8300 De Soto National Memorial Hwy.
Bradenton, Florida 34209
(941) 792-0458
http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/De-Soto-National-Memorial
Cost of Admission: No Fee
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States.