Location: Tarpon Springs
Top Things to do in Tarpon Springs
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Top 5 Specialty Museums in Tarpon Springs, Florida (FL)
Greek dancing for all.
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1. Safford House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
One of Tarpon Springs’ best kept secrets is the 1883 Safford House Museum. Visiting the home of one of the city’s original developers is a journey back in time.The Safford House has been restored to its original Victorian splendor and is open to the public. Today the Safford residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the City of Tarpon Springs as a museum. The house is a fine example of late 19th century Florida vernacular architecture and is filled with period furnishings and original family possessions that bring the Safford family to life. A visit offers the opportunity to get acquainted with the family and to experience Florida life more than 100 years ago.
Reviewed By DeanMurphy2020 - Orlando, United States
This ‘dogtrot’ architectural style was also known as a breezeway house, common in Southern states in the 1800s. The key architectural feature of dogtrot homes was a central breezeway, which allowed wind to pass through the center of the house for cooling. This is similar to the open courtyard effect in Spanish architecture, where rooms open to catwalks, which served as oversized sun-blocking eaves for the lower floor. The true original Safford house is a small one-story structure adjacent to the more imposing one. Within a few years of the 1883 [three years before my maternal grandmother’s birth], the Safford family purchased the 2-story dogtrot house and had it moved to its current location. Although the breezeway was long ago enclosed, notice there are two main entrances. Those doorways now cover what was the breezeway. There was a central staircase in the breezeway leading to bedrooms above. Originally, there was an additional bedroom in the northeast corner. Notice the beam running along the ceiling, which curiously ends at a fireplace. That wall was removed and the fireplace constructed, making those two smaller rooms [presumably used by children] into one larger space. Although more than one Safford family occupied the six bedrooms, there is only a single bathroom, uncommon in that era, which was called a water closet. [When modernizing homes, an actual closet was appropriated to accommodate a toilet. A sink was later incorporated for hand washing.] The toilet has a tank near the ceiling. Velocity of water falling through the brass pipe offered superior flushing capacity—and noise. No need to call out that the loo was no longer occupied☺ The modest $5 admission fee is well worth the docent tour, where additional information regarding architectural features and living conditions 137 years ago is shared. For those concerned about COVID19, only one group [family/friends] is allowed to tour the museum at a time. After each tour, handrails and anything likely touched by visitors is sanitized. Safford House Museum is a must-see when visiting Tarpon Springs.
2. Replay Amusement Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By ec0bb - Pittsburgh, United States
This was one of my favorite places. Lots of machines. go when school is in and beat the rush. $14 all-day pass with in and out privileges so you can go have a meal.
3. Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
The Historic Train Depot Museum houses the office and Archives of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society, which has filled the old station with exhibits telling the story of Tarpon Springs' past from its founding in the mid 1800s to 1915 when the first "Spongers" arrived, through the "Great War", WWII, and the Vietnam Conflict to present day Tarpon Springs. The "Depot" includes historic exhibits, a gift shop containing many books and other items related to the history of Tarpon Springs, a Library and Archives center, as well as items created by local artisans. We invite you to stop in and look around.
4. Spongeorama Sponge Factory
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 480 reviews
This attraction features Greek sponge diver history movie, Nature Sea sponges, Bath and Beauty products made with Olive Oil and Goats Milk. Greek and Florida Souvenirs.
Reviewed By pjohndinaso - Leesburg, United States
The boat was nice, clean, and spacious. The crew were very professional hence the Captain provided a great narrative throughout the trip in describing a time Robert Redford filmed a movie at a home (which we saw) on the channel and so on etc... We also enjoyed seeing many, many dolphins, from a mother and calf to a lone male cruising the ocean, and the Captain always pulled the boat up close to the dolphin so that everyone was able to get a great view and pics. The island sea shell adventure was very cool as well. All in all, our family had an awesome time at the Spongeorama Dolphin Cruise and afterwards enjoyed a delicious, authentic Greek cuisine at Yianni's. We are looking forward to our next trip at the Tarpon Springs Spongedock's which will not be complete without cruising the ocean with Spongeorama Tours!
5. Unitarian Universalists of Tarpon Springs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
