31 St. Augustine Staycation Ideas

I love to hate summer. Don’t get me wrong- no school assignments to keep up with, no soccer to juggle and freedom to hit the beach whenever we want is fabulous! But loooong days where the sun doesn’t set until after bedtime, weeks with little structure and the hot, hot sun can drain me of all the summer plans I fantasized about back in April!!

I’m Mamma to seven kids, and I can’t just throw in my cap–or our home life resembles mutiny more than summer-in-Florida-paradise. This summer, we came up with a new way to embrace summer fun–we made a Summer Staycation list. All seven kids, from our 3-year-old princess to my 14-year-old entrepreneur, sat around the table with markers and listed things that would make our summer special. We brainstormed trips, eats, local fun and ways we could serve as a family.

Using this list and a few things I’ve always wanted to do, I planned out the 31 Days of Summer in St. Augustine- a St. Augustine Staycation series on my blog. Whether you’re new to the First Coast or a life-long local, I bet I have some new ideas for your family!

With a wide range of kiddos, our days consist of very different experiences. Clara (3) wakes me up every morning already dressed in her bathing suit to “go to da beach in St. Augustine“, Lauren (11) has the tasty list–like making cotton candy–and Andrew (6) came through with an all-American request: he wants to go to Wal-Mart to buy Legos.

While I don’t plan to blog Wal-Mart, I do want to share some St. Augustine gems you may have overlooked! It’s an easy day trip for Jacksonville Moms- let me be the first to welcome you to St. Augustine!

A Wednesday Trip to St. Augustine Beach

Wednesdays are perfect St. Augustine Beach days because we have an oceanfront market at the pier each Wednesday morning! Bring the kids in their swimsuits- after you’ve picked up local veggies, you can buy tacos from the food truck and play at the Splash Park {free}!

If you aren’t ready to go home yet, head to Fiesta Falls Putt Putt. You have Putt Putt in Jacksonville… but do you have oceanfront Putt Putt? It’s a fun end to a sunny day!

Calling all Lizard Lovers

If your kids are enraptured by scaly critters, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is the place for them! This zoo is the only one in the world to have each species of crocodilia on display. There is a zip line obstacle course if teens want a faster-paced view of the zoo.

After the Alligator Farm, stop by Cold Calf ice cream trailer for the best homemade ice cream in St. Augustine and bounce out the sugar in their free bounce house!

Grow Lifelong Learners

If you’re looking for an educational day trip, St. Augustine has that covered, too. Go straight to El Galeon and experience the wonder of a hand-crafted Spanish ship like those explorers sailed to discover La Florida 500 years ago! {Check to see if the ship is docked!}

As the day warms up, grab lunch in Fudge Buckets ice cream shop across from the parking garage {3 Cordova St}. I suggest the Roast Beef Deli Cone for Mamma!

St. Augustine has fun attractions for all ages- I didn’t even tell you about the Pirate Museum, Colonial Quarter Living History Attraction or pirate-lead walking tours. Come visit soon! Viva St. Augustine!