Location: Tarpon Springs
Top Things to do in Tarpon Springs
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The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Tarpon Springs, Florida (FL)
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1. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 245 reviews
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral was founded in 1905 and is the first and original Greek Orthodox Christian parish of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. The present Cathedral was completed during WWII, in 1943. Much of the interior marble, including the iconostasis (icon screen), is from the Greek pavilion of the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. The Cathedral contains actual relics of St. Nicholas of Myra and is a point of pilgrimage for those who seek the intercessions of this most beloved of Christian saints. The Cathedral tower is the tallest architectural structure in Tarpon Springs and serves as the heart of the downtown and city. In the plaza to the north of the Cathedral is the famous "Cross Diver" statue which captures the pinnacle of the annual Epiphany Day (January 6) celebration for which the St. Nicholas Cathedral parish is known the world over. At the base of the statue are the names of young men - Orthodox Christian and non-Orthodox Christian - who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II.
Reviewed By DeanMurphy2020 - Orlando, United States
This Neo-Byzantine architectural style Greek Orthodox cathedral is TripAdvisor reviewer #1 rated Tarpon Springs attraction, for good reason. It is the center of Tarpon Springs Greek culture. St. Nicholas hosts an annual Epiphany celebration each January 6, when Greek Orthodox boys aged 16–18 dive into Spring Bayou to retrieve a white wooden cross, said to bring good luck to the finder. It is the Western Hemisphere’s largest such event. A statue of an epiphany diver is in front of the church. The domed main building was completed in 1943 modeled in part on Hagia Sophia (an astounding architectural marvel originally constructed 1,500 years ago as a Christian basilica) in Istanbul, which features Byzantine and Gothic Revival architectural styles. The 23 stained glass windows adorning the dome like a crown depict episodes in the life of Jesus and the saints. The dome’s three enormous chandeliers were imported from what was Czechoslovakia. The incomparable 60-ton altar is made of Pentelic marble imported from Greece, and was part of a Greek exhibit in the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Mount Pentelicus or Pentelikon (Greek: Πεντέλη, Πεντελικόν or Πεντελικό Όρος) is a mountain situated between Athens and Marathon. The cathedral was closed when I visited in early June. Viewing Internet photos of the interior caused me to plan another tour of Tarpon Springs next year. There are, however, many interesting features surrounding the structures. A member of the congregation imparted much information about the history of this magnificent cathedral.
2. Dream Catcher Explorations
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Snorkeling at 3 Rooker Bar "Wild Life Preserve" Private Island Excursion tours. Also see wild dolphin, go on tubing rides and find great shells "This will be the highlight of your vacation" 3 & 4 hour tours. Soft drinks,snorkel and safety gear included.
3. Day Dream Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Looking to see uninhabited islands of Florida? Want to have an affordable day out with friends or family while making amazing memories? With Captain Luke’s “you call it menu” you can have an experience that only a small percentage of residents and visitors get to enjoy. “The True Florida!” With the Gulf Coast being home to the bottlenose dolphin, manatees and various species of bird and fish the
4. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,826 reviews
The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the worlds finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country.
Reviewed By DeLureC
I have taken so many family members and friends to visit the sponge capital of the world and Greek center of Florida, Tarpon Springs. Located in northern Pinellas County on the gulf, the sponge docks area of the city is full of great Greek food, darling shops with sponges, soaps and other collectibles, dolphin sight seeing boat rides, a cute aquarium for families with young children, an exquisite Greek Orthodox Church and more. It’s fun for all ages and we never tire of our visits there!
5. Sunset Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 617 reviews
Reviewed By Travel_the_world11 - Clive, United States
Stopped by while in the area. We were visiting Howard park when I noticed the peninsula type beach to the south and drove here. It’s a beach with a gorgeous view almost 360. On the small side, restrooms available.
6. Brooker Creek Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Brooker Creek Preserve is Pinellas County's largest natural area at nearly 8,500 acres. Boardwalks and trails (hiking and equestrian) are currently available for public use. Opens every day at 7:00 am and closes 30 minutes before sunset. The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education, provides numerous interactive exhibits, nature store, and resource center. Open Wednesday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm and Thursday - Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed holidays).
Reviewed By 321alanz - Tampa, United States
This place is beautiful, peaceful and has numerous habitats with well marked hiking trails that brings the whole experience of nature to you. There are forested wetlands, pine flatwoods, oak groves and a Cypress swamp at least in the summer rainy months that actually has a current of flowing water towards Lake Tarpon. We have seen Alligators in this swamp before, but not this time. There is about 10 miles of well marked looping trails that you can spend many hours of walking time if your want to. There is also, an Environmental Education Center onsite with restrooms, but on this Sunday, the center was closed until 11:00 am. A great place to get back with nature!
7. Fred Howard Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,306 reviews
Fred Howard Park consists of 155 acres and is located on the Gulf of Mexico. It's location provides access to the Gulf by a 1-mile long causeway. The white sandy beach is a popular swim area and also provides a perfect location to view spectacular sunsets.
Reviewed By DunedinDale - Dunedin, United States
Fred Howard Park has something for everyone. The park features several picnic shelters, hiking paths, waterfront views, beautiful trees and plants, playgrounds, water views, birds and other local small critters, and is very well kept. The causeway to the beach island is relatively newly paved and offers parking on one side for watercraft and fishing. The beach on the island is unspoiled and has the beautiful white sand the gulf coast is famous for, as well as some nice huge rocks along the north side for adventurers to climb on. You can spend the day at this park and have a variety of relaxing, beautiful experiences.
8. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Located on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art is a modern and contemporary art museum featuring works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Reviewed By 32rayl
Off the beaten track, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art on the St. Pete College campus in Clearwater is definitely worth a visit. First of all, they offer free admission to holders of certain area museum membership cards (e.g. St. Pete's Museum of Fine Arts). In addition to the permanent collection of striking art-works (it was the first time that I saw a reproduction of Picasso's Guernica in situ!), there is always a special exhibition in a side gallery. The staff are helpful and welcoming! Perfect respite on a hot summer's day in Florida.
9. A. L. Anderson Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By clpjr2000 - Ravenna, United States
The park is very well maintained from parking, pavilions, paths, tables and grounds. There is a walking path from pavilion one to the back end of park. Through trees and on a Boardwalk along lake. The are out cropings from path with tables to sit right by waters edge. Very peaceful walk with nice scenery. Great place to picnic also has a launch point for boats. I was able to spot four alligators in the lake on my visit. There is swings for kids and ample trash cans around to keep park clean. Not a long walking path maybe 1/2 mile at most so hiking is not happening here. This is a relax, see view, go for a stroll hang out and have picnic place. Does all that very well.
10. Craig Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By genek277 - Salisbury, United States
Nice place to walk. In the winter and early spring there often are Manatees in the Spring Branch that can be viewed from the park's walkways. We saw four during our March visit.
