Fountain of Youth
St. Augustine, Florida

Ponce de Leon’s World Famous Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine commemorates the discovery of Florida in 1513, the search for the legendary Fountain of Youth and the Explorer in all of us.

Imagine a time when brave Explorers sailed out into unknown waters to search for new lands, new ideas, new opportunities. They searched for silver. They searched for gold. They searched for magical waters. It took courage, dedication and a spirit of adventure. Now it’s your turn. Explore the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine just as explorers of old did hundreds of year ago.

Ponce de Leon was an Explorer of new lands.

Squire to a knight and a passenger on Christopher Columbus’s second voyage in 1493, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida for Spain in the year 1513.

The story starts with Ponce de Leon in 1513 but it doesn’t end there.

15 acres of History, Exploration and Old Florida charm greets you here along with peacocks that you can feed by hand.

This is the original settlement site where Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded the town of St. Augustine in 1565. Menendez lived here in the first colony with the native Timucua tribe before relocating to the downtown area.

The Village of Seloy existed on this site for over 1000 years before his arrival. Now you can hear and feel the echoes of that past as you walk the grounds.

Ponce de Leon’s World Famous Fountain of Youth Archaeology Park also offers a continuous, three building guided program with your ticket. The buildings include The Fountain of Youth St. Augustine Springhouse where you learn about Ponce de Leon and his search for the legendary Fountain of Youth and taste the very waters that Explorers drank in Florida. The same water aquifer still runs deep in the ground here.

The two- story Discovery Globe explains the routes of Spanish exploration across the New World, leaving settlements and Universities in their wake.

The third program takes place in the Navigator’s Planetarium with exploration of the night sky just as Ponce de Leon saw it in 1513. Learn how sailors traveled great distances using the stars to guide them and see a display of navigational instruments.

The rest of the Park is yours to explore and discover on your own.

Just like Ponce de Leon.

Exhibits include the Christian Indian burial grounds and a “First Encounters” exhibit showcasing the Spanish and Timucua relationship in Florida.

The history of the United States truly began here.

Imagine those early explorers as you stand on the site of the first Fort in St. Augustine, while gazing towards the Atlantic Ocean. You might even discover a Wood Stork, a cannon firing or meet a Native American storyteller in your travels.

Since 1901, Ponce de Leon’s World Famous Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park attracted the Explorer in all of us.

Are you ready to sail out into unknown waters to discover new and exciting lands?

Ponce was. Now it’s your turn. Don’t miss it. Be sure to stop in and visit the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. everyday except Christmas

Admission: Adults – $8.00
Seniors (over 60) - $7.00
Student (6-12) - $5.00
Child (under 6) - Free
Price includes all exhibits and free parking.

NOTE: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the attraction.

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