DE SOTO NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK
Bradenton, FL
Description
The mission of De Soto National Memorial is to preserve the controversial story of this four year, four thousand mile odyssey and interpret it's significance in American history. Visitors can attend living history demonstrations, try on a piece of armor, or walk the nature trail through a Florida coastal landscape similar to the one encountered by conquistadors almost five hundred years ago.
Contact Information
P. O. Box 15390
Bradenton, FL 34280-5390
Visitor Information
(941) 792-0458
Fax
941-792-5094
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Operating Hours & Seasons
Visitor Center is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Park grounds are open dawn to dusk. Parking lot gates close at 5:00 p.m.
Getting There
Plane
Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (20 miles) Tampa International Airport (50 miles)
Car
De Soto National Memorial is located at the northern terminus of 75th Street North West, Bradenton, Florida. Visitors can reach the park from I-75 or I-275. From I-75 follow State Road 64 west (also Manatee Avenue), for approximately twelve miles to 75th Street West. Turn right (north) onto 75th Street West, and proceed two and five-tenths miles to the park entrance and the terminus of 75th Street.
From I-275 exit 1, follow US-19 into Bradenton. Turn west onto State Road 64, for approximately five miles to 75th Street West. Turn right (north) onto 75th Street West, and proceed two and five-tenths miles to the park entrance and the terminus of 75th Street.
FACILITIES
VISITOR CENTERS
De Soto National Memorial Visitor Center
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Phone
941-792-0458
Location
Terminus of 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida.
Closures
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
Special Programs
In our Visitor Center Theater we show the twenty one minute film entitled, "Hernando De Soto in America", which is shown throughout the day. This film depicts the four year, 4000 mile journey of Soto and his men, throughout what is now the southeastern United States. Other educational films are available to groups with prior arrangement. Contact the park for futher information.
Exhibits
The visitor center offers museum exhibits that relate the story of the expedition and its impact upon Native Americans and Florida. Included are 16th century artifacts such as armor, weapons, examples of indian pottery, and projectile points. Detailed maps trace the route of the expedition, highlighting significant incidents and features. An outdoor exhibit on the north porch shows probable archaeological sites associated with the four year trek.
Available Facilities
Bookstore, Restrooms, Payphone, Indoor Water Fountain, Loaner Wheelchair, Outdoor Water Fountain, and Outdoor Dog Fountain. |
