An Introduction to Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs, Florida has the highest population of Greek-Americans than any other US city. See what I found at this adorable seaside jewel.
While visiting friends in Dunedin, Florida, I was looking to explore a new town. When I inquired what people thought about Tarpon Springs, I was given pretty much the same response, “nothing much, but they have some Greek stuff”, case closed. From what I was told, Tarpon Springs did not sound one bit interesting and the internet didn’t do it any justice either. Boy, are they all missing out!
Exploring the Greek Food Options
A friend, my daughter, and I drove to the Sponge Docks District of Tarpon Springs, Florida. We began our afternoon by having a delicious lunch at Hellas Greek Restaurant & Bakery. While there are many choices for where to get the best traditional Greek cuisine, all online reviews pointed out Hellas as the #1 spot. After dining there, I cannot agree more.
Not only was the food fantastic, but the service was impeccable. Hellas has a huge bakery next door to satisfy your sweet tooth and then some. Greek delicacies such as Baklava, and Flogeres (pronounced Flo-ye-res) really caught my eye. This is one place you’ll definitely want to eat your way through.
Enjoying A Charming Downtown
The brick waterfront streets in Tarpon Springs are reminiscent of the seaside villages in Greece. They are filled with gift and souvenir shops as well as coffee shops, a wine shop, museum exhibits, and an aquarium. You might get lucky enough to see the fisherman working the Sponge Docks. Watching the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico is a popular activity here and there are boating options as well. Live music was heard coming out of some of the shopping enclaves.
The Greek immigrants arrived in the city of Tarpon Springs around 1890 to work the sponge industry. It is known as the “sponge capital of the world”. It’s amazing to me that a whole community can be built around the natural sponge market, but trust me, it can.
Leaving the Sponge Docks district, the Spring Bayou is a lovely place to walk, jog, or have a picnic. The homes surrounding the lake are unique and pretty, plus make for a nice drive-by visit. Another point of interest is the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral; a stately, historical offering.
Tarpon Springs Exudes Happiness
My immediate thoughts about Tarpon Springs are that the people who live here are very lucky. The town has a mystical feel, one that pulls you in and makes you feel right at home. Both patrons and workers at the restaurants wished us Happy New Years, tourists stopped us on the streets to strike up a conversation, and a few storekeepers offered us pleasantries. I simply adored everything I saw in this charming town. I am sure you would, too.
Trivia: In 2007 and 2008, Tarpon Springs established Sister City relationships with Greek islands Symi, Cyprus, Halki, and Kalymnos.
Bonus: Located right outside Tarpon Springs is the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, Inc., where for a $15 (adults) or $10 (kids) admission fee you can see great apes, small primates, birds, and reptiles that have found a home here due to different circumstances. Many of them are available for adoption.
Read more from Melody Pittman of Wherever I May Roam at:
Guide to the Tasting Rooms of Grapevine, TX
6 Unique Florida Attractions (You Won’t Want to Miss)
20 Great Restaurants in MS to Tantalize Your Taste Buds
September 15, 2019 @ 1:44 AM
That’s cool that they have a Sister City relationships with Greek islands Symi, Cyprus, Halki, and Kalymnos. I had no idea the greek influence there. Even the boats have greek names!
September 15, 2019 @ 8:09 PM
It sounds like a sweet spot to visit and no longer a secret. I love seaside cities and would poke around in those shell stores, admire the sponges and gorge on Greek food. Thanks for putting Tarpon on my radar.
September 18, 2019 @ 10:36 PM
Great! Come on down, Elaine! 😉
September 15, 2019 @ 10:58 PM
This sounds like a truly unique spot. I would love to browse the stores and sponges would be such a unique souvenir. Having a Greek lunch at Hellas Greek Restaurant & Bakery is a great tip.
September 17, 2019 @ 12:56 AM
Tarpon Springs looks like my kind of town: colorful port, charming downtown and greek restaurants. So far I’ve only visited Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but you made me really curious about Tarpon.
September 18, 2019 @ 10:36 PM
Then stop to visit your friend Melody in Vero Beach. 😉
September 17, 2019 @ 1:52 AM
Wow Sponge Capital – that is new to me. Pictures are really beautiful and I feel convinced that the town has a mystical feel that pulls you in. I hope to visit!
September 18, 2019 @ 10:36 PM
Thanks so much! Appreciate you reading. 😉
September 17, 2019 @ 5:38 PM
I had no idea natural sponges have such a big market, I bet it would be a great place for a market stroll.
xo – Kam
September 18, 2019 @ 10:35 PM
Me either! LOL What a riot! 😉
September 17, 2019 @ 7:57 PM
So interesting that Tarpon Springs is the sponge capital of the world. I would definitely want to try the Greek food options in Tarpon Springs. Taking Baklava home from the bakery would be my plan. So good that you visited.
September 18, 2019 @ 12:20 PM
It’s actually the first time I’ve heard of sponge being the industry that founded a town. Sounds very intriguing! I’m always down for Greek Food, I’d be happy to check out Hellas as per your suggestion. Tarpon Springs sounds like a happy place indeed!
September 19, 2019 @ 5:29 AM
Yey for the Greek foods! I may have had Greek delicacies such as Baklava, and Flogeres before but I just couldn’t remember. Though, I loved it! I can imagine how amiable the people there at Tarpon Springs Florida.
September 19, 2019 @ 8:50 AM
I too think that the Tarpon Springs are quite cool and a great place to live too. I too could have never imagined it as a sponge capital and people working on it! Wow. The Greek food too looks quite yummy.