Breakfast/Lunch
Amy's On The Avenue
539 N Citrus AveEspresso, Great Lunch and Breakfast.
Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters
638 N Citrus AveEspresso, Teas, Breakfast and Lunch
The owner always comes and says hi to you. Now that's hospitality!
17 locals recommend
The Biscuit Barn North
1960 NW US-19The owner always comes and says hi to you. Now that's hospitality!
Sara's Diner
216 US-19This place is amazing too.
This is a cash only restaurant. Local fresh seafood. Beer and wine only.
48 locals recommend
The Crab Plant
201 NW 5th StThis is a cash only restaurant. Local fresh seafood. Beer and wine only.
Dinner
I love their wedge salad and steak. Bartender makes amazing cocktails.
10 locals recommend
Kane's Cattle Co.
508 N Citrus AveI love their wedge salad and steak. Bartender makes amazing cocktails.
Call and make reservations. There is a backroom that can sit 20-30 people.
35 locals recommend
Vintage On 5th
114 NE 5th StCall and make reservations. There is a backroom that can sit 20-30 people.
Boil Yard
1601 Southeast US Highway 19Great seafood, music at times, can be loud inside.
Park your boat or come through the front door. Good food and it's very busy during weekends and summer.
63 locals recommend
Cracker's Bar & Grill
502 NW 6th StPark your boat or come through the front door. Good food and it's very busy during weekends and summer.
City/town information
Discover Florida’s soul in our warm Gulf water, spring-fed rivers, gentle manatees, great fishing and bountiful lakes. Swim with the manatees, explore our lakes and rivers, reel in Florida’s best fishing, taste fish-to-fork cuisine, play great golf courses, take a hike through unspoiled forests, dive for scallops, cycle on one of America’s top-rated trails, and discover our parks and attractions.
190 locals recommend
Crystal River
3266 N Sailboat AveDiscover Florida’s soul in our warm Gulf water, spring-fed rivers, gentle manatees, great fishing and bountiful lakes. Swim with the manatees, explore our lakes and rivers, reel in Florida’s best fishing, taste fish-to-fork cuisine, play great golf courses, take a hike through unspoiled forests, dive for scallops, cycle on one of America’s top-rated trails, and discover our parks and attractions.
Sightseeing
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located near Homosassa Springs, Florida, in the United States. The park is one of the best places in the state to view manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on a floating observatory.
187 locals recommend
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S Suncoast BlvdHomosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located near Homosassa Springs, Florida, in the United States. The park is one of the best places in the state to view manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on a floating observatory.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Drive to Fort Island Beach
You can watch the sunset and the end of Fort Island Trail. No pets unfortunately. You can make a picnic and there's restrooms.
Ways to save
Manatee Alone FREE
Bring your own kayak and save the touring fee to get into Three Sisters Springs from March-September. Once manatee season starts October-March you will not be able to kayak, snorkel or swim into the springs.
Traveling with kids
Crumps in Homossassa
It has an amazing adult and child atmosphere. Live music, tables in the sand next to the river, a playground for the kids, and soooo much more!
Getting around
Tampa Airport to Condo
We've done this many times.
We rent a car and drive on out for the week. Use any company you find acceptable located at or near the Tampa airport.
There are 63.58 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Crystal River in north direction and 74 miles (119.09 kilometers) by car, following the FL 589 Toll N route.
TPA Airport and Crystal River are 1 hour 14 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop.
Book before you go
Famous Bird's Underwater Manatee Dive Center
Swim with Manatees Tours is owned and operated by Bird’s Underwater Dive Shop and is located directly on King’s Bay. Bill “Bird” and Diane Oestreich have been operating in Crystal River, Florida since 1989. We have offered family friendly manatee snorkel tours, and scuba diving instruction in Citrus County for over 29 years, and gained a worldwide reputation for safety, integrity, customer service and just plain fun!
Check our conditions update page for current conditions, weather and tides determines the number of manatees and where they will be. Manatees come into Kings Bay to shelter.
Traveling with kids
Hunter Springs
This wooded park is named for its natural springs & popular for a cozy beach with a kayak launch. Picnic tables and parking.
Traveling with kids
Rainbow River State Park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Effective May 21, 2021: Rainbow Springs State Park is open 8 a.m.-sunset daily. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the head springs.
Call ahead of time and find out how to get in and what you need to bring. Opens at 8am.