Castillo de San Marcos

Fort St Augustine, Florida, United States
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What to expect

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. The fort has a rich history, having been used as a military prison, and has been under the control of various governments, including Spain, Britain, and the United States. Today, it is a National Monument and offers self-guided tours, cannon firings, and weaponry demonstrations. Visitors can explore the fort's historic walls and learn about its significance in American history. The fort is also a great place for families to visit, with its unique architecture and stunning views of the Matanzas Bay

Plan your family visit to the Castillo de San Marcos with these blog insights 👇

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Family Trip to Florida: Must-Sees and More!

Family Trip to Florida: Must-Sees and More!
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort in St. Augustine. The kids loved exploring the fort and learning about its history

Highlights: The kids loved exploring the fort and learning about its history. They also enjoyed the fort's architecture and the beautiful views of the city ✨

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The Best Way To Explore St. Augustine With Kids

The Best Way To Explore St. Augustine With Kids
This family's experience:

Activities: We explored the fort, built with coquina, a local concrete made from limestone full of tiny seashells. We learned about its history as a Spanish military fort, and listened to the ranger talk about colonial Spanish and British uniforms. We also saw vials of the cochineal bugs used to make red dye

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the cochineal bugs, and we all enjoyed the fort's views of the city and the bay. The kids also enjoyed learning about the fort's history ✨

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St. Augustine with kids: 6 fun kids' activities!

St. Augustine with kids: 6 fun kids' activities!
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the oldest fort in the US, built by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695. Costumed actors walk around inside and there is a cannon shooting demonstration every hour between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Highlights: The kids loved the dressed-up actors and playing on and around the castle ✨