Location: Cedar Key
Top Things to do in Cedar Key
- 1. Cedar Key Historical Society Museum
- 2. Cedar Key Museum State Park
- 3. Cemetery Point Park
- 4. Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
- 5. The Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce
- 6. Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
- 7. Southern Cross Sea Farms
- 8. Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail
- 9. Island Arts
- 10. Island Thyme Antiques
10 Things to Do in Cedar Key That You Shouldn't Miss
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 702 at the 2010 census. The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands near the mainland. Most of the developed area of the city has been on Way Key since the end of the 19th century. The Cedar Keys are named for the eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, once abundant in the area.
Restaurants in Cedar Key
1. Cedar Key Historical Society Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
The Lutterloh building and Andrew's House are home to exhibits detailing the picturesque village's history dating back to prehistoric times. Exhibits include Native American artifacts from the Timucuan era, the Second Seminole War, Journey of John Muir to Cedar Key, Cedar pencil industry, Seafood and Clam industry, Florida Railroad, and Donax Broom Manufacturing.
Reviewed By mum2divers - Crystal River, Florida
Nice museum. Lots of items on display as well as a good selection of old photos, newspaper accounts and historical documents. The house next door also has lots of fascinating items. It is amazing how such a small town has had such a varied and interesting past. Also was surprised to realize how huge the oyster and clam business is still thriving in this small town.
2. Cedar Key Museum State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 226 reviews
Learn about the interesting history of this small town and the surrounding area.
Reviewed By biztravel2 - Memphis, TN
We came here partly because we were travelling with our dog and reviews said it was dog friendly. Wrong! They have a new manager who won't allow dogs. Unfortunate since they are out of the way and don't get many visitors. No reason to exclude those with pets.
It is an old house that was saved and restored and it houses several collections of the original owner. There is a large shell collection which is very interesting. My wife collects shells and we didn't expect to find something like this in Cedar Key. There is also a large collection of Native American artifacts and some Civil War items. The museum is on the water and there is a short trail along the marshy beach were you can see wildlife, oyster beds, etc. Worth the visit.
3. Cemetery Point Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By TheCanopyRoad - Tallahassee, Florida
If you've been to Cedar Key before then you know it's not a typical Florida beach town. There's no wide shorelines and crystal clear waters....but there IS a lot of wildlife to be seen. I saw the sign for Cemetery Point Park when I was visiting over the weekend and expected maybe a few benches overlooking the water. Was pleasantly surprised to see a very long boardwalk over the marsh leading to a nicely groomed park. On the boardwalk you could see an Osprey nest with both parents perched nearby on a stag tree. That alone made it worth the stop for me!
4. Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 60 reviews
Thirteen offshore islands designated as wilderness areas offer spectacular and rare viewing for birding and wildlife enthusiasts.
Reviewed By cdub333 - Chicago, Illinois
This chain of small islands off Cedar Key are a paddler’s paradise. From several launch sites on Cedar Key, you can paddle out to historic Atsena Otie Key (once a major population center; now abandoned) or other keys. These islands played small but interesting roles in the Seminole Wars and Civil War, and have been battered by hurricanes.
I decided to circumnavigate Atsena Otie Key, which is 1.2 miles from Cedar Key’s municipal beach, a nice sandy launch site with free parking. If time and conditions allowed, I would paddle the 3.5 miles of open water to Seahorse Key, once an internment facility for Seminoles being shipped out to reservations.
I toted my 15’ inflatable kayak out before sunrise, quickly inflated it and was joined by two other kayakers seeking a sunrise paddle. One fellow tells me “there aren’t any dogs on Dog Key or seahorses on Seahorse Key, but there sure as hell are snakes on Snake Key.” The other guy says we’re in a horseshoe crab mating area. Great. Chilly, windy conditions, small waves, low tide. Had to drag the boat quite a ways before launching.
Then, on cue, the sun rose, and due to Cedar Key’s site and the low winter sun, it illuminated the Gulf a fiery red. Fantastic. About a half-mile offshore, I started taking on water as the waves grew. I thought of the woman at the hotel who said there are sharks in the waters by Atsena Otie. I arrived at the island in about 40 minutes, then circled it clockwise starting at the east side. There’s a tiny sandy beach amid clamshell mounds at the east end where I put in, drained the kayak and reorganized my gear.
On the southern side of Atsena Otie, the wind seemed to shift and the paddling was a struggle. I found the break leading into the middle of the island and searched for the ancient Indian water trail I read about, but the tide was too low. Next time.
