Explore the beautiful and serene Crystal River, Florida. This guide and itinerary focuses on spending time in nature in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast.
Florida's Nature Coast offers a chance to experience a unique region in Florida, with crystal clear springs and a chance to see the diverse wildlife that calls this marshland home.
Crystal River is a small Southern city in the heart of both Citrus County and Florida's Nature Coast. Crystal River calls itself "Manatee Haven" for good reason. It is the only place in the United States where it is legal to swim with and interact with manatees in their natural conditions.
Crystal River is situated around King's Bay, which is spring fed and maintains a constant 72º Fahrenheit year-round. This makes it the perfect sanctuary for manatees in the winter when the ocean is cold. As a result, the best time to visit Crystal River to see manatee's is from November to April. You can spot manatee's in Crystal River year-round, but the masses visit during the cooler months.
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When is the best time to visit?
While manatees may be found in Crystal River year-round, the winter season (Mid-November through March) is the best time to visit. During this time, the weather is mild and the manatees are everywhere! Because the ocean temperature is cooler, the manatees seek refuge in Crystal River (specifically Three Sisters Springs) and this creates an amazing opportunity to view these wild manatees up close.
If you're looking to come to a festival, Crystal River has several!
The Florida Manatee Festival is held every January in Crystal River, and the Crystal River Scallop Festival is held every July.
Three Sister's Springs is a beautiful place to view manatees and other wildlife, such as alligators, crabs, otters, and many species of birds. Visitors can explore Three Sister's Springs on foot, by kayak, or guided snorkel tours. There are also several hiking trails in the area that offer scenic views of the area.
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Be aware that there is no parking available at Three Sisters Springs (except for a select few handicap spaces for vehicles with a valid handicap parking permit). There is a trolley that will shuttle visitors to the Springs from a public parking area in town, or you can find a different parking spot and walk.
There are many options to interact with manatees in their natural habitat in Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. You can take guided snorkel or kayak tours to experience these gentle giants up close.
Along with guided snorkel tours, Famous Bird's Underwater offers kayak and stand up paddle board (SUP) rentals, and scalloping tours. These are all great ways to get out and explore Crystal River.
Hunter Springs Kayaks is another option if you're interested in kayaking near the manatees and watching them from above instead of snorkeling. They have guided and self-guided package options, with a range of different types of kayaks too!
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Three Day Crystal River Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive via Tampa International Airport, rent a car and drive 1.5 hours to Crystal River. If driving instead, arrive in Crystal River after (probably a lengthy) car ride.
Kick off the day with breakfast at the Biscuit Barn, a local diner with amazing biscuits and something for everyone (unless you're gluten-free, then instead try Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters for their gluten-free Almond Horn).
I make it a point to find homemade biscuits whenever I'm in the Southern US, and these have been the best! It's a small place and fills up quickly with locals, so be prepared to wait or have a backup plan if they are full! As a vegetarian, I have a few options here but I would not recommend if you're gluten-free/celiac or vegan.
Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters has coffee options for everyone, and an amazing gluten-free almond horn! If you're looking for a good midday pick-me-up, this is the place for coffee!
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Manatee Time!
Now it's time for your first manatee sighting! Find public parking and head over (walk or shuttle) to Three Sister Springs to explore the area and walk the boardwalk. The boardwalk takes about 25 minutes to walk,
Keep in mind that in general, there will be more manatees in Three Sister Springs early in the day and late in the evening. You may need to edit these plans depending on your time of arrival.
Three Sister Springs trail is gorgeous and offers many opportunities to view manatees from the boardwalk. Keep in mind that there may be more manatees in the earlier and later times of the day, and that crowds may be heightened at these times too.
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Lunch & Local Fun
After finding public parking and exploring Three Sister Springs, head over to Downtown Crystal River - visit the Coastal Heritage Museum, Town Square, and grab lunch at one of the local restaurants like BubbaQue's, Amy's on the Avenue, or Norton's Riverside Bar and Grill.
This is a nice little park in the heart of Crystal River. Great for a break in between visiting shops and other activities in Crystal River. Some events are held here too, if you come during a festival or other large event!
Amy's on the Avenue is a bistro and botique. The café and bistro has a lovely atmosphere, with a nice back patio garden with murals. They have a nice selection of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches for lunch. Vegetarian friendly, and there are some gluten-free options too.
