Discovered in 1513 by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, St. Augustine, Florida, is oldest continuously occupied city in America. The first settlement was set up in 1565, 55 years before Plymouth Rock and 78 years before Jamestown. Unlike many of the other colonial cities in America, St. Augustine has a Spanish flare as it was a Spanish colony, which makes for a unique Colonial America experience. It also holds the key to staying young forever-The Fountain of Youth. Legend holds that water from this spring can cure sickness as well as reverse aging.
First, visit Fort Castillo da San Marcos, the oldest masonry Fort in America. It is one of the only forts of the bastion system of defense still standing in America, making it a unique tribute to military history. Even if military history is not interesting to you, you should still visit. The fort is built out of a semi-rare limestone called coquina. There is only one other fort in the world built out of this material. (It is also in Florida!) The guides also explain the tricky relations between the Spaniards and the English during Colonial Period of American History.
Next, head over to the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. There is much more to do here than just drink from the fountain! There is the Franciscan Mission of Nombre de Dios with and Indian Burial Ground. There is also the Menendez Settlement, which is the first settlement in the United States, founded in 1565. And of course there is the natural spring with the panacea waters. This is the original spring that Ponce de Leon and his explorers found when they arrived in 1513.
The site is also home to a large number of roaming peacocks, including white ones. While not original, they offer a beautiful site around the park. There are also coastal trails that follow the coastline of the marshes. Scattered along these paths are Spanish watch towers used to watch for invading Englishmen.
In the Historic District, there is the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S. (only fitting for the oldest city!) This is a great place to visit if you are traveling with kids. The schoolhouse gives an explanation of how children were educated in the past centuries. It is a good place to let your children run around explore the past that they will find more relevant to them.
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