Weekend Getaway in St. Augustine with Kids

One of my favorite things about living in Florida is that you can book vacations for years without ever leaving the state. My family’s top choice is St. Augustine, the oldest inhabited city in the country, filled with beauty and history to explore for days.

As a history buff, the stories behind St. Augustine’s architecture and museums are most appealing, but the town also offers great beaches, unique restaurants, and excellent shopping. I think this town deserves more than a weekend of your time, but here are the top spots if you want a quick weekend getaway.

Accommodations

As a larger family, we always prefer an Airbnb, which lets us enjoy a home-cooked breakfast and plenty of space during downtime. You can find many excellent historic homes within walking distance of downtown. If you prefer hotels, here are some great local options.

St. George Inn

A boutique hotel with downtown views puts you in the heart of everything, with rooms full of unique historic charm. Note: Parking is off-site and a few minutes’ walk away. I wouldn’t pick this spot with young kids; we’ve managed before, but felt more comfortable with more space in other local hotels.

Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel

Ideal for those wanting an all-in-one hotel experience. Enjoy historic beauty while still having access to amenities such as a pool, on-site restaurant, and bar, with direct access to downtown. This is my top recommendation for families with young kids who want a central location.

Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine-Vilano Beach

Want a beach vacation with a touch of history? This hotel provides a pool, restaurant, and bar, and offers direct access to Vilano Beach while being just a short drive from downtown. This budget-friendly option balances both experiences without a huge cost.

Resturants

Pizzalley’s on St. George/Pizzalley’s Chianti Room

Pizzalley’s is a great spot for a quick, traditional by-the-slice pizza or for picking up a pie to go. Fast and delicious, it’s an excellent choice for those who don’t want to spend too much time or money on lunch. Wanting a date night or a classier dinner setting? Sneak around to the back of Pizzalley’s, where you will find their Chianti Room, a finer dining Italian restaurant that isn’t too upscale that you question whether you should bring your children or not.

Prohibition Kitchen

Prohibition Kitchen is a 1920s-inspired gastropub serving locally sourced bar food and premium cocktails. The first floor offers a speakeasy vibe, and the upstairs balcony provides town views and nightly live music.

Castillo Craft Bar +Kitchen

Another excellent spot that prioritizes high-quality, locally sourced ingredients in every dish. This is a great spot for those who like to try unique dishes you can’t find on just any menu.

The Modern Rose St. Augustine

This one is fun! On our last visit, my daughter and I discovered this tea room. It’s family-friendly, perfect for tea party lovers, with themed rooms and seasonal decor. The food matches the lively vibe and tastes amazing. Dress casually or up for high tea and a memorable experience.

The Blue Hen Cafe

An excellent spot for your traditional Southern comfort food.

Schmagel’s Bagels

If you are looking for a traditional NY-style bagel, this is the spot! Grab yourself an everything bagel sandwich and hit the streets for a fun-filled day. A few things to note: They sell out FAST, and once they are sold out, they close, so plan to get there early. They only have outdoor seating, and not much of it, so this is the best place if you are looking for on-the-go, quick eating.

Museums/History Locations

As the oldest city in the country, St. Augustine is home to museums and historical sites of all kinds. You can learn about anything from pirates to art or military; they even, oddly enough, have a torture museum. It would be impossible to visit them all, even if you spent a full week there, so here is a list of the best options to squeeze into a weekend getaway.

Castillo de San Marcos

Also known as “The Fort,” this attraction is arguably the most famous stop in St. Augustine. Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. When visiting, make sure to check the daily schedule if you want to catch a showing of them firing the cannon.

Fountain of Youth

This is a great place if you want to squeeze in a lot of history without making several stops. This spot is the original location of the first European settlers, 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Here you will learn about the Timucua tribe, the first Catholic mission in the United States, blacksmithing, view a cannon firing, view the Navigators Planetarium, and even take a sip from the Fountain of Youth from the oldest attraction in Florida.

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

Not my favorite, but if you have boys, they will love this one. Featuring over 800 authentic artifacts celebrating the history of piracy, both factual and fictional, from the 1600’s through present day.

Old Trolley Tours

The best way to see everything without racking up 20k in steps on your smart watch. You can purchase tickets pretty much anywhere in the city and can choose various packages. For families, the daytime hop-on/hop-off is the best option and can be paired with attraction tickets at any of the museums. If you are looking for something unique, they offer several evening packages, such as their Ghost and Graveyard Tour or Paranormal After-hours Jail Tour.

Other Attractions

These are places for those who aren’t looking to fill their weekend with historical facts but still want to enjoy the beauty St. Augustine has to offer.

Night of Lights

This one is seasonal, but it is what attracts most people to the area. Well worth seeing at least once, the entire downtown is lit up with a beautiful display of lights from November to mid-January. Plan to get there before sunset because it gets busy. If you want to see it all, book a trolley seat or a horse drawn carriage well in advance; they will take you through the entire city.

The Alligator Farm Zoological Park

A fun zoo with a variety of wildlife and the opportunity to zipline over real life alligators if you wish to.

Whiskey Tasting at City Gate Spirits

Offering a large variety of unique flavors, City Gate is a great place to stop for those who enjoy a good whiskey. Try flavors you would never even consider in a whiskey. My husband dared to try the Peanut Butter Whiskey and ended up loving it!

Kayak or Paddle with Manatees and Dolphins

Explore the waterways of St. Augustine on a guided wildlife excursion.

Check out the beach

St. Augustine is home to many great beaches:

• Anastasia State Park
• St. Augustine Beach
• Ponte Verda Beach
• Vilano Beach
• Matanzas Beach

Want to “getaway” without traveling far? Check out our list of Hotels on the Treasure Coast Perfect for a Family Staycation