Greater New Port Richey South - New Port Richey, FL Area Guide

Before the Civil War, orange groves and cattle ranches filled the area. New Port Richey grew with the coming of the railroad. After the turn of the 20th century, it was a planned community for the wealthy. During the land boom of the 1920s, New Port Richey hoped to become the “Hollywood of the South,” but this dream ended with the Great Depression. The 1950s brought prosperity and pest control, air conditioning and interstate highways. Beginning in the late 1960s, the area began a decades-long period of rapid population growth.

New Port Richey residents support a public library and the West Pasco Historical Society Museum. The annual Chasco Fiesta lasts 11 days and features a large street parade and a boat parade.

South New port Richey residents have lots of choices when it comes to dining out, from home-style cooking to romantic gourmet dinners and from fresh Florida seafood to traditional Italian pastas. Many restaurants line Grand Boulevard or Main Street.

Looking for a local spot for a great breakfast? Try Grandma Sally's. Customers keep coming back for the affordable prices, family atmosphere, and breakfast cooked just right. The cinnamon swirl pancakes are the perfect start to the day.

Leaning Tower of Pizza presents a full Italian menu and a selection of craft beers. A favorite spot for lunch, the locals rave about the New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a pie. This spot also serves as something of a center for community movers and shakers. For dinner, try the eggplant rolontini, which rolls eggplant with cheese and covers it with meat sauce. Hang out here with friends, and enjoy live music on Saturday nights.

Sullivan's Boulevard Lounge hosts live bands on weekend evenings, making it a hot spot for the late-night crowd. Every Wednesday this bar holds a popular open-jam session. Locals also come to this dive just off Main Street to watch a game or chill with friends.

Residents find cars practically indispensable in south New Port Richey. State Route 19 connects the neighborhood to the expressway system. Drivers appreciate convenient on-street parking, and paid parking lots and a garage help make parking near downtown easy. Most businesses provide free private lots. Neighborhoods range from very friendly to very unfriendly to pedestrians. No dedicated bike lanes, bike trails, or roads listed as bicycle friendly lie within south New Port Richey except for recreational trails in parks

Three bus routes serve the southern portions of New Port Richey. PCPT bus service connects with the Pinellas County bus system at two locations in Tarpon Springs on routes 18 and 19. Blue One provides shuttle service from Tampa to New Port Richey.

More than 20 taxi companies serve the neighborhood. Reserve a cab by phone call or online. Uber does not do business in the area. Tampa International Airport, 23 miles from New Port Richey, can be reached by shuttle or taxi.

Residents enjoy a huge wilderness area 6 miles to the east. The Starkey Wilderness Preserve includes Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, the Serenova Tract and the Anclote River Ranch Tract. These parks encompass 18,000 acres of conservation lands. A paved trail connects to the 42-mile Suncoast Trail. Twenty-seven miles of marked hiking trails as well as equestrian and bike trails wind through the park. The park welcomes dogs to the trails on leashes and off-leash in a fenced dog park.

New Port Richey contains 10 free city parks. Many lie along the shores of the Pithlachascotee River, called Cotee by the locals. Most of the parks have boat docks and kayak launches, and park users find it commonplace to spot dolphins and manatees.

Walkers and runners make use of the shady path at Cotee River Park which runs along the breakwater. Peaceful Frances Avenue Park features broad meadows and river access, making it a great place to unwind or have a barbecue. It also features an ADA accessible playground. Cotee River Park, Orange Lake and Sims Park welcome leashed dogs. In the Meadows Dog Park, dogs can play off-leash.

Living in south New Port Richey costs about 11 percent less than living in the average Tampa neighborhood. Residents find living here a bargain at 12 percent less than the national average. Budget about $665 on average for a month’s rent.

A domestic beer in a local pub costs about $3.25. Filling up the gas tank costs about 2 percent less than the national average. If you prefer public transportation, a one-way regular bus ticket costs $1.50 to get around New Port Richey.

Locals shop at Gulf View Square, a mall anchored by four department stores and the usual specialty shops. The mall contains a few high-end stores. Shopping areas cluster around Route 19, Grand Boulevard and Main Street.

Because of the popularity of fishing in the vicinity, many locals shop for fishing equipment and supplies. Cross Route 19 to find bait and tackle shops. Gill Dawg Marina on the Cotee River rents and sells kayaks and paddleboards. Gill Dawg also offers tours and lessons, a tiki bar and grill, and group events.

The neighborhood has access to several large supermarkets, including Publix and Winn Dixie. Several farm stands sell local produce, and The Market Off Main sells fresh produce and specialty food items. A local farmers market opens downtown on Friday evenings just off Main Street. Other market events in the area include a weekly organic market at the public library and a market on Saturday mornings sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.