Guidebook for Tarpon Springs

May
Guidebook for Tarpon Springs

Sightseeing

My place is located in Tarpon springs, which is known as the "sponge capital of the world," its Greek heritage, and for its 51 miles of waterfront allure. Tarpon Springs' charming downtown center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors to the Historic District can stroll along brick streets while browsing in art galleries, antiques stores, and specialty shops housed in buildings dating from the late 1800s. ***A 8 min to Historic Spong Docks from my place. The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the world's finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country. *** A 2 min to Sunset Beach. *** A 5 min to Howard Park & Beach. You can rent a kayak, kiteboard and paddle bikes etc. *** A 6 min to Gorgeous Innisbrook Golf Courses. The Copperhead Golf Course is the most recognizable of Innisbrook’s four golf courses and is the host course every March for the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship. *** A 15 min to Honeymoon Island Beach. *** A 30 min to Clearwater Beach. Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018.
Sponge Docks is a great place to visit and walk around, the Greek culture is fully encompassed by this. Best Greek foods, Sea foods, great shopping too.
61 locals recommend
Historic Sponge Docks
735 Dodecanese Blvd
61 locals recommend
Sponge Docks is a great place to visit and walk around, the Greek culture is fully encompassed by this. Best Greek foods, Sea foods, great shopping too.

Parks & Nature

Free Concerts 1 st Thursday of every month
117 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
1800 Gulf Rd
117 locals recommend
Free Concerts 1 st Thursday of every month
One of Florida’s best-loved state parks, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of beach to explore along with a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. When looking skyward, eagles, osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway. The park is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island.
27 locals recommend
Honeymoon Island Beach
1 Honeymoon Island
27 locals recommend
One of Florida’s best-loved state parks, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of beach to explore along with a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. When looking skyward, eagles, osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway. The park is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island.
Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018. Caladesi Island, off the north end of the beach, was recognized as the nation's best by Dr. Beach in 2008. Besides the beaches, there is Clearwater Beach's inviting, small-town atmosphere. At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you will find Winter the Dolphin, star of the "Dolphin Tale" movies. Winter swims with a prosthetic tail and the movies about her triumphs have struck a chord with adults and children who identify with the dolphin's struggles. With Clearwater Beach attractions such as these, fine restaurants and family-friendly lodgings, as well as exciting beach activities, Clearwater Beach's many options will have the whole crew smiling.
1870 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach
Gulf of Mexico Drive
1870 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018. Caladesi Island, off the north end of the beach, was recognized as the nation's best by Dr. Beach in 2008. Besides the beaches, there is Clearwater Beach's inviting, small-town atmosphere. At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you will find Winter the Dolphin, star of the "Dolphin Tale" movies. Winter swims with a prosthetic tail and the movies about her triumphs have struck a chord with adults and children who identify with the dolphin's struggles. With Clearwater Beach attractions such as these, fine restaurants and family-friendly lodgings, as well as exciting beach activities, Clearwater Beach's many options will have the whole crew smiling.

Shopping

25 locals recommend
Sponge Exchange
735 Dodecanese Blvd
25 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
T.J. Maxx
2541 Countryside Blvd
7 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Tarpon Mall
40932 US Hwy 19 N
21 locals recommend

Food Scene

Greek restaurant. It provides you with the finest Greek dining experience. Hellas Restaurant is a favorite dining spot among local residents, Tampa Bay area residents and visitors who crave authentic Greek dining.
97 locals recommend
Hellas Restaurant and Bakery
785 Dodecanese Blvd
97 locals recommend
Greek restaurant. It provides you with the finest Greek dining experience. Hellas Restaurant is a favorite dining spot among local residents, Tampa Bay area residents and visitors who crave authentic Greek dining.
Hellas Bakery & Pita Inc (Wholesale)
307 Roosevelt Blvd
Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, Inc.
937 Dodecanese Blvd
125 locals recommend
Captain Jacks Waterfront Bar and Grille
21 Oscar Hill Rd
21 locals recommend

Essentials

Publix Super Market at Tarpon Mall
40932 US Hwy 19 N
21 locals recommend
20 locals recommend
Winn-Dixie
1360 Tampa Rd
20 locals recommend

City/town information

Clearwater Beach. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018.
335 locals recommend
Clearwater
335 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, is famous for its beautiful natural scenery. Guests will love visiting the Fred Howard Park as it is a beach where guests can bask in the sun and enjoy swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon Springs also features the Sponge Docks, where guests can try the unique sea sponges dishes. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US. Downtown Tarpon Springs has long been a focal point and is undergoing beautification.
340 locals recommend
Tarpon Springs Castle Winery
320 E Tarpon Ave
340 locals recommend
Tarpon Springs, Florida, is famous for its beautiful natural scenery. Guests will love visiting the Fred Howard Park as it is a beach where guests can bask in the sun and enjoy swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon Springs also features the Sponge Docks, where guests can try the unique sea sponges dishes. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US. Downtown Tarpon Springs has long been a focal point and is undergoing beautification.
The city of Dunedin, Florida is the Home of Honeymoon Island, the #1 state park in the Florida. First time here? Learn how to pronounce it correctly and you will fit in just like a local. Dunedin (pronounced DONE-EE-DIN) is a small town featuring big city amenities. Any given day you will find locals and tourists alike strolling downtown enjoying a homemade ice cream cone, shopping in our unique stores or sitting under a shade tree at one of our many parks watching the day go by. From the moment you first enter Dunedin you will feel at home. There is an indescribable sense of comfort, quaintness and charm in our delightful Dunedin. Don't let this convince you that we are a sleepy Southern town though... Dunedin, Florida offers some of the best dining in Tampa bay, world class major league baseball, art and culture, and even the #1 Beach in America! All of this with a touch of Southern charm.
347 locals recommend
Dunedin
347 locals recommend
The city of Dunedin, Florida is the Home of Honeymoon Island, the #1 state park in the Florida. First time here? Learn how to pronounce it correctly and you will fit in just like a local. Dunedin (pronounced DONE-EE-DIN) is a small town featuring big city amenities. Any given day you will find locals and tourists alike strolling downtown enjoying a homemade ice cream cone, shopping in our unique stores or sitting under a shade tree at one of our many parks watching the day go by. From the moment you first enter Dunedin you will feel at home. There is an indescribable sense of comfort, quaintness and charm in our delightful Dunedin. Don't let this convince you that we are a sleepy Southern town though... Dunedin, Florida offers some of the best dining in Tampa bay, world class major league baseball, art and culture, and even the #1 Beach in America! All of this with a touch of Southern charm.

Traveler advice

Getting around

A vehicle is necessary

A vehicle is pretty much essential in this part of Florida, although you can hop the Jolly Trolly shuttle between Tarpon Springs and all points south to Clearwater Beach if you want a stress free way to get around and do some sightseeing without having to fight for parking or appoint a designated driver.