Though this evening tour only lasts an hour and a half, it packs enough of a spooky and eerie punch that 90 minutes will be plenty. In those days, the seas and land around St. Augustine were territories of Spain at a time when the country was exerting its colonial power. Mango Mangos are particularly known for their corn cakes and jerk chicken, and there are a variety of vegan and gluten-free options available for those with dietary restrictions as well. Youll be led through the darkened prison after the sun sets, and youll learn all the worst stories and exploits in the dead of the night. The Ice Plant Bar is open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. A unique way to experience Saint Augustine is from the water. The museum is full of great exhibits and paraphernalia, much of which show parts of golfs history that arent so well known, like African Americans contributions to the sport long before Tiger Woods was even born. Maybe hundreds of years from now, tourists will visit the site of a Safeway or Target and marvel at the strange things us modern folks used, eat and wore. Also once you have your trolley ticket it is good for 3 days. View 3 reviews on. If you like to get out on the water then the Scenic Cruise of St. Augustine is a great way to do that. Unique Things to Do in St. Augustine -Walk Down the Oldest Street in the U.S. For example, you can view a mummified foot that is said to have been broken off by grave robbers in Egypt. It boasts an abundance of waterfalls, caves, and gazebos that make it both challenging and scenic. I am not sure if they always offer this or if it is more of a pop up thing. Unsubscribe in one click. The museums permanent exhibits include artifacts, historical documents, and weapons, as well as multimedia presentations. The park has four miles of beaches, a fishing pier, 1,600 acres of salt marsh, and one of the best dog friendly beaches in Florida. Its not too well known outside the area, but the coast around St. Augustine is some of the oldest continually inhabited land in the country. It allowed for as many people as you wanted in the picture. Unfortunately, that wasnt fed from a magical spring, it was just from a garden hose. In many ways, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is the modern yin to the historic towns centuries-old yang. Stay alert, or you may walk right by it! Beyond just history, this seaside destination has something for everyone. Explore the old colonial quarter, visit Spanish forts, and of course, enjoy the beaches and the great outdoors too. Address: 112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084. The area is full of fascinating pirate and treasure stories, many of which are very real although theyll sound like excerpts from an old pirate movie. 1. If your kids dont like to sit still that long I recommend coordinating some of your site seeing on the tour so everyone can get off and explore for a little while. St. Augustine is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Keep on reading! He's just as self-assured. Fort Mose was built by the Spanish in the 18th century and was initially intended to be a settlement for freed slaves. The park includes more than 1,500 acres. St . Located on Aviles Street in St. Augustine, the Ximenez-Fatio House was built in the last few years of the 18th century. They also do presentations where you can learn about different kinds of animals and after one of the shows the kids were able to pet a King Snake and ask questions. Plus if you are hungry they have a cafe there too! Our favorite stop was the San Sebastian Winery where they do a free wine tasting! Castillo de San Marcos Courtesy of Felix Mizioznikov - Fotolia.com Castillo de San Marcos is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay and is one of the most popular St. Augustine attractions. Get Tickets EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT! The Colonial Quarter is a great example of preserved Spanish architecture, and its recently been completely renovated as well, in order to preserve this wonderful piece of local history. Well, IT WAS AWESOME!! Some of the highlights include the Huguenot Cemetery and the old city gates. Flagler College A private college now, you can still get tours of this National Historic Landmark daily. Visit Our Site 904-495-4200. Learn how to tie knots, fire a cannon, or hoist the Jolly Roger flag. The museums clerks will show you around and probably try to sell you some strange products that have long since fallen out of favor, mainly due to advances in production and product development. They do a brief video which we did not watch but instead waited outside the room for it to finish so we could go to the tasting room. Craig was really into Spanish explorers when he was in school and says that Ponce De Leon was his favorite. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. All the gear and equipment needed is provided so no need to worry about that either. I remember being a kid and just being bored having to visit those types of places. Mango Mangos Caribbean Grill has attracted quite a loyal following over the past decade. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. You can bring your own food and drinks or buy things from their snack stand on board. Exhibits include a Native American village, trading post, and a sunken galleons treasure. It was the starting point for many expeditions that sought to uncover the golden cities purported to be in the area. For golf aficionados, a trip to the Hall of Fame should get a priority spot on your itinerary. If youre fascinated by this seedy past, theres no better place to visit than the Pirate and Treasure Museum. [CDATA[ (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); // ]]> If you like this post, you may also like: The Ultimate Florida Road Trip: 31 Places Not To Miss, 25 Epic Things To Do In Destin, Florida [Including Where To Stay], 4 Favorite Florida Beaches From a near native Floridian, 26 Epic Things To Do In Key West [Including Where To Stay], 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. Ever since, the area has been referred to as the Matanzas Inlet, matanzas meaning slaughter in Spanish. Later, the house was purchased by Seth Peck, whose granddaughter was the last owner. Come explore St. Augustine and see why this seaside town is frequented annually by thousands of visitors from all over the world. And they have some really cool flavors like Sweet Potato Pie, Resiling, Vanilla bean, Peanut Butter, and then your typical fruit flavors. It was the first