Spent the day at Anastasia State Park and it really delivered. The beach was beautiful with soft…read moresand and plenty of space to spread out. It was definitely windy, but honestly it didn't take away from the experience at all. If anything it made the waves more fun to watch and kept things from getting too hot. The playground was a big hit with the kids. They had a great time running around and burning off energy while we relaxed nearby. It's one of those spots where both adults and kids can enjoy themselves without feeling cramped or bored. Between the scenery, the clean beach, and the family friendly setup, this is an easy five star stop. Would come back again without thinking twice.

Anastasia State Park is really a beautiful campground! Spaces are very spacious and secluded…read more Each campsite has water and electrical. A dump site is there for you. You can also tent here. You can come in to the park for day visits to go to the beach and BBQ under the oak trees. Very nice! There are some nice trails as well to experience. We went on the ancient trail that was hilly for Florida . An amazing experience! This park is extremely popular so plan ahead!

The saint Augustine light house it's a must visit when visiting here . It's great for the holidays…read moresince it's full of decorations and the weather it's perfect , not too hot to actually enjoy all the grounds and walk around while just buy a something to drink from the small little shops springs the park .

Beautiful place to explore, it does have 219 steps to the top but the views are well worth it. It…read moregets very crowded. Do not waste your money on the ghost tour though. The other people that are also on the tour, most likely won't understand the fact that they have to stay quiet in order to hear things, etc. Our group laughed, yelled, carried on, ran up the lighthouse instead of going quietly searching. It was complete negative experience for us. They also allow the other group before yours to stay til the end during your time and they were also making noise. I wouldn't suggest it at all, except to view the lighthouse with a little less people, view the city at night and to be cooler than during the heat of the sun.

This is kind of hidden in plain sight near the Publix shopping center next to the A1A bridge. It's…read morea boardwalk through the marsh and goes next to and under the bridge. Good views of the water, marsh and under the bridge along with some art featuring various animals found in the area. It's not too long and takes maybe 20 minutes round trip but it's worth a look if you're in the area.

Cute little boardwalk getting off the Vilano causeway. It's a very short walk. Good for walking…read moreyour pup or stretching your legs. The water is a murky gray and did not see any fish life. Could also be a seasonal thing. It's a nice public mega-mini park worth walking if you're very near.

Park was great was there today had a baby shower for a friend today and I have to say we need more…read moreshaded areas there maybe another set of slides... I mean if it's hot we can't stay long because of the heat and there was a shaded area that d be great. Also should have portable potty there in case someone wants to use restroom we used the park today for a baby shower and we had to use the bathroom in the library. So just giving the owner a tip on what it needs

Great facilities had a great time with my family, lots of other kids there so the little ones all…read morehad a blast.

Spoiler alert: I think this is a must see while visiting St Augustine! Wasn't sure what to expect…read morefrom the lighthouse visit. The fee at first seemed a little steep. But, it was worth every penny of it (see last paragraph for additional things to see on the property). This lighthouse was lovingly restored by a group of passionate people- who also kept the property from being razed and becoming condominiums! The preservation work is ongoing and informative. The history is very interesting- you will see it as you climb the stairs up the lighthouse. One story about a cat and a parachute was particularly interesting. The staff member at the top of the lighthouse was very informative. The glass prisms making up the light part are amazingly beautiful, and so are the views from the top of surrounding Anastasia Island! The lighthouse itself maybe the main draw, but the property offers much more to visit. There is an archeological preservation building - which you can enter and discover how they preserve historical items. There is the lighthouse keepers house to explore. Several small sailing boats are on the premises with information regarding their history,and also a short trail through native trees and plants. A small restaurant/ snack bar is also located on the premises.

The lighthouse is a MUST when visiting St. Augustine! It's a bit of a climb to the top, but the…read moreviews are incredible and totally worth it. I especially enjoyed learning about the history of the lighthouse, and the ghost stories added a really fun, slightly spooky touch. Definitely add this to your St. Aug itinerary! Images: The lighthouse and the view from the top

This place is truly amazing with so many places to slide and climb. My kiddo loves is and We have a…read moregreat time every time.

My toddler enjoyed this park so much! It's a large playground with a great variety of play areas to…read morekeep kids entertained. There's a section designed for toddlers and another area for bigger kids, which made it perfect for different ages. They have multiple slides and swings in different sizes, and they even have a tire swing that we both got to ride, which was such a fun moment. There are also short tunnels and climbing structures that made it feel like an adventure for little ones. I also appreciated the pavilion with benches where families can sit, relax, or enjoy a snack. The wooden design and shaded areas make it comfortable to stay for a good amount of time, even on warmer days. I'd definitely love to return the next time we're in the area!

Castillo de San Marcos is a national monument and the oldest masonry fort in the US. Built by the…read moreSpanish in 1672 it was never captured or taken by hostile forces. There's so much history here and plentiful exhibits to learn about it. The fort is remarkably well preserved and it's a joy to walk around regardless of whether you decide to dig into the history. The second floor is especially stunning with gorgeous views of the water beyond and an impressive display of the fort-protecting cannons. Any ship sailing in those waters would be vulnerable to the cannon fire. This was one of the highlights of our Saint Augustine trip.

