'''Crystal River''' is a city in Central Florida.

Crystal River is located in Citrus County, approximately 90 miles northwest of Tampa near the Gulf of Mexico. This tranquil community is known as the place _gWhere Man and Manatee Play._h Manatees abound in the year round 72-degree spring fed waters in Crystal River from the months of November through March. You can go swimming with these gentle creatures that sometimes let you get close enough to scratch their bellies! Crystal River offers manatee safaris, manatee snorkeling tours and dive tours. Built around Kings Bay, near the Homosassa River, Crystal River also offers fishing, boating, camping, nature trails for hiking, canoeing and kayaking. There are nine area golf courses near Crystal River. Some of the other interesting places to visit near Crystal River includes the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, the Naber Kids Doll Factory and the Crystal River State Archeological Site. This area boasts a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, motels and other vacation rentals. Crystal River, located on Florida_fs _gNature Coast,_h is an eco-tourism paradise that visitors of all ages are sure to enjoy.

The so-called Nature Coast keeps its secret: the river-riddled, marsh-mellow coastline of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco Counties is tailor-made for fishing, boating and kayaking among manatees, otters, bald eagles, swallowtail kites and more than 200 other species of birds that have been spotted there. Northernmost Citrus County alone holds four of Florida_fs designated Outstanding Waters ? rivers Withlacoochee, Homosassa, Crystal and Chassahowitzka. All empty into Gulf of Mexico bay waters mottled with verdant, gnarly mangrove islands. Each year, October through March, the warm waters of spring-fed Crystal and Homosassa river hosts the largest herd of manatees in the U.S.

The homey town of Crystal River has become synonymous with the gentle sea giants, in fact. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge was created specifically to protect the endangered species and can arrange boat and kayak tours designed for spotting them in their habitat. Those who want to get closer take to the waters with snorkels or scuba gear to swim among them, but no touching allowed!

Get in

When traveling by air: The closest airports in the area are the Gainesville Regional airport (GNV) located about 57 miles northeast of Crystal River in Gainesville, the Tampa International airport (TPA) located approximately 64 miles south of Crystal River, the St. Pete / Clearwater International airport (PIE) located roughly 68 miles south of Crystal River in St. Petersburg / Clearwater, and finally Linder Field / Lakeland Regional airport (LAL) located around 72 miles south of Crystal River in Lakeland.

Get around

See

  • '''Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge''' is one of the best places to see endangered West Indian manatees that migrate each winter along the _gManatee Coast_h north of Tampa Bay. This 40-acre U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sanctuary is a protected manatee habitat that includes the spring that forms the headwaters of the Crystal River.
  • '''Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge''' has over 31,000 acres of musk grass, widgeon grass, oaks, cypress, and red cedars stretching between the Homosassa and the Chassahowitzka River. Originally established in 1943 as a waterfowl sanctuary, it is now also critical habitat for West Indian manatees. Other wildlife includes alligators, raccoons, river otter, deer, turkey, black bear, bobcat, green turtles, gopher tortoises, and Eastern indigo snakes. '''Birdwatchers''' may spot cormorants, great blue herons, green-backed herons, ospreys, white pelicans, laughing gulls, wood storks, peregrine falcon, ducks, coots, and songbirds. The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge is only accessible by boat. Enforced restrictions apply prohibiting airboats, hunting, fires, and camping.
  • Other nearby attractions include the pre-Columbian shell mounds of the '''Crystal River Archaeological State Park''', the 1852 '''Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park''', and the top-rated '''World Woods Golf Club'''.

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

  • '''ABC Pizza''' which is a very good place to go eat...well...pizza or pasta.
  • '''Grannie's Restaurant''' has good southern cooking.
  • '''Crackers Bar and Grill''' right on the river itself and accessible by boat.
  • There are also fast food restaurants as well.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Plantation Golf Resort & Spa''', 9301 W. Fort Island Trail, (352)795-4211,[http://www.plantationinn.com/].
  • Get out