the 40 or so taverns that were here during the 18th Century, right down to the wooden tables and lanterns!
We had lunch at the Taberna del Caballo on George Street in the Colonial Quarter, just steps from the Pirate Museum. It was the perfect place to take a break midway through our visit and regroup to plan the rest of our day.
There are many other unique and historic spots where you can enjoy a great meal in Old Town. Another one of our favorites is Columbia Restaurant.
Located in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district, Columbia Restaurant is a great choice for lunch or dinner. It has been in business since 1905.
The atmosphere at Columbia Restaurant is upscale without being stuffy, and the decor is bright and unique. It is filled with old-world charm. The menu is a mix of traditional favorites and Spanish tapas and entrees for more adventurous eaters.
I ordered their Original “1905” Salad – one of Columbia Restaurant’s signature dishes. It was tossed tableside and features lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, and their famous garlic dressing.
We also tried the black bean cakes and scallops as an appetizer, which were tasty and perfect for sharing!
11. Discover Haunts on a St. Augustine Ghost Tour
Explore the darker side of St. Augustine with a nighttime ghost tour. Several companies offer ghost tours, including the Ghosts & Gravestones Haunted Trolley Tour which will take you on a trolley ride and into some of St. Augustine’s most notoriously haunted sites – including the Lighthouse, Old Jail and Wax Museum.
We did the St. Augustine Ghost Tour, which is a walking tour of the downtown historic district. It was cool and just moderately scary enough for my 12-year old. For older teens and the truly daring, try one St. Augustine’s ghost tours where participants are given electromagnetic meters to detect the presence of ghosts.
Side note: A ghost tour is perfect for teens, but not recommended for young kids! This old town has some legit scary history and it’s even creepier in the dark.
12. Go on a Pirate Ship Adventure
For an unforgettable, hands-on experience kids will absolutely love, set sail on the Black Raven Pirate Ship Adventure. This interactive cruise departs from downtown St. Augustine and transforms families into part of the pirate crew for a swashbuckling voyage on the Matanzas Bay.
During the approximately two-hour cruise, you will be fully immersed in pirate life. Kids can help load cannons, fire water cannons at rival ships, search for treasure, and even learn pirate songs and dances along the way. The energetic pirate crew stays in character the entire time, keeping kids entertained while parents enjoy the scenic views of St. Augustine from the water.
There are different themed cruises offered throughout the year, including daytime family adventures, sunset sails, and seasonal specialty cruises. Drinks and light snacks are available onboard.
- 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine
- blackravenadventures.com
13. Sail Aboard the Schooner Freedom
For a more relaxed and scenic sailing experience, step aboard The Schooner Freedom, a 76-foot tall ship that offers narrated sailing cruises along the Matanzas Bay. This is a wonderful option for families with older kids, teens, or grandparents who want to enjoy St. Augustine from the water at a slower, more peaceful pace than a pirate ship adventure.
Unlike pirate-themed cruises, this sail focuses on maritime history, sailing traditions, and natural scenery. Drinks are available onboard, and the open deck provides plenty of space to move around and take photos.
The Schooner Freedom features daytime, sunset, and moonlight sails, all of which highlight St. Augustine’s historic waterfront, the Bridge of Lions, and views of Castillo de San Marcos from the water. Passengers can help hoist the sails, making the experience interactive without being overly energetic or noisy.
If you’re looking for one of a relaced and memorable boat experiences in St. Augustine, sailing aboard the Schooner Freedom is a fantastic choice.
- 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine
- schoonerfreedom.com
14. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Chances are you learned about Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth in school, so it is cool to see the legendary sight in person!
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is more than just a spring – although that is a main draw, and you can still help yourself to a sip of water. (Spoiler alert, I did not get any younger!)
The park includes a number of attractions including a planetarium, an old Spanish village, blacksmith shop, live cannon demonstrations, a watchtower, and numerous other exhibits and activities.
Keep an eye out for the beautiful free-roaming peacocks that live at the park. We spotted this one trying to decide what to drink 😉
- 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine
- fountainofyouthflorida.com
15. Visit the Lightner Museum
Granted, this attraction may be a little more appealing to adults, but it is a great museum in a historic building that should not be missed! Our family loves visiting museums when we travel, so going to the Lightner Museum was a no-brainer and we truly loved the exhibits inside showcasing the area’s history.
Occupying the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. The museum houses a number of permanent and rotating exhibits.
Consider having lunch at Café Alcazar. Located in the former swimming pool of the Hotel Alcazar, the café sources local ingredients to create a delicious menu, and the experience is one of a kind!
- 75 King Street, St. Augustine
- lightnermuseum.org
16. Go Inside America’s Oldest Wooden School House
Nothing will make your kids appreciate going to school in this day and age than a visit to the Oldest Wooden School House.
Located in the historic downtown area, this small museum depicts what life was like for teachers and students hundreds of years ago. My favorite was the list of Rules for Teachers from 1872 including this gem: “Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.”
“Tuition” to enter the Old School House is less than $8 per person, making this a quick and inexpensive site to visit.
- 20-30 St George Street, St. Augustine
- oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com
17. Explore Anastasia State Park
If your family enjoys nature and outdoor adventures, Anastasia State Park is a must-visit while in St. Augustine. This beautiful 1,600-acre park is located on Anastasia Island, just minutes from St. Augustine’s historic district. It offers a perfect mix of beach time and natural exploration.
