Will's Guidebook
floridanaturecoast.org
Food scene
Cajun Jimmy has built such a successful business and even expanded it because his restaurant is just that good! Cajun cooking at it's finest. Ask Jimmy to perform magic tricks for you. He is amazing and kids love him.
40 lokale inwoners raden aan
Seafood Seller & Cafe
300 Southeast US Highway 19Cajun Jimmy has built such a successful business and even expanded it because his restaurant is just that good! Cajun cooking at it's finest. Ask Jimmy to perform magic tricks for you. He is amazing and kids love him.
This old crab plant and restaurant is located right on Kings Bay in Crystal River. I have seen manatees swim right under the window seating. The Crab Plant is a no frills favorite for fresh seafood. Fresh oysters and clams and even blue crabs by the bucket are available. My mom is 92 and it's her favorite place.
48 lokale inwoners raden aan
The Crab Plant
201 NW 5th StThis old crab plant and restaurant is located right on Kings Bay in Crystal River. I have seen manatees swim right under the window seating. The Crab Plant is a no frills favorite for fresh seafood. Fresh oysters and clams and even blue crabs by the bucket are available. My mom is 92 and it's her favorite place.
If you want a big meal at 5:30 AM, go to Grannies. The menu is open all day but the day ends at 3:00 in the afternoon. You will love the portions and the friendly staff. This is my go to spot before I fish, scallop, or kayak/paddle board the Crystal River area. There is plenty of parking across the street for your boat trailer. I've been a customer at Grannie's for 17 years.
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Grannie's Country Cookin’ Restaurant
1712 SE US Hwy 19If you want a big meal at 5:30 AM, go to Grannies. The menu is open all day but the day ends at 3:00 in the afternoon. You will love the portions and the friendly staff. This is my go to spot before I fish, scallop, or kayak/paddle board the Crystal River area. There is plenty of parking across the street for your boat trailer. I've been a customer at Grannie's for 17 years.
I love this place! There are two locations but I prefer the one on the Withlacoochee River in the country. It's located on Hwy 200 and county road 39. They boast a catfish dinner cooked up a few different ways to choose. We always sit outside under the cypress trees and watch the river flow by. It does get crowded on the weekend but just snuggle up to the outside bar and have a margarita before you are seated. I must say that catfish isn't the only thing they serve up. There is a variety of dishes and land lover food too.
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Stumpknockers Restaurant
13821 SW State Rd 200I love this place! There are two locations but I prefer the one on the Withlacoochee River in the country. It's located on Hwy 200 and county road 39. They boast a catfish dinner cooked up a few different ways to choose. We always sit outside under the cypress trees and watch the river flow by. It does get crowded on the weekend but just snuggle up to the outside bar and have a margarita before you are seated. I must say that catfish isn't the only thing they serve up. There is a variety of dishes and land lover food too.
Take a drive to Ozello. It's not far from Crystal River at all. Peck's is a favorite seafood restaurant in an old fishing community. The drive there is half the fun. The road travels west off of Hwy 19 and goes through old word Florida. It's a salt marsh estuary loaded with tributaries and a variety of salt marsh plants. Then you get to Peck's and struggle over what dish to order. Order a beer first and take your time.
45 lokale inwoners raden aan
Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello TrailTake a drive to Ozello. It's not far from Crystal River at all. Peck's is a favorite seafood restaurant in an old fishing community. The drive there is half the fun. The road travels west off of Hwy 19 and goes through old word Florida. It's a salt marsh estuary loaded with tributaries and a variety of salt marsh plants. Then you get to Peck's and struggle over what dish to order. Order a beer first and take your time.
Honestly, I haven't been there in 5 years or more but I have had many guests rant and rave about it. It gets festive. The nice part is its closeness to the lake house and the establishment is right on the Withlacoochee River.
79 lokale inwoners raden aan
Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant
12189 South Williams StreetHonestly, I haven't been there in 5 years or more but I have had many guests rant and rave about it. It gets festive. The nice part is its closeness to the lake house and the establishment is right on the Withlacoochee River.
You just can't beat viewing the Withlacoochie River while enjoying a beverage and an appetizer or a lunch or dinner item. The seafood is fresh off the boats (I buy from the same fleet) and rib dinner is big enough for two.
Reservations are recommended!!!
21 lokale inwoners raden aan
Blackwater Grill & Bar
6301 Riverside DrYou just can't beat viewing the Withlacoochie River while enjoying a beverage and an appetizer or a lunch or dinner item. The seafood is fresh off the boats (I buy from the same fleet) and rib dinner is big enough for two.
Reservations are recommended!!!
Swampy's is on the Rainbow River and it's known for its relaxing atmosphere and as a go to vendor for everything needed to tube or kayak the river.
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Swampy's Bar & Grille
19773 E Pennsylvania AveSwampy's is on the Rainbow River and it's known for its relaxing atmosphere and as a go to vendor for everything needed to tube or kayak the river.
Sightseeing
A large majority of our guests come to the Nature Coast just to experience the local springs. There is no spring finer than Rainbow Springs and the entire 7 mile long river that it forms.
