St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2009 - (Page 6) » Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs. What are you in the mood for today? Your choices: Moussaka in Tarpon Springs, a Renoir at St. Petersburg’s Museum of Fine Arts, open mic night in Gulfport Art Village. Want more? Learn what gives each community its small-town charm or big-city glitter, and follow the red-dotted path on each map for fab walking tours. St. Joseph Sound Monro Greek, Greek, Greek. That’s this town’s history and overall vibe. When natural sponge beds were discovered offshore, Greek sponge divers flocked to the area at the turn of the last century. Start your visit near the waterfront. On Dodecanese Boulevard, you’ll find the Tarpon Springs Aquarium (pet the baby sharks and stingrays), the Sponge-O-Rama (a kitsch theater and museum dedicated to the region’s sponging industry) and the Sponge Factory, among the largest of the roughly 12 gazillion souvenir shops selling natural sponges. (The olive oil soap the Greek ladies use, which is also sold at most gift shops, is terrific.) You’ll find a plethora of Greek restaurants on this strip. The fried calamari at Hellas is a personal fave. Downtown, on Tarpon Avenue, check out the antiques stores. At the Court of Two Sisters, more than 30 dealers sell antiques and collectibles. Tarpon Springs Aquarium Dodecanese Blvd. te clo An iver R Spongeorama The Sponge Exchange o Ro p Ho e . St . lvd he At l ve se ns The Sponge Factory Cedar St. Area of detail Gr a nd Bl vd . Ada St. W. Park St. Pinellas County Alt. 19 Parkin Ct. Safford House Museum Craig Park St. Nicholas Greek Orange St. Orthodox Cathedral Tarpon Ave. S Ba prin yo g u Heritage Museum Bl vd . Sp rin g Lemon St. Cultural Center Antiques Shops Suggested walking paths » Palm Harbor You can experience Old Florida just off U.S. 19. In Palm Harbor’s tiny downtown, you’ll see Conch cottages shaded by ancient elms. This scenic respite offers some nice restaurants and places to shop. Golfers should not miss the course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. The Pinellas Trail runs through Dunedin. Huntley Ave. Alt. 19 Broadway e St. » Dunedin Dunedin Brewery & Snug Pub Pinellas Trail Douglas Ave. Dock Marin a Plaz a Main St. Celtic Shop of Dunedin Area of detail Dunedin Marina Edgewater Park Virginia Ln. Alt. 19 r. Chamber of Commerce Broadway St. Train Station Dunedin Historical Society & Museum Pioneer Park DUNEDIN Pinellas County Suggested walking paths Meander through Edgewater Park, looking at the boats bobbing in Dunedin’s municipal marina. Nearby, Bon Appétit Restaurant offers terrific water views. Deeper into the city’s pedestrian-friendly downtown, visit The Dunedin Historical Society & Museum, housed in a restored railroad station. On Main Street, antiques stores and galleries abound. (Taste the city’s Scottish heritage at the Celtic Shop of Dunedin.) Conclude your day with a hand-crafted ale at Dunedin Brewery. 6 : Fin d y o u r w a y aro u n d Edge wate rD Pinellas Ave. tB TARPON SPRINGS . St
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