type of settlement of its kind in Florida, as the Spanish welcomed in slaves who had escaped from what was at the time the British colonies to the north. The park is located near where the conquistador first landed after spotting "La Florida . If you ever get a chance I recommend stopping to try one! While at the splash pad it is worth it to visit the beach too. After Smith lived out his days at the Villa, it became a casino. There are authentic historical re-enactments, exciting attractions, local festivals . Here are the ones we recommend. St. Augustine Distillery. We also used the trolley as a way for everyone to cool down and rest a bit. The family collected interesting and unusual artifacts that make the Villa Zorayda Museum a true hidden gem. The boat is a decent size with tables and chairs on it. Take a break from all the museums and historical sites and head to the St Augustine Distillery. With more history than youre likely to find nearly anywhere else in the US, this guided tour to the citys Colonial Quarter is a great way to get a hands-on feel for life hundreds of years ago. In Saint Augustine, the term refers to two different types of trees that grow into, around, or on top of each other. The monuments grounds are connected by easily walkable paths and plenty of historic plaques describing the things youre seeing; its common to see a range of wildlife as well. Im so glad we got to do this! Located just a few minutes away from St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park is comprised of marshes, mangroves, and idyllic beaches that tend to make outdoor-loving visitors feel like theyre farther away from civilization than they really are. Home Travel Guides United States Florida (FL) 15 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine Beach (FL). Just plan on spending a couple of hours there and letting the kids play. And free is always good! Its living history at its best, and youll see musket loading drills and perhaps even the odd cannon being fired too. Here are the best things to do in St. Augustine, FL. Exploring the less touristy side of St. Augustine should definitely include a ghost tour, especially in a place with so much history. Compass RV Park and Ocean Grove RV Resort are also campgrounds located in St. Augustine. 4.5Food Scene. Ready to plan your St. Augustine adventure? Anastasia State Park is one of the most popular things to do in St Augustine with kids. Check it out and subscribe to our channel! It costs $12.95 to walk around the grounds and summit the lighthouse. Its family friendly and will take you to some places thatll make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention. You can hike along trails that lead through a collection of creeks and swamps. It was a little much for the other 5 year old and 3 year old. THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Activities in St. Augustine Best St. Augustine Hidden Gem Attractions Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Museums The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Again it may be one you would overlook, but if your kids are into history and they enjoy playing make believe then. Just because it's raining doesn't mean that you can't have an amazing vacation in the nation's oldest city. You could also stay at the St. Augustine KOA which has tent camping and cabins as well as RV sites. The dogs could go everywhere gift shop, all attractions, they even had the Fountain of Pooch. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. Whether youre here to celebrate your birthday, go on an educational field trip, try a scouting adventure, or just to spend fun times with your family while on vacation, the Pirate and Treasure Museum is sure to be a unique experience. For those visitors whod get the most out of a guided St. Augustine tour with an interpreter, this tour deal is a great choice. When we first got there the kids were fine and then as we started to walk through the museum they started to get a little freaked out by some of the statues and animated things they had. We have been excited to visit St. Augustine, FL since we started traveling. Things To Do In St Augustine With Kids Alligator Farm We had heard the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park was a must visit while in St. Augustine, but we were skeptical. The oldest city in the United States, Saint Augustine has endless things to do. What is a love tree? Photo Credit: Karyn Locke I love, love, love American history. Sadly, the aging explorer came up empty-handed, but those visiting the area can get a fascinating insight into the regions history by visiting Ponce de Leons Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park on Magnolia Avenue in St. Augustine. The house is known for its quaint and historic stone architecture and gives visitors a unique glimpse into the manner of living more than two centuries ago when the area was unexplored and dangerous. The Old Jail was a repository for the areas criminals for 60 years and is now listed on the National Historic Register. Then you get to the middle section that is filled with humongous alligators. Fans of the paranormal will love the ghost tours that are held during the fall ($25). Fort Matanzas was built by the Spanish in 1742 to protect the river that leads to St. Augustine. Most previous museum guests considered the cost of admission reasonable, though it costs a few bucks more to visit popular exhibits featuring works by famous artists like Degas. ), and tons of other restaurants! The waters off Floridas Atlantic and Gulf Coasts were once crawling with pirates and other nefarious characters involved in rum-running and pillaging coastal towns. A whole lot, that's what. 1. It wouldnt be a Florida vacation without trying the local taste and flavors and the spirits that capture them. No previous fishing experience is required, as you will be initiated into the dos and don'ts of fishing by your experienced captain. Hey, I loved your take on the St. Augustine trip. Make sure you check out all these non-touristy things to do in St. Augustine, Florida, and try at least a few. FastBook $ Click to discover a great deal! In the proceeding century, it would withstand two attacks by the British as they looked to expand south into Florida. This is a full-on pirate experience. Miniature golf, on the other hand, is a blast for all ages, and theres no need to worry about proper attire or course etiquette. Tickets are good for the entire day and guided tours are available. "The guy is . There are so many great activities in St. Augustine for kids. It starts with paying for a room, home, or campsite and moves on to meals out, tickets to events and attractions, and shopping. Stroll through the museum and have fun finding your favorite characters. 