Saint Augustine Weekend With Kids

My favorite weekend getaways with kids combine hands on learning with free range fun and a little bit of culture. I love taking my kids to a place that lets them have an up close and personal experience with something they've learned about in school. Saint Augustine, Florida - which is the oldest continually occupied city in the United States - is a great example of a city that provides educational opportunities along side family-friendly and fun activities. It also offers a historical perspective we don't hear about near as much - the Spanish settlers who came to our shores long before the British. Although most of the tourists I notice in this area are usually well beyond school (and working) years, I think it's a great place for a family with young kids to visit.

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Holiday Inn Express St Augustine
The Holiday Inn Express isn't historic (although the outdoor architecture is beautiful), but it is conveniently located. The hotel is easy to access just off Highway 1 with plenty of parking, which you won't find at many of the hotels in the historic downtown section. You can easily get downtown by shuttle, which is available from ma... More >
The Holiday Inn Express isn't historic (although the outdoor architecture is beautiful), but it is conveniently located. The hotel is easy to access just off Highway 1 with plenty of parking, which you won't find at many of the hotels in the historic downtown section. You can easily get downtown by shuttle, which is available from many of the tour companies for free. A family suite provides plenty of room for a family of four and kids eat free at the hotel restaurant. Bonus? There's a pool!
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Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
You will be pleasantly surprised at how good the food is in this humbly decorated, New Orleans style restaurant. Request a table upstairs to enjoy a great view of the water or dine al fresco in the beautiful courtyard. If you have small children, consider skipping the kids menu and sharing one of the generously portioned adult meals ... More >
You will be pleasantly surprised at how good the food is in this humbly decorated, New Orleans style restaurant. Request a table upstairs to enjoy a great view of the water or dine al fresco in the beautiful courtyard. If you have small children, consider skipping the kids menu and sharing one of the generously portioned adult meals and appetizers. The jambalaya is probably the best I've had in a restaurant and I could barely keep my kids out of it!
The Old Jail is exactly what it sounds like - an old jail used for about 60 years in the last 1800s and early 1900s.
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Castillo De San Marcos
This masonry fort, the oldest in the United States, was never defeated. It's a really cool place for kids to run around, climb and explore. You can walk around the outside of the fort for free and even watch a demonstration of the firing of the canons. For a fee, you can go inside the fort and learn more about the history of the Cas... More >
This masonry fort, the oldest in the United States, was never defeated. It's a really cool place for kids to run around, climb and explore. You can walk around the outside of the fort for free and even watch a demonstration of the firing of the canons. For a fee, you can go inside the fort and learn more about the history of the Castillo de San Marcos. At night you'll find guides from local ghost tours around the fort walls telling scary stories of pirates and hangings.
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Lightner Museum
My kids and I were drawn to the Lightner Museum only because of how amazing it looked from the outside. We spent several minutes in the courtyard of what was once a luxury hotel before finally making our way into the museum. I'm not entirely sure what the theme of this museum is supposed to be, but it seemed to be a random collection... More >
My kids and I were drawn to the Lightner Museum only because of how amazing it looked from the outside. We spent several minutes in the courtyard of what was once a luxury hotel before finally making our way into the museum. I'm not entirely sure what the theme of this museum is supposed to be, but it seemed to be a random collection of interesting artifacts. We saw everything from a shrunken head to fine china. Have the kids get a scavenger hunt list from the gift shop to really get them engaged!
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St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum
Climb 291 steps to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse, which is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the Old City. You shouldn't have any ghost encounters, however, if you visit during the day. The climb to the top is easy enough for a child (my 5 year old had no problem), but the view might be unnerving if you're afr... More >
Climb 291 steps to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse, which is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the Old City. You shouldn't have any ghost encounters, however, if you visit during the day. The climb to the top is easy enough for a child (my 5 year old had no problem), but the view might be unnerving if you're afraid of heights. If you can step out at the top, however, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and great photo opps!
It's a really cool place for kids to run around, climb and explore.
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Authentic Old Jail
As an adult, the Old Jail may seem a bit cheesy, but the interactive storytelling done by the local "criminals" and "jailers" makes this attraction pretty fun for little kids. The Old Jail is exactly what it sounds like - an old jail used for about 60 years in the last 1800s and early 1900s. It's an interesting look at life back then, not just for criminals. The attached home of the sheriff includes artifacts like an old... More
As an adult, the Old Jail may seem a bit cheesy, but the interactive storytelling done by the local "criminals" and "jailers" makes this attraction pretty fun for little kids. The Old Jail is exactly what it sounds like - an old jail used for about 60 years in the last 1800s and early 1900s. It's an interesting look at life back then, not just for criminals. The attached home of the sheriff includes artifacts like an old typewriter and telephone.
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About the Author

Britt Reints
Britt Reints
Professional Writer, Full-time Wanderer.
Websitefacebook.com/Missbritt
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