Day Trip for the History Buff
Early Morning:
Soak Up The History of Tarpon Springs and The Spongers That Settled There
Start the day in Tarpon Springs and learn of the fascinating story of Greek immigrants who came to this city at the turn of the 1900's attracted by the area's abundant sponges. Visit the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, historic St. Nicholas Cathedral and even witness a sponge-harvesting demonstration in local waters.

Late Morning:
Discover One of The Oldest Towns On Florida's West Coast
Head south to the city of Dunedin and enjoy a history tour through restored streets settled by Scottish immigrants, named one of the "Most Walkable Downtowns in America" by Walking magazine.

Afternoon:
Find Out Where The Roots of Florida's Thriving Citrus Industry Started
Move east to the area's first permanent white settlement in the area - in the Safety Harbor area. Philipe Park presents the story of Dr. Odet Philipe, reportedly the personal surgeon of Napoleon, and the person who first established citrus in Florida. While there, you'll also learn of some of the area's Native American past.

Late Afternoon:
Explore an Entire Village, Preserved for Your Enjoyment
Head to Heritage Village in the heart of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area and discover early area pioneer life, recreated in authentic detail. This 21-acre, open-air historical village features 23 structures, many relocated to the park for preservation.

Sunset:
Discover the Remains of the Fort Built to Protect the area.
Head south to Fort DeSoto Park to explore he perfectly preserved remains of a fort built during the Spanish-American War to protect the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. As you gaze toward the western sunset, you'll see the 1757 lighthouse on Egmont Key where pottery and other artifacts have been found and dated to more than 2,000 years old. A ferry can take you out to the island. But alas... that's another day.