Step back in time. That is what it feels like visiting the island of Cedar Key in Florida. An easy 3-hour day trip from Orlando this is one of the Sunshine States‘ hidden secrets.
Unlike the other Everglades or Key Biscayne, Cedar Key is a quaint fishing village nestled on a small sand island surrounded by mangroves and salt marsh grasses. Cedar Key is an artist’s haven, an adventurer’s paradise, and a birder’s delight.
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Idyllic indeed. The island is located a few hours north of Orlando. Its population increases dramatically in the winter when northerners flock here. However, in the summer, it has a more tranquil pace.
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Getting To Cedar Key
Cedar Key is a simple day trip from Tampa (130-miles) or Orlando (145-miles). Follow US 19 to Highway 24. Highway 24 is the only road into Cedar Key, as it lies three miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The village is located on a group of small barrier islands interconnected by bridges. The road ends at Dock Street, where most restaurants and businesses are located. Cedar Key is walkable only having a small downtown area. Getting around you can also rent a bike or golf cart on Dock Street.
10 Things to do in Cedar Key
1. Cedar Key Museum State Park
If you want to learn a little about Cedar Key history & culture, this is a must-do. The Florida Parks System charges two dollars to see this attraction. A small price to pay to see the artifacts.
Off the beaten path, the Cedar Key Museum State Park is well worth the short drive to this little gem. The Museum State Park is a wonderful place to learn some local “Old Florida” history. They arrange the exhibits on a timeline, taking you on a journey from the early indigenous peoples, early settlers, the Civil War, to the modern era. They depict the history through photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, artifacts, and dioramas. I think the most interesting fact was the Eberhart pencil manufacturing business decimated the cedars of the area in the early century. Volunteer staffers are friendly and informative. They also have beautiful postcards and T-shirts for sale at very reasonable prices. There are restrooms just outside the entrance and a water fountain inside.
Outside, you can walk the self-guided trail. Spend about 30 minutes walking the grounds, viewing the home and the nature trail. We did this on a beautiful July morning. The artifacts on the grounds include a Civil War-era salt kettle, cast iron cannon, and a fishing boat.
2. St. Clair Whitman House
The St. Clair Whitman House was donated to the state by the Whitman Family relatives. They have restored the home with vintage pieces that reflect life in the 1920s. This museum gives the visitor a perspective of coastal fishing life along the Nature Coast- reminds you of a bygone era when life was simpler. At the back of the house, there is a short nature trail to a view of the salt marsh. Hundreds of Fiddler Crabs combed the shoreline. An enjoyable walk on a breezy morning.
3. Railroad Trestle Hiking and Nature Trail
The 0.5-mile Trestle Trail follows the original railroad bed out into the salt marshes. This is a quick trail flat that goes in and back out. Yulee’s Florida Railroad transformed this little fishing island community into an important shipping port. Florida’s first railroad, completed in 1860, connected Cedar Key to Fernandina Beach on the eastern coast of Florida. The dirt trail ends at the site of the old trestle bridge. These 100-year-old pilings are all that remain of the old trestle. The trail has identification markers naming the different plants and trees. We did this on an overcast morning with little wind. Be sure to have mosquito repellent before walking the trail. A good pair of binocular makes spotting birds easier. Always bring a refillable water bottle with plenty of water to quench your thirst on any hike.
4. Cemetery Point Boardwalk
This park is on the east side of Cedar Key. At only 3.5 acres the park is next to a historical cemetery. The trail begins with an elevated boardwalk through the tidal marsh, with plenty of seating along the way. There is a boardwalk that provides beautiful views of the bay and is a good place to watch and photograph migratory birds. The Cemetery Point Boardwalk ends at a small picnic/playground area for the kids. A fitness trail with aerobic activity stations circles the park. We discovered a beautiful butterfly garden during our hike with native Florida plants.
5. Tidewater Tours
The City of Cedar Key sits amid the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge comprises 13 offshore islands. If you want to get a true perspective on Cedar Key, you need to get out on the water. The two-hour Tidewater Tour of the islands is ideal. Originally, we booked the Suwanee River tour, but it required 4 people and they could not fill the boat. Our Captain Fred was very knowledgeable. He provided an informative narration and history lesson of the area.
