Crystal River, Florida is a hidden gem located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The city is known for its natural beauty, crystal clear waters, and abundance of wildlife, particularly the gentle giants of the sea, the manatees. Crystal River is known as the Manatee Capital of the World, and for good reason. With over 70 springs, the area is home to hundreds of these gentle giants year-round. The city is a beautiful destination that offers a range of outdoor activities and stunning natural scenery. Our family recently had the opportunity to visit Crystal River, which happened to be on my birthday weekend. We were blown away by the area’s natural beauty and it was an unforgettable experience that we will cherish for years to come.
DAY ONE
On the first day of our trip, we decided to go on a kayak tour with Manatee Paddle. They offer paddleboard and kayak rentals and lessons, and they are well-equipped to help both beginners and experienced kayakers explore King’s Bay and Three Sisters Springs. Our family had a relaxing and enjoyable time kayaking through the waters and getting up close and personal with the local wildlife and admiring the surrounding natural beauty and wildlife. To book your kayak trip go to manateepaddle.com
Instagram: Manatee Paddle
Address: 544 North Citrus Avenue, Crystal River, Florida
After our kayaking adventure, we checked into our hotel, the Best Western Crystal River Resort. We were pleased to find that the hotel provided us with a comfortable and relaxing home away from home. Our room featured two double beds and a sofa bed, along with a mini kitchenette and balcony. The location was perfect, as it was within walking distance of King’s Bay and downtown Crystal River. To book your stay go to bestwestern.com
Address: 614 NW US Highway 19 Crystal River, Florida
In the evening, we headed to Waterfront Social, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Crystal River. The restaurant is situated right on King’s Bay and offers breathtaking views of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The food was fresh and made from scratch, with a menu that caters to a variety of dietary restrictions and picky eaters. We highly recommend visiting Waterfront Social during sunset hours on your trip to Crystal River.
Instagram: waterfrontsocial
Address: 1610 Southeast Paradise Circle Crystal River, Florida
DAY TWO
On the second day of our trip, it was my birthday. Our day started early, at 5:30am when my husband woke me up to get ready to embark on a Manatee tour with Crystal River Watersports. Crystal River Watersports is a family-owned tour center that has been providing eco-responsible opportunities for people to enjoy the Nature Coast of Florida for over 20 years. They are dedicated to protecting the manatees and were one of the first companies to become a member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program. This dedication to sustainable tourism was evident throughout our tour, ensuring that we had a sound ecological experience while enjoying the beauty of the manatees.
We arrived at Crystal River Watersports at 6:30am, dressed in our bathing suits and armed with towels and sunscreen. The tour center provided us with wetsuits designed to keep us warm in cold water, masks and snorkels, and snorkel vests. The tour itself was incredible. Swimming with the manatees was an experience like no other, and it was fascinating to see these gentle creatures up close in their natural habitat. At the end of our tour, we received a cute USB drive shaped like a manatee, which was a fun souvenir to remember the experience.
Book your tour: crystalriverwatersports.com
Instagram: crystalriverwatersports
Address: 2380 North Suncoast Boulevard Crystal River, Florida
After our tour, we changed and headed to Amy’s on the Avenue for lunch. Amy’s on the Avenue is a local landmark on Citrus Avenue in Crystal River’s historic downtown. The restaurant is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch menus and delectable desserts prepared on-site. The Boutique also features other memorable tokens of your stay in the Manatee Capital of the World. We enjoyed our food and the outdoor patio was a relaxing spot to take a break after our morning of adventure.
Instagram: amysontheavenue
Address: 539 North Citrus Avenue Crystal River, Florida
My husband made sure my birthday was jam-packed with activities so we then went to visit the Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium. This unique attraction is the brainchild of Eric Ducharme, a world-renowned mermaid tail crafter. The aquarium features interactive exhibits and live mermaid performances, which are sure to delight visitors of all ages. We had a blast seeing all the fish, parrots, and crabs, and the kids especially loved touching the starfish. And since it was my birthday, I decided to be adventurous and touch a stingray!
For more information visit mermaidaquariumencounter.com
Address: 4100 West Gulf to Lake Highway Lecanto, Florida
After our visit to the aquarium, we headed back to our hotel to change for dinner. We decided to celebrate my birthday by having dinner at Jimmy’s Seafood Seller & Café, a popular local spot that serves up some of the best coastal cuisines in the area. Cajun Jimmy’s Seafood is a family-run restaurant that specializes in Gulf Coast fare. The fusion of Louisiana and Chesapeake Bay flavors creates a culinary tour de force that is sure to please any seafood lover. The grouper and other fish are caught fresh off of Seafood Seller’s own Florida fishing boats, so you can be sure you’re getting the freshest seafood possible. We tried the crawfish, crawfish tacos, and steak, and everything was absolutely delicious. The whole family enjoyed dinner, and it was the perfect end to a great day.
For more info visit seafoodsellerandcafe.net
Address: U.S. 19 Crystal River, Florida
DAY THREE
On our last day in Crystal River, we decided to explore the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This state park is one of Florida’s most visited and is dedicated to preserving Florida’s native wildlife. This park is a must-visit for anyone who loves nature and animals.
The park is home to a variety of Florida’s native wildlife, and most of the animals that are in the park were rescued after being injured or orphaned. It was heartwarming to see these animals living out their natural lives in the park. The park is situated around the headspring of the Homosassa River, which is a first magnitude Florida springs system. During the winter, manatees gather around the springs, and it was an incredible experience to see them in their natural habitat. We also visited the fishbowl observatory, which provided an underwater view of hundreds of fish as well as manatees.
For more information visit floridasstateparks.org
Address: 9350 West Fishbowl Drive Homosassa, Florida
After a morning spent in the park, we headed to Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters in downtown Inverness for lunch. Cattle Dog is a locally-owned and operated roaster with over twenty flavored coffee varieties. We ordered their famous burger, and it was one of the most delicious burgers we had ever tasted. The meat was cooked to perfection, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. We also tried their fresh baked pastries, which were equally delicious.
Address: 210b Tompkins Street Inverness, Florida
To burn off some of those burger calories, we rented bikes from Fit Ful Force Fitness Studio & Cooter Rentals, which was located right around the corner from Cattle Dog. The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 46-mile-long trail that is perfect for biking, and we were able to immerse ourselves in nature while getting some exercise. The bikes were in excellent condition, and the staff was friendly and helpful.
We ended our trip to Crystal River by visiting Liberty Park on the bikes, it was the perfect way to end our vacation. The park is a peaceful place where you can sit and relax while enjoying the beauty of nature. The park has walking paths, picnic areas, and a playground, making it a great place for families.
Rent your bikes by visiting fitfullforce.com
Address: 118 North Pine Ave Inverness, Florida
In conclusion, our family trip to Crystal River, Florida was an unforgettable experience filled with fun, adventure, and relaxation. We were able to kayak and take a manatee boat tour, which allowed us to swim with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. We also had the opportunity to see mermaids in the mermaid encounter aquarium, and witness a plethora of wildlife in the area. The breathtaking sunsets and bike rides were a nice touch to the trip, and we were able to indulge in some truly amazing food. We loved swimming with the manatees and learning about the importance of sustainable tourism. The trip was made even more special by celebrating my birthday with my loved ones in a beautiful location. Overall, our trip was a perfect mix of adventure, nature, and relaxation, making it a destination that we highly recommend for anyone looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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Need a guide to swim with manatees: Check out GetYourGuide .