Outdoor Activities
This is a beautiful natural spring that's easy to access right from downtown Crystal River. You do have to pay to park but its very reasonable and there are plenty of amenities to offer.. There's a few pravillion areas with tables, grills, a playground, public kayak ramp, rinse off areas, and a small observation boardwalk overlooking the water. Definitely a cool little spot to check out!
67 locals recommend
Hunter Springs Park
18 NE 2nd StThis is a beautiful natural spring that's easy to access right from downtown Crystal River. You do have to pay to park but its very reasonable and there are plenty of amenities to offer.. There's a few pravillion areas with tables, grills, a playground, public kayak ramp, rinse off areas, and a small observation boardwalk overlooking the water. Definitely a cool little spot to check out!
If you're looking to explore Kings Bay this is a great place to rent kayaks from. They drop off and pick up the kayaks right from your launch area, they provide free parking, and all of the necessary safety gear.
26 locals recommend
Hunter Springs Kayaks
36 Northeast 4th StreetIf you're looking to explore Kings Bay this is a great place to rent kayaks from. They drop off and pick up the kayaks right from your launch area, they provide free parking, and all of the necessary safety gear.
Great place to learn a little about the history of the area, or just enjoy a picnic in the outdoors. Try to find the fairy door painted on the bottom of one of the trees..
43 locals recommend
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
3400 N Museum PointGreat place to learn a little about the history of the area, or just enjoy a picnic in the outdoors. Try to find the fairy door painted on the bottom of one of the trees..
If you're looking for the perfect spot to lay out and catch some rays, it's at Fort Island Beach. Keep it mind that it is the Gulf of Mexico so in there aren't any big waves here just sand and sun. There's a boardwalk that winds through a wooded area and leads you to a fishing peir. This is the BEST spot in town to watch the sunsets! Bring bug spray because the no see-ums can be brutal sometimes in Florida, and a garbage bag to pick up any trash that was left behind. :)
55 locals recommend
Fort Island Beach
W Fort Island TrailIf you're looking for the perfect spot to lay out and catch some rays, it's at Fort Island Beach. Keep it mind that it is the Gulf of Mexico so in there aren't any big waves here just sand and sun. There's a boardwalk that winds through a wooded area and leads you to a fishing peir. This is the BEST spot in town to watch the sunsets! Bring bug spray because the no see-ums can be brutal sometimes in Florida, and a garbage bag to pick up any trash that was left behind. :)
If you're looking to get out on the water, see some animals, and dive into some springs then this is where you want to go! There are PLENTY of tour companies in the area that will take you on a manatee tour, ( Just do some research on each one before deciding!) or just rent a kayak and go exploring yourself! Either way this is a MUST DO when visiting Crystal River!!
28 locals recommend
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
1502 SE Kings Bay DrIf you're looking to get out on the water, see some animals, and dive into some springs then this is where you want to go! There are PLENTY of tour companies in the area that will take you on a manatee tour, ( Just do some research on each one before deciding!) or just rent a kayak and go exploring yourself! Either way this is a MUST DO when visiting Crystal River!!
Dixie Shores Trail
West Dixie Shores DriveExcellent 3 mile out and back trail to get right into nature in Crystal River.
Another easy, beautiful 1.2 mile loop trail to get you out in nature right in Crystal River.
8 locals recommend
Churchhouse Hammock Trail
857 N Suncoast BlvdAnother easy, beautiful 1.2 mile loop trail to get you out in nature right in Crystal River.
Neighborhoods
This is a quaint 'old Florida' town with the most beautiful crystal clear spring fed river you've ever seen! It's about 20 minutes from Crystal River but it's a nice scenic drive past farmlands... While you're there have lunch at Swampys to see how clear the water is and watch the tubers float by. The Rainbow River State Park is also another gorgeous place you don't want to miss while you're there!
29 locals recommend
Dunnellon
This is a quaint 'old Florida' town with the most beautiful crystal clear spring fed river you've ever seen! It's about 20 minutes from Crystal River but it's a nice scenic drive past farmlands... While you're there have lunch at Swampys to see how clear the water is and watch the tubers float by. The Rainbow River State Park is also another gorgeous place you don't want to miss while you're there!
Food Scene
Hands down, some of the best food in town! They are closed on Sundays and they don't do reservations.. You can almost always expect a wait time, but let me tell you it's worth the wait!
40 locals recommend
Seafood Seller & Cafe
300 Southeast US Highway 19Hands down, some of the best food in town! They are closed on Sundays and they don't do reservations.. You can almost always expect a wait time, but let me tell you it's worth the wait!
Check out this convenient little deli located right on US 19. They have an excellent variety of hot and cold subs. They have the best pasta salad, the taco salad is awesome, and who could say no to a slice of cheesecake?! Everything is excellent.. the service, the food, and the location!
Dockside Ice Cream
Check out this convenient little deli located right on US 19. They have an excellent variety of hot and cold subs. They have the best pasta salad, the taco salad is awesome, and who could say no to a slice of cheesecake?! Everything is excellent.. the service, the food, and the location!
