Florida's Most Mythical Tourist Trap Might Leave You Disappointed

Often referred to as the "Nation's Oldest City," St. Augustine, Florida, may be one of the Sunshine State's best historical hotspots. Founded in 1565, the city entices history buffs and beachgoers alike with weathered fortresses, architecture that will make you feel like you're in Europe, and a fanciful legacy tied to Juan Ponce de Leon's search for the Fountain of Youth. However, you might want to skip Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

The original site of the St. Augustine settlement and the area Ponce de Leon explored, the park bills itself as where "legend meets history." Here, visitors can learn about Spanish colonization, the indigenous Timucuan people, and, of course, the Fountain of Youth through reconstructed sites, exhibitions, and excavated burial sites. There's also a planetarium, a canon-firing demonstration, and a group of peacocks that visitors often enjoy more than the exhibits. 

While the majority of visitors come away with a generally positive impression, those seeking a true archeological experience without the cheesiness of a tourist attraction hate this park. One concerned visitor described the exhibits on Tripadvisor: "a genuine Native American burial trapped in a fluorescent room, with the constant playing of cheesy music and 1970s dialogue, fluorescent lighting, and photos of how their bones were on display for decades... uninterested tourists coming in and snapping photos... It was so disrespectful to their remains."

As one of the top attractions in the St. Augustine area, Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park's mythical, anti-aging waters attract the most visitors. However, you might want to stick to bottled water. "The water from the fountain of youth has a very bad smell, my wife did not take a drink and others decided not to. I did and my stomach has been sick for the past 4 days," complained one guest on Tripadvisor. "Avoid (I'm also not looking any younger lol)."

Although several visitors mention developing stomach aches after sipping the water, the most common complaint is the sulfur smell. Hidden in a traditional coquina-style building, the water comes directly from an aquifer surrounded by statues of partially clothed Indigenous people and battle-ready Spaniards. Considering there are over 30 minerals in the water, the smell should come as a surprise to no one. It's also worth noting that there's no historical evidence that Ponce de Leon ever drank from this spring, or, in fact, set out to find the Fountain of Youth at all. 

Finally, many visitors also find the price of admission too high. For reference, the adult ticket costs $22.95 at the time of writing. For a more affordable water-centric experience, visit Florida's under-the-radar crystal-clear Royal Springs Park or this beautiful blue freshwater spring hidden in Florida's woodlands.