Top Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids for the Perfect Family Vacation
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Things To Do | Restaurants | Where To Stay | Close Drive To Space Coast
Are you looking for a beach town that offers more than the stereotypical beach vibes? St. Augustine is your place. We love the blend of historical buildings with modern storefronts and restaurants. Our kids particularly enjoy the cannons sprinkled throughout the historic district, and they had a blast reenacting a pre-Revolutionary War Spanish battle…pun intended. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach trip, exploring coffee shops, or delving into history, St. Augustine is perfect for your family!
Top 3 Things to do in St. Augustine With Kids
There are plenty of things to do in St. Augustine with kids, making it an ideal spot to create memories. Let’s start with our kids' favorite place in town: Castillo de San Marcos. We've visited St. Augustine for several years, and each time we make sure to stop at this Spanish fort, completed in 1695. It’s remarkable how it has withstood cannons, British soldiers, and thousands of visitors and their children every year! As a National Park, it offers Junior Ranger Badges—be sure to talk to a ranger for a booklet to complete as you tour the fort. My boys’ favorite part? The 17th century bathroom situation. I’ll let you discover that on your own.
Get outdoors! Find the off-the-beaten path spots.
I prefer natural landscapes over crowded beaches, which is why Anastasia State Park was a hit for us. It features beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and amenities for a full day of fun. You can rent bikes and kayaks to maximize your time there. Although we haven’t camped there yet, we’ve added it to our list for future stays. It’s an excellent St. Augustine beach campground with lots of trees, electricity, and privacy between sites.
A unique experience you might not have heard of is the light-up kayak tours! Get Up and Go Kayaking offers a sunset LED kayak tour around St. Augustine Lighthouse, which was a giant hit for our kids. Children ages three and up can participate, making it a memorable experience for the whole family.
The Best Restaurants in St. Augustine for Families
We’ve dined at many restaurants in this part of Florida over the years, but here are the best spots for our family with three children. Harry’s has been a favorite, with a beautiful outdoor patio to enjoy the weather and live music. We love Cajun food, and they have plenty of options for kids. Just a tip: they don’t take reservations, so plan to arrive early or have someone wait at the restaurant. The Castillo de San Marcos is a short walk away, so we usually let the kids play in the grassy area while someone stays behind waiting.
Another great dining spot is Sunset Grille, known for its great atmosphere, delicious food, and extensive menu. If you’re not in the mood for a sit-down restaurant, check out Burrito Works Taco Shop. It’s very laid back with outdoor seating, where you order at a window—chill and delicious!
A Great Place to Stay in St. Augustine for Families
For accommodations, Embassy Suites by Hilton right on the beach is a great choice. With a gorgeous pool and beach access, you can relax all day and then head to the historic district for dinner. I love how this hotel has suites so you can have separate rooms if needed, and there is also a Starbuck in the lobby…just saying! Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to your drive to town, as the drawbridge can cause short delays.
A Close Drive from St. Augustine: Experience a Rocket Launch on the Space Coast
St. Augustine Beach
We love this area of Florida for the historic district and beautiful beaches, but another reason we gravitate towards this side of the state is the Space Coast. My husband has a (not so secret) obsession with space and dreams of being an astronaut. So, he drives us to Florida once a year to see a rocket launch. It’s practically the same thing, based on the volume in our car alone.
Sometimes we stay close to Cocoa Beach, other times we stay in St. Augustine, and drive the 1.5 hours to Titusville for a launch. The risk with driving is that launches can get scrubbed, or canceled, at the last minute, which has happened to us before.
Regardless, stop at Burger Robs before or after a launch. These burgers have a special place in my heart, as they formerly hit the spot when we were in a very low place and recovering emotionally from leaving Disney World. (Don’t judge).
There are two places we’ve successfully viewed a rocket launch:
Rocket Launch
Space View Park: Not nearly as grand of an experience, but also much easier to get to, has bathrooms and doesn’t have a police officer yelling at you to not park in the grass.
Playalinda Beach: This is the place to go! You can see, smell, and hear the rocket. It was an amazing experience for us all, even if I had to hide in a bush to pee. (Bathrooms are at the parking lot, but you have to walk along the beach to get to the best viewing spot). The beach is breathtaking, so even without a rocket launch, it’s a great place to spend the day. They do have parking here, but get here early because spots do run out! They also are known to turn cars away once this happens.
Final Thoughts on Visiting St. Augustine
St. Augustine is one of my favorite cities in the country. It’s small, quaint, and historical with the added perk of a beach. If you find beach vacations getting dull by day four, add St. Augustine to your bucket list. It might become a regular destination for you too.
Enjoy the views with cousins.
Use our full itinerary at the link below for your next trip to St. Augustine.
