Tarpon Springs, Florida is home to about 24,000 inhabitants and has been a major tourist destination since the late 1800s. It’s known for its unique character as well as many historic attractions that have resulted in being designated a National Historic Landmark. You can experience an array of activities here, from kayaking on Spring Bayou or taking part in cultural events to exploring old-world architecture.
One interesting statistic is that Tarpon Springs was named one of America’s “100 Best Small Art Towns” by author John Villani. The city celebrates its Greek heritage with several festivals throughout the year, including the world-famous Epiphany celebration held each January 6th. Here you’ll also find Sponge Docks, which are lined with seafood restaurants and souvenir shops featuring local sponges – this area serves as a testament to Tarpon Springs’ history of sponge diving tradition.
The downtown area features many sites worth visiting such as Craig Park & Pier, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and Leepa Rattner Museum of Art at Eckerd College which contains the works of American modernist Abraham Rattner. There are numerous other parks located around the city too where you can take leisurely strolls along nature trails or even enjoy weekend music concerts during the summer months.