Interesting place full of history and fun facts about the origins of the fort, the area, how it was…read morebuilt, etc. beautiful view of the bay too. It took us about an hour to get through and that was reading 60-80% of the things. $15/adult with no park passes

What a lovely little park, just across the street from the St. Francis Inn, where we stayed, it is…read morein part, maintained by the hotel. In the park there is an art installment that was erected back in 2015 for the city's 450th birthday celebration, It's an 8.5' tall replica of the original Monumento de la constitućion covered in photographs of people holding a minature of the original monument. "I hope to concentrate on the ideals of freedom, democracy, human rights and compassion by focusing on the individuals who make up St. Augustine's community," Said of the art installment. As we say in Oldsmar "It starts in parks".

I love this park. If I lived in St. Augustine, I would most likely take a walk here and sit a lot…read more This park is right across the street from the St. Francis Inn. We stay at the inn at least 3 weekends a year and always take our fur child. We like to walk with her in the park. The park is never crowded and very peaceful. Being in Florida, it is also has many trees, which provide plenty of shade. There are also several benches throughout for you to sit. They are made out of stone. There is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi in the back corner of the park. Our dog hates it for some reason and always barks at it! We did notice this recent trip that homeless people are staying there at night, just an FYI. It is also a little higher than the sidewalk. I never noticed a ramp for wheelchairs, just stairs. This park is so quiet and a great place to meditate or reflect. You don't even need music.

Wow, what an amazing experience and a wealth of information I received from the Fort Mose historic…read morestate park. My parents and I came here for a Black History Month event as they are commemorating the month with the flight of freedom. This is a journey of how enslaved people came to Fort Mose to obtain freedom. I only knew of this place as the Underground Railroad, based on my ancestry, knowing that my ancestors came from the Carolinas and Georgia down to this area, but I learned so much more in the short period of time I was there. This particular weekend showcase a reenactment, and teaches the story of individuals who trekked the long and perilous paths to be free from enslavement. From different stops with a real Yamasee Indian who was the chief of the tribe. He gave us a deep and in depth history of the Yamasee Indians and their role in the flight to freedom. During the reenactment, we made different stops along the way and the end we got to watch a demonstration of the soldiers shooting and firing off the canon. It was a very emotional experience and much needed - we need to learn from the past and continue to teach this type of history. Before the experience, my parents and I did have the opportunity to stop into the visitor center, which cost about $2. It definitely gives a timeline of events during the start of colonization and Florida, however it also has a lot of artifacts that were discovered in Saint Augustine from the 1700s and onward. Definitely make a stop here while visiting the city!

Went to the park to see a concert Robert Cray. The venue is nicely set up outdoors doesn't hold a…read morelot of people, but the acoustics were very good. The scene were really close together. I prefer to stand. I'm glad I chose to for this event. It was my first time there. I didn't realize there was an area where you would park your vehicle about two blocks down the road and then they shuttle you in. That was pretty nice. No waiting for that. I would go there again and enjoy the historical state park as well.

Castle Ottis Coastal Hwy,…read moreSt. Augustine, FL 32084 Did you know we have a hidden castle in St Augustine? Castle Otttis is a unique, privately-owned landscape sculpture in Vilano Beach, Florida, built by Rusty Ickes and Ottis Sadler. They wanted to build something unique and different that would go well with the landscape of St Augustine. Since both were religious, they also wanted to built something that would show their appreciation to Jesus. The Castle features rustic stone walls and an interior with elaborate cypress woodwork, serving as a venue for religious weddings and events. Its not open to the Public. It offers tours available only by appointment. So you would have to go to their website and request an tour appointment via email. The story behind it is interesting. Just 2 men who wanted to be in peace with nature.

Just about 10 minutes north outside of historic St. Augustine is a unique castle that sits back…read morefrom the main road among trees and hedges. Sadly, the owner and creator of Castle Otttis, Kendle Icke, passed away in July 2023. However, his son, who lives on the property does conduct tours for small groups of people who have reservations. His tours are very interesting with information on how the castle came to be. Apparently, Mr. Icke had a couple of dreams about a castle in great detail, which he shared with a builder friend of his. The friend encouraged him to build it and agreed to help him. They were able to get donated building materials to work with. Mr. Icke built the castle in the image of old castles in Ireland and dedicated it to his wife. Castle Ottis was built between 1984-1988. The Ickes also had a home on the property to the left of the castle. We took the tour with a small group of people, which worked out very well. There are 3 levels if you count the rooftop, where you will see gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean. This is a castle based on 1000 year old Irish castles. The tour is free but donations will be greatly appreciated. A must see if you are in St. Augustine. It is a magical experience. There are special events held at the castle, like weddings or anniversaries. It is also great for photography opportunities. This is a one of a kind opportunity. Please note that Castle Otttis does not have handicapped accessibility. Parking is available on the property for the guests. You are allowed to take pictures inside the castle.