Emerald Coast
People who love a more relaxing vacation love the Emerald Coast. You will find beautiful white sandy beaches with turquoise waters that will mesmerize you. There are quaint little towns and lovely lakes to fish in.
Like A Fairytale
The Gulf of Mexico, with its breathtaking blue waters, is a sight that seems too beautiful to be real. It's like stepping into a storybook fairytale. The Historical Districts offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing you to imagine life in the days of the Natives and the Settlers. The museums house original artifacts, bringing history to life.
Cedar Key
I chose Cedar Key because you can visit many islands nearby and see interesting towns and wildlife. You can also explore Old Florida History here.
Cedar Key is a paradise for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, a fact that I'm sure you've gathered from my previous pieces. The opportunity to explore and encounter the diverse wildlife here is terrific.
How to get here:
The City of Cedar Key resides on Way Key, four miles out into the Gulf, sixty miles West of Gainsville, Florida.
Follow State Route 24 to the end cross over salt marshes and channels and four small bridges.
There is no Public Transportation so you will need a car. You can rent bicycles.
You can reach and do:
13 Islands
National Wildlife Refuge
Book tours or Boat rentals
Fishing Expeditions
Sightings from Eagles to Dolphins
Places to stay:
Cedar Key Bread and Breakfast is the history of Florida. It is a beautiful place enriched with colors of mint and pink Victorian-style manor built in the 1880s. It was so gorgeous it took my breath away. The landscaping alone is to die for. I advise you to explore their website to get a good feel of the whole place.
Nature Coast Inn and Cottages Guesthouse are so perfect for the family. They have 24/7 guest services with free parking. Their rooms and cottages have air conditioning, an indoor kitchen, and a mini fridge. Outside is a firepit, a barbecue, and outdoor furniture so you can socialize with your family or friends. If you smoke, there is a designated area like in school. This place has a lot of high reviews and is 30 minutes from Ft. Island Beach. It is also pet-friendly, which is a plus for many pet-friendly people. Look at the link to discover this beautiful garden place.
The Flower Box is just as cute as it sounds. This is my number one choice. It is retro, and I am so happy that it reminds me of my childhood. It is a 2-bedroom with a queen bed in one and a twin in the other room. The Living area has plenty of room to sit around and chat with your family and friends. It has an oven in the kitchen, and the dining area is minimal for only two to three people. The bathroom is unique, made of mosaic green, pink, and brown… It has all the toiletries you will need. The backyard has a sitting area where you can sit and wind down as the evening ends, and you get ready for the next day.
And, of course, the inside detailing is flowers in a box.
I love, love this. This property is in Inglis, Florida. Withlacoochee Gulf is 6 minutes away, and Fort Island Beach is 30 minutes away. booking.com Worldwidetune.com
Things to do:
Cedar Key is very relaxed, so if you are a history buff, check out the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum. You can go boating, kayaking, hiking, or biking. There are endless outdoor things to do. Watch the sunset on the beach as you fish on the pier. There are pencil mill ruins that you can explore while you are hiking.
Go to the Wildlife Refuge in a kayak and see the many birds if you love birdwatching as I do. Here is a list of the birds you might see:
Egrets
Herons
Pelicans
Spoonbills
Don’t forget to enjoy the Cedar Lakes and Wooden Gardens, which are only one hour away. If you love flowers crafted into beautiful art as I do, this is the place for you.
Explore Downtown Cedar Key
Cedar Key is Florida’s 2nd oldest town. The waterfront has many old historical buildings, art, restaurants, shops, and parks. Put on those comfortable clothes and explore and learn this quaint island's history.
Where to eat: Take a Food tour, eat fresh seafood, and learn the history of this island. There are places like Tony’s Chowder House and 2nd Street Cafe.
This island is a place to lay back with family or friends. Take a week or a weekend and escape life’s usual hustle and bustle. Get out and smell the ocean air and drink your coffee or tea. Enjoy life.
If you enjoyed this trip, subscribe to have my newsletter in your box. Share this with a friend, and have a great weekend!! L.Jean
This is so lovely!
It would be great if you contacted the locations/ hotels, etc to let them know you are featuring them. In the future, you could get sponsorships from them.
Keep it up!
Between all the history and nature, Cedar Key seems like an ideal vacation place. Thanks for sharing!