The Less Traveled Florida Makes All The Difference

Florida is an obvious vacation destination for many, and while most will go for the beaches and amusement parks, take a detour to immerse yourself in the lesser known adventures Florida offers.

Whether it’s the BBQs of Texas and Tennessee, the hustle and bustle of New York or the sunshine and beaches of Florida, every state has its own culture. But Florida is so much more than Spring Break Miami, amusement parks, or a place to retire. Florida’s sunny weather and ecosystem gives reign to a place where you can stray off the beaten path and into natural springs.

One of the many adventurous explorations to take part in while in Florida is swimming with manatees in naturally occurring springs. Crystal River, Florida makes this experience possible at Three Sisters Springs where manatees spend the winters escaping the Gulf Coast’s cold temperatures. Crystal River is one of the few places in Florida that gives tourists the opportunity to float alongside these magnificent mammals. Plantation OnCrystal River makes this experience convenient with their Plantation Adventure Center on site. Before the tour, guests are briefed on “passive observation” of the manatees. This provides guests with how to properly observe manatees without disturbing their habitat. While manatees aren’t allowed to be touched, they can swim up to you and even hug you. The manatees are familiar with the captains so they tend to swim up to them the most. Swimming with wildlife in their natural habitat is certainly something you don’t want to miss.

Aside from swimming with wildlife, Florida’s status as a peninsula makes it an excellent place for seafood. Chef Richard’s Katch Twenty-Two is a prime example of this with dishes like Fish of The Moment. If it isn’t for the sign, you may skip out on this amazing restaurant because it looks like a small house. The inside is just as homely. This is a testament to the way they prepare the food. You aren’t just a customer, you are a guest and presentation matters. The foods were just as delicious as they were beautiful to admire. A cut of salmon served with a citrus foam on top was too Instagrammable to pass up. The butternut squash soup was also too pretty to eat right away. It was common to hear guest tell one another to hold off on eating the food for a picture. Not surprising that according to Chef Richard’s start here, he says “I walked away from the comfort and security of a Hotel Executive Chef Position to do my own food, my way.” That spirit is the driving force for Florida vacations of today.

Water adventures dominate Florida as the weather keeps it summer all season long. Another fun activity that locals of Crystal River have the pleasure of knowing very well is kayaking on the Chassahowitzka River. The river is fed by the Seven Sisters Spring and with a tour from Dave of Hunter Springs Kayak Company, the adventures embarked on are bucket-list worthy. The water is clear and ropes hanging from trees are common as the locals frequent the river for fun dives swinging from those very ropes. Dave also takes you to a small underwater cave where you swim into it on one end and come out on another. The miles kayaked are forgotten as you navigate through narrow passageways. It makes you feel like a true explorer. You finally reach a hidden jewel that is referred to as “The Crack” which is only accessible by paddleboard or kayak.

Regarding accessibility to a beautiful view, aerial tours are available at St.Pete’s and Clearwater, Florida from the Albert Whitted Airport you can take a biplane ride tour over the beaches downtown. The 30-minute ride takes you high enough to feel like you’re on top of the world but low enough to see your plane’s shadow hovering over the houses, trees and streets. From here you get an incredible view of The Don CeSar also known as the “Pink Palace.” Apart from being another great place to dine, The Don CeSar was built in the 1920’s and its extravagant pink exterior is reminiscent of a Barbie Dreamhouse which looks even more spectacular from the air. While your pilot is in charge of flying, there’s also adventure back on the water that you’re a little more in control of.

St. Pete’s Speed Boat Adventures provides a narrated tour where you get to navigate your very own speedboat. The tour takes you by National Wildlife Refuges, the historic Fort De Soto Park, and the Sunshine Bridge. The exhilarating power of a speedboat creates a different sense of adventure as everything is in your hands.

Swim With Manatees

Plantation Adventure Center

Plantation on Crystal River

9301 W. Fort Island Trail

Crystal River, FL 34429

(800) 632-6262

Kayak

Chassahowitzka River Campground

Hunter Springs Kayak Company

8600 Miss Maggie Drive

Homosassa, FL 34448

(352) 228-4715

Bi-Plane Ride

Albert Whitted Airport

540 1st St. SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

(727) 823-7767

Speed Boat Adventures

1901 Pass a Grille Way

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

(727) 744-3218

Katch Twenty-Two

2924 W Gulf to Lake Hwy

Lecanto, FL 34461

(352) 746-6691

Oxford Exchange

420 W Kennedy Blvd

Tampa, FL 33606

(813) 253-0222

IL Ritorno

449 Central Ave. #101

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

(727) 897-5900

Bodega on Central

1120 Central Avenue

St. Pete, FL 33705

(727) 623-0942

Plantation on Crystal River

9301 West Fort Island Trail

Crystal River, FL 34429

(352) 795-4211

Postcard Inn

6300 Gulf Blvd

St Pete Beach, FL 33706

(800) 237-8918

Aloft Tampa Downtown

100 West Kennedy Boulevard

Tampa, FL 33602

(813) 898-8000

The Don CeSar

3400 Gulf Blvd

St Pete Beach, FL 33706

(727) 360-1881