Beach &
Family
Ready to paddle board at the
GTM Research Reserve
Itinerary for Family Fun
History & Heritage
Little legs get tired after a day of exploring,
so hop on an Old Town Trolley or Ripley’s
Big Red Train, which will take you to more
than 20 stops around St. Augustine. Along
with the ease of transportation, each gets
you into attractions like St. Augustine’s Old
Jail and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum,
making it a great value.
To experience the history of St. Augustine
visit attractions such as the Oldest Wooden
School House, which is more than 200
years old.
Then catch a tour at the nearby Colonial
Quarter. Climb the watchtower for a great
view of the Castillo and the bay.
Beach Day
Florida’s Historic Coast has more than
42 miles of white, sandy beaches. If you
have younger children, visit the splash
pad at St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park.
A local favorite is Anastasia State Park, a
1,600-acre Florida State Park with rich
ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Within
the park is Anastasia Watersports, which
rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Conquer the castle at the Castillo de
San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in
the continental U.S. The fort was built to
protect the city by the Spanish. Talk to
the re-enactors and see musket drills
and cannon fi re. There are also plenty of shady picnic areas
and restrooms. Have lunch just steps from
the beach at Salt Life Food Shack or Sunset
Grille, where fl ip-fl ops and sandals are the
preferred footwear.
The Hyppo Gourmet Popsicles or a
handmade ice cream sandwich from
Peace Pies makes for a sweet treat. Make it a daring afternoon at the Alligator
Farm and Zoological Park. In addition to
hundreds of alligators and crocodiles, there
22
are birds, lumbering giant tortoises and
even two-toed sloths!
End the day at Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf
for a little friendly competition.
Make New Friends
Start the day by making new friends. The
St. Augustine Aquarium is budget friendly
and perfect for little explorers. Swim with
the fish, or participate in a sting ray and
shark feeding program. Dig for shark teeth
and more.
You have plenty of options for lunch
including Pizzalley’s, St. Augustine
Seafood Company or the Spanish Bakery.
As the sun sets climb aboard the
Schooner Freedom, St. Augustine’s
premier tall ship. Freedom is the only
schooner charter vessel between
Charleston and the Florida Keys.