St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour
Description
The Jungle Prada Site History Tour is a historian-led walking tour of a private seaside garden and featuring the best-preserved American Indian mound in Tampa Bay. The Jungle Prada Site Complex is also thought to be the landing place of the 1528 expedition led by Pánfilo de Narváez, the survivors of which walked from Florida all the way to the Pacific Ocean (1528 – 1536). The privately-owned Anderson Mound has been lovingly preserved by members of the Anderson family for over 80 years. You’ll meet wild peacocks, discover native plants used by the Tocobaga people, and explore a side of St. Petersburg, Florida you never knew existed! Safety Statement: Due to the historic nature of the property some surfaces are uneven. Please watch your step and use caution on the paths. Other potential risks include all those that naturally arise from walking through heavily wooded or natural areas.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Jungle Prada Site is the best-preserved American Indian site in Tampa Bay. The highlight of our 75-minute guided Florida history tour is a huge Tocobaga Indian midden mound and adjoining village plaza. Hidden away in the historic neighborhood known as Jungle Prada, the main mound consists of tens of thousands of ancient conch and whelk shells, and is more than 900 feet long! The subtropical jungle landscape here is populated by dozens of beautiful free-roaming peacocks! The tour and the locations are loaded with Florida history that is explained in a vibrant and engaging way. In addition to learning about the lives of the Tocobaga Indians, you'll also encounter the amazing story of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conquistador who landed at the Jungle Prada with the 1528 Narvaez Expedition, and whose incredible journey of survival took him and three others from Florida all the way to the Pacific Ocean (1528 - 1536). If you are a Florida resident or a visitor interested in history and archaeology, the Jungle Prada Site Tour is a rewarding experience that will engage your mind and challenge your perceptions about the Sunshine State!
Nearby attraction. Free parking attraction on site and close walk to site tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are not allowed on the site
- Due to the historic nature of the property some surfaces are uneven. Please watch your step and always exercise caution. Other potential risks include all those that naturally arise from walking through heavily wooded areas.
Reviews(630)
We appreciated the stories of the coming Spanish to Jungle Prada before St. Augustine was established and why this area did not become America's first city. David, our tour guide, is studied in plants and the history of his land. He described the Indians' world as found by the Spanish and seen in the landscape as we traveled up the path, higher and higher, to the plaza flat area and then the midden above the plaza. The difference in sea height is obvious, and the land on which we stood is a great archeological area. The Indian plants throughout the garden were marked with placards about their use as medicine, food, and housing, which is interesting, especially that so many different kinds of plants exist and look familiar in people's yards. Ancient wisdom grows right under foot, and I did not know. The definitive translation of the Spanish explorer who survived the landing and returned to Spain is available through Dave. I have begun the book, and it too is interesting about the early 1500s history and exploration of Florida, and all the way to California. Dave's visuals and commentary offered a broad perspective to put the plants, land, and history into perspective. The peacock families near our feet were fun to photo, and the place does look like a great wedding venue. That Dvid is proud of his family's heritage and legacy started by his grandparents is evident. That this land has been preserved at all is amazing, as it could have been swallowed up by the multi-million dollar homes surrounding it. The Jungle Prada Tavern on the other side of the parking lot is awesome. Great food, staff, and prices.
The guide has a wealth of historical information about the area and St Petersburg. His narrative brought alive in your mind where you could picture it.
Amazing history tour! This is the real deal - a multi-generational operation by a family who truly cares about the history of the area. Thorough history shared in an engaging way delivered by grandson. Tour starts inside for about 20 minutes, then outside tour for about 45 minutes, then back inside for 15. It is hot on tour though plenty of shade and solid breeze from sea. The sea view is expansive. I loved seeing the peacocks, peahens and peachicks!
I really enjoyed this tour. I learned so much, met Randy the rooster and saw beautiful peacocks with their babies. David was a great guide and was a wealth of knowledge.
Great little afternoon fun venture. David, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable about the estate as well as the local history. Highly recommend 😊
David-exceptional and thorough Grounds-comfort and interesting Educational experience was packed with facts and some interesting quips
Wonderful! David is a very knowledgeable and passionate host. I learned a bunch about the history of the land. His gardens are beautiful too.
We throughly enjoyed this informational, historical, packed full of fun facts tour. I attended with my grandma and two young daughters and all ages were entertained. A wonderful afternoon learning about the history of this area. Baby peacocks were a surprise bonus!
Wow, the best 90 + minutes spent. Jungle Prada Historical Site is a place, rich in history of Florida indigenous populations, Spanish exploration, archeological artifacts, native plants and beautiful water view. David, our guide was very generous with providing us with historical facts and some anecdotes. He is a captivating speaker who holds everyone’s attention at all times. He made this Native Indian village site alive for his listeners helping them imagine everyday life and special ceremonies held at this place by native people. Very talented and knowledgeable guide with passion for the topic. A bonus at this site was presence of multiple peacocks who live freely on the property and surrounding neighborhood. They added color and exotic sounds to the whole experience.
Tour guide is well versed. His information was excellent. I learned things I didn't. Very personable and a grat site. Price was excellent. I would encourage anyone going to or who lives in the Tampa Bay area to visit this. 💕👍