If you're looking for barbecue, this is the place! It's very popular and has a large selection of sandwiches, burgers, platters, and more. Not a great place for someone who is vegetarian or gluten-free!
This is a great spot for lunch or dinner. They have an outdoor patio and live music, and it can get very busy! It's dog friendly and has a simple menu but large portions.
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After lunch, relax back at your home in Crystal River, visit some of the downtown shops, or explore more of Crystal River's wild side.
Shopping
For some in-town shopping, check out gift shops like All About Nature and Anchored Souls.
I enjoy visiting art galleries when I am traveling, and the Franklin Anderson Gallery and Coastal Art Gallery are both great galleries to visit.
This is a great little souvenir and crafting shop, and is highly recommended by visitors. You can sign up to take crafting classes if you have time on your trip!
Another nice little art gallery featuring local artists! Definitely worth a stop if you have the time in Crystal River.
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See More of the Wild Side
Crystal River has hidden gems all over. One of these is Little Springs Park, a park and playground tucked under a canopy of trees, next to the city government and Sheriff's offices.
Little Springs Park is open from 8am until sunset. It’s a nice place to enjoy the water fountain or lunch in the gazebo under the canopy. The park also has a fun playground for children, also known as the Creative Community Playground.
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Hunter Springs Park is a perfect place to relax on the beach, go for a swim, and walk another boardwalk (you may even see a manatee here!).
Hunter Springs Park has a small beach and an area to swim in the channel. Near the edge of the swimming area is a spring, and if you dive down to it with a mask and snorkel (about 10 feet/3 meters down) you can see the water coming in!
Note, the beach is located on the channel leading to Three Sister Springs and swimming is allowed, but always be mindful of boats. There were buoys when I was there in 2022, but be very careful, especially if going underwater. Because it's spring fed, the water temperature here stays around 72ºF year-round.
Hunter Springs Park is a beautiful little park with a beach and swimming access, a boardwalk to view manatees and other wildlife, and picnic tables where you can dine and watch the sunset (that's what I did!). It does get busy on nice days, but typically not overcrowded. There is a parking here for a small fee.
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Dinner
There are lots of dinner options in Crystal River. My favorite so far has been Kane's Cattle Co, but there are lots of good options!
Kane's Cattle Co. is a casual restaurant with a nice ambiance. It was very busy on a Wednesday during Spring Break, so we did take-out and ate at Hunter Springs Park. Their Bruschetta and Coconut Shrimp were our favorites!
El Ranchito was great and quick - we were really tired and just wanted something to eat, and Mexican is always a favorite. It was quiet here on a Tuesday night during Spring Break, and the nachos were great!
Locals RAVE about Vintage on 5th. It's a bit more expensive, but located in a renovated cottage-church with great food, it's definitely on my list next time I'm in Crystal River.
The Crab Plant is a great seafood place on the water! Another local favorite, this restaurant has wonderful views and fresh, local seafood.
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Day 2
Start off your day with breakfast at the Biscuit Barn or Breakfast Station, or grab coffee at Sea Salt Coffee Co. Make sure to drink plenty of water today if you are doing a manatee excursion!
I make it a point to find homemade biscuits whenever I'm in the Southern US, and these have been the best! It's a small place and fills up quickly with locals, so be prepared to wait or have a backup plan if they are full! As a vegetarian, I have a few options here but I would not recommend if you're gluten-free/celiac or vegan.
This is a breakfast chain with lots of savory and sweet breakfast (or lunch) options. I love Biscuit Barn enough to go 3 days in a row, but this is another option to try if you'd like!
This is a cute woman-owned café with lots of Keto options!
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Manatee time #2!
Hopefully you've booked a manatee snorkel excursion or kayaking tour for the day. Options are linked at the top of this page. These usually start in the morning and last 2-3 hours, so budget your time accordingly.
After a few hours of kayaking or snorkeling (or both!) it's time to eat! Check out Dockside Deli for their amazing pickle pod or find another local restaurant.
Great hidden gem in Crystal River! They feature a range of soups, salads and sandwiches, and the amazing pickle pod! It's a great place to grab a quick bite while exploring.
Fort Island Beach is a small beach with a boat ramp and walking trails, it's a fun spot to visit and relax that's usually not too crowded.
