9 Best Things to Do in Tarpon Springs, Florida - The Sponge Capital of the World
Less than an hour drive north of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast is one of the most offbeat, culturally-rich communities in the state of Florida.
Tarpon Springs was first settled in the 1870s, named for the giant tarpon that jumped and splashed in Spring Bayou. It was around the bayou where most of the town’s early development took place as a wintering spot for well-to-do northerners. Victorian-era houses still dot the neighborhood.
Toward the end of the century, boats would leave docks along Dodecanese Boulevard to harvest sponges from Key West to the Panhandle. For a bigger return, the Greek technique of diving for sponges was implemented. An influx of Greek immigrants to the area soon followed and the cultural identity of Tarpon Springs took root.
What was once a remote village became the “sponge capital of the world.” At one point, natural sea sponges retrieved from the Gulf surpassed citrus as Florida’s main export.
Sponges are still big business in Tarpon Springs and Greek heritage remains at the forefront. In fact, this community of just over 25,000 has the highest concentration of people of Greek descent than any other city in the nation.
On this episode, we take you to the sponge docks and beyond to show you the best things to do in Tarpon Springs.
#TarponSprings #ThingsToDo
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Awesome! Thank you so much for including us, Chad! We are so honored and utterly delighted that you enjoy spending time in our shop. Your portrayal of our business was incredibly flattering and well-written. You're the best!!
@ChadGallivanter
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Our pleasure! Love your shop!!
You should make it 10 and add the family owned Tarpon Springs Aquarium- great way to get up close and learn about sea life, reptiles, turtles and snakes. With presentations daily.
Been there and enjoyed. Love eating at Hella’s Greek Restaurant.
GOOD FOOD! FRIENDLY PEOPLE! We love Tarpon Springs! The Lumani has the best kabobs!
Great vlog! Tarpon Springs also has a very nice aquarium where you can feed stingrays and small sharks and hold a baby alligator. Great for kids and adults!
If you haven’t tried Orange Cycle Creamery’s lavender ice cream. I can’t say enough about how good it is.
Got friends who live there that are of Greek descent and they love it there. We do too when we go to visit! Great vlog!
@ChadGallivanter
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So cool!
For those with a mystical inclination: The Get a Guru soap shop on Dodecanese is supposedly haunted. I don't shop there much, but when I do, the place does occasionally give me the willies for no discernable reason. There's also the St. Michael Shrine, tucked away in a residential neighborhood a few blocks south of the docks. I've been there several times, and I've never left without St. Michael letting me know he was there.
Excellent video- I visited here briefly for some Greek food and then stopped by the bakery a few years ago and it was excellent. Looking to stop by again soon so your video is helpful
Great Vlog with great information Chad. Thanks
Excellent presentation!
Awesome production quality and wonderful professional presentation
Good information, thanks for sharing! After watching this video I really want to go there, we have friends in the Palm Harbor area
@ChadGallivanter
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Thank you for watching!
@PhilFeedback
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@@ChadGallivanter You’re welcome!
Another great video. Especially appreciate your wonderful editing, keeping it full of information and interesting.
@ChadGallivanter
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Thanks Holly!
Ah, the other side of the FL👍
Chad, your voice could sell refrigerators to Eskimos! If you don't have a job as a narrator or public speaking, the world is missing out! AWESOME videos with priceless info as well.
@ChadGallivanter
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Thank you for those kind words Max!
I love Fotini 🌟 🤩 ✨️ ❤️ 🇬🇷
Odyssey Dolphin Tour with Rick and Capt. Sam is the best. Also, when we go we like to eat at Hellas. The one major thing about this area that really needs attention is the fact that if you are an early person who is up and at em…..there is absolute positively NO PLACE TO EAT BREAKFAST at this place. Don’t come down there at 7:30 am looking for an egg sandwich. You will be hungry. Nobody opens until after 9am and that’s being generous.
They need better parking down there at the sponge docks...as much as I like the Sponge Docks it's not worth 10 dollars to park...if they had free parking I think it would attract more visitors locals and vacationers alike...
When is their Greek fest?? Bet its one hell of an event.
@salvagebank1664
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There are several events throughout the year. Greek Independence Day has a parade and stuff, but Epiphany is by far one of the largest events that comes to Tarpon each year. It is the largest Epiphany celebration outside of Greece.
Good non profit To help out Wheel chair 4 kids. Located in tarpon springs