31 Free and Cheap Things to Do in St. Augustine That Locals Actually Recommend
Looking for free things to do in St. Augustine? From beautiful beaches and historic streets to family-friendly parks, sunset views, local festivals, and hidden gems, these are the best free and inexpensive activities locals actually recommend.
Introduction
One of the biggest misconceptions visitors have about visiting St. Augustine is that it has to be expensive.
The truth is many of the experiences locals love most cost little or nothing.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean, wandering centuries-old streets, finding hidden courtyards downtown, listening to live music by the water, or letting the kids burn energy at one of the city’s best parks often creates memories that last longer than expensive attractions.
As locals, these are the places we recommend when friends and family visit and ask:
“What can we do that won’t cost a fortune?”
Completely Free Activities
1. Watch Sunrise on the Beach
Locals know sunrise is often more beautiful than sunset in St. Augustine. Matanzas Inlet is probably my favorite. You can park in either the Fort Matanzas National Monument Inlet East Parking Lot or the west parking lot. I like to walk around the inlet under the bridge early in the morning. If you have fishing poles, this is a great place to fish. You will see plenty of people fishing off the bridge or on the beach.
Some other local favorite spots:
- St. Augustine Beach
- Vilano Beach
- Crescent Beach
Local tip: Bring coffee and arrive 20 minutes early.
2. Walk Historic St. George Street
No tickets required.
Street musicians, historic buildings, hidden courtyards, local shops, and people watching can easily fill an afternoon. Go early in the morning when there are no crowds, and it’s not as humid.
Grab coffee from either,
- Kookaburra Coffee
- City Perks Coffee Co. (Walk down St. George Street till you see Milltop Tavern and make a right into that plaza area)
3. Explore the Plaza de la Constitución
The oldest public plaza in the United States remains one of the best places to simply sit beneath the oak trees and enjoy the atmosphere.
Nearby you’ll find:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
- Government House
- seasonal festivals and markets
4. Walk the Grounds Around the Fort
Even if you don’t purchase admission to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the waterfront grounds and seawall are completely free.
Many locals bring lunch and simply watch boats come and go in the harbor.
5. Walk the Bayfront
From the fort all the way south toward the marina is one of the prettiest waterfront walks in Florida. There are plenty of benches and areas to sit on at the bayfront that make for a relaxing morning.
6. Watch the Bridge of Lions Open
Kids absolutely love this.
Watching sailboats pass beneath the historic bridge somehow never gets old.
7. Explore Aviles Street
America’s oldest street feels like stepping into another century.
8. Visit the St. Augustine Beach Pier
The pier itself is free to walk and often offers excellent dolphin sightings. This one is close to free, but not quite. Last I checked, it was $2 to walk the pier.
9. Walk Around Vilano Beach & The Vilano Beach Pier
Morning hours are best.
Locals regularly spot dolphins cruising surprisingly close to shore.
10. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse Grounds
While climbing the lighthouse requires admission, the grounds and surrounding neighborhood are beautiful to explore.
11. Walk the Dunes at Anastasia State Park Beach Access
Parking fees may apply, but the experience itself feels worlds away from crowded tourist areas.
12. Explore Lincolnville
One of the city’s most historic neighborhoods and one many visitors completely miss.
Family Friendly Free Activities
13. Spend the Day at Treaty Park
One of the best hidden family spots in town.
Treaty Park offers:
- playgrounds
- pickleball courts
- basketball courts
- walking trails
- baseball fields
- dog park
- shaded picnic areas
This is where many locals actually spend Saturday mornings.
14. Visit the Dog Park at Treaty Park
Even if you don’t own a dog, kids often love watching dozens of dogs playing together.
15. Play Pickleball at Treaty Park
Pickleball has absolutely exploded in popularity here.
Visitors are often surprised how welcoming the local players are.
16. Walk the Trails at Treaty Park
Particularly nice in the cooler months.
17. Visit the Splash Pad at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park
An easy win for families with younger children.
18. Visit Local Farmers Markets
During the weekend, you can walk around the Amphitheatre Farmer’s Market, and on Wednesdays, enjoy the Pier Farmer’s Market at St. Augustine Beach.
Cheap Activities Worth Every Dollar
19. Mini Golf
A family tradition for many local families. There are actually several to choose from,
20. Ride the Old Town Trolley
Kids love it, worth it for first-time visitors. The hop-on-off trolleys are the best way to get around St. Augustine and avoid the headache of trying to find parking.
21. Tour the Fort
If you’re going to spend money on one historic attraction, this is usually our recommendation.
22. Explore the Lighthouse
The views from the top are incredible.
23. Visit A Museum
Especially good for children. I recommend,
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not – If you’re traveling with kids, they love this.
- St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum
- Tiny Art Museum
- Potter’s Wax Museum
These are all great options and are some of the most popular attractions in St. Augustine. Plus, they won’t break the bank.
24. Take a Ghost Tour
St. Augustine practically invented ghost tourism. I recommend the haunted trolley Ghost Tour.
25. Visit the Alligator Farm
Locals often underestimate how good this attraction actually is, and you can spend half a day at the Alligator Farm enjoying all they have to offer.
Hidden Local Favorites
26. Walk Around Mall 2121
Mall 2121 is one of those quirky local spots many tourists never discover.
It’s a fun place to browse collectibles, local artwork, and unique gifts at the Coconut Barrel.
You never know what you’ll find.
27. Explore Vilano Beach Town Center
Grab coffee and simply wander.
28. Watch Sunset at Vilano Pier
Arguably one of the best sunset spots in the entire city.
29. Visit the Marina
The boats alone make it worthwhile.
30. Listen to Live Music Downtown
Many venues offer free music several nights per week.
31. Drive around downtown St. Augustine and view the Nights of Lights
If you’re visiting during winter, this costs absolutely nothing and feels magical. I take my kids religiously and love just driving around with the windows down. Of course, walking around downtown during nights of lights is also great.
Final Thoughts
Saint Augustine is a beautiful city, and honestly, the best free things to do are taking advantage of the beautiful beaches we have or walking downtown, where you can just enjoy the beauty and history Saint Augustine has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Augustine expensive to visit?
Not at all. Many of the city’s best experiences including beaches, downtown walking areas, parks, and historic districts are completely free.
What is the best free thing to do in St. Augustine?
Most locals would probably say watching sunrise on the beach followed by breakfast downtown.
Are there free things to do with kids in St. Augustine?
Absolutely. Treaty Park, the pier splash pad, beaches, dolphin watching, playgrounds, and walking downtown can easily fill multiple days.
Can you visit the fort for free?
You can walk the grounds surrounding the fort and enjoy the waterfront for free, but entering the fort itself requires admission.
What is the best cheap attraction in St. Augustine?
Many locals would choose the Alligator Farm because of the amount of time you can spend there and how enjoyable it is for both children and adults.
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