Has anyone been there? I have to go for a two week business trip for the week before school starts and the first week (3 days) of school. Since my husband is out of work, I am considering bringing everyone with me since we had to forgo our other vacation plans for this summer and the hotel will be paid for. We can do the beach and hotel pool for entertainment...as well as parks and other free things. But how long of a drive is it from Southern Maryland to there? And are there any really good and free things to do/places to go?
Thanks, mama's!! It looks like my company will foot the gas bill, so we are going to head down! As long as my husband is not at work yet - so it could all change last minute, but I think it will be fun to just get away....even if they kids play at the hotel all day and then we do a cheap dinner and the beach at night! Looking forward to it!! Thanks again!
I grew up going to St. Augustine and just visited with my family this past May!! I LOVE it there!!! the beaches, the historical town...ahhhh, so wonderful! If you are looking for a place to stay, contact Kim Lane at the Ocean House Condominiums on A1A. If you need more info..send me a message and I'll be happy to help!! If you go, look up a restaurant called 'Caps'....amazing setting!
My parents live there and we drove down last summer. They also drive up here every 6 - 8 weeks. It's about an 11 1/2 hour drive with stops. We have small kids so we stop every 3 hours or so and make a longer stop with dinner. We like to start the drive around lunch time in hopes of getting an afternoon nap out of them. By the time they're getting antsy at the end of the drive it's bed time (and dark) and they fall asleep for those final couple hours. It's a straight shot down 95 so it can a little bit boring.
We always do things like the Jacksonville zoo (they have a splashpark too), beach, Water park, pirate cruise, etc. It's a really neat place with all the history.
LOVE St. Augustine!!!
There is a ton of things to do there that are Free/LOW cost. The beach is beautiful, St. George street is great. There is ALOT of history there and I think you can even download a walking history tour map. Anyway call the hotel and ask about discounted tickets and things. one thing that does cost and I can't remember how much but it was so worth it (wasn't too bad on price) is the Fort (Castillo de San Marco) it is AMAZING.
Don't know about the drive but I think it would be a great family vacation. We have done it a few times
I just got back from St. Augustine and it took us about 16 hrs w/4 stops (had 3 vans and 20 teens). The area is nice and has a lot to do there and is only 30+ min from Jacksonville. Most all the beaches are free and you can look online for special deals to the various attractions or if you have friends from groups/churches/etc they would be able to help you find what you need and the best places to stay. We stayed in host homes so I can't tell about the hotels and traffic there isn't that bad. Hope this helps.
I don't know about free things to do, but I know that the oldest European settlement is there, great historical sights all through downtown, most of which are free I believe. Also, my kids LOVED the alligator farm. It was really neat. I think they could have spent all day there. I would look it up online; it's called - big surprise - The St. Augustine Alligator Farm. St. A is a city that thrives on tourism, so there should be a website et al.
We live right across the Potomac from So. MD and we've made this trip SEVERAL times. I know that California, MD is closer to Pax River though, so you'll likely take 13. However, if you go out to 301 and take that down to 95, I think you'll be happier with your trip (so long as you don't get stuck behind an Amish carriage on your way to 301! lol!). For that length car drive you definitely want to take 95 if you can. Don't forget to stop at "South of the Border" on the N&S Carolina borders. It's cheesy but fun for the kids and it's about the halfway point so it makes a good rest stop.
It takes us about 10hrs. to get to Jacksonville (not counting pit stops), which is where my step-son lives and where my hubby was stationed for a while. St. Augustine is another 30 minutes to 1hr. from Jax depending on how you go. I don't remember the actual routes though. It was several years ago. It's also only about 2hrs. from Orlando if I remember correctly, so Disney World isn't out of the question for a day if you're already going to be in the area (should be cheaper if you go on one of the days after the school year starts). Also, check out Jacksonville. I think there is a water-park there or something. Can't remember exactly, but I do know that there is plenty to do in that area if you look closely enough! lol!
Well, that's all I can offer, HTH.
