Pirates still roam the streets of St. Augustine, but these days, they're very well behaved. During one of my family's visits, a buccaneer in full regalia ran into me as he was rushing to a reenactment event and then stopped to apologize profusely. That's the kind of funny, sweet moment that keeps our family coming
back to this Atlantic Coast city where Spanish explorer Ponce de León landed in 1513.
Other colonial history destinations, such as Williamsburg, Virginia, may get more of the limelight, but St. Augustine's glorious weather, walkable downtown, and piratical past — not to mention its proximity to Orlando's theme parks — make it an ideal place for a family day trip. I love to steal away to St. Augustine with my husband, Jeremey, and our son, Owen, age 9, from our home in nearby Gainesville. Here's how we pack in a full day of fun in one of the oldest European settlements in the United States.
