Tarpon Springs

History

Immigrants, mostly composed of the Greeks, came around in the 1880s and settled in Tarpon Springs. The seabed has a lot of sponges which caught the attention of the Greeks, whose occupation included sponge diving. The coast boasts of the local fish called the Tarpon fish. The sponge industry in the area proliferated, thus Tarpon Springs became famous as the โ€œSponge Capital of the World.โ€ But due to bacterial contamination which wiped out the sponge population, the industry declined. In the 1980s, the industry came back to existence and was propagated.

Getting There

Tourists by plane can reach Tarpon Springs via St Petersburg/ Clearwater International Airport.

For tourists who want to travel by car, detailed instructions are given in this link: http://www.floridastateinfo.com/tarpon-springs/tarpon-springs-directions.php

Weather

Average high temperature in Tarpon Springs is 83ยฐ and average low temperature is 63ยฐ. Warmest month falls on August, and January is the coolest month. Maximum average rainfall is usually in August.

What to Wear

During summer months, it is advisable to wear light-colored and cool clothing, especially those made from cotton. Women can wear skirts and cool sundresses. Flip flops are definitely something to bring. If you plan to stay outdoors for longer hours, bring along a hat, a pair of shades for eye protection, and apply a generous amount of sunblock with a high SPF, applying every 2 to 3 hours.

When on business meetings, wear appropriate clothing made of light-colored and cool materials. For night outs, it is advisable to wear appropriate outfits.

During the rainy seasons, be sure to have a jacket or sweatshirt. Same goes for non-rainy days but with cooler nights.

Fishing

Tarpon Springs is a great place for deep sea fishing, which is famous. Listed below are some of the fish species which anglers might encounter in their fishing expeditions.

*grouper
*snapper
*amberjack
*king fish
*mangrove snapper
*red snapper
*Spanish mackerel
*tarpon

BEST MONTHS TO FISH

*grouper โ€“ whole year round
*snapper โ€“ whole year round
*amberjack โ€“ whole year round
*king fish โ€“ April to June, September to November
*mangrove snapper โ€“ whole year round
*red snapper โ€“ May to October
*Spanish mackerel โ€“ March to October
*tarpon โ€“ April to June

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR WHEN FISHING
The following are the most appropriate outfit when going for a fish:

โ€ข hat
โ€ข sunglasses
โ€ข light long sleeves, cool light-colored cotton outfits
โ€ข jacket or other rain gear
โ€ข boat shoes
โ€ข sun screen with high SPF

The following should also be in your A-list:

โ€ข camera
โ€ข cooler
โ€ข water or your preferred beverages
โ€ข food

Attractions and Activities

Tarpon Springs has a lot of beautiful bayous and parks. Anglers can definitely enjoy fishing both in fresh waters and deep sea waters. Many people flock to the beach to swim, engage in beach games, have picnics, et al. Tourists can also drop by art galleries and shops along Tarpon Avenue. The whole year round, Greek celebrations are held. The most astonishing event in January is the Orthodox Epiphany Celebration.

The following are some of the attractions in Tarpon Springs:

*Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
kcollins@stellarconsulting.net

*Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset Dr Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 943-4081
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/06_howard.htm

*Wentworth Golf Club
2990 Wentworth Way Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
(727) 942-4760
Fax: (727) 937-8824

Wentworth Golf Club Home

*Sun Line Cruises
776 Dodecanese Blvd. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-944-4468
Fax: 727-944-4478
http://www.sunlinecruises.com/
s.mcevoy2@verizon.net

*Spongorama’s Cruise Lines
510 Dodecanese Boulevard Tarpon Springs, FL
(727) 943-2164
http://www.spongeoramacruiselines.com/default.htm

*Brooker Creek Preserve
3940 Keystone Road Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
(727) 453-6800

Where to Stay

Listed are some of the accomodations that tourists to Tarpon Springs might want to avail while on vacation.

*Hampton Inn & Suites Tarpon Springs
39284 U.S. Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, Florida, 34689
Tel: (727) 945-7755 Fax: (727) 945-7743

*Tarpon Shores Inn
40346 US Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 938-2483
www.tarponshoresinn.com

*Tarpon Inn
110 West Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (Formerly Best Value Inn Extended Stay)
http://www.thetarponinn.com/

*Sunbay Motel
57 West Tarpon Avenue Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3431
(727) 934-1001
www.sunbaymotel.net

*Tarpon Springs Hotel & Suites
38724 US 19 North, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(877) 859-5095

*Ashley’s Victorian Haven Bed And Breakfast
313 North Grosse Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 505-9152
www.ashleysvictorianhaven.com

*East Lake Bed and Breakfast
421 Old East Lake Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

*Spring Bayou Inn
32 West Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 938-9333
www.springbayouinn.com/

*Bavarian Lodge Bed and Breakfast
427 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 939-0850
www.bavarianlodgeflorida.com

Where to Eat

Listed below are restaurants and food havens where tourists may want to try.

*Mykonos
628 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3130
(727) 934-4306

*Hellas Restaurant
785 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3131
(727) 943-2400
www.hellas-restaurant.com

*Dimitri’s on the Water
690 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3130
(727) 945-9400

*Damn Good Food
875 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 935-4815
www.damngoodfood.net

*Plaka Restaurant
769 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3131
(727) 934-4752

*Mr Souvlaki
802 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 937-2795

*Yiannis Authentic Greek Cuisine
509 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 943-2164

*Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill
937 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 934-4047
rustybellies.net/index.html

*The Jerk Center
305 S Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL
(727) 940-5343
www.site.thejerkcenter.biz/

*Cody’s Roadhouse
39870 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-8342
(727) 937-1022

*Manolo’s Mediterranean Bistro
150 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3452
(727) 940-5237
manolosbistro.com/

*The Original Mama Maria’s Greek Cuisine
503 Alt. 19 n., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 934-5678
www.theoriginalmamamarias.com/

*Costas Restaurant
521 Athens St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3105
(727) 938-6890

*Snookers Grill
606 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 937-6665

*Toula’s Trailside Cafe
11 South Safford Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-3456
(727) 939-2403
toulastrailsidecafe.com/

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