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Positioned within the fantastically bliss area of Pure North Florida, Cedar Secret’s dwelling to balmy seashores, tantalising seafood delicacies, and boutique purchasing.
It’s a spot to modify off and chill, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t issues to do in Cedar Keys, it’s dwelling to many numerous outside actions.
Positioned on the Gulf Coast, lots of the prime points of interest in Cedar Keys revolve across the water, however to me it’s greater than that. It’s a throwback to Previous Florida – the Key West you wished you skilled again in Hemingway’s Days.
We arrived pondering we may refill the automotive and be able to go, however one thing beckoned us to remain some time and discover.
We’re so glad we did, as we found a small-town brimming with attraction and charisma. Right here’s what you are able to do in Cedar Keys.
What’s Cedar Key identified for?
Cedar Key was mapped in 1542 and named “Las Islas Sabines,” which implies The Cedar Islands, named for the bounty of cedar timber that coated the islands.
Native Indians occupied these islands for at the least 1,000 years, thriving on the infinite bounty surrounding them. It’s one of many largest nesting areas in Florida for sorts of brown pelicans, egrets, herons, bald eagles, ospreys and extra.
Whereas lumbar was as soon as a thriving trade, tourism and fishing is now its declare to fame. Cedar Secret’s a main producer of clams nationwide, raking in additional than $34 million yearly.
The Cedar Islands are actually often known as the Cedar Key Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and are composed of 13 offshore islands jutting into the Gulf Coast.
The quiet fishing village of Cedar Secret’s nestled amongst many of those small islands 4-miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.
A sequence of bridges and picturesque salt marshes lead into this eclectic group of artisans, nature lovers and people in search of a slower tempo.
Issues to do in Cedar Key, FL
If you wish to be just like the locals, you’ll don your flip flops, let go of your wound-up tensions, and rent a golf kart to get round (though the city is simple to stroll round). You’ll find golf cart leases a half mile from Dock Avenue.
It’s also possible to hire a motorcycle and cycle, it’s very bike pleasant because it’s so small.
1. Swim, kayak, paddle board at Cedar Key Seashore
Cedar Key Seashore is a small space by the marina with a strip of white sand, palm timber, and a sectioned off swimming space.
After delighting in how good my physique felt coated in salty water, I noticed I hadn’t felt that ocean water feeling in a while.
We have been joyful Cedar Key may reintroduce us to the enjoyment of ocean residing.
We employed some arise paddle boards and kayaks from Dave at Cedar Key Adventures to paddle across the swimming seashore space.
It was low tide, however the present was transferring quick, and the wind was excessive, so we didn’t stray too removed from shore.
We virtually had the complete seashore to ourselves and the ladies had a blast swimming at this seashore.
Prime tip: Come go to throughout low tide! When the tide goes out, it exposes some oyster beds. You may hunt for some oysters on the seashore, and take them again to your trip rental and prepare dinner them.
2. Kayak to Atsena Otie Key
Each view from Cedar Key leads you to Atsena Otie, the closest and most accessible of the refuge islands.
It was the situation of the unique Cedar Key till a hurricane’s 10-foot storm surged flattened it in 1896.
The most effective issues to do in Cedar Secret’s to discover this island by kayak or by way of fishing canoes.
We rented our kayaks from Dave and headed out for a robust paddle towards the present and wind for simply half a mile (30-mins) to the island.
There’s an outdated cemetery in the midst of the island you may attain by way of the woods below a cover of oaks. It’s possible you’ll not get too far earlier than the mosquitoes, and as suggested by Dave, “will carry you out of there.” (Take mosquito repellent).
An additional quick stroll alongside the seashore, close to the pier, will take you to the crumbling stays of what was once the pencil manufacturing facility.
There’s not an excessive amount of to do on Atsena Otie nevertheless it’s price a few hours journey only for the paddle and surroundings.
