Forts, gators and a lighthouse in St. Augustine
St. Augustine, FL
If you were considering Disney World, this is a different kind of trip.
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens and couples
- How long
- 4, 5 or 7 days
- Getting there
- Drive. A drive from Atlanta, Charlotte (about 8 hours or less by car).
- Seasons
- Fall, Winter, Spring
Why it works
- Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States.
- Cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled at the Castillo every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park has daily wildlife shows, crocodile and lemur exhibits, and a zip line over the zoo.
- Visitors can climb the 1874 St. Augustine Lighthouse, and the museum around it has hands-on exhibits and nature trails.
Watch out for
- Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so watch the forecast for summer and fall trips.
Sources
- Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled at the Castillo every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park has daily wildlife shows, crocodile and lemur exhibits, and a zip line over the zoo. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Visitors can climb the 1874 St. Augustine Lighthouse, and the museum around it has hands-on exhibits and nature trails. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so watch the forecast for summer and fall trips. source (checked 2026-11-13)