If you're looking for a waterfront resturant in Crystal River, no others compare! The views are great, the food is excellent, and even getting there is a beautiful natural scenic drive!
45 locals recommend
Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello TrailIf you're looking for a waterfront resturant in Crystal River, no others compare! The views are great, the food is excellent, and even getting there is a beautiful natural scenic drive!
My absolute favorite place to eat in town! The service is wonderful, the place is beautiful, the food is amazing, and their margaritas are on point!
7 locals recommend
Los Magueyes Crystal River
6875 W Gulf to Lake HwyMy absolute favorite place to eat in town! The service is wonderful, the place is beautiful, the food is amazing, and their margaritas are on point!
The Biscuit Barn North
1960 NW US-19Delicious 'homemade style' breakfast or lunch!
Sightseeing
This historic building is a cool stop when exploring downtown Crystal River. Learn a little about the past of Citrus County and how Crystal River came to be.
Coastal Heritage Museum
532 N Citrus AveThis historic building is a cool stop when exploring downtown Crystal River. Learn a little about the past of Citrus County and how Crystal River came to be.
This is the heart of our downtown Crystal River! Visit all of the shops and find that perfect piece of memorabilia to bring home!
10 locals recommend
Heritage House
657 N Citrus AveThis is the heart of our downtown Crystal River! Visit all of the shops and find that perfect piece of memorabilia to bring home!
This is a cute little place that gets easily overlooked but is worth the stop! It has tons of information about manatees and even a few educational displays of their anatomy and skeletons. It is clean, free, and has lots of info about the area... It's a nice, quick stop to get acquainted.
Their website especially, is also a TERRIFIC resource of information and great suggestions!!
Discover Crystal River - Visitors Center
915 N Suncoast BlvdThis is a cute little place that gets easily overlooked but is worth the stop! It has tons of information about manatees and even a few educational displays of their anatomy and skeletons. It is clean, free, and has lots of info about the area... It's a nice, quick stop to get acquainted.
Their website especially, is also a TERRIFIC resource of information and great suggestions!!
Indoor fun.
If you're looking for fun indoors, then this is the place! It has a few unique activities along with a mix of the classics. If you haven't ever tried Axe Throwing, then you'll be in for a fun surprise! There's even inflatable Axe Throwing lanes for the kiddos (with velcro axes!!). They have a great family game called Kubb, an arcade, air hockey table, and host lots of different special events! Check their website for events like Teen Night, Karaoke Night, Stand Up Comedy Night, seriously this place is awesome! They are located a few miles from the house in the Crystal River Mall.
https://justamuseme.com/
Just Amuse Me! Indoor Entertainment Center
1801 NW US-19If you're looking for fun indoors, then this is the place! It has a few unique activities along with a mix of the classics. If you haven't ever tried Axe Throwing, then you'll be in for a fun surprise! There's even inflatable Axe Throwing lanes for the kiddos (with velcro axes!!). They have a great family game called Kubb, an arcade, air hockey table, and host lots of different special events! Check their website for events like Teen Night, Karaoke Night, Stand Up Comedy Night, seriously this place is awesome! They are located a few miles from the house in the Crystal River Mall.
https://justamuseme.com/
Another fun indoor activity that we all seem to forget about is bowling! What a classic way to get together and enjoy some friendly competition. There is a bar with a small menu, and a little arcade as well.
**Sundays 12pm-4pm they do buy one game get one game.
10 locals recommend
Manatee Lanes
7715 W Gulf to Lake HwyAnother fun indoor activity that we all seem to forget about is bowling! What a classic way to get together and enjoy some friendly competition. There is a bar with a small menu, and a little arcade as well.
**Sundays 12pm-4pm they do buy one game get one game.
Another super fun family activity is painting! This unique experience allows each person to pick out their own picture and step by step learn how to paint it.
Paint the Town Citrus
14350 NW US-19Another super fun family activity is painting! This unique experience allows each person to pick out their own picture and step by step learn how to paint it.
This is a very cool family activity! Pick a scenario, and see if you can find all the clues to escape before your time is up!
6 locals recommend
Crystal River Room Escape
8740 SE Mayo DrThis is a very cool family activity! Pick a scenario, and see if you can find all the clues to escape before your time is up!
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Bonus Bowl at Manatee Lanes!
On Mondays from 11:30am-10pm Manatee Lanes does their 'Bonus Bowl' special. $2.00 Per game and $2.00 Per shoe rental.
Ways to save
Happy Hour!
Norton's Riverside Bar and Grill has happy hour Monday-Friday from 11am-7pm.
Ways to save
Cody's Original Roadhouse
Save yourself a few dollars at Cody's by sitting at the bar and ordering off the 'bar menu'.
Ways to save
Get A Free Rose...
While you're exploring downtown Crystal River, be sure to drive past Waverley Florist... If you see your name on the board, stop in and get your free rose! (Bring ID to claim the rose.)
Customs and culture
Taco Tuesdays at Lollygaggers!
Lollygaggers is where it's at on Tuesdays. Buy one get one tacos, friendly staff, and fun atmosphere!!!