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.