Stretching from nearby Pasco County and up through to Wakulla County at the edge of the panhandle, Florida’s Nature Coast has nearly 1 million acres of possibilities to explore. Here, you can tour small Old Florida towns, swim with manatees and reconnect with, well, nature. To get there, shoot up the Suncoast Parkway and begin the journey in Crystal River. Afterward, follow U.S. 19 and stop at as many roadside villages as time will allow. You won’t be disappointed.

When to Go

Activities abound year-round in this part of Florida since people from around the state flock to the Nature Coast to escape their own tourist seasons. If you’re hoping for a manatee sighting, swing by in the winter months. But the real fun begins in the summer when counties open up for scallop season.

Where to Stay

Plantation on Crystal River offers expansive water views complete with a large pool and neighboring tiki bar. This spot is great for the family, with loads of kids free-ranging in the sun. For a more intimate stay, consider the Retreat at Crystal Manatee, steps from Crystal River and nearby nature tours. In Cedar Key, the Island Hotel boasts a central location and in-house bar and restaurant for rainy days when you want to stay in.

Where to Eat

The Nature Coast hits the spot when it comes to delicious dining. Vintage on 5th in Crystal River offers elevated Southern fare in a historic home. Up the road, Amy’s on the Avenue is the perfect stop for sandwiches and light bites before a lengthy kayak trip. In Cedar Key, tuck into the town’s famous Cedar Key clams at Steamers.

What to Do

Start your trip at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where you will be surrounded by both flora and fauna. The park houses dozens of bird species in the aviary, making it ideal for birders. You’ll also find an underwater manatee observatory and even a resident hippopotamus named Lu. If the manatees are elusive, head over to Hunter Springs Kayaks in Crystal River for an up close and personal encounter with these massive mammals, courtesy of expert guides who know all the secret spots. Then travel up to Cedar Key to explore the quiet village and be sure to stop in the Cedar Keyhole Artist’s Co-Op to take a handmade piece of art home with you.

Get Off the Grid

A Book to Pack: Pick up a copy of Diane Morgan’s Secret of the Manatee for an in-depth look into the state’s most iconic creature.
 
A Record to Put On: John Prine’s 1971 self-titled album has just the twangy folk sound to set you in the mood for small-town livin’.
 
A Movie to Watch: Elvis Presley’s 1962 film Follow That Dream was filmed in parts of the Nature Coast, with many stops along U.S. 19 boasting that “Elvis stopped here,” much like Sarasota’s own Waffle Stop.

Must Have Souvenir: Huggable plush manatee. Enough said.