Surely you have heard the story of Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. A couple dozen miles inland on the Southwest Florida coast, lies a town called North Port. In North Port is Warm Mineral Springs, which is rumored to be the very Fountain of Youth that de Leon spent years searching for. The Springs are popular among locals as well as tourists, particularly those from Europe. If you are headed to southwest Florida any time soon, consider taking a day to explore this important archaeological site. Here are some things you should know:
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Warm Mineral Springs is open every day of the year except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for children 12 and under. If you will be in the area for a while and plan to spend quite some time at the Springs, you can purchase a 10-day pass for $170.
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Warm Mineral Springs has the highest mineral content of any springs in the United States. The water covers an acre and a half, and contains nine million gallons of mineral-rich water. Due to the high mineral content, the water appears brownish and has a sulfur smell. The water is replenished naturally every day, so it never gets stagnant or holds onto any toxins; it’s considered the purest water in the country, and is held at a constant 87 degrees.
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If you have never been to the Springs before, it’s recommended that you spend 20 minutes in the water, then 40 minutes relaxing in one of the beach chairs provided. The next time you go, you can spend 30 minutes in the water per hour, and you can add about 10 minutes per hour each time you visit.
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During your visit, you will want to visit Spa Donya. If you book any treatments at the spa, your admission fee will be waived. Treatments include massage therapy, skin care services, acupuncture, hydro yoga and various spa packages. The goal of Spa Donya is to help you relax, unwind, rejuvenate and improve your mind, body and spirit.
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Grab a light lunch at Cafe Evergreen. Here, you’ll be able to dine on salads, sushi, wraps, burgers and various specials. Also available are beers, organic wines and smoothies. There’s a children’s menu and dessert, too.
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Warm Mineral Springs is close to Venice and Sarasota, Florida. You’ll be within 15 minutes of the beach town of Venice and about a half hour from the city of Sarasota. Your visit to this part of Florida will allow you to enjoy the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, take in a show at one of several theaters in the area, go boutique-shopping and people-watching at world-famous St. Armand’s Circle, and relax at art galleries, discover the area’s history at Spanish Heritage Point and so much more. You’ll also be within an hour’s drive of Fort Myers and just over an hour from Tampa, one of Florida’s major cities.
Don’t miss the legendary Fountain of Youth the next time you visit the Sunshine State! From Orlando, the Springs are about two hours away, making it a great place to relax and unwind for a day or two after spending time living it up in the theme parks in Central Florida.
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