For a taste of foreign culture a little closer to home, Tarpon Springs, Florida, is the perfect place to visit.

Located just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs is often referred to as the “sponge capital of the world.” Large numbers of Greek sponge divers immigrated to this small community near the turn of the 20th century to work the bountiful sponge beds in the Gulf of Mexico.

A sponge diver in the traditional diving suit poses next to a mural in Tarpon Springs.

Today their descendants continue this old world trade, along with the customs and traditions of their ancestral homeland. In short, Tarpon Springs is a little piece of Greece on Florida’s Gulf coast, and it’s nicely accessible.

Your first stop in town should be the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center. You can’t miss it; if you’re traveling north, it’s on your right as you roll into downtown. You’ll find accessible parking, and the barrier-free cultural center offers tourist information and showcases the work of local artists.

There is elevator access to the second floor and level access to the theater. A National Geographic film that chronicles the history of the local sponge industry is shown on demand, provided there are no special events in the theater. It’s a good place to get a feel for the history of this unique community.

The historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is just down the street from the cultural center. A ramped entrance is located on the left side of the building. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of mariners. Pop in and have a look at the beautiful rotunda, patterned after Istanbul’s St. Sophia Church. St. Nicholas also features beautiful Grecian marble, which was originally part of the Greek pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

And when you get hungry, authentic Greek cuisine is just a short roll away. Try the dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) or pastitsio (a baked pasta dish) at Mama’s Greek Cuisine, located just a block from the docks. Mama’s has a ramped entrance, accessible restrooms and an extensive menu of Greek specialties.