The Tahitian Resort

Go down to the sponge docks!...

by ZenGator

Go down to the sponge docks! It's more than just a place where the sponge boats come in. There are restaurants, little museums, and many interesting shops along the channel to the gulf. The city just spruced up the area around the docks, making it even more pleasant for visitors.

After you've seen it all, head about a mile south and visit Tarpon Spring's downtown area.

Tarpon Springs Florida

by stephaniellen

"Another Unique Florida Town"

Tarpon Springs is located on the west coast of Florida north of Clearwater and Dunedin. It features some beautful parks on the water but is best known for its Spongedivers who bring natural sponges to surface as they have for many years. These sponges are available for sale up and down Dodecanese Blvd which is lined with Greek restaurants and tourist shops. In the mornings you will often see the sponges being unloaded from boats along this street.
It is another one of those areas that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Yes it is very touristy but it is worth a visit if you are nearby. The food is good in many of the restaurants, Mamas being my favorite. I try to avoid much negativity as there is enough of that in this world but one thing I will say-the pastries in Hellas bakery are not as good as they look.
Two parks to check out are Fred Howard Park and Sunset Park. Both have smallish but beautiful white sandy beaches. Fred Howard Park seems to be a good place to go bird watching as well.

greeks!

by dancarrigan

"and more greeks"

tarpon springs is full of greeks sice it was largely developed on the growth of the sponge industry. yes, sponges come from the sea and up until recently the gulf of mexico become the world's leading provider of organic sponges, used from the kitchen to the bathroom. ecological problems and the manufacture of synthetic sponges put a stop to that but the sponge docks are still full of greeks and old folks speaking greek at night in fully little halls. it's pretty touristy and at times cheesey but speaking of, the food is amazing and comparitively affordable. i used to play at the sponge docks, even while hurricane charley was ripping punta gorda a new one, and it was kinda fun. i lived in the spring bayou on my first sailboat, which i bought there and fixed up, until i was told i couldn't do that - about two months later, not bad- and then at the city marina for a few more months. that was excellent since the pitch (busker parlance for where you perform) was right down the street and i could paint saints and drink and nap and still walk to work a few times a day.
there's a song on myspace.com/dancarrigan about a restaurant there called mama's.

Tarpon Springs

by sumit_b

"Sunday Trip"

Tarpon Springs is located a few miles west of Tampa on the water front. It is known for its Greek community. You will not have any problems finding gyro to eat ;) The Sponge Docks is a picturesque area with shops, restaurants and boats. The downtown is also a historical district.

"Dodecanese Blvd"

This is the street where you can walk around, shop and dine.

"Sunset Beach"

Nothing spectacular, a small strip of beach from where you can view sunsets.