St. Augustine kids’ tickets for the Old Jail (children under 13) start at $9. Adults start at $18, and children under 4 are free!
Oldest City. New Adventure. Get “booked” by costumed deputies, walk the cellblocks of the city’s most notorious 19th-century criminals, and brave the gallows all in about 30 minutes! It’s real 1891 history that doubles as an interactive adventure, making it one of the best kid-friendly attractions in the Ancient City. In fact, kids’ tickets start at just $9, and kids under 4 are free!
Fun for All Ages
Kids Under 4 Free
Certified Autism Center
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Get Booked!
It would be a crime to visit the Ancient City and skip the Old Jail. This is the one place in St. Augustine where getting arrested is the best part of the family trip! Costumed deputies “book” your whole crew, slam the cell doors, and turn 1891 history into a full-on family adventure.
The guided tour runs about 30 minutes, making it short enough for little ones, yet packed with enough action that everyone leaves with a story. Looking for kids’ things to do in St. Augustine that actually hold their attention? This is it!
The Old Jail - What You'll See
Step inside a real maximum-security jail built in 1891, where your costumed deputy books you in and never breaks character.
On Your 30-Minute Guided Tour:
Get “Booked”: Walk through authentic men’s and women’s cellblocks.
Meet the Sheriff: Hear stories of 6-foot, 6-inch, 300-pound Sheriff Joe Perry and how he ran the jail.
Brave the Gallows: Experience historic jail grounds told in a fun, family-appropriate way.
See Living Quarters: Peek at the sheriff’s family living space, located right upstairs from the inmates.
True-Crime Artifacts: View a collection of authentic 19th-century weapons and early forensic tools.
Arresting Fact: The Old Jail was built by the Pauly Jail Building Company, the same firm behind Alcatraz! To protect Henry Flagler’s luxury tourism vision, the exterior was cleverly styled in Romanesque Revival architecture to look like a grand hotel rather than a prison.
Pricing and Details:
Kids under 13 from $9 • Adults from $18 • Kids under 4 FREE
Duration: 30 minutes
Make It a Family Day — Add Potter's Wax Museum
After you’ve done your time at the Old Jail, keep the St. Augustine adventure going a short trolley ride away!
America’s oldest wax museum lets kids pose with 160+ lifelike figures they know by heart, including Taylor Swift, Harry Potter, Hermione, Elvis, Michael Jordan, and more. It’s indoors, climate-controlled, camera-friendly, and self-guided, making it the perfect second stop.
Convenient Location: About a 12-15 minute walk or just one hop on the Old Town Trolley.
Family Value: Kids under 13 start at $9. Adults start at $17.10.
Save With a Combo:
The St. Augustine Trolley + Attractions Pass bundles both the Old Jail Museum and Old Town Trolley with many trolley stops around the Ancient City. Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day!
At a Glance
Kids’ tickets (under 13) start at $9 at both attractions!
Old Jail St. Augustine Museum
What Kids Love: Getting “booked” by costumed deputies.
Best Age Fit: All ages (under 4 free).
Time: 30 minutes.
Kids’ Price: From $9.
Hours: Daily tours 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Potter's Wax Museum
What Kids Love: Photos with 160+ famous wax figures.
Best Age Fit: All ages.
Time: 60-90 minutes.
Kids’ Price: From $9.
Hours: Daily 9 am – 5 pm.
Plan Your Visit
Location:
167 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL, 32084.
Tour Hours:
Daily from 9 am - 4:30 pm (tours depart every 15 minutes.)
Parking:
Free on-site parking available for all patrons.
Trolley Access:
On the Old Town Trolley route.
Accessibility:
Certified Autism Center (ADA access on the first floor).
We are located right on San Marco Avenue with free parking on-site. Potter’s Wax Museum is just a short trolley ride downtown near the Old City Gates!
Inside the Old Jail
Built by Henry Flagler in 1891 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Jail housed St. Augustine’s inmates for roughly 60 years. Up to 72 prisoners were held here at a time while Sheriff Joe Perry and his family lived on the premises right upstairs.
Today, costumed CASTmembers keep that history alive with a tour that’s equal parts education and entertainment, creating the kind of interactive outing kids remember long after the vacation ends.
And when you’re ready for stop two, Potter’s Wax Museum is a short trolley ride away with 160+ wax figures and endless photo opportunities!
Why Kids Under 13 Love The Old Jail
It’s interactive from the very first minute. Costumed deputies, dramatic storytelling, and a fast-paced 30-minute tour keep young visitors completely engaged without wearing them out.
The daytime tour is completely family-friendly, and the venue is a Certified Autism Center.
(Note: The separate Old Jail After Dark paranormal tour is a 13+ evening experience).
FAQs
The daytime tour is fun and engaging, not gory! It features theatrical costumed deputies and playful historical storytelling. The 13+ Old Jail After Dark tour is a separate nighttime experience.
The guided tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, with tours departing every 15 minutes, which is perfect for shorter attention spans.
Potter’s Wax Museum is a short trolley ride away! Kids love posing with 160+ figures of movie stars, sports heroes, and historical legends.
We are located at 167 San Marco Avenue and offer free on-site parking for visitors. We are also a main stop on the Old Town Trolley route.
Yes! The St. Augustine Trolley + Attractions Pass bundles the Old Jail Museum and Old Town Trolley Tours® into one convenient ticket package.
Yes, the Old Jail Museum is a Certified Autism Center. First-floor exhibits are fully accessible.
Reviews
Come Do the Time
Kids' Tickets Start at $9!
Oldest City. New Adventure. Book online in advance to secure your tour time and save!