Discover why Crystal River and St Pete are the perfect Florida destinations for outdoor lovers, foodies, and culture vultures, and why you should consider combining them on your next trip to the Sunshine State.
When most people think of Florida as a holiday destination, they think of families. But the Sunshine State also has a lot to offer to travellers who are looking for a bit of adventure, culture, and to enjoy the foodie scene.
This sounds like the perfect combination to me, so I ventured to explore Crystal River and St Pete on a twin centre trip.
Read more to find out how I concluded that these two destinations offer the perfect combination for those looking for a holiday that has it all.
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Where are Crystal River and St Pete?
Both Crystal River and St Pete are very close to Tampa, on the Gulf of Mexico. They are less than 100 miles from each other, so it’s very easy to combine both destinations in one trip.
Crystal River is in the heart of the Nature Coast of Florida, 80 miles north of Tampa. It is famous for its pristine waterways and especially for being a haven for manatees, giving it the nickname of the Manatee Capital of the World.
St Pete, also located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is home to award-winning beaches, world renowned museums, and vibrant arts and foodie scenes.
Being so close to each other, you can easily drive from Crystal River and St Pete, or vice versa, during your Florida adventure.
But let’s take a look at why you should combine these two destinations on your next trip to Florida.
Reasons to combine Crystal River and St Pete on your next holiday
You can swim with manatees
Crystal River is a refuge for manatees all year round, but especially in the winter, when hundreds of them come to spend the colder months. They gather here to enjoy the mild temperature of the local waters.
This has earned Crystal River the nickname of Manatee Capital of the World, and seeing them in the wild, much like whale watching in Iceland, it’s a bucket list item for wildlife lovers.
There are a few manatees who reside in the local waters all year round, so even if you visit Crystal River outside the winter months, you will have a good chance of seeing them and swimming with them.
Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can swim with manatees legally and ethically.
If you use a responsible outfitter, you will learn about the dos and don’ts of swimming with manatees. It’s important to be a responsible visitor and respect the animal and their environment, so always ensure to listen to your instructor.
Passive observation is key, so you just quietly float alongside the manatees. They are very inquisitive creatures, so chances are they will come up to you to see what kind of weird manatee you are. Just remember to stay calm.
It’s an unforgettable experience and one of the top things to do in Crystal River – if not the top.
> Book your manatee tour here
The wildlife spotting opportunities
Aside from manatees, there are so many opportunities to spot wildlife, in both destinations.
While I was in Crystal River, I saw a family of three otters crushing and eating clams while I was hiking on the Salt Marsh Trail in the outskirts of Homosassa. The trail has an observation tower at the end, so you will have a high chance of seeing a lot of birds too.
I also saw three armadillos (I had no idea they were so small, so I almost missed them!), a white-tail deer, and a woodpecker hard at work, while I was cycling along the Withlacoochee State Trail between Inverness and Floral City.
It was a lovely cycle trail, lined with trees covered in Spanish moss, but spotting the armadillos was one of my highlights, as I’d never seen one before.
Another fun way to spot wildlife in the Crystal River area is by going on an airboat tour. Captain Craig from River Safaris in Homosassa was amazing at spotting a dolphin, a sea turtle, a shark, a small alligator, and a swimming scallop. So much fun!
But one of the best places to see dolphins is on Little Toot, a tugboat in Clearwater near St Pete, that has dolphins riding its wake without fail. It’s the most amazing dolphin spotting ride in Florida and you won’t want to miss it.
> Book your Little Toot tour here
An adventure lover’s paradise
If you love adventure and the outdoors, Crystal River offers endless possibilities for adventure lovers. From pristine forests and crystal clear waters, to scenic cycling trails and unique wildlife, there is so much to experience.
We’ve already talked about swimming with manatees, one of the most exciting things to do in Crystal River. You can also go swimming in crystal clear waters in Three Sisters Springs, part of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen water as clear as the water in Three Sisters Springs. The Springs are a refuge for manatees during the winter months, but you can have unrestricted access to it from April to November.
You can also combine a swim here with a kayak tour, so you can enjoy the clear waters while swimming and from the surface.
If you enjoy roaming around on two wheels, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one of America’s top-rated Rails to Trails cycling corridors. It’s 46 miles long and goes through the historic towns of Inverness and Floral City.
For those who enjoy powering through on two feet, there are plenty of trails to explore. I really enjoyed the Salt Marsh Trail, a short 1.5-mile trail with an observation tower at the end, from which you can spot plenty of wildlife activity. It’s one of the loveliest hikes in Florida.
If you are more of an adrenaline junkie, then jump on an airboat and zoom through the Homosassa River all the way out to the still waters of the Gulf. It’s an exhilarating ride and incredibly fun!
A vibrant arts scene
After exploring the wild side of Crystal Water, why not head to St Pete to explore its thriving arts scene.
St Pete has embraced the power of street art like no other city I’ve ever been to. This vibrant city understands that art brings communities together and for the last few years they’ve been celebrating this with the annual mural festival SHINE.
Many of the city’s murals originate from this festival, and today the city is alive with colour, with a very artsy and vibrant art scene that attracts visitors from all over the world.
If you’re in town on a Saturday morning and you’d like to learn more about the artists that create St Pete’s incredible murals and their work, you can take a guided tour from Florida CraftArt for only $19. You’ll hear the inside stories of the makers of over 30 artworks, and a portion of the proceeds goes towards the creation of future murals.
This love for the arts has extended to local businesses in an innovative way. A great example is the 2D cafe, a black and white two-dimensional cafe experience that will mess with your mind.
Even if you only have one day in St Pete, you must not miss it.
