A Picture Paints A Thousand Words
Tarpon Springs is world renowned for its Greek culture and the Sponge Docks, a historic working waterfront where natural sponges have been harvested since the late 1800's.
These are scenes from Greek Independence Day, March 23rd 2014.
Young girls in traditional garments rush to get to the parade on time.
A woman proudly displays an icon from the Greek Orthodox Church.
Children showing their Greek pride ride on one of the many floats.
Why not come to Tarpon Springs, Florida to relax and unwind on one of our many natural beaches? We are located close to Howard Park, as well as Honeymoon Island State Park, and Caladesi Island, both award winning beaches with great shelling and abundant wildlife.
The Train Depot Museum in Historic Downtown Tarpon Springs is worth a visit. Home to the Tarpon Springs Historical Society, it houses a wealth of information about the history and culture of our fascinating city.
There are many events planned throughout the year in the Historic Downtown as well as the World Famous Sponge Docks.
From Fine Art Festivals...
Open Air Concerts...
to Outdoor Dining & Dancing, we look for any excuse to take advantage of our glorious weather and Florida sunshine : )
The Tarpon Tavern is host to our annual Oktoberfest, as well as other Food & Craft Beer Festivals.
Tarpon Springs is quaint and eclectic. This is The 1910 Inn on Tarpon Avenue near Spring Bayou. It is the perfect location for walking to the Downtown, the Sponge Docks or strolling around Spring Bayou looking for the Manatee that swim inland looking for warmer water.
Sweet tooth? You will love the Greek Bakeries! There's nothing like stopping at Hellas after dinner for a cappuccino and yummy confections.
The first Greek settlers arrived in Tarpon Springs during the 1880's, when they were hired to work as divers in the growing sponge harvesting industry. Natural Sea Sponges do not harbor bacteria or mold and are wonderful for body care.
Bird watchers will marvel at the sheer number of migrating flocks, large water birds, nesting Osprey, Bald Eagles, Horned Owls and abundant bird life.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is a replica of St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, Turkey.
Thousands of people have made pilgrimage to the Cathedral to see the Weeping Icon of St. Nicholas, a painting of St. Nicholas that weeps, a phenomenon beyond human comprehension. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint to the Gulf Coast sponge fishing community in Tarpon Springs.
The Historic Downtown Art & Antique District on Tarpon Avenue is a great place to treasure hunt. Be sure to ask the merchants to direct you to all of the interesting antique, salvage and eclectic mom & pop shops in and around the downtown. By the way...the porterhouse steak from Acropolis Meats & Deli melts in your mouth : )
The shops stay open into the evening when we have events downtown. Tarpon Avenue is so pretty at night.
There's more to Tarpon Springs than just shopping and eating...unless you plan to eat what you catch! Why not rent a charter boat for a day of fishing?
The bayous and waterways of Tarpon Springs
are like a floating boat museum.
Watching the large water birds is fascinating. Roseate Spoonbills have large, flat, spatulate bills, and feed by wading through shallow water, sweeping their partly open bill from side to side.
The Sponge Exchange is a Hellenic marketplace with 31 specialty shops & restaurants featuring unique & unusual fashions and gifts from Greece and around the world.
Just hanging out looking for a tourist with food.
Crowds gather on the sidewalk to listen to live music at Mamma Lane's Coffee House.
It's fun to take Spongeorama's Sunset Cruise from the Sponge Docks. You wind out into the Gulf Of Mexico through the bayous dotted with historic homes and gorgeous architecture.
You will see many stately boats along the way...
the Anclote Key Lighthouse and a beautiful sunset, of course!
Come check out the window displays on Tarpon Avenue.
Take a walk down memory lane.
Whether you like old or new, Tarpon Springs has something for you!
A day of picking seashells is a great way to clear your mind, and leave your troubles far behind.
The Autos For Autism Annual Antique Car Show is one of the highlights on our calender.
The hoods were up and the engines were revving!
In Tarpon Springs you get a sense of "Old Florida". Be sure to bring your camera!
"I love everything that is old. Old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."
We are a colorful community with plenty to discover.
The Sponge Docks have so much to offer.
Boat excursions, tasty Greek cuisine, an aquarium, wine bar, hand scooped ice cream, and shopping, shopping and more shopping!
Be sure to shop all of Dodecanese and explore the side streets as well. From Pandora jewelry to sponges, baklava to boiled shrimp...a day at the Sponge Docks is a great family outing.
Our skies at sunset are like an ever changing canvas.
Everywhere you look there is something beautiful to photograph!
Miss Vicki's On The River is one of Tarpon Springs best kept secrets. Tucked away in the Anclote Village Marina, right on the water where the Anclote River meets the Gulf Of Mexico.
Live music, outdoor dining and sundowners... this is what we do in Tarpon Springs year round.
This is the life!
Watching a spectacular sunset from any of our pristine beaches, is the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring beautiful Tarpon Springs Florida.
Life is good when you are at the beach!
We look forward to your visit!
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