The Beacon Guidebook
Things to See and Do
This is right out back. You can hike or ride horses from this end. A little drive away and much is possible. The World Wildlife Fund listed the Withlacoochee State Forest as one of the "10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America".
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Withlacoochee State Forest
15003 N Broad StThis is right out back. You can hike or ride horses from this end. A little drive away and much is possible. The World Wildlife Fund listed the Withlacoochee State Forest as one of the "10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America".
Crystal River is the home to many manatee, pelicans, turtles and other interesting coastal critters. It's where I most often put my kayak in, so feel free to ask for guidance.
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Crystal River Manatee Tour
1 SW 1st PlCrystal River is the home to many manatee, pelicans, turtles and other interesting coastal critters. It's where I most often put my kayak in, so feel free to ask for guidance.
Great place to put a boat in or kayak for fishing. Current can be very strong, though. Little sand islands show up at low tide. Might see dolphins, stingrays and manatee. You can bring your dog to the water's edge here. Be mindful of potential for alligators.
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Ozello Community Park
398 N Pirate PointGreat place to put a boat in or kayak for fishing. Current can be very strong, though. Little sand islands show up at low tide. Might see dolphins, stingrays and manatee. You can bring your dog to the water's edge here. Be mindful of potential for alligators.
Takes about 45 minutes to get there but it's worth it. Sundays around the full moon are sunset drum circles. Sometimes dolphins show. No dogs allowed, here.
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Parque de la Playa de Pine Island
10800 Pine Island DrTakes about 45 minutes to get there but it's worth it. Sundays around the full moon are sunset drum circles. Sometimes dolphins show. No dogs allowed, here.
Nice little walk around the water. All flat and mosty paved. Cooter turtles and little alligators are common sightings. Good to walk before or after dinner in "downtown " Inverness
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Cooter Pond Park
181 US Hwy 41 SNice little walk around the water. All flat and mosty paved. Cooter turtles and little alligators are common sightings. Good to walk before or after dinner in "downtown " Inverness
Less than 20 minutes away. Also pool tables, darts and occasionally karaoke. Friday morning they have discounted lanes.
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Manatee Lanes
7715 W Gulf to Lake HwyLess than 20 minutes away. Also pool tables, darts and occasionally karaoke. Friday morning they have discounted lanes.
Another great place for a hike!
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Parque Estatal de Vida Silvestre de Homosassa Springs
4150 S Suncoast BlvdAnother great place for a hike!
About 20 away, I hear there are mermaids here. We have not been but have heard nothing but good things. Capacitylimits make this not a guarantee without advanced ticket purchase.
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Parque Estatal de Weeki Wachee Springs
6131 Commercial WayAbout 20 away, I hear there are mermaids here. We have not been but have heard nothing but good things. Capacitylimits make this not a guarantee without advanced ticket purchase.
Great little rock/metaphysical store in a cute littleshopping district. Also places to eat within walking distance.
Karma Cottage
652A N Citrus AveGreat little rock/metaphysical store in a cute littleshopping district. Also places to eat within walking distance.
Great river with some neat springs to visit. Rope swings for the young at heart. Populated with many boats. If you're feeling socialand want paddle an old Florida river, you'll enjoy this place. Kayak rentals available on site.
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Chassahowitzka River Lodge
8501 W Miss Maggie DrGreat river with some neat springs to visit. Rope swings for the young at heart. Populated with many boats. If you're feeling socialand want paddle an old Florida river, you'll enjoy this place. Kayak rentals available on site.
One of the most beautiful rivers in Florida
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Parque Estatal Rainbow Springs
19158 SW 81st Pl RdOne of the most beautiful rivers in Florida
Dames Cave
Trail 22Cave system you can explore very close by.
Looking for a place to hike where you can join a guided tour? This place doesn't allow dogs but there are trails on the system that do.
Chinsegut Conservation Center
23212 Lake Lindsey RdLooking for a place to hike where you can join a guided tour? This place doesn't allow dogs but there are trails on the system that do.
This is a charming experience a little less than an hour away. You'll enjoy a very interesting lecture on how the Gypsy Vanner became and how its roots are out of this farm. Inexpensive and enlightening. Plus you get to hang out with all the horses.
