When most of the country is bundling up, families in the Manatee Capital of the World are slipping into swimsuits and snorkeling beside manatees in crystal-clear, 72°F springs. Welcome to Florida’s Nature Coast—where perfect weather, spring-fed rivers, and Gulf sunsets set the scene for easy, outdoorsy adventures. In this unhurried corner of Florida, you can float alongside gentle manatees, bike the 47-mile Withlacoochee State Trail, and explore charming small towns like Crystal River and Inverness. It’s the kind of place that reminds you family vacations don’t need roller coasters or lines a mile long—just sunshine, fresh air, and a little wonder beneath the surface.
Ready to plan your family’s ultimate manatee-season getaway? Here are our favorite places to explore, splash around, and unwind in Citrus County.
Crystal River
If there’s one place that captures the magic of Florida’s Nature Coast, it’s Crystal River. Every winter, hundreds of manatees migrate here to bask in the warm, crystal-clear waters, creating one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences a family can have.
Kids can slip on a snorkel and float alongside these gentle giants (don’t worry, licensed guides make it safe and educational, teaching “Manatee Manners”), while parents soak in the serenity of the blue-green water. The experts at Explorida can help arrange your excursion, or you can explore the shimmering waters of Hunter Springs Park on your own.
Above the surface, there’s plenty more to explore. Kayak through the mangroves (seasonal), spot manatees from the stroller-friendly boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, or take a scenic river cruise at sunset before heading to a plethora of walkable restaurants, shops, and marinas nearby.
With cozy waterfront stays like the Paddletail Lodge, local seafood spots, and that easygoing vibe, Crystal River turns manatee season into a memory that sticks for life.
Homosassa
If Crystal River is the showstopper, Homosassa is its down-to-earth sister, the kind of place where you can still find “Old Florida” charm wrapped in adventure and wildlife. Families love it because everything here feels easy, uncrowded, and refreshingly real.
At Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, kids can take a tram or boat ride through the forest before coming face-to-face with rescued manatees, playful otters, and the endangered Florida panther (from a litter further away). The underwater “Fish Bowl” observatory lets little ones peek into the spring itself—like a living aquarium where manatees glide right by.
Beyond the park, Homosassa offers riverfront restaurants like Crump’s Landing, where you can get your tiki on while the kids play on the pirate ship playground, plus boat tours that glide over sparkling springs and quiet spots to cast a line or rent a kayak. Parents love the slow pace; kids love the hands-on wildlife experiences. Together, it’s the kind of family trip that sparks curiosity, teaches respect for nature, and leaves everyone a little sun-kissed and wonderstruck.
Inverness
Inverness is the sort of town that feels plucked from a storybook—historic buildings, moss-draped oaks, and a pace that makes you want to linger. It’s the inland heart of Citrus County, and families love it for one big reason: the Withlacoochee State Trail. This 47-mile paved trail rolls right past the town’s lovingly restored Train Station, where you can explore the Depot District, a scenic hub of green spaces, playgrounds, and murals that bring local history to life. From there, rent bikes or scooters and cruise past lakes, farms, and shady stretches of forest.
The town itself is wonderfully walkable. Grab ice cream on the courthouse square, browse local shops, or rent a surrey bike for a family spin along the waterfront at Wallace Brooks Park or Liberty Park, where you can feed the ducks and watch for turtles. Inverness also hosts festivals year-round—from classic car shows to outdoor concerts—that make any weekend visit feel like a local celebration. It’s wholesome, affordable, and full of heart, the perfect place to catch your breath between adventures and show kids that sometimes, the best memories are made at a slower pace.
Hidden Gem
Tucked just outside the main towns of Citrus County, Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter feels like stumbling into a real-life fairytale. Founded by designer Eric Ducharme—the real-life “Mertailor”—this whimsical spot features live mermaid shows, colorful marine life, and up-close encounters with stingrays and tropical fish.
Whether your little ones are mermaid-obsessed or just love sea life, Mertailor is that rare “hidden gem” where learning and magic swirl together. Don’t be surprised if you leave with a little saltwater sparkle in your heart (and maybe a mermaid tail in your shopping bag).
Ready to trade screens for springs? Plan your escape to Florida’s Nature Coast and discover why Citrus County is where family memories float as freely as the manatees who call it home. Here, every spring, trail, and sunset invites families to slow down, splash together, and soak up the kind of magic you can’t find in theme parks. No matter what itinerary you choose, Citrus County reminds you that the best adventures are the ones you share—unhurried, unforgettable, and full of heart.