Ultimate Guide to Kid-Friendly Things to Do in St. Augustine

Summer vacation is creeping its way toward a close. If you’re looking for one last getaway before the season ends, heading to the city of St. Augustine is just the ticket! As the nation’s oldest city, you’ll find a perfect blend of history and fun waiting for you. Tour the historic downtown, visit local museums, hit the beaches and state parks, and get to know the best of Florida’s historic coast.

As you plan your next vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten kid-friendly things to do in St. Augustine. You’ll find a perfect mix of educational activities and quirky stops that will lead you through the Ancient City. Check them out below and start planning your ultimate trip today!

The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Things to Do in St. Augustine

Chocolate Tasting Tour

Come to Whetstone Chocolates in St. Augustine for a fun activity that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age. Their 45-minute chocolates-tasting tour will teach you about different types of chocolate, how to enjoy them, and what makes each type unique.

Learn all about the chocolate-making process during this four-tiered tasting when you visit them on your next vacation.

Tour Details:

• Tickets: Adults: $10.95 | Kids ages 5-17: $8.45 | Children under 5 FREE
• Tour Schedule: Every day on a continuous basis from 10 AM – 3:30 PM
• Perk: Each ticket includes a coupon toward purchase
• Address: 139 King Street

St. Augustine Aquarium

The St. Augustine Aquarium is the perfect way to bring the wonder of the ocean into view. The open-air facility is unlike other aquariums. Here, they prioritize giving you a first-hand experience with nature.

Book a guided tour and let one of their marine biologists introduce you to starfish, horseshoe crabs, sharks, and more! 

You can also book a snorkeling adventure when you visit! The snorkeling tour puts you in a Florida reef environment surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish. You can even hand-feed a Cownose Ray! The aquarium provides everything you need for snorkeling, just bring your swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. 

Aquarium Highlights:

• Touch: starfish, urchins, horseshoe crabs, and more
• Snorkel and Feed: fish and rays
• Book: Every day from 9 AM – 5 PM Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Address: 2045 FL-16

St. Augustine Lighthouse

The St. Augustine Lighthouse has more activities than you may think. As one of the city's most famous landmarks, it’s a definite must-visit. In addition to climbing to the top for incredible views of St. Augustine, you’ll also enjoy lots of hands-on fun.  

Visit four historic structures and the Maritime Education Center. Let the kids run around at the shipyard play area. Learn about wooden boatbuilding. See daily lighthouse demos. Check out shipwreck artifacts and more!

You can also take some time to enjoy the nature trails surrounding the lighthouse. Incorporate a scavenger hunt into your nature exploration for an added dose of fun! As one of the top kid-friendly things to do in St. Augustine, you’re certain to have hours of fun when you visit.

Lighthouse Details:

• Tours: Every day from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, with the last ticket sold at 6 PM
• Tickets: Adults (everyone 13 years and older): $14.95 | Children 12 and under: $12.95 | Seniors age 60 and over: $12.95
• Height Restrictions: Children under 44 inches tall cannot climb the lighthouse and do not need a ticket.
• Address: 100 Red Cox Drive

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

At Ripley’s Believe It or Not St. Augustine, you’ll step back in time to explore a three-story castle from 1887 and learn all about what inspired the very first permanent Ripley’s collection. You'll also get to see everything from an exact replica of the Statue of David to Chewbacca’s fur.

From matchstick recreations of the International Space Station to erector-set lunar capsules, Ripley’s will test the limits of your imagination. Whether you need a rainy day activity or you’re just looking for a bit of “weird” during your visit, they’ve got it all. 

Ripley’s To-Dos:

• Tours and Activities: Tour the main museum or purchase additional tickets and visit the Haunted Castle, Red Train Tours, or Bayfront mini golf. Hours depend on your activity, but the main museum is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.
• Address: 19 San Marco Avenue

Alligator Farm

Get your adventure on at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, where you’ll learn about our native wildlife and the conservation work being done to protect it.

Witness thrilling wildlife shows that feature alligator feedings and interactive experiences. You can even zip line over Crocodile Crossing on one of two courses!

This coastal zoo has all kinds of animals and special events, so visiting them is sure to add a dash of adrenaline and wonder to your vacation.

