We recently visited the oldest city in America. To be honest when my husband mentioned going to St. Augustine for the fourth of July weekend I wasn’t too excited. I used to live in Jacksonville, Florida (about 45 minutes north) for about 7 years and so St. Augustine didn’t seem new or exciting.
Oh how I was wrong. Yes I had been to St. Augustine before but I had never taken my kids and I was shocked at how many fun things there were to do for them. I saw a new side of St. Augustine and even though we spent 3 full days seeing all there was to see and eating all there was to eat, I can’t wait to go back again to do and eat more!
If you are looking for a fun family vacation with lots to do, great restaurants, tons of history (it’s always a plus when we can throw in some learning), old world charm, and gorgeous beaches, than St. Augustine is the perfect destination for you.
Where to eat in St. Augustine
Prohibition Kitchen
We had lunch at Prohibition Kitchen when we first got into town and what a great start to an awesome weekend. From the exterior you would never expect the hip feel of this vintage gastropub. This restored theatre had the perfect mix of vintage and contemporary. What is even better? The food and drinks were amazing! My husband had the Mushroom burger which was the best dish at the table (I kept sneaking bites). We started with the Pountie and as a Canadian I have to admit it was pretty much spot on. Another highlight was my delish moscow mule, tasty and refreshing. Overall we loved this place and can’t wait to go back on our next trip.
Pizza Time
Voted number two in the nation and now I know why. This was some really delicious pizza and this is coming from someone who eats a lot of pizza. More of the NY style, the toppings were fresh and the crust was crunchy with tons of flavor.
Hyppo Pops
If you have been reading for a while you know we have been to Hyppo before, they have a few locations in Tampa, and the girls got so excited when they saw the sign. So much yummy goodness for one picture. The original Hyppo is from St. Augustine and so we were excited to give it a try. Cold treats made with real ingredients.Nothing artificial about these treats! 
Cousteau’s
This cute little place sells waffles and milkshakes… so basically my dream come true. 
Ice Plant
We came here for a late night drink after the girls were in bed and let me tell you these original craft cocktails were so delicious. Although we didn’t eat the menu looked amazing, options to make any true foodie happy.
Oasis
An old favorite with items from breakfast to the freshest fish.
Hoptinger
86 beers on tap and some killer food on the menu
Where to stay in St. Augustine
Agustin Inn Bed & Breakfast
In the Historic District, the Agustin Inn is a great choice. The rooms have balconies and lots of charm.
St George Inn
Located on St George Street boutique hotel combines luxurious finishes with historic charm. The large bedrooms are great for families. The breakfast is complimentary.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Casa Monica Resort & Spa is a very upscale four-star hotel. Mediterranean cuisine is at the on-site restaurant.
Hilton Saint Augustine Historic Bayfront
Very near the Castillo de San Marcos and the Matanzas River, the Hilton Saint Augustine has a great location. Their on-site restaurant serves Spanish inspired cuisine.
Things to see in St. Augustine
Beaches
the shell filled sand and dark blue ocean were mesmerizing. We spent an impromptu morning at St. Augustine Beach and were pleasantly surprised. Free parking, clean restrooms and a splash pad and playground for the kids. We brought our JJ Cole Caprice diaper bag and we were set for the perfect day in the sun. This bag has so much space that I was able to pack everything we needed. I love this bag, it’s so beautiful and filled with so many pockets. I especially liked the many outside pockets for easy access. It was the perfect spot for my little beach kit. The matt is also from JJ Cole and perfect for the beach, sitting on towels just doesn’t cut it with 3 little ones and I love how it packs up to easily fit in my trunk.
Forts
One of the most popular destinations in the whole city and really what St. Augustine is known for. There are so many forts within the city, you are your family can play explorers for the day.
St. George Street
If you like historic old buildings on a brick lined street with unique shops and any type of food choice you could possibly imagine… Than St. George Street is for you. We could spend days just exploring all it has to offer. Keep your eye out for the oldest schoolhouse, a fun landmark to show your kids.
Things to do in St. Augustine with Kids
Whetstone chocolate tour
Not too far off St. George Street you will Find the Whetstone Chocolate factory. For $8 you can tour the factory and with that tour came quite a few samples. Totally worth it in my opinion. Plus kids 4 and under are free and let me tell you the kids loved the samples. The tour is about 45 minutes and has some moments when they are watching a movie and listening so just keep that in mind. We went during what would normally be their nap time so it wasn’t exactly “the best” timing but with some chocolates for bribery everything worked out. Also they have to be able to keep the hairnet on during the whole tour, again chocolate bribery works!
Lighthouse Tour
We actually didn’t have time to tour the lighthouse but this is on our bucket list for sure. My girls are still a little young to go up (your little ones needs to be at least 44″ to attempt the stairs). We can’t wait to see the stunning view of the city from the top.
What to know before visiting St. Augustine with Kids
- Be sure to visit the old Carousel when it is open, it’s got a long history
- There are playgrounds all over St. Augustine, many in the downtown
- Marineland is a great place to visit, but a little outside of St. Augustine
- The beaches are almost a separate town from the downtown with lots of character
If you enjoyed this post about Ft. Lauderdale and looking for more Florida Adventures, check out these posts:
Things to do in Orlando with Kids
What are some of your favorite destinations to visit when you are in St. Augustine? Are you planning a vacation soon? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.
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