Citrus County, which extends along the west coast of Florida, is a beautiful place to visit with lots to do and see.
With stunning weather to match its landscapes, Citrus County should absolutely be added to your travel bucket list.
In this article, we’d like to introduce the top 7 things to do in Citrus County, Florida.
1. Observe Manatees At Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has the largest concentration of manatees in Citrus County, so this is a special experience that you won’t want to miss out on.
To observe the manatees, head down to the Fish Bowl underwater observatory and step inside an aquatic wonderland.
Other than manatees, you’ll be able to watch lots of different fish swimming around. Above ground, this state park is the ideal place for birding, or a picnic.
The captive wildlife, which includes alligators, flamingos, and black bears, are all well cared for, so you’ll be able to observe them happy in their habitats.
Furthermore, it has several trails that you can follow to observe wildlife, including the Wildlife Walk. The addition of boardwalks makes it perfectly accessible for all visitors.
The park aims to unite nature with history, so you’ll also be able to do some learning at the amphitheater or the interpretive exhibit.
2. Take In Some History At The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum
Inverness is a great city to spend the day looking around outside, but it also has some interesting indoor attractions. One that you should visit is the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum.
It was constructed back in 1912, though its popularity fell over the years and it was replaced with another courthouse.
Luckily, some members of the community took action to preserve the original building, which now holds the county’s history. You’ll be marveled by their books, photographs, and artifacts.
The building is extraordinary to look at, so fans of architecture will be impressed. And inside, there is a lot of history to take in.
Also, stopping in the museum is a good way to escape the Florida heat, and it will allow you to pick up some souvenirs in the gift shop after your visit.
The best part is that the museum is free, though you can leave a donation. With a staggering 12,000 years of Citrus County and Florida history to explore inside just one building, you won’t want to miss this attraction.
3. Spend A Relaxing Day On Fort Island Gulf Beach
If you’re looking to make the most of the weather and relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Fort Island Gulf Beach in Crystal River is the perfect sanctuary.
With its white sand, clear water, and blue sky, this beach is small but stunning. It is also the only beach in Citrus County, so those who appreciate a good beach day will enjoy it morning or evening.
It is quite a small beach, but you’ll be able to occupy yourself the whole time that you’re there.
You can have your picnic at the designated picnic tables, go swimming in the sea, watch out for wildlife, and go for a stroll along the wooden walkway to the fishing pier.
Best of all, Fort Island Gulf Beach is clean and quiet, though there may be some crowds depending on the time of year.
You can end your day at the beach by relaxing in the shade underneath a lovely sunset with a cool drink, ready to embark on another adventure the next day.
4. Admire The Landscape While Attempting The Ozello Trail
For some people, a trip away from home is all about getting outdoors as much as possible.
All the hiking fans out there will love the challenge of the Ozello Trail, which begins just south of the town Crystal Springs and stretches on for nine miles.
Despite the high-energy hike, sightseeing is definitely the best part of this particular trail. You’ll pass stretches of the marshland filled with water and small islands.
If you would prefer not to hike so many miles then this route is also accessible by car. The trail is located along US Highway 19, with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
You’ll still be able to admire all the fascinating marshlands as you head towards the trail’s end point in the small fishing village Ozello.
There, you can sample some tasty seafood at restaurants including Backwater Fins, Island Outpost, and Dan’s Clam Stand.
This trail is a great way to explore the quieter side of Citrus County, as well as get some delicious cuisine and the opportunity to support local restaurants.
Ozello is perfectly serene and you’ll be sorry to leave it at the end of your visit.
5. Live An Underwater Dream And Swim With Manatees
Citrus County is the only place in the US where you are allowed to swim with manatees, though not all attractions will offer this.
For those that wish to get close to manatees, ‘Snorkelling With The Manatees’ will make your dream come true. They offer swimming and snorkeling tours in the Crystal River Refuge and Homosassa River of Citrus County.
Customers get onto boats with a maximum of five other people and are provided with wetsuits and snorkeling masks.