On the west side of Atsena Otie there’s an abandoned dilapidated jetty. Sort of spooky, with hundreds of gulls, pelicans, egrets and even a hawk staring at me as I glided by. Then the large sandy beach, where I put in again and had a snack, knowing I was the only human on this island this December dawn. The lights of Cedar Key were turning off as the sun rose higher.
The hiking trail is to the west of the beach. It meanders through pine and mangrove clusters. No more cedars here; all used up by the Faber Pencil Company best known for endowing Faber College. At one time, 10,000 people lived here before a hurricane storm surge leveled the island. No sign of human settlement today. I hoped to take the trail to the end where there’s an old cemetery, but had neither the footwear nor bug spray to forge ahead.
The paddle back to Cedar Key was harrowing. Bigger waves hitting me from the side, a slight leak in my inflatable’s inner chamber, more motor boat traffic coming from Cedar Key. Made it in a half-hour. Next time I’ll add Snake Key & Seahorse Key to the itinerary. A great place to paddle. But bring footwear and insect repellent!
5. The Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Get all the information you need about the area here.
Reviewed By 57RRoberts - Lewes, Delaware
What a great place to get information. We stopped in several times during our recent visit and we were always treated well, given great information and felt that the staff truly loves their wonderful little town.
We were told of all the upcoming events including where the local music is playing.
They allowed our dog Juni to come in with us plus provided her with a treat.
Everyone visiting Cedar Key should start their visit here.
6. Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
One of the largest unspoiled estuarine systems in the U.S.
Reviewed By Denise P - New York City, New York
I have seen more wildlife on the grounds of my community! A nine mile road to nowhere! Don't bother!
7. Southern Cross Sea Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Road_Warrior32034 - Fernandina Beach, Florida
Due to Cedar Key's rural location and exceptional water quality, Southern Cross Sea Farms is one of the largest producers of farm-raised clams in the country. Free tour public tours are given only on Fridays at 1 pm (Nov-May), but check on their schedule so that you don't miss an opportunity to experience this tour. What a great educational experience for someone like me, who loves oysters on the half shell, but had no clue how they were raised. This tour covered almost everything you wanted to know about farm-raised clams and oysters, but didn't know enough to ask.
Our very photogenic and personable clam-raising mentor, Mark, gave us a great description of the whole process. He led our band of merry Aliner campers on a special scheduled tour just for our group. Mark described how batches of clams (or oysters) were carefully supervised by experts in identifying what (eggs or sperm) was being expelled by the clam (or oyster). After gender identification, the males and females are separated and kept in an environment simulating winter to allow the females to develop very healthy eggs. At the selected time, a certain ratio of males and females are placed together and the environmental conditions are changed to simulate spring , which stimulates spawning. Let the clam (oyster) orgy begin! Mark led us around the facility and described how the clams grow from the size of a grain of sand and are managed throughout their life cycle, being routinely screened by size and moved from tank to tank as required through the process. Finally, after growing large enough to stay in mesh bags, the bags are tied together in rows and placed on the bed of leased tracts of shallow water in a very specific area off the coast of Cedar Key. They stay in their bags until they grow to a marketable size. We were even able to see the harvested clams being sorted and bagged to order by a team of men running the sorting machine.
The whole process, from conception to harvesting, takes about two years. Mark shared his abundant knowledge of the industry in such a way as to keep his audience mesmerized and gladly answered many questions from his audience. Very highly recommended.
8. Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
You can either walk or bicycle (except for brief spots where sand is too soft) this short trail just off RT 24 and Grove St. It follows the built-up rail bed for the train line that linked Cedar Key port and factories with the rest of Florida for many years between the 1860s and about 1932. Friends of the trail have labeled a good number of the flora along the way and the path ends at a spot where old pilings indicate rails once crossed the water.
9. Island Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Contempoary Fused Glass, Pottery, Custom Work, Unique and beautiful items, there are reasonable prices there. A place not to be missed. Shop keeper very helpfull and even gave us iideas on where to eat!
Reviewed By Allison R
Lot's of unique art and trinkets in this store. Paintings, ornaments and hand made items. Various price ranges. The majority of the items had that Florida "beach" feel. Great if you're looking for a local made item with beach feel.
10. Island Thyme Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By FarawayInnCedarKey - Cedar Key
I purchased several local artist original paintings for a newly renovated cottage we are decorating. Also purchased a couple of gift certificate for a couple of gals to add some cheer to their day and get themselves a little goody treat. I was not looking specifically for antiques and I just loved the shop. There were some antiques that I saw and also local original art, handmade soaps, postcards, fragrance in adorable bottles shaped like seahorses, shells and starfish. You have to really look around to see everything. Look high, look low for all kind of surprises.
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