A family trip to St. Augustine, Florida, is sure to be an unforgettable adventure with a fascinating history and cultural riches. Visiting a few of the museums in this historic city is a must-do activity for families looking for an entertaining yet educational experience on their vacation.
Each of the incredible St. Augustine museums provides a distinctive window into the city’s past and present. These museums offer the ideal setting for families to connect, learn, and make enduring memories thanks to their interactive exhibitions and great relics. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best museums in St. Augustine that are sure to enthrall visitors of all ages.
Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, is a fascinating location for families interested in getting a glimpse into the past. The museum is housed in a superb Spanish Renaissance Revival-style structure with a sizable collection of objects and decorative arts from the 19th century.
Explore the magnificent halls to find fine furniture, delicate porcelain, stunning stained glass, and elaborate musical instruments that display the Gilded Age’s artistry. The museum also has sections on the history of St. Augustine, technological developments, and even Victorian oddities such as shrunken heads. The Lightner Museum provides a distinctive and exciting experience for visitors of all ages with educational programs and hands-on activities.
Located in the center of St. Augustine’s historic district, The Lightner Museum is flanked by many other attractions, St. Augustine restaurants, and retail establishments. This makes it a convenient visit when planning your day’s activities. Whether you and your family are history buffs, art connoisseurs, or just interested in the past, the Lightner Museum’s splendor and compelling displays will leave a lasting impression.
St Augustine Lighthouse
The St. Augustine Lighthouse stands out as a recognizable symbol of nautical heritage and stunning scenery in St. Augustine, Florida. Families looking for adventure and a look into the past will have an unforgettable experience at this historical site. Ascend the lighthouse’s 219 steps to the summit for panoramic views of the city and the shoreline.
Visit the museum in the keeper’s home to learn more about maritime history, shipwrecks, and the lives of lighthouse keepers. An interactive children’s play area offers learning and fun for the young ones. The St. Augustine Lighthouse guarantees a fantastic family adventure in a magical location thanks to its rich history and breathtaking perspectives.
St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
A fun and instructive museum experience is provided by the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, which takes you and your family more than 300 years back in time to Port Royal, Jamaica, during the Golden Age of Piracy. With a ton of interesting artifacts and interactive exhibits, the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is undoubtedly one of the best family things to do in St. Augustine.
For school field trips, scouting outings, birthday parties, and exclusive business events, the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is the ideal location for groups of all ages. The group will leave the museum feeling motivated to voyage the seven seas because of the participatory, informative experience.
St Augustine Surf Culture
Visiting the St. Augustine Surf Culture and History Museum is now possible. Located in the Tovar House on Historical Society grounds, this St. Augustine museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in surfing and its influence on St. Augustine culture. From soul surfers to local legends to shapers and store owners, this museum and archival collection highlights not only the history of surfing in the United States but also gives the surfing community agency in the display of their lived experiences. The interactive museum interprets over fifty oral histories and hundreds of historical pictures, film, music, antiques, memorabilia, trophies, items, and historic surfboards.
Villa Zorayda Museum
The Villa Zorayda Museum gives families a distinctive and magical experience in the middle of St. Augustine. Visitors are taken back to a period of wealth and elegance thanks to this architectural marvel, which was created in the design of a Spanish Gilded Age mansion. Step inside the museum and be in awe of the unique Moorish-inspired decorations, like the delicate carvings, vibrant tiles, and breathtaking architectural features.
Explore the exhibits that feature an extensive collection of artwork, antiques, and relics, such as Spanish Renaissance items and treasures from ancient Egypt. This historic mansion is a riveting place for families looking for a cultural and educational adventure in St. Augustine since guided tours offer fascinating insights into its history and stories.
Oldest Store Museum Experience
The Oldest Store Museum Experience recreates the first general shop in St. Augustine, which C.F. Hamblen ran in 1908. It’s like stepping into an early 20th-century Sears and Roebuck catalog as you browse this vast selection of genuine goods.
Living history tour guides portray clerks and salespeople as they exhibit the most recent innovations for turn-of-the-century “modern” life, including tonics, unicycles, and a washing machine powered by a goat. Vintage farm implements, collars and corsets, “health underwear,” a corn sheller, a grain thresher, and several elixirs, including the perennially famous worm syrup, are all included in the collection.
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Classic Car Museum of St Augustine
The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine was established to assist in bringing back memories in the way that only classic cars can. They bring joy to everyone involved and who enters the doors. The company was founded on the ideals of sharing, charitable giving, community involvement, education, and fun. As a 501c3 registered charity, the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine provides guests with the chance to experience automobiles from the 1800s to contemporary sports cars, together with all the advantages a nonprofit organization can offer.
Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail is a must-see in St. Augustine and is included in the National Registry of Historic Places. The Old Jail has been modernized to allow visitors to glimpse the everyday routines of some of St. Augustine’s most notorious inmates housed there throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Old Jail Museum was constructed to look like a hotel in the Romanesque Revival style and painted naturally.
Costumed actors narrate stories about the jail and its inmates, and you can even sign up to become an inmate! The Old Jail is also home to a sizable collection of weapons and relics you can examine up close. It makes for a fantastic day of sightseeing on a historical excursion.
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