Nearby & Local Things To Do

ANCLOTE RIVER BEACH PARK

Anclote River Beach Park is located in Holiday on Baillies Bluff Road at the mouth of the Anclote River. The park has approximately 300 feet of swimming, picnic pavilions for outdoor gatherings and playground facilities. The beach is generally shallow and sandy. The maximum depth in the swimming area is generally less than 10 feet deep. There are on-site restrooms with outdoor showers and changing rooms. Lifeguards patrol the beach from late May until late August. Anclote River Park has free admission and is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are not allowed.

ANCLOTE RIVER PARK BOAT RAMP/WATER ACCESS

Anclote River Park extends for three tenths of a mile along the north bank of the Anclote River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico - an area of 31 acres. At the north tip of the park a six lane boat ramp provides power boat access to the river and gulf. It is one of the busiest boat ramp sites in Pasco County. The boat ramp and its associated parking area is open 24 hours a day.

Near the boat ramp area a dock is provided for access by kayaks and canoes. Or, if you prefer launching from a beach, you can put your paddle craft in at the beach area near the picnic shelter located in the south part of the park.

Whether by power boat or kayak, Anclote River Park is one of the best water access points for striking out to explore the Tarpon Sponge docks about two miles up the Anclote River, or Anclote Key Preserve State Park, located three miles due west in the Gulf of Mexico.

TARPON SPRINGS - SPONGE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the world's finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country. What will you find in Tarpon Springs? The Sponge Docks, Greek Restaurants, Bakeries, Attractions, Natural Sponges, Sponge Diving, Tours, Sightseeing Cruises, Unique Greek and Florida Souvenirs, lots of Shopping Sightseeing and Live Entertainment (Bouzoukia).

Tarpon Springs

MISS VICKIES on THE RIVER

Outdoor Bar and Restaurant Serving Tarpon Springs and Holiday (1029 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday)

Quietly tucked away on the Anclote River next to the Anclote Village Marina, you'll find Miss Vickie's old Florida style serving up great food and cold beer. Come and let the time fly by while looking out on the water, and watching the boaters and wildlife. Stay all day and you'll get to see a fan favorite: the beautiful sunsets!

Tues-Sun 11am to 10pm, kitchen closes at 9pm

ANCLOTE KEY LIGHTHOUSE

The Anclote Key Lighthouse is located in Anclote Key State Park and is open for climbing the second weekend of each month, both Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, October through May. A $7/person donation is requested. Always check the Friends of Anclote Key State Park & Lighthouse homepage for possible closings. Anclote Key State Park is located three miles off of the coast of Tarpon Springs, the park is accessible only by private boat or ferry service.

If you'd like to take a virtual tour of the historic lighthouse, click this link.

KEY VISTA NATURE PARK

Key Vista Nature Park covers 101 acres along the Gulf coast just south of Rocky Creek. The park derives it name from the unobstructed view it offers of Anclote Key, which lies about 4 miles off the coast. From the observation tower you can see all the way from the Anclote Light to the north tip of the Anclote Island. The park is dog friendly. Entrance to the park is on Baileys Bluff Road.

For more information about the park, click here.

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EAGLE POINT PARK

Eagle Point Park encompasses 15 acres of a 600-acre coastal nature preserve in nearby New Port Richey, west of US-19 and includes trails, a canoe and kayak launch dock, playground equipment, three fishing piers, and picnic shelters. It opened in 2010 after six years in planning and construction following the property's being purchased in order to forestall development. Pasco Palms Preserve is adjacent to the park.

Click for Trail Map

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PASCO PALM PRESERVE

Just south of Eagle Point Park on Strauber Memorial, is Pasco Palm Preserve, an area of protected lands in the Beacon Square section of New Port Richey. The 116-acre preserve offers hiking and is open from sunup to sundown. It was acquired in 2009 and includes habitat for bird species, including the whit ibis and snowy egret. It fronts on the Gulf and includes nature trail with wetlands, salt marches, mixed hardwood pine forests, mangrove swamps and tidal flats.