De Soto National Memorial
- Florida
photo: National Park Service
Why go there?
The De Soto National Memorial, in Manatee County, Florida, commemorates the 1539 landing of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his men. This was the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States. The memorial site includes a museum with exhibits about de Soto's expedition and the native cultures he encountered. There is also a replica of one of the boats used by the explorers, and a walking trail through the mangrove forest. Visitors can get a sense of what de Soto's journey was like, and learn about the fascinating cultures he encountered.