These with extra time might want to paddle the 1.5 miles across the island. In contrast to many of the different islands, you may discover the distinctive inside of Atsena Otie by way of the marshes on the south aspect.
Formidable paddlers can go on to different close by islands of the Cedar Key Nationwide Refuge. They’re mentioned to have good seashores. It’s also possible to discover these islands by boat.
The paddle again solely took us about 15-minutes with the wind at our again and gave us good views of Dock Avenue and the marina.
3. Take pleasure in a sundown at Cedar Key
You’re on the Florida Gulf Coast, sundown is the primary occasion!
Locals say you can not beat the sundown and quirky vibes from the Tiki Bar positioned simply outdoors the bridge into city.
Sadly, for us it’s an grownup solely bar, so we traded in the most effective place for sundown in Cedar Key to the following greatest, which is simply in entrance of the pink Seashore Entrance Motel.
The sky lights up in fairly oranges and pinks because it units behind the lands and water of the Cedar Key Nationwide Refuge.
The youngsters will get pleasure from taking part in on the rocks of the small seashore space right here.
4. Wander down Dock Avenue
Dock Avenue, or D avenue or The Massive Dock, is a sequence of colourful mom-and-pop resorts, eating places, and multi storied buildings shops suspended over the waters on stilts.
It’s often known as the heartbeat of this small fishing village and you’ll stroll it in lower than five-minutes!
Browse some time by way of the shops and benefit from the inventive designs of parked golf carts and egrets making an attempt to sneak their means into bars.
5. Hike as much as Shell Mound
About 7-miles out of Cedar Secret’s the Shell Mound. This excessive mound was constructed up over a 1,000 yr interval as much as 1,800 years in the past by Woodland Native cultures discarding their oyster and clam shells.
A brief 0.3 mile path will take you thru the jungle and round and on prime of the shell mound.
A path off the Shell Mound Path results in a boardwalk and fishing pier that appears out over a bayou of Suwanee Sound.
The Dennis Creek Path is one other 1-mile loop with a boardwalk that takes you over a salt barren to a coastal island. Dave mentioned it was certainly one of his favourite strolling trails.
Kayakers will love the great thing about this shallow ocean space thick with wildlife and paddling usually solely inches deep over hidden oyster bars.
6. Take pleasure in a dawn at Cedar Key
What a technique to begin a Cedar Key day! Dawn in Cedar Key from the deck of our suite on the Harbour Grasp Suites was spectacular.
We had the right view of the solar rising over the horizon in entrance of us and the colour altering from deep orange to pink.
In actual fact, the mushy pre-dawn pinks woke us up from our mattress.
As soon as the solar is up, seize your self a espresso and sit in your deck watching all of the birds flying by in formation.
7. Take pleasure in Steamers Clam Bar and Grill for seafood and views
You can not go to the Cedar Keyoverlooking the Gulf with out making an attempt recent seafood!
This Massive Dock restaurant provides prime place for Gulf views over Atsena Otie and a number of the different islands.
At Steamers Clam Bar and Grill there are massive home windows that enable for views should you want to sit inside.
Nevertheless, to make your meal right here a memorable expertise, we suggest grabbing one of many nooks on the deck.
The skin deck is slender so there are about 4 non-public nook areas the place you may sit with entrance row seat of the view, the balmy breeze in your pores and skin, and dolphins frolicking in entrance of you.
I advised you Cedar Key pulls you in! As you might be in clam nation, you’ll want to choose a clam dish on the intensive menu, however the oysters are additionally fairly good.
We are able to extremely suggest the clam bowl steamed in white wine and garlic and the seafood broil, washed down with a glass of wine or craft beer.
They do declare to have the most effective clam chowder on the island (one other fashionable clam chowder place is Tony’s Restaurant).
Foodies might want to discover Cedar Key’s culinary scene extra with this strolling meals tour. You may expertise 5 places in a single shot with an Insider Foodie!