Alligator Farm Details:

• Admission: Adults ages 12 and up: $34.99 | Children ages 3-11: $19.99 | Zoo Members: FREE
• Zip Line Tours: Sepik River Course: $40.00 | Nile River Course: $70.00
• Address: 999 Anastasia Blvd
• Hours: Every day from 9 AM to 5 PM with extended hours until 6 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Old Town Trolley Ghost Tours

The United States is full of ghost stories, but nowhere are they quite as looming as in St. Augustine: the oldest city in the country. Add a dash of hair-raising, blood-rushing thrills to your trip when you book an Old Town Trolley Ghost Tour! 

Your tour will take you to the Old Jail, through the Tolomato Cemetery, and end with a thrilling visit to Potter’s Wax Museum’s Chamber of Horrors. Enjoy ghost stories and frightening fun on this top tour of St. Augustine’s dark past.

Ghost Tour Info:

• Tickets: Everyone over four years of age: $34.59 (Four and under are free.)
• Duration: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
• Tour Dates: Daily from 7 PM to 9:40 PM
• Address: Tours board at the Welcome Center: 27 San Marco Avenue

Pirate and Treasure Museum

Photo courtesy of The Pirate Museum.

Hoist your sails and batten your hatches at the Pirate and Treasure Museum. Featuring over 800 official artifacts, the museum celebrates all things pirate lore. Can you separate fact from fiction? Listen to the tales that wind from the 1600s through present day and see what wonders you uncover.

To begin your tour, travel back more than 300 years to Port Royal, Jamaica. Explore the 5,000-square-foot museum, where you’ll see everything from swords and doubloons to cannons and treasure chests.

Plan Your Visit:

• Hours: Every day from 10 AM to 7 PM
• Address: 12 South Castillo Drive
• Tickets: Adults (13 – 59): $18.00 | Children (5 – 12): $9.99 | Military Adult: $16.99 (children of military: $8.99) | Senior (60 and up): $15.99

Castillo de San Marcos

After your tour of the Pirate Museum, head around the corner to the Castillo de San Marcos. This historic site was constructed in the 1600s and stands as a testament to old-world craftsmanship. You can take self-guided tours of the grounds every day. On the weekends, get an extra treat with cannon firing and weapons demonstrations!

The site also has a gift shop for unique souvenirs. As the oldest masonry fortress in the United States, history buffs and kids will love exploring this top thing to do in St. Augustine.

Visiting Information:

• Tickets: Adults 16 and older: $15.00 | Everyone 15 and under FREE
• Address: 1 South Castillo Drive
• Parking: Paid parking available in front of the fort

Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the birthplace of St. Augustine. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the first place Ponce de Leon explored in 1513. Here, visitors can enjoy reenactments, exhibits, and even drink from the fountain.

Explore the Timucuan Village and Menendez Settlement, see excavations, and watch blacksmiths working as you wander the area. This fun activity for families takes you back to the nation's early days. Make sure to visit while you're in the area.

Visiting Information:

• Hours: Every day, 9 AM to 6 PM, last ticket sold at 5 PM
• Pet Friendly: Yes!
• Tickets: Adults: $22.95 | Seniors (60+): $20.95 | Children 6-12: $9.95 | Children 5 and under: FREE
• Address: 11 Magnolia Avenue

State Parks and Beaches

It’s no secret one of the most popular kid-friendly things to do in St. Augustine is to go to the beach. From St. Augustine Beach to Crescent Beach or Ponte Vedra Beach to Vilano Beach… if you want to splash in the waves or relax on the miles of white sandy shores during your vacation, St. Augustine has you covered.

In fact, if you’re staying in one of our Coastal Realty vacation rentals, you’ll find some of the best beaches in St. Augustine, all within a short drive of your home!

Splash in the waves, hunt shells, throw the Frisbee, and just enjoy the warm weather, sunsets, and family togetherness. 

In addition to the beaches, Anastasia State Park has nature trails you can hike or bike, as well as weekly programs that teach you about the local ecosystems and habitats in the area.

Dip a toe in the wild Atlantic during your St. Augustine vacation and discover why families return year after year.

Book Your Kid-Friendly Vacation to St. Augustine Today

These activities are just the tip of the iceberg for kid-friendly things to do in St. Augustine. For more fun, you can enjoy a stroll down St. George Street, visit the old wooden schoolhouse, explore more of the historic district, or just relax at your vacation rental.

Browse our St. Augustine vacation rentals and choose from luxury vacation rentals, St. Augustine oceanfront condo rentals, pet-friendly condos, and more! Then, remember to book directly with Coastal Realty so you can lock in the best rate on your choice.

Unlike third-party sites, booking directly means you avoid extra fees, ensuring you get the best rate on your stay. Browse our available properties and book directly today!