The main activity is tubing and sightseeing. We take the pontoon up the Rainbow River and swim and BBQ. My friend and I normally snorkel the entire length. Here is a bonus: It's very close to the house by boat. Head up the lake (east) and you will run into the intersection of the Withlacoochee River and the Rainbow River. Turn left. You couldn't possibly miss the color change of the tannin colored Withlacoochee with the crystal clear and cool waters of the Rainbow. It can be a great fishing spot, too.
36 lokale inwoners raden aan
Rainbow River
A large majority of our guests come to the Nature Coast just to experience the local springs. There is no spring finer than Rainbow Springs and the entire 7 mile long river that it forms.
The main activity is tubing and sightseeing. We take the pontoon up the Rainbow River and swim and BBQ. My friend and I normally snorkel the entire length. Here is a bonus: It's very close to the house by boat. Head up the lake (east) and you will run into the intersection of the Withlacoochee River and the Rainbow River. Turn left. You couldn't possibly miss the color change of the tannin colored Withlacoochee with the crystal clear and cool waters of the Rainbow. It can be a great fishing spot, too.
This is the lake the house is on. It's primitive and very little development can be seen.
Boater beware: the lake is loaded with stumps just below the surface. The lake channel is actually the Withlacoochee River proper. For safety and location issues, the channel is marked with red and green numbered marker posts. There are a few side channels that are also marked and they lead to some residential areas.
This lake is loaded with fish. Loaded!!
Lake Rousseau
This is the lake the house is on. It's primitive and very little development can be seen.
Boater beware: the lake is loaded with stumps just below the surface. The lake channel is actually the Withlacoochee River proper. For safety and location issues, the channel is marked with red and green numbered marker posts. There are a few side channels that are also marked and they lead to some residential areas.
This lake is loaded with fish. Loaded!!
The drive to historic Cedar Key is about 50 miles from the house. In that distance you have about 3 traffic lights and maybe 2 stop signs to negotiate. It's a quiet road to Cedar Key. But once you get there you can stroll around the town and visit the old pier with it's shops and eateries. I suggest visiting on the weekend because it is more festive and all the shop owners will be there and open. There are amazing artists and art work on that key.
This is a must for you to do: go visit Tony's and sample his award winning clam chowder and tell me it's not the best you have ever had. No joke. He travels to Maine every year and competes in the Clam Chowder Cook Off. His restaurant is covered with awards from over the years of winning. I truly enjoy eating there.
Buy some seafood on the way out of town and grill it back at the lake.
62 lokale inwoners raden aan
Cedar Key
The drive to historic Cedar Key is about 50 miles from the house. In that distance you have about 3 traffic lights and maybe 2 stop signs to negotiate. It's a quiet road to Cedar Key. But once you get there you can stroll around the town and visit the old pier with it's shops and eateries. I suggest visiting on the weekend because it is more festive and all the shop owners will be there and open. There are amazing artists and art work on that key.
This is a must for you to do: go visit Tony's and sample his award winning clam chowder and tell me it's not the best you have ever had. No joke. He travels to Maine every year and competes in the Clam Chowder Cook Off. His restaurant is covered with awards from over the years of winning. I truly enjoy eating there.
Buy some seafood on the way out of town and grill it back at the lake.
This is the best place to launch your tubing adventure, kayaks, paddle boards and bodies.
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K.P. Hole County Park
9435 SW 190th Avenue RdThis is the best place to launch your tubing adventure, kayaks, paddle boards and bodies.
This is a city run park in town and in a neighborhood. It is very good for young kids because the water is shallow and you can walk in. Please be aware that the water does get deeper and even over your head. Watch the little ones!
The park offers kayak launches and picnic tables and grills.
Warning: it does get crowded and I avoid the weekends during summer. Winter is good anytime.
67 lokale inwoners raden aan
Hunter Springs Park
18 NE 2nd StThis is a city run park in town and in a neighborhood. It is very good for young kids because the water is shallow and you can walk in. Please be aware that the water does get deeper and even over your head. Watch the little ones!
The park offers kayak launches and picnic tables and grills.
Warning: it does get crowded and I avoid the weekends during summer. Winter is good anytime.
http://www.rainbowrivercanoeandkayak.com/tubing.htm
Check out this site for all your tubing transportation and rental options.
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Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
12121 River Viewhttp://www.rainbowrivercanoeandkayak.com/tubing.htm
Check out this site for all your tubing transportation and rental options.
It's actually CRYSTAL RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK. Look it up.
It's the perfect place for hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing.
Old Florida at its finest.
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Crystal River
3266 N Sailboat AveIt's actually CRYSTAL RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK. Look it up.
It's the perfect place for hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing.
Old Florida at its finest.
Besides by a cool place to eat, drink, and just hang out, Swampy's is a go to vendor for tubing and kayaking the Rainbow River.
Check for possible river excursion reservation requirements.
82 lokale inwoners raden aan
Swampy's Bar & Grille
19773 E Pennsylvania AveBesides by a cool place to eat, drink, and just hang out, Swampy's is a go to vendor for tubing and kayaking the Rainbow River.
Check for possible river excursion reservation requirements.