8. Swim in Manatee Springs State Park
A 40-minute drive north of Cedar Secret’s Manatee Springs State Park, one of many many state parks in Florida with refreshing, crystal-clear waters to swim, kayak, or canoe in.
It’s identified for its spring, which feed the Suwannee River. The waters listed below are dwelling to a inhabitants of manatees in cooler months, therefore the title.
As a result of the spring releases 100 million gallons of water every day, it provides refreshingly cool water. There’s additionally loads of nature trails, and a 800-foot boardwalk by way of the cypress forest.
You’ll want to hire a bicycle and cycle one of many 8.5 miles of trails.
9. Gas up on espresso at 1842 Day by day Grind & Mercantile Espresso Store
It is a cute, tiny espresso store This cute little espresso store that appears like your Grandma’s kitchen, nevertheless it takes its espresso severely.
They serve Natural Truthful Commerce beans from roaster to cup, and have all types of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and candy treats.
10. Dine at Neptune Lounge within the Island Resort
A comfortable, intimate restaurant expertise at a historic lodge, excellent for {couples}.
There’s a fantastic eating restaurant on this lodge, however the native’s tip is to go to the casual and comfortable lounge bar for excellent meals and a style of the native gathering tradition.
The lounge was painted in 1948 with murals of Cedar Key and King Neptune, for whom the bar is known as.
We met a neighborhood at Stay Oak who advised us he and his spouse used to fly on a personal aircraft to Cedar Key for mini-vacations and would all the time keep and eat on the Island Resort. It’s a Cedar Key icon!
11. Take pleasure in a breakfast at Annie’s Cafe
Each single native we spoke to mentioned Annie’s Cafe does the most effective breakfast and was a should don’t miss Cedar Key place to eat.
We have been disenchanted it was closed on the Wednesday we have been there – the one day we may go. You’ll want to inform us what it was like and tag us in a photograph!
12. Stroll the Cemetery Level Park Boardwalk
The 1,200 foot lengthy boardwalk takes you thru marsh land adjoining to one of many again bays and channels of the keys.
It’s a 3.5-acre property with a sandy shore so that you can swim or kayak.
The place to remain in Cedar Key: Harbour Grasp Suites
Harbor Grasp Suites has entrance row stilted place on D Avenue. We stayed within the Pearl Suite and couldn’t consider we had the complete prime deck to ourselves.
We had a spot for morning espresso and dawn, a spot for afternoon drinks, after which one other hidden screened in porch that missed the road for later at evening when the ocean views have been gone and the folks watching simply began.
The Sea Pearl Suite is a big two-bedroom suite with a residing space and full-kitchen. We solely wished we stayed longer to completely benefit from the suite. Its location is simple strolling distance to all over the place – the Cedar Key means!
Remaining Ideas
After a brief stroll across the quirky salt-crusted city of Cedar Key and chatting with just a few locals, we knew it was price staying one other day.
A few hours later after swimming and paddle boarding, we prolonged that to every week.
By the night, after a beautiful native couple we met at sundown supplied us just a few seats of their golf cart to take us to the one place we may seize a bottle of wine, we bumped into Dave the kayak man, who they tried to introduce us, however we mentioned ” yeah, we already know one another.”
For those who’re love the type of place the place everybody is aware of everybody, you can be right here for a while.
Cedar Key slowly anchors you in.
There’s no glamour or cookie-cutter pristine, fabricated vacationer points of interest right here. It’s uncooked, heat, and ambling.
You’ll embrace it should you enable locations to disclose who they’re with out expectations or limitations.
Cedar Key went from being a pit cease to a week-long trip vacation spot.
It’s certainly one of our favourite locations to go to in Florida!
Upon departure, Savannah exclaimed that we have been coming again at the least for every week as this was now her favourite place.
Our new pals are prepared for our return with the door to their seashore cottage open.
What do you suppose? Would you be making a visit right here quickly?
Video: Watch us discover Cedar Key, Florida
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