Exploring St. Augustine With Kids, St. Augustine, Florida

I really liked St. Augustine, Florida. It’s a city that predates both Jamestown and Plymouth. Its lesser know history, outdoor activities and great local food blend very nicely to create a fun family destination that’s about more than just the beach.

In the morning you can take a tour of the Colonial Quarter led by a guide whose family landed here in the 1580s. You can lunch on local seafood and ice cream, then walk a few blocks and be surrounded by 19th century Gilded- Age architecture.

Here are some of the most popular things to do in St. Augustine that give you the opportunity to you appreciate its many sides. I’m including tips for making the most of your visit with kids and what age groups each activity is best suited to.

St. Augustine predates Jamestown by some 40 years. But it was a Spanish colony rather than a British one. So it’s often overlooked when we study Colonial America in school.

1. Start at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, This national park site, known locally as simply the Fort, is probably the city’s most famous attraction.

Founded in the late 17th century by Spanish military forces, the two-story, squarish structure sits at the edge of Matanzas Bay. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).