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The Gypsy Gold Farm
12501 8th AveThis is a charming experience a little less than an hour away. You'll enjoy a very interesting lecture on how the Gypsy Vanner became and how its roots are out of this farm. Inexpensive and enlightening. Plus you get to hang out with all the horses.
Ocala and all its horse appeal is about an hour away. It's a great place to visit, if you love horses. This venue draws people from all over the globe!
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World Equestrian Center
1750 Northwest 80th AvenueOcala and all its horse appeal is about an hour away. It's a great place to visit, if you love horses. This venue draws people from all over the globe!
Blueberry picking and other locally sourced products for purchase. It also has a restaurant.
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Cavallo Farm & Market
8123 S Lecanto HwyBlueberry picking and other locally sourced products for purchase. It also has a restaurant.
Great place to put a boat or kayak in and go fishing! At low tide, there are small sand islands that appear. This is not kayaking for those who don't enjoy a hard paddle. If you do, you'll appreciate all the rich diversity in this estuary. I've spent hours paddling around with a group of mantee here but I don't see them every time. I've also seen dolphins, otters and little stingray along with MANY birds.
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Ozello Community Park
398 N Pirate PointGreat place to put a boat or kayak in and go fishing! At low tide, there are small sand islands that appear. This is not kayaking for those who don't enjoy a hard paddle. If you do, you'll appreciate all the rich diversity in this estuary. I've spent hours paddling around with a group of mantee here but I don't see them every time. I've also seen dolphins, otters and little stingray along with MANY birds.
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley DrDay trip possibility.
For fun in the canopies! A half an hour away.
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TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park
27839 St Joe RdFor fun in the canopies! A half an hour away.
You can visit this by land or by kayak. No boats back in the springs but you can park one right outside.
Three Sisters Springs
You can visit this by land or by kayak. No boats back in the springs but you can park one right outside.
While my horse isn't available to ride this place is right around the corner and has excellent reviews. You will ride in the same you see in our pictures and videos
Rymar Ranch Inc
8265 S Lecanto HwyWhile my horse isn't available to ride this place is right around the corner and has excellent reviews. You will ride in the same you see in our pictures and videos
Food scene
Cash only and limited menu but the food is tasty and the drinks are cold. On the water, so it's got that going for it, too. The smoked mullet and chowder in a bowl are quite tasty. Everything is reasonably priced. No table service.
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The Freezer Tiki Bar
5590 S Boulevard DrCash only and limited menu but the food is tasty and the drinks are cold. On the water, so it's got that going for it, too. The smoked mullet and chowder in a bowl are quite tasty. Everything is reasonably priced. No table service.
This place allows dogs on the patio. Only about 20 minutes away, this restaurant is on the water with an outside bar an live music most weekend nights. Good place to catch the sunset. You can pull up and park by boat, as well.
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Cracker's Bar & Grill
502 NW 6th StThis place allows dogs on the patio. Only about 20 minutes away, this restaurant is on the water with an outside bar an live music most weekend nights. Good place to catch the sunset. You can pull up and park by boat, as well.
This place allows dogs on the patio. There's a great little pizza place across from this monkey island. The monkeys got left behind after an Indiana Jones movie was filmed here. Nice view of sea birds and boats as you wine and dine.
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Monkey Island
This place allows dogs on the patio. There's a great little pizza place across from this monkey island. The monkeys got left behind after an Indiana Jones movie was filmed here. Nice view of sea birds and boats as you wine and dine.
This place allows dogs on the patio! Menu and food is pretty good, too. We like to stop here after a walk around Cooter Pond
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Stumpknockers Restaurants
110 W Main StThis place allows dogs on the patio! Menu and food is pretty good, too. We like to stop here after a walk around Cooter Pond
If you like different margaritas, you'll enjoy this restaurant. Dine in or outside, overlooking the water.
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Marguerita Grill
10200 W Halls River RdIf you like different margaritas, you'll enjoy this restaurant. Dine in or outside, overlooking the water.
If you're out by Ozella Park, this place is on your way, is on the water and allows dogs on the patio. Sort of upscale menu.
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Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello TrailIf you're out by Ozella Park, this place is on your way, is on the water and allows dogs on the patio. Sort of upscale menu.
This is rather fine dining and delicious! More than beef on the menu.
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Kane's Cattle Co.
