Tarpon Springs is Florida's sponge city
Tarpon Springs was built on sponges. Back at the end of the 19th century, a mixture of Bahamian and Greek divers came and harvested the precious fruits of the Mexican Gulf. They soon realized there was a whole industry to be had, and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, the coastal town is a hubbub of life. It flaunts some truly handsome Greektown historical streets, old Sponge Docks, and access to some of Florida's iconic bayou habitats. And that's not even mentioning the Tarpon Springs vacation rentals, which range from luxurious waterfront condos to family villas with pools.
Sponge heritage galore in Tarpon Springs
There aren't many cities in the US where you have a whole museum dedicated to sponges. Tarpon Springs vacation rentals have just that on the doorstep though, coming with the Spongeorama Sponge Factory of the Historic Sponge Docks that line the downtown area – both are musts. You can back up that with a trip down elegant Tarpon Avenue, where old Greek-style mansions and whitewashed tavernas pepper the sidewalks, or hit the paths of the Fred Howard Park for sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets.
Soak up the fun in Tarpon Springs
Hit the Sponge Docks to trawl through the boutiques and emporiums and old depots that sell mounds of sponges freshly harvested from the Gulf of Mexico, and then don't forget to wander the streets of the town's historic district – it oozes with Greek styles and pretty homes built from the fortunes of the sponge farmers way back when. And when you've had one sponge too many, there's always the scuba possibilities of the sea, dolphin spotting tours aplenty, and eco excursions to see rare turtles in the coastal parks.
Tarpon Springs sits between the bayous and beaches
The old Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs spill down into the Tarpon Bayou as it wiggles inland from the salty waters of the Mexican Gulf. A range of other inlets and bays define the outline of the city to the north, while the coast of Florida defines it to the west. Look there to find the Fred Howard Park, which has powdery white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees, not to mention waterways that are often filled with rare manatees, swooped over by eagles, and peppered with elegant dolphins.
Transportation to and around Tarpon Springs
The nearest airport is in Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA), located 17.8 mi (28.6 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE), which is 17 mi (27.4 km) away.
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