Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Juan Ponce de Léon never did find the fabled "fountain of youth" which it was alleged he sought in 1513. In fact, some historians suspect that he actually sought Spanish loot. Nevertheless, the contingent of his compatriot, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés did land on this spot which has been converted into an archaeological park. Subsequent excavations have confirmed Avilés' expedition and even though he landed here, the park plays upon de Leon's name instead. Housing a cornucopia of colonial America circa 1565, this park is replete with ancient village replicas, canons and myriad archaeological figurines which lend insights into the life and times of the earliest Spanish settlers in America. The park has exhibits of both the Spanish arrival as well as those on indigenous peoples, most notably the Timucuan. The settlement as well as the replica burial grounds make the park a great place of learning and historical exploration, especially when the actors fire off the canons and archaic arquebuses.