Things to do
Day trips: Rainbow Springs, Weeki Wachee, Cedar Key
Crystal River is a great home base for the rest of the Nature Coast. Rainbow Springs and its waterfalls, the classic Weeki Wachee mermaid show, and the old fishing village of Cedar Key are all an easy drive.
Host tip · Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon (about 40 minutes) has clear-water swimming and tubing. Weeki Wachee Springs (about an hour south) still runs the underwater mermaid show and a spring-fed water park. Cedar Key (about 75 minutes north) is quiet Old Florida for sunset, oysters, and clam chowder. Pick one per trip rather than all three in a day.
Season
Year-round
Distance
30 to 75 min drive
Crystal River is a great home base for the rest of the Nature Coast. Rainbow Springs and its waterfalls, the classic Weeki Wachee mermaid show, and the old fishing village of Cedar Key are all an easy drive.
Related
More things to do in Crystal River
Swim with manatees at Three Sisters Springs
Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim with West Indian manatees. November through March, hundreds gather in the 72° springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, five minutes from the house.
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Kayak or paddleboard the springs
We do not keep kayaks at the house and we do not recommend launching from our dock — the canal is rocky and oyster-edged. Better plan: rent from a real launch point a few minutes away.
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Rent a boat for the day
Bring your own 27 ft-and-smaller boat and dock at the private floating dock, or rent one for the day. Crystal River has flats, channels, and the open Gulf within thirty minutes. Excellent for fishing, scalloping, sandbar days, and sunset cruises.
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Manatee season in Crystal River
Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. you can legally swim with wild manatees. Season runs mid-November through March. Here's how to plan it.
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Three Sisters Springs — what to know before you go
Three Sisters Springs is the centerpiece of the Crystal River manatee refuge. Here's how to access it, when to go, and what to bring.
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