10 Best Things To Do In Crystal River, Florida

things to do in crystal river florida
Marina
Marina 
Updated
| 5 min read

Looking to spice up the trip with the best things to do in Crystal River, FL? Just read on below for the top activities in the area.

Have you ever gotten the chance to explore the raw and unique beauty of this wonderful place? If not, then we feel like it’s time for you to change this! Before doing so, however, we recommend that you do your research on the best tourist attractions, as we’ll give you some juicy details on these spots. Keep in mind that the lovely Crystal River, Florida is a total win, especially if you’d want to escape from the big and noisy city. Without revealing way too much now, let’s dive right into it together and see what this hot round-up can offer you! Scroll on down and find out about the best things to do in Crystal River, Florida.

1. Fort Island Gulf Beach

Sunset at Fort Island Gulf Beach
Source: Photo by Flickr user Kolin Toney used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Here we go with our first great pick for your short summer holiday in the lovely Crystal River, Florida. Indeed, the Fort Island Gulf Beach is actually one of the best spots where you could kill some time in the great company of your beloved family and friends. Besides, the Gulf Beach features stunning golden sands you’ll totally fall in love with!

Normally, there are many restrooms and showers around here, so you don’t have to worry about such tiny details. Additionally, there is a free parking lot as well for the maximum comfort of international visitors and locals as well. While being here, you can enjoy the natural wildlife while strolling along the boardwalk.

Make the most of it: P.S. Dolphins can often be seen swimming in the Gulf waters as well! How awesome!

Fort Island Gulf Beach

Address: 16000 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429

Website: Fort Island Gulf Beach

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2. Crystal River Preserve Park

Crystal River Preserve State Park Entrance01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY 2.5

Meet the beautiful and quite exceptional Crystal River Preserve Park which is immensely cherished by all international newcomers and locals. The gorgeous preserve park is actually situated in a close proximity to Yankeetown and Homosassa. This unique place offers an extraordinary beauty, mixed with many inlets, stunning undisturbed islands, backwaters, and wild forests. Visitors can also enjoy some hiking along the trails. Besides, while being around you may also have the chance to explore the wildlife and plants on the two-mile (3.2 km) interpretive trail.

Meet this beauty: This actually serves as a shortcut to the Mullet Hole, a wonderful place for relaxing and fishing.

Crystal River Preserve Park

Address: 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428

Website: Crystal River Preserve Park

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3. Old City Hall

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Old City Hall is an ideal example of some of the most prominent and world-recognized buildings on the territory of Treasure Coast of Florida. Entirely completed at the end of the Florida Boom, the symbolical building features an exceptional architectural design. Indeed, it presents a wonderful mix of popular stylistic trends and Mediterranean and neoclassical styles. The idea was to produce one of the city’s most distinctive buildings, which has totally happened.

Cherish the classics: The building was renovated for college use as there were also plans for making this place much bigger that it is today.

Old City Hall

Address: 532 N Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428

Website: Old City Hall

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4. Churchhouse Hammock Trail

Tropical hardwood hammock on Everglades National Park Mahogany Hammock Trail
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Miguel.v used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A stunning thick palm and a cedar hammock awaits all travelers on the Churchhouse Hammock Trail, just across from the highway. This wonderful tourist spot is the best place where you can breathe in some brisk air and enjoy the stillness surrounding you. The famous Hammock Trail snakes its way right up to a sawgrass marsh. Along the path, you can see gopher tortoises and evidence of the region’s karst topography as well. Later on, the trail merges with the lovely boardwalk. All nature lovers can also enjoy hiking along the eco-friendly routes including the Eagle Scout Trails as well.

Love nature: come around and don’t miss enjoying the stillness and raw beauty of nature!

Churchhouse Hammock Trail

Address: 857 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34428

Website: Churchhouse Hammock Trail

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5. Archaeological State Park

Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Source: Photo by Flickr user ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Archaeological State Park is actually a fresh example of some of the most occupied sites in Florida. The park rests on the brink of a pricey coastal marsh. In the past, everyone would travel long distances only to conduct trades around here. Another pretty interesting fact is that anglers may catch freshwater fish here, as well. All in all, the lovely park represents an essential part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Enjoy your view: From there, visitors are able to observe birds in flight.