5.0Value. It was built in the mid-60s to commemorate its 400th anniversary. The fort is open and free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. 3. And even if you cant stay in St. Augustine in the near future but will be heading through that way for another trip we HIGHLY recommend stoping and doing 1 and 2 on your way through the area. Marineland Dolphin Adventure is about 20 miles south of St. Augustine on A1A (beach front avenue!). This was another one that fell into the category of not sure if it would be worth it. You might think that nearly 160 wax figures would melt in the sweltering Florida heat and humidity, but youd be wrong. One crazy play had haunted Red Bank Catholic for two years. The jail dates to 1891, and you can join guided tours through the cells that are actually led by actors dressed as inmates, in full historical outfits. They even have wine and beer score! You can join a tour to see how the spirits are made firsthand, and then enjoy a few samples at the end. The park spreads over 15 acres (6 hectares) of lush greenery and is home to a 16th-century . Close to the fort, you can visit another of the best things to do in St Augustine. Simpler and more picturesque, Fort Matanzas consists of two rooms and a rooftop area that provide beautiful views of the inlet. Our last stop on our Florida adventure was the beautiful and historic city of St. Augustine. The Villa Zorayda Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The restaurant is open every day except Tuesday. The chapel is a unique sight in this part of the US, and its Byzantine-style frescoes are truly impressive. If you have a National park membership this fort is free. This is your chance to visit Southern Spain without leaving the States! We were this close to taking one of them home for a pet! Golfers from all over the country flock to Florida during the fall, winter, and spring months to enjoy its abundant courses and perfect weather. Again it may be one you would overlook, but if your kids are into history and they enjoy playing make believe then Colonial Quarter is a great choice! Another great state park to visit when you are in St Augustine is Anastasia State Park. The splash pad and parking are free so it is worth making a trip to spend a day letting the kids run around and burn some energy. The industrial features of the space, such as the original bridge crane, steel ice trays, and sleek concrete walls, are all part of the bars charm. The beach area is huge and there is plenty of room to spread out to build sand castles, have a picnic, and then go for a swim. For many locals looking for great food at reasonable prices and a laid-back restaurant with a relaxed yet trendy vibe, its a real go-to location. Dogs are welcome on the Red Train Tour but I dont believe they are on the orange trolley. You can join a guided tour through the old hospital, as you learn about the fascinating and grizzly surgeries that were performed here. Later, it was purchased by the Mussallem family, who opened the residence to the public as a museum in 1933. With all there is to see along this portion of the Florida coast, this 10-hour cruise is a great way to see some of the states most important east-coast sites like Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum and Fort Matanzas. For those interested in experiencing the beauty and history of St. Augustine, this combo tour is a great way to spend your vacation time wisely. And, yes we drank from the Fountain of Youth and so did our dogs, so well be young forever. Looking for a fun and quirky attraction? The only problem with it was trying to decide where we were going to spend our money and having to tell the kids, No we cant go in the 3rd ice cream shop you have seen we already got popsicles :)! They have a waffle and milkshake restaurant, a french fry store (yup, just all different kinds of fries! Its also the oldest continually inhabited settlement other than those founded by Native Americans. The Whetstone Factory is located on King Street and was built in the mid-80s. This is where the Spanish mined the stone that would build the first forts and buildings in St Augustine. There is a snack bar too if you are interested in eating lunch there. Live reenactments, such as musket demonstrations, are common at the fort, making it a unique attraction for visitors. Things to Do St. Augustine is more than 450 years old but it is no time capsule. Looking into his eyes we were able to feel how gentle and caring he was. Be sure to take a look while youre there. There's no way around it, vacations can blow your budget. And even if you cant stay in. Source: Vilaimages / shutterstock. Both forts, built to guard against attacks, are made from the same material, coquina a porous mixture of shells and . I have always wanted to do this but with 4 kids, it is expensive. Many of the sites youll want to see offer great interactive opportunities for tour members who like to do more than just look and read. Hours. You might think that Saint Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, has already been thoroughly explored but it hasnt. One of the best memories we made was holding an alligator and and a Ball python for a picture! This is what St Augustine would have looked like centuries ago before the Spanish ever arrived in Florida. Our kids were 8, 5, 5, and 3 at the time and the 8 year old and one of the 5 year olds did really well and were interested in everything. Castillo de San Marcos Source: Nagel Photography / shutterstock Castillo De San Marcos Visiting St Augustine's Castillo de San Marcos is a real historical highlight of any trip to the city. There is a rich history and wonderful crowd of people! Visits wrap up with a tasting session, so visitors get to see the final product for themselves. Old Jail Museum Guided Tour. They also do feedings throughout the day where you can see the alligators eat huge white rats! You can view him from an underwater viewing area and when we went down there he was laying right by the window. It might seem like a niche subject, but this museum offers an intriguing insight into medicinal practices throughout the colonial period. Im headed there with hubby, 19 and 13 yr old right before Christmas.so excited to see the lights! #truth.//
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