Atsena Otie Key
Our first island was Atsena Otie Key-managed by the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. “Atsena Otie” means cedar island. It was the original location for the town of Cedar Key. The Faber Mill (1868) was built here to supply cedars to the pencil industry. A hurricane in 1896 destroyed the factory with a ten-foot tidal surge and they abandoned the island. The town moved to the current location. We could still see some foundations from the mill on the shoreline. I would like to kayak to the island next time, it was just too windy during our stay. There are trails and a good swimming beach on the island.
Snake Key
Our second island was Snake Island. It is a nesting rookery for many migratory birds. We were so lucky to have our trip happen on a perfect day, and our captain helped us to identify so many of the different birds. Pelicans were nesting on the island, and frigate birds were in their mating splendor. We got close (must stay 100 yards away) to the island being able to photograph the baby pelicans. The island is closed during nesting season-March 1 – June 30.
Seahorse Key
The tour continues passing Seahorse Key, a Marine Research Lab operated by the University of Florida. The island is a large dune with an elevation of 53 ft, the highest point in the Cedar Key area. They built the current lighthouse in 1854. The lighthouse is only open to the public a few days of the year because of Seahorse Key’s special status as a protected National Wildlife Refuge. Once the rookery here was large, however, most nesting birds moved to Snake Key for unknown reasons. The explanation of the relationship between snakes and birds on Seahorse Key was fascinating.
North Key
The stop on North Key to stretch our legs in the sand was like sugar between our toes. This is the only Key that the tour lets you walk the shoreline. A huge horseshoe crab skeleton lay on the beach. The view of the bay is spectacular water was warm. Time was short, so we headed back to the boat. Overall, we saw frigate birds, pelicans, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, purple martins, ibis, and eagle nests. On the return trip, we saw green sea turtles and dolphins swam in the boat wake. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cedar Key. I recommend you bring binoculars and/or a camera with a good telephoto lens.
6. Shell Mound Archaeological Site
Shell Mounds have been found throughout the Florida Peninsula. The mound is formed by the accumulation of oyster shells, the main diet of the Caloosa Indians. They believe the mounds to date back 1800 to 400 years ago. The archaeological site is part of the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge. A hiking trail provides views of the mound. There is a 30-minute self-guided walking tour with a brochure that you can download.
The trail is 0.3 miles around the shell mound and you can spy discarded shells in places where the mound has collapsed. Saw palmettos and stunning oak trees dominate the trail all draped in Spanish moss. At the top of the mound, you get a bird’s-eye view of the salt-marsh. If you want a longer trail, take the 1-mile loop Dennis Creek Trail to an observation tower where you can take additional photographs of shorebirds such as ibis, green herons, and rosette spoonbills.
7. Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
The park covers over 5,000 acres. It is located 6-miles northeast of Cedar Key on State Road 24. Take a walk through this unique Florida upland scrub ecosystem. It is a prime habitat for the endangered Florida Scrub Jay and Gopher stories who both rely on it to survive. Florida scrub is an arid and landscape. The 12-miles of trails are hard-packed white sand with mostly oak, cedar, and cabbage palms. The Flatwoods pine forest eventually gives way to salt marsh the closer you get to the bay. Cedar Key Scrub is a wonderful State Park to visit. This is another Florida gem.
8. Kayak Cedar Key
Kayak Cedar Keys provides rentals by the hour for fishing or paddle tour excursions. Cedar Key has excellent opportunities for canoeing and kayaking through the shallow backwater bays. The tide dictates how far into the salt marsh you can paddle. These mudflats and oyster beds are difficult to navigate through, so be careful. This area is called the Nature Coast for a reason it’s wild and beautiful. You can see egrets, turtles, herons, raccoons, and dolphins. This is a birder paradise, especially in the winter months.
Paddle the 0.6 miles to the island of Atsena Otie, the white sugary sand beach is perfect on a hot summer day. There is a short trail to the old foundation of the Faber Pencil company and a 19th-century cemetery. The bugs can be a real problem of the year. So bring bug spray. If you have the stamina, you could paddle to Seahorse Key.
9. Cedar Key Fishing Pier
After all, this is a sleepy fishing village. The pier is a great place to fish, take a morning stroll, and speak with the locals. Most time throughout the year nice sheepshead, redfish, and sea trout can be caught from the pier. Light tackle is best, however bait is available in the village shops. If fishing the pier is not your style, you can book a charter to take you either into the shallow flats or out to the islands. Snapper, snook, and tarpon roam these channels in summer. Some can reach monster size.
