Best Free (or Cheap) Things To Do in St Augustine with Kids
St. Augustine, in Northeast Florida, is a charming and historic city that offers plenty of activities for families with children. From exploring the city’s rich history to enjoying outdoor adventures, seeing marine life and learning about the variety of cuisine, there are plenty of free things to do in St Augustine with kids. I created this guide to offer great suggestions for a memorable and budget-friendly family day out.
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The History of St. Augustine
With a history dating back to 1565, St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city. Exploring the city’s historic sites is not only educational but also a lot of fun things for kids. From the impressive Castillo de San Marcos to the colorful buildings on St. George Street, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the city’s past while enjoying a scenic walk.
St Augustine is within St Johns County, Florida, and is home to not only the first Coast of the United States but also the National Register of Historic Places, which has listed 55 properties and districts in the county, including 6 National Historic Landmarks. This county has a wealth of educational experience, historic monuments, beautiful architecture, and many activities.
Things to Do in St Augustine
St. Augustine is more than just the old town area, although most of the popular sites are within the cobblestone streets of the historic district. The county offers a lot to do, from free activities and beautiful parks to paid experiences like museums and boat tours. If it’s your first time visiting, I highly recommend booking one of the all-day tour options, they are well worth the price of admission!
If you are a St. Johns County resident, you receive discounts at most of the local museums and locations, including free admission during some months of the year.
St. Augustine has beautiful beaches, a visit to one of the city’s pristine shorelines is a must for families.
- Vilano Beach is in a small beach town with a few hotels, cafes, a Publix and nice restaurants. It’s a great place to stay if you are looking to plan an overnight trip.
- St Augustine Beach is a great spot for a beach vacation! Surrounding the beach area, there are several dining options ranging from casual beachside cafes to seafood restaurants, providing a great opportunity to savor delicious local cuisine with ocean views. The laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere of St. Augustine Beach makes it a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re looking to relax, play in the sun and sand, or enjoy water activities, St. Augustine Beach offers something for everyone.
- Crescent beach. A hidden gem along Florida’s coast, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, tranquility, and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re looking to relax on the sand, explore the coastline, or engage in water sports, Crescent Beach provides an idyllic setting for a memorable beach day.
Take a free ferry ride to Fort Matanzas National Monument. All passengers require a ferry pass which can be picked up from the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center. Parking is limited so I suggest arriving early. Food and drinks are not permitted on the property.
Explore one of the State Parks
- Anastasia State Park has over 1600 acres of beautiful beaches, marshland, nature trails, bike paths, and sand dunes. Anastasia Island State Park is the perfect place to find picnic areas and let the kids run around. With options to sail, kayak, camp, surfing and more, the entire family could easily spend a day in the park.
- Fort Mose Historic State park is free to visit. This is a great experience if you are interested in history or wildlife viewing. I recommend exploring the self-guided Flight to Freedom Trail, which dates back to 1738 and is the first free African settlement. The trail offers insights into the bravery of individuals who risked their lives for freedom and is accompanied by interpretive panels.
Walk the Plaza de la Constitucion, which sits in the middle of the historic downtown area. I always love sitting on a bench here during the weekend to see bridal party photos or listen to street music.
St Augustine Colonial Quarter has free and paid events depending on when you visit. Colonial Oak is a beautiful outdoor venue with free live music Thursday – Saturday. The full experience is paid and tickets are $16 or less, with children under 4 free.
Walk the Bridge of Lions. Named after the two lions guarding the entrance to the bridge, this is a beautiful draw bridge with views from either side or on the bridge.
Walk around Flagler College. One of the most picturesque colleges with gorgeous architecture and photo-worthy buildings.
Tour the cathedral basilica National Shrine of our Lady of Le Leche and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The site is free to visit though donations are encouraged.
Ice cream crawl down St George Street by visiting the plentiful shops along the way. We’re big fans of Mayday and Hyppo popsicles.
Given the variety of free events, you are sure to have a great family day in St Augustine, though there are a few paid experiences worth the cost if you have additional time:
Visit the St Augustine lighthouse grounds for a picnic or climb the lighthouse from $15 or less per person.
