New Port Richey and neighboring Port Richey were named for Captain Aaron Richey who came from Missouri and established Port Richey in the 1880s. New Port Richey was founded in 1915 and incorporated on October 27, 1924. Formerly, the area was known as Hickory Hammock.

The Hacienda Hotel
, on Main Street, is a 55-room Spanish-style luxury hotel completed in 1927 by George J. Becker and Warren E. Burns. Silent screen stars Thomas Meighan & Gloria Swanson, and local promoter George Sims owned the hotel, and Meighan's brother provided the land. They intended to attract the west coast motion picture industry to Florida.

The Meighan Theatre
, on Grand Boulevard, was built in 1925 by the Richey Amusement Company at a cost of $50,000. With over 300 seats, it opened in 1926 with the silent film "The New Klondike," accompanied by a piano player. Sound was added in 1930 soon after the invention of sound films. Actor Thomas Meighan died in 1936, and the theatre's name was changed to The Cinema and The Vogue. Now the Richey Suncoast Theatre, the historic building with its elaborate entrance arch and golden dome, serves the community as a stage production venue.

Sims Park
(Bank Street & Circle Boulevlard), originally called Enchantment Park, honored George R. Sims, an early developer of New Port Richey who donated the land and clubhouse. Relocating to the area in 1922 from Greck Neck, New York, he purchased impoverished property during the 1925-26 land boom. His wife, Marjorie, earned the first title of the 1922 Chasco Fiesta Queen in the first annual Chasco Fiesta, a fundraising event linked to a legend honoring Native Americans who once inhabited the area.

Sims Land Office
Erected in 1916 as the first brick building in the area, the Sims Land Office on Main Street was once adjacent to the railroad depot. Its brick had been salvaged from the northern town of Fivay, now Bayonet Point.

Orange Lake
Once called Mirror Lake, girded by Circle Boulevard in the heart of downtown, Orange Lake was a source of concern to early settlers. In the 1800s, it was called "Blue Sink," and was nestled in a jungle of hickory hammock. The lake allegedly reached a depth of 250 feet, and farmer's lost cattle and hogs that disappeared or fell prey to the alligators that inhabited the lake and surrounding swamp. It is now a picturesque setting for relaxation and serves as the venue for special events such as art shows, antique car shows, and Winter Holiday celebrations.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Port Richey FL
10826 US 19 N., Port Richey, FL, 34668
MainTour Online HotRates Available Here!
This hotel is easily recognized by its steeplechase architectural style. Our lushly landscaped courtyard features an expansive 150 yr-old oak tree, a heated swimming pool, steam room, spa, fitness center, childrens playground and a southern-style wedding gazebo. Four distinct room types: standard, efficiency, one-room suite and two-room suite each of which has color cable TV, free 24-hour voice mail service, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards plus pay-per-view movies and video games.

Clarion Hotel & Conference Center
5316 US 19 N., New Port Richey, FL, 34652

Comfort Inn Gateway
6826 US 19 N., New Port Richey, FL, 34652-1743

Econo Lodge New Port Richey
7631 US 19, New Port Richey, FL, 34652

Ramada Inn Bayside
5015 U.s. Hwy 19, New Port Richey, FL, 34652

Alden Beach Resort
5900 Gulf Boulevard, Saint Petersburg Beach, FL, 33706
MainTour Online HotRates Available Here!
Our 139 suites feature fully equipped kitchenettes, cable TV and in room safes. Most have a private balcony. Amenities include 2 pools, 2 whirlpool spas, 2 tennis courts, game room, playground for toddlers, a cookout deck, water sports rentals, beach bar, coin laundry and complimentary daily newspaper.