The end of the school year is upon us and before you know it, the kids will be saying they’re bored! Beat them to the punch by having some great ideas in your back pocket for those days when you just need to get out of the house without breaking the bank!
Beach – Probably a no-brainer, but the list would be incomplete without it! From Vilano Beach to the north to Crescent Beach to the south, with Anastasia Park and St. Augustine Beach in between, the beaches of St. Augustine have something for everyone!
St. Augustine Beach Pier – A splash park and playground with a beach backdrop makes for a great 3-in-1 activity! For a small fee, you can also sightsee ($1) or fish ($2 for SJC residents and free for children under 6 on the Pier. Wednesdays at the Pier include a Farmers Market from 8am-noon and Music by the Sea free concerts from 6-9pm. Full concert schedule on the Calendar of Events. For more information about other activities at the Pier, check them out online.
Farmers Markets – Speaking of Farmers Markets, be sure to also check out the Old City Farmers Market at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre every Saturday morning from 8:30am-12:30pm. For a little further of a drive, you can also check out the Salt Air Farmers Market across from Marineland and the Nocatee Farmers Market in Nocatee.
Parks – How many of St. Johns County’s nearly 50 parks can you hit up this summer? Read up on the full list of city parks and county parks. Pack a picnic lunch to make a fun day of your visit!
Fort Matanzas National Monument – Enjoy a nature trail at the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center, take a ferry ride to Rattlesnake Island, learn about the fort’s history from a knowledgeable tour guide and even climb to the top of the watchtower yourself! The parking, ferry ride and tour are all free! Children ages 4 and older can earn their Junior Ranger Badge here! www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm
Castillo de San Marcos – The oldest masonry fort in North America is one of St. Augustine’s most identifiable landmarks! Entrance to the fort is free for kids 15 and under! Adult admission is $10. Children ages 6-12 can earn their Junior Ranger Badge here as well! The lawn next to the fort is also a popular picnic spot, so be sure to pack a lunch.
Free Attractions – Did you know St. Johns residents can visit several St. Augustine attractions for free with valid ID? Free attractions for residents include The Oldest House, Lightner Museum, Ximenez-Fatio House, Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and Flagler College historical tours. As if that’s not cool enough, there are also several kid-friendly attractions that are free for everyone including Pena-Peck House, Mission Nombre de Dios Museum and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum.
Free Outdoor Movies – There are two options for free outdoor movies this summer! Summer Movies by the Bay are shown on the lawn near the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and begin at 8:30pm every Wednesday from June 1 – August 3. Check them out on Facebook for details and updates. Night Owl Cinema movies are shown on a giant screen at the Amphitheatre at 8pm, on the 3rd and 4th Fridays in June and July. Visit www.staugamphitheatre.com for additional details. All movies are family-friendly and free!
Free Summer Concerts in the Plaza – Returning for its 26th season! Concerts in the Plaza take place in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 7pm every Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Lounge chairs are recommended for seating. Picnic dinners are popular, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza. Check out the lineup online!
Sunset Celebration at Vilano Beach – Enjoy beautiful summer sunsets set to music every first Saturday at Vilano Beach. The monthly event begins at 2pm and continues until dusk. The free celebration includes several market vendors, food, music and fun! Visit them online for more info.
Library Summer Fun – “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!” is the theme for the Summer 2016 reading program with the St. Johns County Library System! The library fun will be active all summer with book clubs, STEM workshops, fitness programs, gaming, storytimes, arts & crafts, special guests and much more! All readers are invited to pick up a reading log to complete for awesome prizes. Check the website for a complete event calendar and more detail!
Kids Bowl Free! – This nationwide program was designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a fun summer activity for kids. Children who register online are eligible to register for 2 free bowling games a day all summer long! Our local participating bowling center is Anastasia Bowling Lanes.
