St Augustine

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Every time we go we say we will try something different. Has anyone ever been here - I understand it is a 2 hour drive?

My DD will be 9, can anyone suggest anything to see or do there.

Any suggestions welcome

 

[glenbois]

We're not doing St Augustine's but wanted to do a nice boat trip of some sort,

This is what I found and put into our schedule:

http://www.riverqueencruises.net/river-queen-tour-details.html

2 hours from the villa we are staying at - I plan on getting there for the 10 a.m. trip and then doing the 1 p.m. trip too - for $52 - I think this is excellent value.

The boat departs from http://www.hirams.com/Home.cfm which I think we'll stay for something to eat and then travel home along the coast road back to Orlando at around 6 p.m.

Not sure if the above is of use.

 

[jmagla]

We also like to do different things when going to Florida; we stayed at St Augustine (St George Inn - Excellent) for four nights during our last trip and are booked in for another four this August.

We stopped off at Daytona Beach on the way there which broke the journey up nicely. Plenty to do for the kids (5 year old was happy all the time, after a couple of days 15 year old would rather have been in Orlando!), nice beaches, sight seeing tours on the local trolley etc.

Both kids enjoyed the "ghost" tour in particular and it’s also a very interesting city to walk around. It is more for adults than children but you should have no problems keeping them happy for a short stay or a day trip. We enjoyed it because it’s so relaxing and makes a pleasant change from non stop Orlando. There are many interesting restaurants which are only a short drive away, the type that you won’t necessarily find in Orlando.

Cheers Michael

 

[Graeme]

http://www.hirams.com/Home.cfm
Not sure if the above is of use.

That looks quite good.

 

[mnoble_uk]

We did it last year. Can't remember how long the drive took but we did do it as a day trip so it cant have been that long.

Pleasant enough place - cool castle, and it was nice to drive through 'real' Florida for a while.

It was a good escape from Orlando for the day but I wouldnt say it was a must do.

 

[Skallywag]

We have done St, Augustine and it is a very enjoyable place for all ages.
Also we always make a trip to Deleon State Park and also Blue Springs and especially in the winter months as it is the winter refuge for the Manatae (blue springs) and at De-Leon springs they have a pancake house where you can cook your own pancakes over a griddle and a very large natural pool fed by the underground springs where you can swim and the temperature is the same all year. You can also do a boat trip from Blue springs on the St. Johns River. Both of these can be found on the State Park website and are very reasonably priced.
Brenda

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Geoff - thanks for the link but must admit I'm not much of a boat person. It does sound like a good day out

Brenda - the state park with the manatees was also another option as this is a bit nearer - so if we don't want to drive as far should be good.

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Samantha,

The manitees are of course only up at the park during the winter months when it gets colder and you can always check on their website for details.
Brenda

 

[tiferetsix]

St Augustine is really nice.

Our kids (6 and 10) enjoyed

The Little Red Train (tourist "train" hop on hop off, runs round all the attractions)
Ripleys Believe it Or Not
Alligator Farm

There is also the oldest schoolhouse in the US,

And the Fountain of Youth. (My favourite!) You get to sample the water (ucky but it MIGHT work )