Take a Family Vacation to Florida’s Historic Coast

Family Vacation to Florida’s Historic Coast from the couch and then in real life! Let the kids Discover and Experience Florida’s Historic Coast from home! A unique family vacation…

Florida is a state that comes to mind when we say ‘family vacation’. But when we talk about American History and travel, Florida is not the state that immediately springs to mind.

But….

Florida has a historic coast that is actually older than the country of the United States.

Surprise!

Here are nine ways to Discover and Experience Florida’s Historic Coast from home! Yup some of the OLDEST places in America explored with the NEWEST of technology!

We recommend two parts to this family vacation to Florida. Part One, experience the coast virtually and let the whole family plan the vacation!

That will make part two, when you actually go that much more special and the whole family will be engaged!

St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach

St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach Florida are great places to learn about US history AND nature.

Like other Visitor Bureaus, Florida’s Historic Coast is committed to providing travelers with accurate and timely information about traveling to the area safely. In this time of personal isolation, they are encouraging potential visitors to visit virtually.

Our twist? Let the kids do the planning for a future family vacation!!!!

orrrrrrr…..

Let them play cruise director and do the research here… THEN take YOU on the virtual trip!

Either way you get a family vacation (of sorts) to the Florida Historic Coast and a memory gets made.

Costumes encouraged.

We have come up with 9 ways for school-age kids to learn from home about St. Augustine’s fascinating history, wildlife habitats, and activities to plan for a future visit to learn even more. Ready to Discover and Experience Florida’s Historic Coast? LET’S DO IT!!!

Visit Virtual Orlando Florida

Oh and here’s a handy little page to print out for easy vacation planning!

New School meets Old School

Using up to date technology, the whole family can get educated on the history of the oldest schoolhouse in the United States.

I know I know, who wants to go to school on vacation? But this is historic and you aren’t ACTUALLY going to school so….

The Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens was established in the late 1700’s as a school for local Minorcan and Greek Children. It symbolizes the settlement of St. Augustine from town to city based on the foundation of the strength and determination of colonists to create a community shaped by their traditions, customs, culture and faith.

Visit the website for a lesson on St. Augustine’s Cultural history then plan your summertime old school visit in St. Augustine, Florida. https://oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com/our-history/

Get Under the Sea

Sing with me now…. sha la la la la my oh my…

What’s a family vacation without a trip to an aquarium? The St. Augustine Aquarium offers grade-appropriate curriculum about creatures in the sea for Kindergarten through seventh grade. While the Aquarium is currently closed to the public, you can still visit the website and click on the Educational Field Trip tab to download worksheets and plan for a future visit to learn more.  saaquarium.com

Research Reptilians

Florida and alligators… like peas and carrots…

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Research Blog has research by field biologists, television shows, and their own observant keepers, the understanding of the many fascinating species at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park continues to grow. They cover many topics from Crocodilian tooth replacement and comparisons of today’s Crocodilian with dinosaurs to Crocodile parenting and to what Crocodiles eat. https://www.alligatorfarm.com/research-blog/

Crocodile Tooth replacement???? Yes, that sounds like the PERFECT Homeschool activity to me. Virtual…very very virtual please.

Park It!

Learn a little more about Florida State Parks from their learning blog where virtual visitors can explore online the important natural and historic culture of our state.

The blog has several stories about historic and natural facts about Florida.

American History….way more my speed for a family vacation than alligators. For instance, did you know that Florida had the first Underground railroad for runaway slaves? Learn more about State Parks Preserve African-American History, Untold Stories

Tour President Lincoln’s Legacy

Believe It or Not

I don’t know about you but we always have an element of ridiculous in our family vacation. How about a trip to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Flordia!

St. Augustine features an incredible collection of over 800 UNIQUE, BIZARRE and INCREDIBLE artifacts. The Ripley Entertainment company is founded on the principle that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated as such. Ripley’s online “Odd is In” educational package helps children come to accept and celebrate all people from all walks of life. Pretty cool right?

Ripley’s also offers curriculum for elementary, middle and high school age children. Visit ripleys.com/staugustine/group-info/ and select the Field Trips tab. A whole menu of learning choices are available.

Thinking the kiddos can put together their own version of the Family Believe It or Not in the Living Room to accompany this virtual vacation stop.

Discover the Fountain of Youth

The nicest thing a family can do for a mother. Seriously, this is a great stop on a family vacation.

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Park is a place where legend meets history. When the park is open, there are several ways visitors can experience the history of First America. Future visitors can learn to explore that history on The Fountain of Youth website through an historic timeline on their website. Explore information about the native Timucuan Indians that were here 5,000 years ago, the discovery of La Florida by Ponce de Leon, the founding of the City of St. Augustine, and today’s archeological research into the history of Europeans in Florida.  fountainofyouthflorida.com/history/

Virtually Travel Through American History

Science!

Florida boasts a very interesting biology reserve. Guana Tolamato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve) is a 74,000 acre coastal preserve in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach that offers programming for all ages on the importance of the estuary. The whole family can learn more about the GTM Reserve’s estuary from the comfort of your own home with student programs, 360 video tours and planning tools for a future visit to explore the estuaries. https://gtmnerr.org/education/student-programs/self-guided-opportunities/

Science isn’t always on the front of your mind when you plan a family vacation but who doesn’t like exploring a beautiful place full of wildlife?

Make Your Own Color Changing Bath Bombs

The Castillo

Yes, America has a castle. Sort of…

Take the family to visit the Castillo de San Marcos website to learn about our nation’s oldest masonry fortification. The Castillo was built between 1671 and 1692 to protect the Spanish City of St. Augustine from raiding pirates and other European cultures encroaching on Spanish Florida.

Visit the National Parks website to learn about the history and culture of 16th and 17th century Spanish Florida.  Topics covered include the Architecture of the fort, arms and armaments, the cultural history of St. Augustine and more.

If the hands on version of this vacation doesn’t include building an epic living room fort and a pirate costume than we are no longer friends. And yes, I totally want photos to be sent!

Play with the Dolphins

You can keep your pirate outfit on for this one as well.

As an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), Marineland Dolphin Adventure is dedicated to the well-being of dolphins and other marine mammals in human care and in the wild. Marineland is widely and rightly recognized by the public and by governments worldwide for their important and long-standing contributions to marine education, to the protection of ocean wildlife and habitats, research important to the health of animals—both in our collections and in the wild—and to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and stranded marine mammals, sea turtles and other animals.

Visit marineland.net/animal-guide/  to download fact sheets to learn about the different species of marine life at the park (Logger Head and Kemp Ridley’s Sea Turtles, Moray Eels, Bottlenose dolphins and more), then plan to take the Behind the Seas tour or interact with the dolphins this summer.

Final Notes

Virtual Education or travel doesn’t have to be boring. Neither does a family vacation from home. SO many ways to keep it alive and entertaining. The only limitations are your creativity. Keep it lively and it’s OK to be a little silly. Who’s judging?

So do some research, make it a game, turn the kids into tour guides. Wear costumes. Have snacks. (Snacks make everything better). Learn a little something and have a whole lot of fun!

Did you enjoy taking a virtual family vacation to Florida and its historic coast? Fabulous.

This Family Blog has an entire series on DISCOVER AMERICA with several virtual tours like this either up or on their way so check back often or sign up for our email so you’ll be the first to know as they go up.

We discover and rediscover America through family vacations and unique experiences.

How will you use virtual travel to take the family on a vacation to Florida and the historic coast? Tell us below!

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