Blog

Visiting Cedar Keys in Levy County, FL

When it comes to visiting Florida, it won’t take long to fill up your itinerary. Whether you want to hit the beaches, learn a bit about the history of the state, or you have something else in mind entirely, you will find that there is something for everyone, no matter how long you plan to stay in the area or make your vacation. Levy County, FL may not be the typical tourist attraction like The Keys, Orlando, and Miami, it has a ton of fun things for you to do any time of the year.

While you are in Levy County, FL, you should take the time to visit the beautiful Cedar Keys. This is a little Florida island that is just 50 miles southwest of Gainesville and fewer than three hours from the Tampa Bay and Orlando area, making it a good stop for tourists and natives alike. If you are looking for some things to do in Cedar Keys in Levy County, FL, some of the things to consider include:

The Art

Over the years, Cedar keys has become known as an art colony for everyone. There are many artists who are able to live there all year long, though some will just come during the season. Galleries love to display all of this work and one of the galleries you should check out when in the area is Island Arts on Dock Street (right past the Dominion offices).

History Lessons

When you want to make your day a little more educational, then you can head over to Cedar Keys and get a little lesson. This island contains a few options to consider including the Cedar Key Museum State Park and the Cedar Key Historical Museum. These will talk about a lot of different things like the industries that helped run the island including the cedar trees that were once produced into pencils until they were gone and the oystering that occurred for a number of years after that.

Kayaking

When you are ready to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather, then take a moment to kayak on the beaches of Cedar Keys. Visitors can choose to rent out boats, paddleboards, and kayaks at five different locations in Cedar Keys. Spend the day on the water, look at some of the native birds of the area, and search for some unique shells to finish the day.

Shell Mound

This location is found on the way to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. This mound was made by the natives between 1800 to 400 years ago and is 28 feet high. This is a ton of shells. It is a longer hike and you need to bring along the bug spray, but it is certainly a sight you need to see.

As you can see, Cedar Keys in Levy County, FL can provide a wealth of different things for you to do. Whether you are ready to look at the art, explore some of the history, or just sit on the beach, this tiny island will provide you with exactly what your vacation desires from the start!

Default

Parks and Places for Families

Levy County, FL is going to be a great place to go if you have a family. There are a number of great parks that you are able to visit that provide some amazing places for the whole family or the individual to spend time on. Some of the best parks in the area include: 

  • Cemetery Point Park: IF you are in Cedar Key, FL, then you should stop by this park. It includes a unique fitness trail that has signs of the workouts and all of the equipment that you need to get an amazing workout. There is also an 8 basket disc golf course, a place to launch a canoe or kayak, and even places to fish inside.
  • Blue Springs County Park: This one is open during the summer months and has everything that you would need to enjoy the summer. There is a diving dock, volleyball place, swimming, and places to have a picnic, all in Bronson, FL.
  • Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge: This one is a bit different because it is a wildlife refuge for you to enjoy. There are 13 different islands, ranging from 1 to 120 acres, and lots of cultural opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
  • Fanning Springs State Park: If you are looking to see manatees or other creatures that call the area home, then this is the park to spend your time. You can even snorkel or swim through the clear water or rent out a cabin and have some time to get away.
  • Manatee Springs State Park: This park hosts a first magnitude spring that is able to discharge 100 million gallons of water. The manatees like to come to this area in the winter to keep warm and it is a great area to see these wonderful creatures in the wild.

These are just a few of the parks that you can see in Levy County, FL and can make for a great time away from the cities while spending time with your family.

Tours Available in Levy County, FL

There are also a number of tours that you are able to do when you come to Levy County, FL. In addition to some of the traditional boat tours, bike tours, car rentals, and air plane rides that are popular throughout Florida, there are also a few unique tours that you will want to try.

One of these is the Elephant Education and Viewing at Two Tails Ranch. This is  a great educational experience for the whole family to enjoy and learn more about elephants and how much they impact our world. It includes a retirement facility for hundreds of elephants and other animals that are over 20 years old.

Finding the Right Food Stops

You can’t get far in Florida without finding some unique places to eat and enjoy. Whether you are looking for something traditional to call your own or you are a visitor and want to try something new and unique, you are sure to find it in Levy County, FL.

If you are bringing along children who are picky eaters, you will be happy to find some of the big fast-food chains that you can find almost anywhere. This can save you some time and hassle with the fighting with your kids along thew ay. But when you want to try something unique or have some of the fresh seafood that is found on the islands and in Florida, you will not be disappointed with some of the selections available.