Tour the Lightner Museum. The Lightner Museum is housed in the iconic former Hotel Alcazar, offering an extraordinary collection and an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. Children under 11 are free and adults are $20 or less.
Go to the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum tickets are less than $20 per adult and under $10 per child.
See wildlife at the St Augustine Alligator Farm, admission ranges between free for children under 4 and $35 for adults.
Play a round of Mini Golf at Anastasia Miniature golf for $3-$14 per person or Fiesta Falls Mini golf where kids under 3 are free and adults are $14.50.
Potter’s Wax Museum which is America’s first wax museum and has over 160 figures. Children 4 and under are free and adults are $16.
Walk the walls and explore Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. You can always walk around the outside walls and enjoy the views of the harbor, or you can tour the interior for $15 or less per person. There are multiple days throughout the year when admission is free, including, National Public Lands day, MLK day, the first day of National Park week, Juneteenth, and Veterans day.
Playgrounds & Parks
- Go to Treaty Park for recreational activities across its 47 acres of space.
- Project Swing Park is directly across from the parking garage in the historic district
- Splash park at the pier in St Augustine Beach
- Ron Parker Park has a nice playground area
- Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park
Visit one of the markets
- Wednesday pier farmers market in St Augustine Beach on the St Johns County ocean pier every Wednesday mornings
- First Friday Art Walk on the first Friday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., throughout St. Augustine’s historic area, along King Street, St. George, and Aviles Street
- Night market on one night per season you can enjoy live music, local artists, great food and a beautiful atmosphere
- St Augustine Amphitheater Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning
Take a boat tour. The options for boat tours in St Augustine are plentiful. No matter what you are hoping to see, these are a wonderful way to see the town from another angle. Read more about tour options in a previous post.
Tour the historic area by Old Town Trolley. This is a more expensive activity, but it’s worth it! The Old Town Trolley Tour in St. Augustine is a great way to explore the city’s historic sites and learn about its rich history. The tour guide covers all of the major attractions in the city, including the Old Jail, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and the Old City Gates.
The trolley makes various stops along the route, allowing passengers to hop off, explore, and then hop back on the next trolley that comes along. It’s a convenient and informative way to see the best of St. Augustine without having to worry about driving or parking. Plus, the conductors are knowledgeable and entertaining, providing interesting stories and historical facts about the city. Overall, the Old Town Trolley Tour is a must-do for anyone, kids of all ages, who are visiting St. Augustine, and it’s especially great for families with kids! Red Train tours offers a similar style tour!
Money saving idea: If you are interested in 3+ of the paid experiences, I suggest looking into the St Augustine tour pass which includes admission to over 25 experiences.
For older “kids” (21+)
- San Sebastian Winery offers free tours and tastings. The roof deck view for lunch after the tasting is the best part!
- St Augustine Distillery offers free self-guided tours and tastings
- City Gate Distillery offers a free guided tasting
- Ancient City brewing doesn’t host tours but it’s a great spot to get out of the heat if you are visiting in the summer!
- Book a ghost tour! There are multiple options, some including stops at distilleries and pubs and some without.
Where to Park
Parking can be a concern when visiting St. Augustine with kids. However, there are several parking options, including street parking in the downtown area and free parking lots near popular attractions. Please be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during the tourist season.
If you plan to spend all day in the historic area, I suggest parking in the parking garage. You will be near the visitors’ center and in a prime location for activities.
One-Day Itinerary
To make the most of your day in St. Augustine, consider starting with a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos, where kids can explore the historic fort and enjoy scenic views of the waterfront. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll down St. George Street, where you’ll find charming shops and historic sites.
For lunch, head to a waterfront park to enjoy a picnic with stunning views of the Matanzas River. In the afternoon, explore the beautiful beaches and let the kids play in the sand and surf. Wrap up your day with a visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum grounds for a relaxing end to your family adventure.
St. Augustine offers a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, free fun and family-friendly activities, making it an ideal destination for a budget-friendly family day out. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s rich history or enjoying the great outdoors, there are plenty of free things to do in St Augustine with kids that will create lasting memories for your family.
