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This unique town in Florida will make you feel like you’ve stepped in to a town in Greece. Known for its Greek heritage and sponge diving industry, it is unlike any other town in the state. There is still a strong Greek community from back in the day when many came to work in the sponge industry. Today, this place is nicknamed the “Sponge Capital of the World” and you can still see the sponge docks at work. From going on a going on a sponge tour to getting a taste of delicious Greek cuisine, it’s a small town in Florida you don’t want to miss.
Stop By The Sponge Docks
Visiting the sponge docks, the thing that put this little town on the map, is stepping back in time to Tarpon Spring’s roots. Located along the Dodecanese Boulevard, the sponge docks are at the heart of the town’s Greek heritage and sponge diving history. Many Greeks immigrated to be a part of the sponge harvesting business with boats going from Key West to Panama.
You will see boats docked that are still used for sponge harvesting with lots of sponges onboard. By taking a tour of the sponge docks, you will be able to learn all about the history of the fishing and sponging community that grew here. The tour ends with free coffee and Greek pastries after the leisurely and informative walk.
Take A Boat Tour
One of the coolest ways to experience the sponging industry in Tarpon Springs is to take a boat tour. On the St. Nicholas Boat Line you will be able to experience the sponge diving tour that cruises through the Historic Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs on the Anclote River. This tour tells you all about the history of sponge diving and even has a demonstration on sponge harvesting with a live diver in traditional diving equipment.
There are other tours you can take in Tarpon Springs like the famous Spongeorama Cruiselines that have dolphin and sunset cruises. You can book online ahead of time to make sure they don’t get sold out on the day you want to go. With this tour you ride a large 45′ catamaran, get discounted parking, and enjoy two other free attractions the sponge diving museum and movie.
Shop At The Sponge Factory
Shopping at The Sponge Factory is where you will get to see the world’s largest selection of natural sponges. There you will find sponges of all shapes and sizes and you can even pick one out to buy. These sponges can be used for anything from cleaning to makeup removers since they are so soft.
All of these sponges were harvested in the Gulf of Mexico and are sought after everywhere in the world. You can watch the free movie about sponge diving and learn how to take care of your sponges so that they last longer. They also have some other Greek and Florida souvenirs including a virgin olive oil based beauty products like imported from Greece.
Eat Some Greek Food Or Seafood
There are many Greek restaurants to try in Tarpon Springs. Some of the most popular ones to try are Mykonos and Dimitri’s On The Water, which are both owned by the same owner, and other ones like The Greek Taverna, Katerina’s Taverna & Grill and The Limani.
At every place you will find authentic rich flavors of Greece and dishes like Mousaka, Pastitsio, Tzatziki, Spanakopita, and Gyros. Another memorable dish is the famed Saganaki, a special cheese dish that bursts into flames right before serving.
If you are in the mood for some fresh seafood, the place to go is Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill. They have delicious dishes of all kinds of seafood with everything from clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, grouper, and other fish. It’s definitely the place to have seafood but if you’re not a fan, you can still go and have delicious steak or chicken. There might be a little bit of a wait since it is one of the most popular restaurants in Tarpon Springs but it’s usually not too long, and meanwhile, you can check out their seafood market store next door.
Stop By A Popular Dessert Place
After the meal comes dessert and there’s no better place in town to get dessert than Hellas Restaurant and Bakery. Yes, they also have a restaurant if you want to make it a one-stop meal, but the bakery is a must to stop by.
The family has been serving food and pastries for over 50 years and they know how to make it delicious. They serve traditional recipes that have been passed down for generations keeping the Greek heritage alive here in Tarpon Springs. If you try any one dessert in town, make it the traditional Greek baklava, a flaky, buttery, sticky, sweet pastry.
Explore The Town
With great weather and so many boutiques and shops, one of the best things to do in Tarpon Springs is to just walk around and stop by the many different kinds of shops. There are Mediterranean-style items, vintage goods, clothing boutiques, and souvenir shops lining the streets of the downtown. Make sure to explore the plaza with various kinds of shops too and see the boat on display.
This boat was built in 1935 out of cypress and pine in Apalachicola Florida by George Castrinos. It’s a 42 foot sponge diving boat that was used for sponge diving until 1943 after which it was used during the World War II by the U.S. Navy as a air-rescue boat in the Gulf of Mexico. After such an important role in the war, it was returned for more sponge diving until it was decommissioned in 1982. Now it stands here in the Sponge Exchange as a beautiful part of this town’s history.
Safford House Museum
The Safford House Museum is one of Tarpons Springs’ hidden gems. It was built in the late 19th century and was the home of one of the city’s original developers. It’s a fine example of the Victorian style architecture which has been carefully restored and opened to the public.
The home is filled with period appropriate furnishings and even original items that the Safford family had. It’s located in the historic district of Tarpon Springs and only costs $5 per person to see the house.
Visit Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum
If you visit the museum, you’ll find that it has two wings, one of which contains everything about the history of Tarpon Springs. It is one of the most fascinating parts of the museum that has exhibits of the Greek community with displays of historical and modern photographs capturing the development of Tarpon Springs. There is also a documentary about the sponge industry showcasing the traditions, food, religion and way of life of the Greek community.
In the other wing the permanent exhibition, “The Great State of Florida” that features works by the internationally acclaimed artist Christopher M. Still. The art pieces show images of Florida’s history, culture and spirit.
See Manatees At Craig Park
Craig Park sits overlooking the Spring Bayou where, many years ago, was the start of this historic town, Tarpon Springs. It is said that one of the first people to settle in this town said “Look, Tarpon!” as fish were splashing around in the water and from then on it became known as Tarpon Springs.
The park has beautiful waterfront views and is just a short walk from the Sponge Docks and historic downtown. It’s a nice place to walk around and get some shade from the many big trees around the park. From November to March, in the colder winter months, you can spot manatees and dolphins in the water as they migrate into warm waters.
Enjoy The Beach At Fred Howard Park
If you’re looking for an escape to the beach, visit Fred Howard Park that is just minutes from Tarpon Springs. This park offers a peaceful retreat into nature where you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on a white sand beach.
There are plenty of amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, playgrounds, and a ball field for the whole family to enjoy. The park does have paid parking at $6 per vehicle and hours from 7 a.m. to sunset.