Families can enjoy miles of pristine sandy beaches, scenic hiking and biking trails, and calm waterways ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including birds, dolphins, and even the occasional manatee, making it a great spot for kids to learn about Florida’s coastal ecosystem.
There are also picnic areas, playgrounds, and seasonal ranger-led programs that are especially fun and educational for kids. Whether you’re looking to relax by the ocean or get active outdoors, Anastasia State Park is one of the best things to do in St. Augustine with kids.
- 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine
- floridastateparks.org
18. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Located at the oldest maritime port, the St. Augustine Lighthouse features a climb of 219 steps to the top for fantastic views of the beach and city.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum also features a lighthouse keeper’s house from 1876. It has been transformed into a great museum covering centuries of maritime history from in and around St. Augustine. We really enjoyed exploring the house; it was small but gave us a very interesting peak into history.
We climbed the lighthouse and it was honestly not too bad, though the stairs do get very narrow toward the top so stay close to little kids if you go up. The views from the top are worth the climb!
- 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine
- staugustinelighthouse.org
19. Go Dolphin Watching on a Boat Tour
Seeing dolphins in the wild is always a highlight for kids, and St. Augustine offers several excellent dolphin and wildlife boat tours. These tours cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway and Matanzas Bay, where bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted swimming alongside the boats.
Many dolphin tours are family-friendly and narrated, sharing fun facts about local marine life, coastal history, and landmarks like the Bridge of Lions and historic waterfront homes. Some operators also offer sunset cruises, which are especially popular with teens and parents.
Boat tours typically last 60–90 minutes and are a relaxing way to experience St. Augustine from the water while keeping kids entertained. If your family loves wildlife encounters, this is one of the most memorable things to do in St. Augustine with kids.
► Click here to explore discount tickets for Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tours
20. Score a Hole in One
One of our favorite ways to relax and have fun as a family is by playing miniature golf. In this age of electronics, it is great to be able to be outside together and share a laugh and some friendly competition.
There are several great mini golf courses in St. Augustine Beach. Our absolute favorite is Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf. It is a beautifully designed 18-hole course located right on beachfront so you can take in views of the Atlantic Ocean while you play.
My son and I played two nights in a row at Fiesta Falls (the first night we got rained out half way through the course and they let us come back for free the next day) and had a blast!
The course’s centerpiece is a giant 65-foot pirate ship. There are also lots of water falls and other fun things to see. Plus, Fiesta Falls sells ice cream and slushies, so you can indulge with a treat at the end of your game.
The course is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (9:30 on Friday and Saturday), so if you are looking for something fun to do at night with kids, this could be a great option!
21. Take a Family Bike Ride
Does your family love to go on bike rides? St. Augustine is a paradise for cyclists and there are plenty of spots to rent. Many hotels in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach also loan out bikes, making this one of the fantastic free things to do with kids in St. Augustine.
Beautiful coastal vistas and the quaint downtown streets of St. Augustine attract bikers from near and far. Try riding the Scenic and Historic AIA Coastal Byway – a route with designated bike lanes between Ponte Vedra Beach to the north and Marineland Dolphin Adventure to the south.
St. Augustine Bike Rentals also offers guided bike tours of the city. This is a great way to explore and stay active while you’re visiting St. Augustine with kids. They even have bikes with child seats if you have one too young to ride on their own!
Where to Stay in St. Augustine
Trying to decide where to stay in St. Augustine? Here are some suggestions based on personal experience.
During our most recent visit to St. Augustine, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine – Vilano Beach. The hotel is located right across the street from a beautiful beach, and yet just a short drive away from Old Town and all the great things to do in St. Augustine.
It was so nice being able to explore the city during the day and then return to our hotel to enjoy time at the beach before dinner. This is the ideal scenario if you are visiting St. Augustine with kids!
► Click here to read our honest review of Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine – Vilano Beach.
Alternatively, here are a few other hotel options in Augustine.
Originally built in 1888, Casa Monica Resort & Spa – now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection – will immerse you in luxury and the rich history of St. Augustine. Casa Monica is located in the heart of downtown right across from the Lightner Museum. In addition or its ornate lobby and rooms, the hotel has a beautiful pool, restaurant and spa.
Another great though more casual Marriott property is the Courtyard St. Augustine Beach. I stayed here once with my son and it was a fantastic hotel for families. While it wasn’t right on the sand, it was just across the street from the beach and only a five-minute walk from leaving the room until toes in the water.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in St Augustine with Kids
Whether you are making St. Augustine the focus of your trip or tacking on a few days to a Walt Disney World vacation or Florida road trip, the historic coast is a true gem.
St. Augustine offers a great mix of history, culture, and plenty of opportunities for good old fashioned family fun. With so many awesome things to do in St. Augustine for kids, it is easy to see why this is the perfect destination for family travel!
Save These St. Augustine Attractions for Later!
Planning a family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida? Pin the image below for future reference.
Where I wish I was right now! Lovely post and it looks so relaxing!
Lots of fun things to do in St Augustine! I would love to explore more of Florida and will definitely start here!
These activities sound so fun! I would love to do ziplining!