Making a Visit to Levy County, FL

There are a lot of great places to call home or visit as a tourist when you want to come to Florida. But when you want to find a location that is not going to have all the tourism from Disney World, Universal Studios and more while still providing you with some of the wonders and fun of Florida, then Levy County, FL is the best place to visit. From the fun festivals to the educational experiences and even the parks for family and friends, this is one place you will want to call home.

Default

Events in Levy County, FL

Some of the best events you can consider in Levy County, Florida include:

  • Cedar Key Pirate Invasion Weekend: Come take a look at the history of pirates in Cedar Key! This three day festival in the area will include re-enactments, wares and clothing for sale, and even some of the best in sea shanties for you to sing along and enjoy. And don’t forget the great food and drinks as well!
  • Fall Outdoor Festival: This festival is located at Williston Horseman’s Park in September. Entry is free for everyone who comes and there are plenty of great vendors who set up in the park with many items for sale. Come and look for something unique or get your Christmas shopping done early.
  • Central Florida Peanut Festival: This festival starts in October, bright and early in the morning. The Little Peanut pageant is the big event that many families come to see, but there are also many great vendors to enjoy with their apparel, crafts, art, and lots of entertainment. Come and spend the whole day or enjoy some great entertainment and food with your family.
  • Christmas in the Quarry: Christmas in Florida is unlike anywhere else and when you come to Cedar Lakes Woods in Levy County, Florida, you will be able to experience something amazing. This special Christmas event includes 20 acres of botanical gardens full of amazing lights, a craft station for the kids, cookies and cocoa, and even time with Santa!

These are just some of the great events that residents of Levy County, FL are able to enjoy and can bring visitors from all over the state. No matter the time of year, you will be able to find something fun in this family-friendly community.

Learn Something Educational at the Museums

Levy County, FL contains some of the best museums in the area, depending on what you would like to learn. Families like to flock to these museums to learn something new and these locations also bring in tourists and visitors throughout the year. Some of the most popular museums in the area include:

  • Levy County Historical Society
  • Railroad Display
  • The Island Hotel and Restaurant 1859
  • Seahorse Key Lighthouse
  • Shell Mound Archaeological Site
  • Chiefland Train Depot and Trailhead
  • Cedar Key Museum State Park
  • Cedar Key Historical Society Museum
  • Levy County Quilt Museum

All of these museums are a short drive from one another, so if you are a visitor to Levy County, FL, you have a chance to hit several of them at once and learn more about the culture and history of the area.

Default

Overview of Levy County, FL

Florida is a state that a lot of people flock to. There is beautiful weather most of the year, lots of great opportunities for education and jobs, and some of the friendliest people to meet at the same time. While a lot of people choose to flock to some of the more mainstream areas like Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Miami, there are still a ton of great locations that do not have all the crowds, while still being close to the beach and everything else that Florida has to offer. One of these options is Levy County, FL.

Levy County, FL was created in 1845 once the Seminole Wars were done. The original name came from a planter, David Levy Yulee, who was elected in 1841 as the territorial delegate for the state. There is much to enjoy about this county, including close proximity to the gulf, some fun family activities, and even family-friendly parks and more.

According to the 2020 census, there were just under 43,000 people living in Levy County, making this a more rural area of Florida compared to some of the other locations. This county started out with just 465 people and has seen steady growth, sticking around the 10,000 to 12,000 mark until the 1990s, where it started to see steady growth.

Visiting the Beach

Since Levy County, FL is located near the gulf coast of Florida, it makes sense that many of the residents and tourists of the area are going to head to the beach to enjoy some of the beauty that is there. One of the most popular beaches in this country is Cedar Key Beach, which is a short drive from almost everything in the area. Some of the other beaches that you can enjoy when visiting this country include Sand Spit Park and Yankeetown Park.

While you are in the rea, take the time to visit Atsena, Seahorse, and Withlacoochee keys, all of which are going to be accessible from the mainland by boat. All of these include some wonderful beaches for you to enjoy if you would like to make a nice trip out of it.

Events in Levy County, FL

Depending on the time of year when you plan to visit or move to the area, you will find that there are a lot of different events that you will be able to enjoy. As one of the premier counties to enjoy in Florida, you will be able to find activities to enjoy, no matter the weather or the time of the year.