Fountain of Youth

Since 1871, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park has drawn visitors to the birthplace of St. Augustine and colonial European America. Entertaining and interactive exhibits include de León’s Spring of Eternal Hope, a re-created Timucuan village, a planetarium, hourly cannon demonstrations, and informative staff in period dress. The park is a worthwhile addition to your St. Augustine sightseeing itinerary, which might also include a stop at the Old Jail, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Castillo de San Marcos, Potter’s Wax Museum, and other attractions. Skip the driving and try a hop-on hop-off tour to explore all of these attractions at your own pace.

• The Fountain of Youth is great for historians, and offers a lot of entertainment and space for kids to roam, too.

• Discounted tickets are available for children, active military, senior citizens, and AAA members.

• An on-site restaurant serves locally sourced barbecue, or you can bring your own food.

• Plan to spend at least two hours to explore the entire site.

• The park is pet-friendly and mostly accessible to wheelchairs.

The Fountain of Youth is located in downtown St. Augustine on Magnolia Avenue, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Jacksonville. Take I-95 South to FL-16 East to Magnolia Avenue. Free on-site parking is available. The Sunshine Bus purple line also stops at US-1 south of Matanzas Avenue, about a 6-minute walk to the park.

The archeological park is open from 9am to 6pm daily. St. Augustine weather is generally ideal in the spring, from March through May, and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds on weekdays and earlier or later in the day (though note that last entry is at 5pm).

This particular Fountain of Youth isn’t the only one in Florida that claims a Ponce de León origin story. Dozens of legends have sprung up about the area’s springs and wells, including a fountain in Punta Gorda that has been deemed unsafe for drinking and potentially radioactive. Rest assured, this park’s well is tested regularly and meets standards of consumption.

Tickets for the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Florida, are US$19.95 for youth and adults aged 13–59, US$17.95 for seniors, US$9.95 for children 6–11, and free for children five and under. Same-day tickets are available at the ticket office; tickets bought online and for county residents receive discounts.

The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine takes as little as 1–2 hours to visit—but you can spend up to a full day there. Fifteen park exhibits range from a planetarium showcasing the navigation techniques of Spanish and Portuguese explorers to the reconstruction of a Timucua American Indian Village.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the site of St. Augustine's original settlement and is worth visiting for those interested in Florida and American Indian history. The park has minor archaeological excavations and houses a spring thought to be the mystical Fountain of Youth by Spanish explorer and conquistador Ponce de Leon.

No, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Florida, is not a national park. The park grounds, which house minor archaeological excavations and a spring thought to be the mystical Fountain of Youth by Spanish explorer and conquistador Ponce de Leon, sit on 15 privately-owned acres (six hectares).

Yes, there are restrooms at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Florida. Find them near the Magnolia Room private events space and 1950 Ponce Memorial Statue and near the exit. The park also has a gift shop, barbecue food options, picnic areas, and parking lots.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a popular attraction in St. Augustine, Florida, but it is easily visited throughout the year from 9am to 6pm daily. Remember that school groups can visit during weekdays; the last entry is at 5pm, and the park fires a replica 16th-century cannon on the hour.