508 N Citrus AveThis is rather fine dining and delicious! More than beef on the menu.
Fun restaurant venue, on the water and dogs allowed on the patio. If you're paddling the Rainbow River or Springs, this is a great place to fill up, before or after.
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Swampy's Bar & Grille
19773 E Pennsylvania AveFun restaurant venue, on the water and dogs allowed on the patio. If you're paddling the Rainbow River or Springs, this is a great place to fill up, before or after.
I hear this place has a pool table. It's close to the Chaz if you're looking for a place to unwind, before or after a paddle.
The Lodge Bar and Grill
8501 West Miss Maggie DriveI hear this place has a pool table. It's close to the Chaz if you're looking for a place to unwind, before or after a paddle.
Breakfast Station
11352 N Williams StConsistent and hardy breakfast.
Right on the beach with light fare and even some dinner options like coconut shrimp. It's got a shacky beachy theme that works for it and the area. If you didn't pack a cooler, this will more than do!
Willy's Tropical Breeze Cafe
10800 Pine Island DriveRight on the beach with light fare and even some dinner options like coconut shrimp. It's got a shacky beachy theme that works for it and the area. If you didn't pack a cooler, this will more than do!
If you're in the area, the food here is very good.
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Masa Asian Bistro And Bar
6234 Commercial WayIf you're in the area, the food here is very good.
Thousand Island Cafe
3438 Commercial WayBreakfast and lunch if you're on the go.
Fun place to eat and drink on the water. Very child friendly with several playgrounds in sight from where you would dine. Multiple bars and life entertainment.
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Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River RdFun place to eat and drink on the water. Very child friendly with several playgrounds in sight from where you would dine. Multiple bars and life entertainment.
Fresh scratch kitchen for a nice, sit down, meal.
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Wallace's at the Greenhouse
2420 S Suncoast BlvdFresh scratch kitchen for a nice, sit down, meal.
Essentials
Walmart Supercenter
6885 S Suncoast BlvdThis is your closest Walmart.
Walgreens
9427 S Suncoast BlvdThis is your closest Walgreens.
CVS
3959 S Suncoast BlvdThis is your closest CVS
United States Postal Service
320 South Lecanto HighwayThis is your closest post office.
Quick Care Med
11371 N Williams StClosest walk-in medical clinic.
The vet clinic I use. They do mobile and house calls, as well as, in clinic appointments. All the vets and their staff are wonderful. They close every Tuesday between 12 -2 for continuing education.
Countryside Animal Clinic
3628 North Lecanto HighwayThe vet clinic I use. They do mobile and house calls, as well as, in clinic appointments. All the vets and their staff are wonderful. They close every Tuesday between 12 -2 for continuing education.
Heather's deep tissue massage can't be beat! If you are in need of a treatment, while you are here, be sure to reach out and let her know The Nature Coast Beacon referred you. She's booked solid with regular customers but has some time to fit in a resort massage, if you coordinate it with her. She will come out with her table and treat you to a massage in your unit or outside, weather permitting. Call to schedule.
Heather's Massage Therapy LLC
Heather's deep tissue massage can't be beat! If you are in need of a treatment, while you are here, be sure to reach out and let her know The Nature Coast Beacon referred you. She's booked solid with regular customers but has some time to fit in a resort massage, if you coordinate it with her. She will come out with her table and treat you to a massage in your unit or outside, weather permitting. Call to schedule.
City/town information
Small, walkable, town with some shops and restaurants. Several great places to put your kayak or boat in. Manatees love it here, too!
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Crystal River
3266 N Sailboat AveSmall, walkable, town with some shops and restaurants. Several great places to put your kayak or boat in. Manatees love it here, too!
Cool little walkable town. Restaurants and an old fashioned movie theater. Thunder Friday hosts a car show every third Friday of the month.
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Inverness
Cool little walkable town. Restaurants and an old fashioned movie theater. Thunder Friday hosts a car show every third Friday of the month.
The horse capital of the world hosts a farmers market every Saturday, often accompanied by a festival or fair event. First Friday is Art Walk.
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Ocala
The horse capital of the world hosts a farmers market every Saturday, often accompanied by a festival or fair event. First Friday is Art Walk.
River Walk Tampa Florida
100 E Madison StOne hour to downtown Tampa.