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Dinner
Check out another local Crystal River restaurant today, like Dan's Clam Stand or Waterfront Social. Cody's Original Roadhouse is also a popular place for dinner in Crystal River.
Cody's Original Roadhouse is always busy in Crystal River, and features traditional American cuisine to give you a break from seafood (if you need one!)
This is a very highly rated local favorite in Crystal River that I urge you to check out! They offer a large variety of seafood with great service and a nice atmosphere.
Waterfront Social is a good restaurant with a nice view of the river and live music. They have seafood and other options, with good reviews on their food.
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Day 3
Today it's time to venture outside of Crystal River to Dunnellon, Florida to see Rainbow River at Rainbow River Springs State Park.
Rainbow River is located almost 2 hours from Crystal River, and if this is too much, there are alternatives that are closer.
Rainbow River is an amazingly crystal-clear river with lots of opportunity for adventure for anyone looking for an active and scenic experience.
You can kayak, paddleboard, fish*, tube, swim, snorkel, or scuba dive* in Rainbow River! The clear water and light current makes it easy to see and enjoy any of those activities.
There are numerous rental companies in the area that provide paddleboards, kayaks, scuba or snorkeling equipment, or visitors may bring their own.
Rainbow River is home to many different types of fish and other wildlife, like bass, gar, turtles, otters, and even manatees! The water is a constant 72 degrees F. It is spring-fed, and if you're snorkeling or diving, you can see and touch many of the springs in the river.
Rainbow Springs State Park also features hiking and biking trails. There is truly something for everyone at Rainbow River, and that's one of the reasons why it's a popular destination.
*Please make sure you are properly trained for open-water scuba diving and/or that you have a permit for fishing and scuba diving. Always do your research
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American Pro Diving Center is based in Crystal River, but takes groups of people out to Rainbow River to dive or snorkel.
This is a great place to rent kayaks and canoes from, and a good place to go to learn more about Rainbow River from a local!
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Besides Rainbow River, there's a lot to do in Dunnellon. You can spend all day at Rainbow River, or you can break it up and try to visit K.P. Hole County Park, Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, or other local sights.
If you decide to stay at Rainbow River all day, I'd recommend packing a lunch (don't forget plenty of snacks!) and then going out for dinner upon exiting the park.
Dunnellon Restaurants
Check out a local favorite in Dunnellon like Swampy's, Front Porch Restaurant, or The Pizza Joint
There are so many things to see and do along Florida's Nature Coast, so feel free to supplement Rainbow River with something different. Other options include but are certainly not limited to: Inverness, Withlacoochee State Forest, Williston (Devil's Den and Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens), or Homosassa Springs for more manatees.
Devil's Den is a great place to safely explore an underwater cavern, via snorkeling or scuba diving. Keep in mind that snorkelers MUST have a reservation and cannot simply walk-in. Scuba divers do not need a reservation.
Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is one of my favorite places in the world. It's a fantastic Japanese style garden with so much to see and explore, I'm in awe every time I go and that's not even during the blooming season. It's right next to Devil's Den, so I urge you to make time to visit if you're heading to the prehistoric spring.
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Optional Add-Ins
I've also included some optional additions for the itinerary, places that I think are worth exploring that may be a bit more niche.
This resort is one of the most luxurious accommodations in Crystal River, with an adventure center, golf course, waterview rooms, restaurants and a bar, and a spa, this resort features many amenities. It's a great place with lots to do, so you'll likely want to spend some more time at this resort than you would in a typical hotel.
The Holiday Inn Express features free breakfast and a pool, it's a great place to relax and recharge before going out and exploring what Crystal River has to offer.
This is a decent and inexpensive hotel, especially great if you just need a place to sleep and will be out most of the day. Their rooms have a microwave, they do have a pool, and when I stayed in winter of 2021, they offered free breakfast.
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Thank you for checking out my guide, feel free to contact me with questions!
Hi, I’m Kenedy! I am a passionate traveler and sustainability advocate for the planet, trying to explore as kindly as possibly and help others do the same. I love anything outdoors - hiking, camping, skiing, swimming, and I even teach scuba diving! I live in Columbus, Ohio and I try to get away as often as possible to see the world. I’m not a vacationer - I’d usually rather be doing something at any given time. As a result, my itineraries and guides are packed with advice and ideas to be out and explore as much as possible. I hope I can help you plan your next adventure!
