15 Inexpensive and Budget-Friendly Activities in St. Augustine with Kids
Don’t spend all your time trying to find cheap things to do in St. Augustine – let us help you! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite free and inexpensive things to do in the nation’s oldest city with children that won’t break the bank. Enjoy watersports, historic monuments, museums, and wildlife exhibits – all for less than $25.
FREE Things to Do with Kids in St. Augustine
Fort Matanzas National Monument
8635 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Located just a short drive south of the St. Augustine beaches, Fort Matanzas is a spectacular free activity to take the whole family out to enjoy. The free ferry ride crossing from the parking area to the fort is a splendid activity in itself for everyone to enjoy (be sure to arrive early to secure your free boarding pass issued by time slots).
After the ferry, your guide will bring the group around the fort for history lessons, stories of battles lost and won, and then give free time to explore the small monument.
If there is a wait for the next ferry boat, bring a picnic lunch or some snacks or enjoy watching little crabs scurry along the waterfront sands.
Cost: Free
Note: There are no ferries running on Tuesdays or Wednesdays
Fort Mose Historic State Park
15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Located centrally to the city attractions, Fort Mose does not actually house a fort, but does offer visitors a glimpse into the interesting history of the free slave settlement. The former slaves became part of the Spanish military and not only served in the militia, but lived and worked there at Fort Mose.
Visiting, you may see the “walkway to freedom”, a beautiful path across marshlands, or you may bear witness to one of their many annual reenactments and festivals. Go for their harvest festival in the fall or their monthly muster ceremony, where kids can see members of the historic society pack and shoot the old bayonet guns and fire cannons.
Cost: Free
Project Swing Park
25 W Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Not your basic playspace, this epic St. Augustine playground offers kiddos a fantastic spot to burn off steam. Climb, swing and play and enjoy some outdoor time with other children.
Cost: Free
Castillo de San Marcos
11 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
This icon of St. Augustine is a forever reminder of the Spanish settlers and conquistadors who came to America in the 1500’s. The fort is an incredible result of withstanding time, holding centuries of history and exhibits for families to explore.
Cost: Children 15 and under are free, while adults are $15 per person.
$10 or less activities for kids
Whetstone’s Chocolate Tasting Tour
139 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
What a fun way to spend an hour in St. Augustine! Grab those hair nets and get ready to explore the world of chocolate making – behind the scenes! Kids will love seeing how chocolate is made and packaged, and they’ll especially love the included chocolate tastings at the end of the tour. Book online in advance!
Cost: Kids under 5 are free, and kids 5-17 are $8.45. Adults are $10.95.
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
11 Magnolia Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
With 15 waterfront acres, children and families can explore the history of the European settlement founded here in 1565. Explore the grounds, witness reenactments, search for coins at the archaeological dig site, and study the exhibits of this historical property.
Cost: Kids 5 and under are free, and kids 6-12 are $9.34. Adults are $21.55. Seniors 60+ are $19.67.
St. Augustine Aquarium
2045 FL-16, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Not your average indoor aquarium, the St. Augustine aquarium is a small, hands-on exhibition full of opportunities for exploring the underwater world in their outdoor tanks. With shark feeding, sealife touching (touch a starfish, horseshoe crab or urchin!) and even snorkeling, there is plenty to entertain the children and adults alike. The outdoor habitats are visited through guided tours only in an open-air habitat, so check the weather before you go!
Cost: Children 2 and under are free, and kids 3-12 are $9.99. Adults are $14.99.
The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
12 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Discover pirate artifacts and learn about the treasures of fabled ships and their sailors. Expect hands-on, interactive fun for all your little swashbucklers.
Cost: Kids under 5 are free, and kids ages 5-12 are $9-10 online. Adults are $16-19 online (discounts for St. John’s County Residents).