They always have the welfare of the animals in mind. Considering this, fewer people and fewer boats are better for the manatees.
The ‘Marvelous Manatee Tour’ costs $65 for three hours, and the ‘Manatee Mania Tour’ costs $75 for four hours.
You’ll be able to get really up close with the manatees and observe them swimming outdoors. Apart from that, you can also have your picture taken, so you’ll have something to remember the day with.
6. Take Some Time For Yourself At The Ultimo Spa
All that walking around and exploring will have you feeling tired, so why not book some relaxing spa treatments at the Ultimo Spa?
This particular spa is located in Inverness and has a wide array of treatments. They offer massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing treatments.
You can tailor your treatments to your preferences, or you can pay for one of their day packages, which all include lunch!
There are four-day packages to choose from. The Inverness Experience costs $135.00, the European Experience costs $205.00, the Ultimo Experience costs $255.00, and the Royal Experience costs $430.00.
The packages are on the pricier side, but they all include five separate treatments (manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, and makeup application), except for the Royal Experience, which has six.
You’ll leave the spa feeling fabulously refreshed and can then go and explore more of Inverness. Some of the best bars to try include Pine Street Pub, Coach’s Pub & Eatery, Twysted Vyne, and SideBar Tavern.
7. Go Back In Time At The Crystal River Archaeological State Park
This state park stretches for a magnificent 61 acres, two miles northwest of Crystal River.
It served as a ceremonial center for Native Americans for 1,600 years, estimated to have been visited by 7,500 Native Americans annually.
Besides the platform mounds, there are also burial mounds, a plaza, and a midden to explore.
With a charge of just $3 per vehicle, you’ll be able to spend the day taking in the complex of Native American mounds and learning about the past.
There is also the Crystal River Archaeological Museum, so you can take the time to learn even more about the site’s history from exhibits, artifacts, and videos.
Restaurant Recommendations
Wherever you go in Citrus County, you’ll be able to find exactly the cuisine you like.
Ozello is the place to go for fresh seafood, and you’ll be able to find foods to suit everyone’s tastes.
Crystal River has Peck’s Old Port Cove, The Crab Plant, Hardwood Smokehouse, and Vintage On 5th.
If you are visiting Inverness, you should try out the McLeod House Bistro, Stumpknockers On The Square, Fisherman’s Cove, and Enrico Ristorante.
Any time you are near the water, try the closest seafood restaurant and see what they recommend. Local restaurants are almost always more than happy to recommend particular dishes.
Interacting with the locals will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have about Citrus County.
Accommodation
You won’t have a shortage of places to stay on your visit. Citrus County has some beautiful hotels, including the Plantation on Crystal River and the Plantation Inn & Golf Resort, which is also in Crystal River.
Other options include the Quality Inn Conference Center At Citrus Hills, the Lakeside Gold Resort Inverness, and the North Timucuan 1222.
Citrus County is home to plenty of motels and villas for hire too, so you’ll be able to find something perfect for you.
Ways To Get There
If everything is in the clear then the easiest way to access Citrus County is by plane. Inverness Airport is an international airport that will welcome you right into the heart of Citrus County.
Other close airports include Gainesville Regional Airport and Tampa International Airport.
If you do take a flight, however, you’ll have to rely on walking, or taking public transport. You’ll still be able to get around and see everything, but you’ll need to take more time to plan out exactly the activities you want to do so that you’re properly prepared.
If you choose to drive to Citrus County then you’ll be able to get around quite easily because all the attractions can be accessed by road.
Travel Tips
Though COVID-19 restrictions have started to lull more and more now, it is still essential that you follow the travel advice of your country and the travel advice of Florida when booking a trip to make sure that you aren’t breaking any rules.
Conclusion
The 7 recommendations included in this article are all fabulous things to do, but you’ll discover even more hidden gems when you arrive.
There are plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and beautiful places to go walking. The locals are also friendly and will welcome you to whichever activities you choose.
With those tips in mind, you’ll be able to start planning out your trip to Citrus County from start to finish.
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