Crystal River town

Crystal River is an "old Florida" town with houses on canals full of natural springs that make the water crystal clear. This gives it a magical feel! There are some nice restaurants on the waterfront and on Citrus Ave.

My favorite restaurant is Tipsy Tarpon (open 11-7 or 10pm on Fri and Sat), with white sand in the back, where you sit at your own thatched hut! The breeze off the water is wonderful when other places are hot. I could sit there all day! The chicken sandwich is delicious. 
Citrus Avenue is the main street of Crystal River. There are some restaurants, including St John's Tavern (open 11-10), Abound Coffee (closed Sunday), and Tea House 650 (closed Sun and Mon), with a nice back porch. 
The town of Crystal River is teeming with natural springs! Check out Hunter Springs Park Beach, where you can sit on a wall at the edge of the water looking at how it glistens. Go for a wonderful swim! It feels so good to cool off in the water, and everything looks more beautiful from the water. The water is so clear once you are in it! Families love to hang out on the white sand beach, and there is a small playground.
Or visit the Three Sisters Springs Center (open daily 8:30-3:30. It says 4:30 on google maps but last entry is at 3:30), where you cross the street then walk a short path beside a pond to a boardwalk over a small spring. You might see manatees in winter, especially at the beginning or end of the day. In the middle of the day, they leave to find food. This center is often closed when it's supposed to be open, so it's a frustrating place to visit. I've tried twice and failed. 
It's wonderful to canoe or kayak on Crystal River, stopping at Paradise Point, paddling through tunnels, and admiring houses with big verandas and docks. 
Unfortunately there is a nuclear power plant six miles northwest of the town- they always choose the cutest places to build these for some reason.
Eleven minutes drive south of Crystal River town, check out Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park where you can see rescued animals in a forest beside a beautiful spring.
Half an hour south of Crystal River is Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show, at 11am and 3pm. Don't miss it!

Directions

The restaurants are located on Citrus Avenue where it intersects with Suncoast Blvd. 
Abound Coffee, 550 N Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428. Closed Sunday. 
Tipsy Tarpon, 513 NW 2nd Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428.  
Three Sisters Springs Center, fee is $12.50 to walk the short boardwalk to the spring. 

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