10. Harvesting Scallops
Scallops thrive here in the shallow water, mudflats and grasses. Hunting for these well-camouflaged mollusks is family-friendly water activity. The season runs July-late September, and they can only be harvested by hand or with a dip-net. Snorkeling in the 6-8 foot grass beds, you need a bucket full of patience to hunt these stealthy creatures. Many local tour operators will provide you with the equipment at a reasonable price. Licenses are required if you are not fishing with a licensed tour/guide operator. This is a fun activity that lets you bring home dinner!
Where to Get a Good Meal
When visiting Cedar Key, seafood is a must. Most of the restaurants serve the freshest seafood caught on the same day.
Big Deck Bar & Grill
We decided on a quick lunch before our Tidewater Boat Tour and chose the Big Deck. We enjoyed the meal here. The atmosphere is great and the view of the harbor is excellent. Superior location close to everything. The food was fresh and tasty. Big Deck Bar Grill has delicious cold ice tea. Prices are very reasonable and the menu has some nice selections to choose from. The lunch crowd was small the day we went. However, I noticed the night before that the restaurant was very crowded for dinner. They have live music on most nights, so listened to the music across the street. I would eat here again.
Holey Moley-Now closed
A truly delightful place to have breakfast. We ate breakfast here both days during our Cedar Key. The coffee was wonderful, and the service was amazing. On our first day, we ordered breakfast sandwiches. The next day, we both had the breakfast plate. I also indulged in the Banana Pudding Donut, which is to die for. The taste is indescribable it was just too good. We sat outside. The small downtown area is a pleasant place to watch the world go by. Update: 1842 Daily Grind and Mercantile is a suitable substitute located across the street from this location.
Steamers Clam Bar & Grill
We ended up eating here both nights of our stay. The menu has an excellent selection of fresh seafood. We ordered the Low Country Boil one night and the other dinner was the choice of 3 fresh seafood meal. If you go to Steamers Clam Bar & Grill, try the happy hour special drink of the day. Both nights our server was the same-the service was excellent. I would recommend that you eat at least one dinner here. Watching the sunset into the bay through the enormous picture windows is a nice perk.
Best Places to Stay
Harbour Master Suites
We spent two nights in the Castaway Suite. The room has magnificent views overlooking Atsena Otie Key. We spent most mornings & evenings just watching the water, looking for dolphins frolicking at the boat’s wake. Harbour Master Suites has the room is perfect for a quick getaway, very quiet and relaxing.
I had read that parking can be an issue, however, we easily found street parking on Dock Street. We walked cedar Key only having three blocks so you can leave the car parked for most of your visit. Check-in was quick, and the service was excellent. They really cater to your needs. Includes free Wi-Fi. Connectivity for my phone was sometimes spotty (AT&T). If you want to disconnect for a while like we did, this will not be an issue. The location is right in the village’s heart, close to everything so that you can walk.
The Castaway Room
The room’s best feature is the large deck -watching Pelicans is my favorite. I would highly recommend a stay here. Select a room by viewing online. They have a selection to meet everyone’s needs. The Castaway has a large king bed, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom. Tastefully decorated, the room has a beachy feel.
Other Accommodations
- Faraway Inn – close to all the amenities
- Cedar Cove Hotel – located at the end of the road.
- Pirates Cove Cottages – excellent views, easy access to fishing.
- Island Hotel – quaint bed & breakfast
Campgrounds In Cedar Key
Cedar Key has a few RV campgrounds. I would recommend having a reservation in the high season.
- Sunset Isle RV Park (70+RV sites)- Views of the bay with spectacular sunsets. Within walking distance of a variety of restaurants. Club house with restrooms & showers. Laundry facilities, cable TV, full hookups, and on-site cafe serving breakfast & lunch. Wi-Fi is available. A small on-site hotel. Pet-friendly.
- Low-Key Hideaway Motel & RV Resort (9 RV sites)-Adult only resort. Do not miss the Tiki Bar! Hotel has patios that overlook the water. Private dock, Wi-Fi, but no cable TV. Pet-friendly.
- Cedar Key RV Resort- (83 RV sites) full hookups, cable TV, clean bathhouse, paved road and concrete patios, and heated pool. Laundromat, computer station and clubhouse with kitchen. No views of the bay. Pet-friendly.
In my mind, Cedar Key will stay forever as it is now. My hope is it will always be this way. We loved the solitude and quiet. You can still experience “Old Florida” here!!
Have you visited Cedar Key? Do you want to go now? Please drop us a comment on and let us know!
