People have been coming to Tarpon Springs to spend the winter since the mid 17th century and still today the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks is a destination. When early visitors saw fish jumping out of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, they named the area Tarpon Springs. The sponge docks were once the hub of the sponge industry which thrived in the mostly Greek community well into the 20th century.
Today, you can shop, eat, take cruises into the Gulf of Mexico, go deep sea fishing, or visit an aquarium. Some of the original shops and restaurants that sprung up during the boom of the sponge industry are still there.
