cities | Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs sits on a series of bayous that feed into the Gulf of Mexico in northern Pinellas County. The area was first settled after the Civil War, and the city became a popular winter resort for wealthy Americans in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The name “Tarpon Springs” supposedly came from an early settler in 1880 who spotted fish jumping in the water and said “See the tarpon spring!” – though apparently the fish were probably mullet, but residents liked the name anyway.

The sponge industry is what really put Tarpon Springs on the map. In 1905, John Cocoris introduced diving techniques and recruited sponge divers from Greece’s Dodecanese Islands. These Greek immigrants came with diving engines, oxygen lines, rubber diving suits, and bell-shaped diving helmets to harvest the natural sea sponges from the Gulf. For years, Tarpon Springs ruled as the “Sponge Capital of the World” and the industry generated millions of dollars. A red tide algal bloom in 1947 wiped out many sponge fields, and the industry declined, but sponge diving still continues today and the cultural legacy lives on.

The downtown buildings on Tarpon Avenue and the historic homes were declared a National Historic District in 1990. The city has done a great job preserving that old Florida and Greek character – you’ve got buildings dating back to the 1800s with Mediterranean, Victorian, and traditional Floridian architectural elements all mixed together.

The Sponge Docks along Dodecanese Boulevard are the main tourist attraction and the heart of Tarpon Springs’ Greek identity. This waterfront area is lined with shops selling natural sponges, handmade soaps, Greek imports, jewelry, and gifts. There are sponge boats still moored at the docks – some are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can take sponge diving expeditions and boat tours to see how it’s actually done, with companies like St. Nicholas Boat Line (which has been operating since 1924), Odyssey Cruises, and Spongeorama Cruise Lines.

The Greek restaurants along the Sponge Docks are legitimately authentic – we’re talking family recipes passed down for generations. Hellas Restaurant and Bakery is beloved for Chef Emmanuel’s dolmades and moussaka, plus amazing sweets like baklava, melomakarona, and diples. Mykonos serves flaming saganaki cheese (which is a memorable dining experience), gyros, and seafood right along the docks. Mama’s Greek Cuisine has fantastic spanakopita. The food here isn’t just tourist fare – it’s the real deal that Greek families have been making for over a century.

Beyond the Greek restaurants, you’ve got Rusty Bellies on the waterfront serving fresh local catches like stone crab and scallops with legendary tiki drinks. There’s even a sushi truck on weekends. Tarpon Springs Distillery makes local gin, moonshine, and ouzo (traditional Greek aperitif). And there are craft breweries throughout the area.

Historic downtown Tarpon Springs on Tarpon Avenue has been revitalized and it’s completely separate from the Sponge Docks – this is where you find the quaint old Florida Main Street vibe. The downtown has antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, craft breweries like Two Frogs Brewing Company and Unrefined Brewing, and restaurants. Tarpon Springs Castle Winery does wine tastings with grapes imported from around the US. The Replay Museum has vintage arcade and pinball machines. Bear Haven Land Company Vintage Toys has an incredible collection. H’ours Creole Smokehouse serves excellent Creole cuisine.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot built in 1909 has been restored and now houses the Tarpon Springs Historical Society and Depot Welcome Center. The Tarpon Springs Cultural Center is in the old City Hall. The Heritage Museum interprets the city’s history and marine environment. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Pinellas Avenue was built as a replica of St. Sophia in Constantinople and has 23 stunning stained glass windows – it’s open to visitors.

The Tarpon Springs Epiphany celebration held every January for over 100 years is a major cultural and spiritual event. A Greek Orthodox priest throws a crucifix into Spring Bayou and young men dive in to retrieve it, symbolizing the Baptism of Christ. It’s a powerful tradition that reflects the deep Greek heritage.

The outdoor recreation in Tarpon Springs is excellent. Fred Howard Park provides beaches and Gulf water access. Anclote Key Preserve State Park is accessible only by boat (you can catch ferries from the Sponge Docks) and offers unspoiled beaches, a historic lighthouse, bird watching with over 40 species, and it’s one of the few area beaches that allows overnight camping. Sunset Beach Park is a small stretch beloved by kiteboarders and beachgoers enjoying sunset views.

The 47-mile Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a paved trail running from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs used by walkers and bicyclists. It follows the old Atlantic Coast Line Railroad route. The Jolley Trolley connects Tarpon Springs to nearby Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater Beach if you want to explore without driving.

The walkability in Tarpon Springs is one of its best features. The Sponge Docks and historic downtown district are completely walkable – you can spend a day strolling, shopping, and dining without needing a car. That European-style walkability is rare in Florida and a big part of Tarpon Springs’ charm. A city trolley runs between downtown and the Sponge Docks.

The schools in Tarpon Springs are part of the Pinellas County School District. The city has Tarpon Springs High School where the sports teams are actually nicknamed “Spongers” in honor of the sponge diving heritage. AdventHealth North Pinellas is the local hospital.