If you’re looking for a charming, off-the-beaten path, quaint beach town to visit, Cedar Key, Florida is the absolute perfect place to go! All of the houses are the perfect shades of pastel colors, it’s right on the water, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. There are stunning natural springs you can swim in, delicious food, and picture perfect small town vibes. It’s truly the perfect little beach town getaway. The whole time we were there, we kept saying it felt like we were living in a Nicolas Sparks movie. Here are eight things to do in Cedar Key, Florida:
8 Things to do in Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Lakes Woods and Garden:
Cool off at Blue Springs Bronson:
One of the coolest and most unique things about this area of Florida is all of the natural springs you can swim in! Blue Springs Bronson is such a fun spot to come and hang out for the day. There’s a $2 per person entry fee, but you can swim, play, hike, and fish here, so it’s well worth it. There’s even a dock you can dive off of. It definitely looked like a local summer hang out spot. The water is a stunning crystal clear blue, and it’s so refreshing when you jump in! Bring towels, a float, and a picnic if you want to spend the day here. They also have a few things like floats and towels available for purchase.
Enjoy a Pool Day at Black Prong Equestrian Center:
Get Smoothies from The Prickly Palm:
Manatee Springs State Park:
Rent Golf Carts to Ride Around Town:
Relax on the Beach:
Cedar Key is right on the water, so you should definitely take some time to sit and relax on the beach. There are a couple different beaches you can choose from. We spent a day on the beach near G Street Beach, and it was truly the best day. The water in Florida is usually pretty warm and it was really calm, so it’s nice and refreshing for all of us to swim in, even our one-year-old. We also heard from some locals that Airport Beach is a great spot to watch the sunset! The water and views are so pretty here. We saw pods of dolphins swimming almost every day! It was so magical.
Get Dessert from Flamingo Freeze:
where to stay:
Studio 589:
We stayed at Studio 589 Pelican Vacation Home in Cedar Key and loved it! It’s an updated two-bedroom, one-bath rental home with a spacious living area, full kitchen, and washer/dryer. There’s also a beautiful deck that overlooks the main street in town. It’s right in the heart of town, which makes it easy to walk around and explore. It has very charming, beach home vibes and is easy to make yourself feel right at home while you’re there. There’s even an outside deck with a grill. We love staying at rental homes, especially when we’re traveling with family, because it makes it more flexible for you to be able to make your own meals, do some laundry, and spend more time relaxing.
A few things to note: Cedar Key is about an hour away from your nearest “big town.” There’s only one small grocery store in town and most things close early. If you’re getting in late or want to do a bigger grocery run, we recommend stopping in Gainesville, Chiefland or Crystal River (depending on what direction you’re coming from), on your way in. We absolutely loved visiting Cedar Key and highly recommend it for a small beach town getaway for the whole family!
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*This post was sponsored by Visit Florida, but as always, all opinions are our own.
