St. Augustine City Gate

A talking professor greets you, and your kid leaves with a small diploma after seeing the old classroom, kitchen and gardens.

Real pirate artifacts and hands-on displays pitched at about four to eight, and it's indoors and air-conditioned for a hot afternoon.

Changing local-history exhibits, restrooms and water fountains, which makes it a good first stop before walking the old town.

More than 160 wax figures, from historical people to pop-culture characters, that kids can pose beside for photos. A studio shows how they're made.

Oversized sundaes with a cookie rim and piles of toppings, big enough to share. Plain cones too, if that's more your kid's speed.

Blacksmithing, a cannon demonstration and a watchtower to climb. The cannon is loud, so warn a noise-shy kid before it goes off.