Potter’s Wax Museum
31 Orange St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
The oldest wax museum in the country is in St. Augustine and boasts over 160 incredible, meticulously made wax figures of prominent people in history. From American and European history to pop culture and then some, expect some seriously cool exhibits and a history lesson to boot!
Cost: Kids 4 and under are free, and kids 4-12 are $8.54 online, $8.99 in person. Adults are $16.14 online, $16.99 in person.
Budget-Friendly Activities in St. Augustine Under $25
Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine
4730 Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL 32086
Wax nostalgic about your hot rod from your past, or drool over the shine of the classic vehicles with your car-loving kids.
Cost: Kids 12 and under are free. Adults are $15.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
100 Red Cox Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32080
With so many things to explore, this museum can easily take several hours to enjoy. From nature walks and scavenger hunts to playgrounds and hands-on exhibits, kids will love finding all the nautical-themed treasures of this indoor-outdoor space. Climb the lighthouse, explore the lightkeeper’s home, and even see shipwreck treasure being cleaned and restored.
Cost: Free for children under 44 inches tall – they will not be able to climb the lighthouse; $12.95 for children 12 and under (must be 44 inches or taller); Adults are $17.95.
St. Augustine Wild Reserve
5190 Farm Creek Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32092
By appointment only, but oh-so-worth the extra planning, this amazing rescue and care facility offers tours several days a week: every Monday and Wednesday at 2pm, and every Saturday at 11am and 2pm. A special VIP tour is offered on Fridays at 11am. Enjoy getting up close to big cats and exotic animals in this one-of-a-kind experience, unlike any other type of zoo. See for yourself the beauty of African lions, wolves, leopards, lynx cats, tigers, bears, hyenas and more.
Cost: Kids 2 and under $5, and kids 3-10 are $25. Adults are $35. VIP tour on Fridays is $60 per person for all ages.
To Book: visit their booking link directly here.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
999 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
For a fun outing, try the classic zoo and reptile haven at St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm. There you can find fun and educational shows, interactive exhibits, play spaces and more all celebrating our favorite cold-blooded friends, the gators!
Cost: Kids 2 and under are free, kids 3-11 cost $21.99, and adults cost $36.99.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
19 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
If you’re a fan of the weird, the exotic, and the downright mind-bending, then this “odditorium” of wonders is perfect for you and your family to enjoy some fun.
Cost: Kids 3 and under are free, and kids 4-11 are $12.99. Adults cost $23.99.
Watersports and Boating
With the Matanzas River running like a vein through St. Augustine’s core, and the beachside activities of the Atlantic Ocean beckoning just east, it’s no wonder there are plenty of options for watersports. Check out some of these beloved spots to enjoy water fun with your kiddos without breaking the bank.
Genung’s Fish Camp
291 Cubbedge Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Cost: Rent fishing rods for $25, or a kayak for $15-20 per person (paddle boards and fishing kayaks at $20). Pre-k children ride free with a double kayak rental.
Anastasia Watersports and Island Beach Shop at Anastasia State Park
850 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Cost: $8.00 admission fee per vehicle. A canoe rental costs $40 for one hour and seats 3 people. Split the cost of a canoe three ways to make it about $13 per person! OR you can rent from the Anastasia beach shop – boogie boards ($10 for 4 hours), bikes ($12 for 1 hour), surfboard ($24 for 4 hours), and more.
St. Augustine Boat Tours
57 Comares Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Cost: Dolphin and wildlife boat tours are $5 for infants, $15 for kids, and $29 for adults. Tours are 1 hour and depart from the Conch House Marina.
Miniature Golf Courses
Choose one of these great options for a fun outing with family, followed by ice cream or a stop at the beach!
Fiesta Falls Mini Golf
818 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Cost: Children under 3 and seniors over 80 play free. Kids 3-12 are $11.95, adults are $14.50, and seniors 62+ are $13.50.
Anastasia Mini Golf
701 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Cost: Kids 3 and under are $3.50, kids 4-10 are $11, seniors 65+ are $13, and adults are $14.
