Tarpon Springs Florida is home of the historic sponge docks. The booming sponge industry helped to create a Greek Community. This community is famous for not only the sponges, but also some of the best Greek restaurants, markets and bakeries. Tarpon Springs is the perfect day trip from Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Pasco and Orlando. Some of the restaurants include: The Original Mama Maria’s Greek Cuisine, Costas Greek Cuisine, Mama’s Greek Cuisine, Rusty Bellies Waterfront Seafood, Pelican Point Seafood, Yianni’s Greek Cuisine, Mr. Souvlaki Restaurant, Tarpon Tavern, and New England’s Ale House Grille. If you are looking for authentic Greek food you can be sure to find it in little Greece by the sponge docks.
If you are also looking to shop, there are many shops to visit in the area. Among them are sponge companies and factories, natural skin care, spicemans kitchen, wine with daily tastings, spices and teas, the Tarpon Shell Shack, olive oil, vape equipment, and craft beer. There are many attractions and sightseeing options available to anyone that visits this unique area. The Spongeorama Cruise Lines offer dolphin sightseeing and an island excursion. Another similar cruise is the Odyssey Cruise & Dolphin Cruise. The Spongeorama Sponge Factory has a free sponge diving museum and movie. If you enjoy fishing, try Viking Gulf star fishing which offers half day, 12 hour, and 2 day fishing trips. Another is Light Tackle Sport fishing which offers inshore/nearshore fishing charters. If you’d like to stay the weekend and explore all this area has to offer, there are many hotel accommodations available.
You can choose from the 1910 Inn Bed & Breakfast, to the Innis brook Golf Resort, to the Hampton Inn & Suites. You will find all your needs met here for any type of accommodation that you may need. To make this place even better, Tarpon Springs offers year round events. The Tarpon Springs Hippie fest is a family fun and free event during August. Night in the Islands is an event filled with dancing, dinner and live entertainment at the Sponge Docks. The Arts and Crafts Festival is offered multiple times a year, including Thanksgiving weekend, and is a great place to bring the family to enjoy over 90 vendors who are amongst the nation’s top artists and crafters. Salsa on The Sponge Docks is an event in October filled with live Latin music, food, and drinks. They even offer free salsa lessons! There is also the Sponge Docks Seafood Festival that goes on throughout November. Here you will find tons of fresh seafood, arts and crafts. The Sponge Docks are a great place to go with family or friends with lots of entertainment, food and fun!