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Fort Mose Historical State Park – Fort Mose is the site of the first legally free black settlement in North America, chartered in 1738 by the Spanish governor for freed slaves. The fort is long gone, but there are interpretive exhibits and a nice boardwalk over the marshes, and a picnic table for lunches. |
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Old Florida Museum (Fort Menendez) – This is a living history museum, where kids can experience life as it would have been lived over 400 years ago. Play historical games, dip candles, grind corn, and make ropes. Learn how Native Americans dug canoes, weaved seines, and gardened long before modern technology. Make jewelry and get tattoos or face paint while learning about weaponry, shell phones and baby bottles. Kids will want their picture taken on the chief’s throne, complete with bobcat headdress. Tip: On your first trip through the museum, be sure to go with a guide. He or she will show you all there is to do while making history come to life. |
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St. Augustine Carousel – Little ones will want to take a whirl on this charming carousel, piping out music as the horses go round and round. A small park surrounds the carousel, grass to run around and place for kids to play. The carousel is located on San Marco Avenue at May St. |
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Old Jail – Visit this historic St. Augustine jail. Take a guided tour through the cellblocks, see a collection of guns used in actual crimes, and visit the old town gallows. Open daily. |
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Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park – Ponce de Leon’s fabled Fountain of Youth exists right here in North Florida, or so they say. Learn about Ponce de Leon’s search for the magical pool and drink from its waters (water does taste a bit stinky). Popular with families for over a century, this park is a true Old Florida tourist amusement. |
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Spread over several waterfront acres, kids can watch rare albino peacocks strut the grounds, visit the planetarium to see how the skies would have looked when Ponce de Leon traveled to Florida, learn about native burials and local plants and animals. The park has snacks and drinks, and picnic tables. |
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Mission of Nombre de Dios and La Leche Chapel – You won't be able to miss the 200 foot steel cross that stands on the mission grounds. This is the founding site of St. Augustine, where Menendez landed in 1565 and the mission was established. The first Catholic Mass in North America occurred here. A small chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of La Leche. |
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This is a nice spot for picnics. It's peaceful, with a pond surrounding one side of the park and the marsh on the opposite site. There's benches, or bring a blanket and spread out, there's plenty of open space. |
