Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, St. Augustine
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a privately owned 15-acre park that has been said as the likely 1513 Florida landing site of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. The park is home to a well that is thought to be the freshwater source sought by Ponce de Leon. Archaeological excavations on the park's grounds in the 1990s uncovered remains of the first Spanish settlement and its fortifications in St. Augustine.
The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America. Long before the Spanish came to La Florida, the Timucuan Indian village was established at this site for nearly 3,000 years. Archaeological excavations made by Dr. Kathleen Deagan on the park's grounds in the 1990s uncovered remains of the first Spanish settlement and its fortifications in St. Augustine. The park also offers a variety of shows and living history reenactments designed to entertain and educate visitors. The Planetarium, the two-story Discovery Globe mapping the routes of the early explorers, the Timucuan Village, and the reconstructed First Mission of Nombre de Dios are some of the popular attractions.
The park has a deep sense of history and is a magical place that allows visitors to learn about the first Spanish settlers who came here in the 1600s and the native Timucuans who were here to greet them. The park is bursting with history, and it's a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the views over the water from the 600-foot Founders Riverwalk or from the Observation Tower. Visitors can also sample the waters from the natural spring, which is said to be Ponce de Leon's legendary Fountain of Youth. Children can enjoy feeding the roaming peacocks.
The large grounds of the Fountain of Youth attraction make a great space for family gatherings, weddings, or other special occasions. The beautiful waterfront location offers views of the bayfront and St. Augustine Inlet.
The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America. Long before the Spanish came to La Florida, the Timucuan Indian village was established at this site for nearly 3,000 years. Archaeological excavations made by Dr. Kathleen Deagan on the park's grounds in the 1990s uncovered remains of the first Spanish settlement and its fortifications in St. Augustine. The park also offers a variety of shows and living history reenactments designed to entertain and educate visitors. The Planetarium, the two-story Discovery Globe mapping the routes of the early explorers, the Timucuan Village, and the reconstructed First Mission of Nombre de Dios are some of the popular attractions.
The park has a deep sense of history and is a magical place that allows visitors to learn about the first Spanish settlers who came here in the 1600s and the native Timucuans who were here to greet them. The park is bursting with history, and it's a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the views over the water from the 600-foot Founders Riverwalk or from the Observation Tower. Visitors can also sample the waters from the natural spring, which is said to be Ponce de Leon's legendary Fountain of Youth. Children can enjoy feeding the roaming peacocks.
The large grounds of the Fountain of Youth attraction make a great space for family gatherings, weddings, or other special occasions. The beautiful waterfront location offers views of the bayfront and St. Augustine Inlet.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in St. Augustine. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park on Map
Sight Name: Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Sight Location: St. Augustine, USA (See walking tours in St. Augustine)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: St. Augustine, USA (See walking tours in St. Augustine)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in St. Augustine, Florida
Create Your Own Walk in St. Augustine
Creating your own self-guided walk in St. Augustine is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
St. Augustine's Historical Houses Tour
A great deal of St. Augustine's storied past is set in stone in the form of houses that have been inhabited for over 400 years. The number of historic homes found in the city offer a glimpse into its colorful culture with European roots.
Among the most notable of them is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, originally as a boarding place for wealthy travelers, today this property serves... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among the most notable of them is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, originally as a boarding place for wealthy travelers, today this property serves... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
St. Augustine Introduction Walking Tour
The charming city of St. Augustine is situated on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida, where two rivers and a lagoon meet at St. Augustine Inlet. Famous as the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a historical town that boasts plenty of intriguing places to explore.
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, a Spanish explorer, founded the city in 1565. After first sighting land in Florida... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, a Spanish explorer, founded the city in 1565. After first sighting land in Florida... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
St. Augustine Early Settlements Tour
The city of St. Augustine on the northeastern coast of Florida is considered the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. It was founded by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 8, 1565, and served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years.
One of the most significant early European sites in the city is the Castillo de San... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
One of the most significant early European sites in the city is the Castillo de San... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles