Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Cedar Key, Florida
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
Cedar Key is a remote beach town on the western Florida coast. With a population of only 800 people, Cedar Key is mid-way between Tampa and Tallahassee, yet far from the bustle of traffic and businesses, perfect for a day or weekend away from it all. A peaceful waterfront area hosts a variety of seafood restaurants, quaint shops, and a pier for fishing, strolling or watching a beautiful sunset.
The remote, scenic shores of Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, located on Florida's Gulf Coast, are perfect for families and nature lovers. On the refuge you can fish, watch wildlife, hike and swim. The refuge boasts some of the largest numbers of nesting birds in Florida, and you will see a variety of birds year round. Getting to the refuge is only possible by ferry. There's a picnic area, camping area and public showers.
Manatee-spotting boat tours are popular excursions in Cedar Key. You can photograph from a safe distance, or get up close to "swim with a manatee." There are also scenic cruises where dolphins are frequently sighted. You can rent a boat from the City Marina on Dock Street to enjoy the waters of the Gulf on your own but be careful. Because of the fairly shallow waters of the Gulf around Cedar Key, paying attention to tides is critical so you don't get stranded by low tide. A boat ramp and parking is available at several places if you want to bring your own boat.
Cedar Key has a small and narrow sandy beach with covered pavilions, a good spot for a picnic. There are no life guards on duty and the shore is littered with clam shells, so protect your feet. This small beach is perfect for casting your cares away and soaking in the sun. Don't miss the gorgeous sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. In the evening, take a walk along the wharf, or stroll through the small town park to see a plaque that marks the terminus of the old railroad.
The history of Cedar Key settlement is shown in a one-room museum. The exhibits concentrate on the life of the area before, during and after the Civil War, including native habitation, the arrival of American settlers and the period of David Levy Yulee. Don't miss the outstanding shell collection assembled by former resident Saint Claire Whitman. Here's a bit of a fun fact. The museum explains that the name "Cedar Key" was a mistake. The many Juniper trees in the area were mistakenly thought to be cedars at first.
The village of Cedar Key holds two festivals a year, the Spring Sidewalk Art Festival and the Fall Seafood Festival. Each attracts thousands of visitors to the area. The art festival is a juried show. Booths of fine arts and crafts by artists competing for prizes line both sides of Cedar Key's main street while the local school, civic and church groups prepare and serve seafood and other goodies in the City Park. There's musical entertainment too. The Fall Seafood Festival, held one weekend in mid-October, draws well over 200 arts and crafts exhibits and great local seafood. There will be live musical entertainment at several places around town during the days and nights, and a parade on Saturday morning. There is also an open house at the lighthouse on Seahorse Key, the big island three miles to the west of Cedar Key.
Shopping at Cedar Key is mostly located along Dock Street, were stores sell shells, jewelry, children's toys, antiques and tropical island decorations. You can also peruse the dozen or so art galleries. Along the boardwalk, stop for some, homemade ice cream. The scoops are large and the price is very cheap. Several small cafes in town offer basic dining. Being a fishing village, seafood is very popular here, especially the indigenous mullet.
If you find yourself longing to stay more than a day in Cedar Key, lodging is available at many island-style locations. Their quaint retro feel is reminiscent of old Florida hotels and resorts. The venerable Island Hotel, built in 1861, is one of the few buildings that survived an 1896 hurricane that devastated Cedar Key. The lovely stalwart is still a favorite place to stay. A car isn't really necessary to get around this small town. Most people walk or by bike, or zip around in a moped or golf cart, available for rent at the City Marina and at several hotels. If you do bring your car, parking is not guaranteed.
Cedar Key is located between Tampa and Tallahassee, about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, Florida. It's a small enough town that it's sometimes easy to miss! Often the best-kept secrets are in hidden places.