Some of the best beaches in the US
St Pete boasts some of the best beaches in the US, including Clearwater Beach, consistently voted the best beach in the US according to Tripadvisor.
Clearwater Beach has the finest and whitest sand I have ever seen and felt between my toes. It is like walking on icing sugar.
St Pete Beach and Treasure Island Beach are stunning beaches too, and great to enjoy a nice sundowner at the end of the day.
And, of course, perhaps my favourite beach in the area, Caladesi Island beach, located in Caladesi State Park, one of the best state parks in Florida.
Mouthwateringly fresh seafood
We must also talk about the food. Being on the coast, both Crystal River and St Pete have access to the freshest and most delicious seafood.
From traditional Floridian dishes such as shrimps and grits, to gator bites for the more adventurous foodies, or just simple grilled red snapper, these two coastal destinations will serve you well.
A great spot to try the famous shrimps and grits is Florida Cracker Kitchen, a local institution in Homosassa. Located on the edge of the water, this iconic Florida breakfast may not look pretty, but it tastes absolutely beautiful and it’s the perfect way to kick off the day.
For something a bit lighter, try the world famous grouper sandwich from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill in Clearwater. Served with a pickle spear and fries, it’s as fresh as it gets!
Or if you are looking for a lunch spot with great food and a wow factor, head to Pier Teaki, in St Pete.
Located at the end of St Pete’s Pier, this trendy bar serves the most delicious mahi mahi tacos with the added bonus of breathtaking views over Tampa Bay and the St Pete skyline. And the cocktails are really good too!
If you fancy something a bit heartier, I’d recommend the she crab soup at Vintage on 5th in historic downtown Crystal River. The restaurant feels a little traditional and ‘vintage’, and the service is excellent. But it’s that she crab soup that you will remember the most.
World-renowned museums
For those looking to immerse themselves into a bit of culture, St Pete is the perfect hub for art and history museums.
The Dalí Museum houses, surprisingly, the largest collection of Dalí’s works outside of Spain. It includes 96 oil paintings, over 100 watercolours and drawings, as well as photographs, sculptures and other pieces of art.
The building itself is an architectural marvel. Shaped like a simple rectangle with a free-form bubble erupting from it, it is mesmerising to try and make sense of it. Once inside, the helical staircase is a nod to Dalí’s obsession with the shape of the DNA double helix.
For more modern art, head to the Chihuly Collection to marvel at the impossibly colourful glassworks that resemble a garden.
If you are more of a history buff, the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art will send you on a journey through a vast collection of artworks that explore the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West.
The building atrium has been designed to emulate the landscapes of the American West canyons, and I felt particularly spellbound by the life-size sculptures of 19th century Native American leaders within it.
For something a bit more light-hearted, Fairgrounds St Pete is an art and technology museum displaying the works of over 60 local and international artists. It is highly interactive, fully immersive, and guaranteed to be a lot of fun. The perfect place to add to your St Pete girl’s trip itinerary!
For a bit more Florida Fun, check out the best rides at Universal Orlando, only a couple of hours drive.
The most epic Florida sunsets
One of the things that I always think of when I think of Florida, is the sunsets. They are truly epic!
Both Crystal River and St Pete are on the west coast of the Sunshine State, so they are in prime position for this daily spectacle of nature.
If you are lucky, you might even see the elusive green flash, a phenomenon that occurs at sunset and sunrise when the conditions are just right. And these two destinations very often boast the settings and conditions for it.
You can enjoy the stunning Florida sunsets from anywhere along the beach. But the best spots for me, are Pier 60 in Clearwater and Caddy’s on Sunset Beach, in Treasure Island, while enjoying a sundowner.
Where to stay in Crystal River and St Pete
Plantation on Crystal River
Plantation on Crystal River is an eco-friendly hotel that boasts a taste of ‘Southern hospitality with Florida charm’.
This hidden gem is surrounded by the natural springs of Kings Bay and it’s the ideal base for travellers looking to enjoy outdoor activities in Crystal River. I stayed in one of their waterfront rooms opening up directly onto the peaceful river.
You can book a swimming with manatees tour right next door at the Plantation Adventure Centre.
> Book Plantation on Crystal River here
Bilmar Beach Resort, Treasure Island – St Pete
Located right on the sand in Treasure Island, Bilmar Beach Resort has a fresh, cool Caribbean decor and sweeping Gulf of Mexico views. The hotel is conveniently located for famous local attractions like John’s Pass Boardwalk Village.
It was a true luxury to open up my ground floor room directly on to the beach and enjoy a quiet morning walk.
> Book Bilmar Beach Resort here
Avalon Hotel, Downtown St Pete
The Avalon Hotel is centrally located in Downtown St Pete, and it’s the perfect base to explore the city both during the day and at night.
This gorgeous art deco hotel uses neon throughout to give the hotel a retro-chic style, giving it a very sophisticated look.
> Book Avalon Hotel here
The Don Cesar, St Pete Beach
Make your overnight stay an unforgettable experience by staying in an iconic and historic hotel.
The Don CeSar, also known as the Pink Palace, opened its doors in the glamorous Gatsby Era in 1928. St Pete was the playground for celebrities like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Al Capone, and The Don was the place to stay and play.
Today the famous Florida Pink Palace hasn’t lost that touch of glamour and it remains a Gulf Coast icon. Perched on the sand dunes of award-winning St Pete Beach, this historical hotel has been sympathetically brought into the 21st century without losing its original charm and elegance.
> Book The Don Cesar here
Will you be visiting Crystal River and St Pete this year?
Let me know in the comments!
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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Discover Crystal River and Visit St Pete Clearwater. As always, all views are my own.