Things to do in St. Augustine with kids.
My family and I recently traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, and it was just lovely. Traveling always gives me a good dose of inspiration, and I wanted to share that with you here. I’m highlighting some of our fave things about the trip (some fun things to do with kids) as well as giving you a photo tour.
We stayed at an adorable Airbnb cottage with a shared pool. The real treat was that we basically had the pool to ourselves all week. (Note to self: start saving for a pool.) The neighborhood was quiet, with a mix of old and new homes and the lushest landscaping everywhere.
St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in America, so it is chock full of history and old buildings. It’s fascinating to go back in time for a bit.
St. Augustine with Kids
Here are some of the highlights. All the restaurants I’m highlighting here have good kids’ menus (most with crayons/games on the menu to keep kids busy for a little).
- Old Town Trolley Tours: I definitely recommend grabbing some tickets for this in advance. This is all day, hop-on, hop-off trolley at over 20 points of interest throughout St. Augustine and a fantastic way to get around. The tour guides are knowledgeable (and funny!), and it’s a great way to see the points of interest in the city. Make sure you stop at the Oldest Store Museum and the Old Jail – this is a fantastic tour for kids and adults alike. (Bonus: save your Trolley tickets for a discount on select local restaurants as well as Old Town Trolley tours in other cities around the US).
- Potter’s Wax Museum: A fun way to soak up an hour. We stopped here before dinner one night. They have a lot of wax figures from all decades, including presidents, musicians, kings and queens, military figures, and even Michael Jordan and Brittany Spears. No Taylor Swift yet – to my daughter’s disappointment. But still so much fun.
- Catch 27: A great seafood restaurant with many gluten-free options for those needing it (my husband has celiac). If you can swing it, go early and sit in their beautiful courtyard in the back.
- Sunday: A cute, trendy brunch spot with a great outdoor seating area. It looks like it was plucked out of trendy LA.
- Itty Bitty Donuts: We came here almost every morning for donuts and coffee. You would miss it if you didn’t know it was there, so make a point to look out for it. Absolutely delicious mini donuts (great for kids) – the cinnamon is my fave!
- St. Augustine Distillery / Ice Plant: A trolley tour stop and a good place to break for lunch. This small-batch distillery offers free self-guided tours and tastings of their aged bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka. Their restaurant (that’s the Ice Plant) offers delicious food and craft cocktails.
- Declaration & Co: A short walk down from Sunday restaurant and a really cute store with a hod podge of things like stationary, candy, art, and fabulous clothes. A good place to pick up a souvenir T-shirt.
- Caps on the Water: A drive from St. Augustine but worth it for the ambiance. Absolutely gorgeous restaurant on the water. The food was ok, but in fairness, I just had soup and a salad. A great spot for a night out.
- Cousteau’s Waffle and Milkshake Bar: the ultimate indulgence after dinner.
- The Floridian: Southern food with lots of health-conscious and gluten-free options. This restaurant has a laid-back vibe that feels like dinner at a friend’s house. We sat outside in the front courtyard, which is lush and surrounded by palm trees and plants. Favorites: Biscuits & Belly and Fried Green Tomatoes.
- River & Fort: One caveat: we didn’t eat here; we just had a drink for the scenery. It’s a beautiful restaurant with amazing views.
- Honorable Mentions: If we had more time, we would have hit these spots: Golf Hall of Fame, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Castillo’s Craft Bar and Kitchen, Casa Reina, Preserved, and Maple Street Biscuit Company.
Karen Sloan
Karen Sloan is the founder, editor and syndicated content writer of www.decorhint.com. She offers hints of inspiration for everyday living, including home ideas, DIY projects and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared on Google News, MSN, Pioneer Woman, Apartment Therapy, and Bustle, among others.