Archaeological State Park

Address: 3400 N Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428

Website: Archaeological State Park

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6. Bicentennial Skate Park

1 skate boarding
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Adam.J.W.C. used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Welcome to the Bicentennial Skate Park! This wonderful area is a great place where you can find 3 baseball fields on one side of the park and 4 softball areas on the other one. Also, there is a skate court for those who are fond of skating. Along with the colorful slides at the playground, you can bring some sunshine to your days with a pack of popcorn. Bicentennial Skate Park is located next to the Dairy Queen.

Enjoy it: come around and make your visit worth it! You’ll certainly love it!

Bicentennial Skate Park

Address: N Baseball Point, Crystal River, FL 34429

Website: Bicentennial Skate Park

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7. Kayaking "The Chazz"

An adult and child enjoy their time paddling a kayak
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hillebrand Steve,... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Did you know that you can actually rent a kayak, canoe or a johnboat? Exactly! You can do it at the old bait house. But first off, you have to walk through a long “tree tunnel”. As thrilling as it promises to be, this lovely activity is simply perfect for nature lovers and adventurous people who’d enjoy some paddling now and then. It’s referred to as one of the most exciting things you could ever do while being in the area. Additionally, there is a tent and a primitive camping area with fire rings and picnic tables on each camp side.

Enjoy the kayaking: make your visit a bit more adventurous by riding the waters in Crystal River, Florida! Have fun!

Kayaking "The Chazz"

Address: an hour and a half north of Tampa, Florida

Website: Kayaking “The Chazz”

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8. Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Have you ever explored the wonderful Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk? If you have not, now you’ve got the exciting chance to change that! Come around and enjoy a walk that will lead you exactly to the famous Three Sisters Springs. While being here, you can explore this lovely area spanning over 57-acres (23 ha). The famous Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk features nature trails, five natural springs, the Lake Crystal itself, and a couple of wetlands.

You can access the Three Sisters Springs Refuge by foot or you can simply take the trolley to get there. Additionally, the boardwalk offers breathtaking views of the Three Sisters Springs. The boardwalk can also take you to the very mouth of theThree Sisters Springs.

Don’t miss the views: from there, you can observe numerous spring events as well! How nice!

Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk

Address: 601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429

Website: Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk

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9. Copeland Park

Swimming Sport Pool
Source: Pixabay

Indeed, the lovely Copeland Park is a broad system that’s made up of asphalt and nature trails. It features exercise trails running through forested areas and across boardwalks, which pass through wetlands. The asphalt trail is about a mile long (1.6 km) and the park amenities include picnic tables, grills, ball fields, tennis courts, restrooms, playgrounds, a community center, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium.

Escape from the noisy city: stop by the lovely Copeland Park and energize your body after the long sightseeing tour of the city!

Copeland Park

Address: 76 NE 8th Ave, Crystal River, FL 34429

Website: Copeland Park

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10. Paint The Town Citrus

Paint Color Colorful
Source: Pixabay

Having an indescribable urge to let your creativity loose? Paint The Town Citrus is the place you would love to visit. Learn from the local professionals, step-by-step, of how to create your very own masterpiece that will open a new door for your creative mind. There are many classes to choose from depending on your level and preference. While you are here attending your class, don’t forget to also check out the gallery, where the tranquil surrounding will allow you to appreciate art masterpieces in peace.

Paint The Town Citrus

Address: 1801 NW U.S. Hwy 19 Ste 151 Crystal River, FL 34428

Website: Paint The Town Citrus

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What to expect

Crystal River, Florida, is certainly a gorgeous place that can totally offer the brightest sides of the big city, while keeping you away from the noise and exhaustion that any big destination is packed with. As wonderful as this place truly is, it’s certainly no surprise why so many families visit to enjoy a couple of days away from the traffic and the noisy city center! Come around, you won’t regret it!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Marina Yoveva is a creative thinker, adventurer, and a poetry lover. In her spare time, she loves reading, writing on her personal blog and spending time with her family and friends. She's also a...Read more

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