There is a reason that Florida's Nature Coast has its name, featuring many picturesque coastal towns that offer major natural exploration opportunities. These less-visited bucket-list getaway towns in the state with hundreds of miles of tranquil remoteness, less crowds, and pure natural beauty are mentioned below.

Cedar Key

A busy port in the past, Cedar Key is a charming enclave along the Nature Coast, with a quaint vibe and old-fashioned atmosphere that artists and writers adore for inspiration among unspoiled natural beauty. This picturesque town in Levy County is spread over a cluster of islands and is a known fishing mecca and a hotspot for amazing seafood. Representing a slice of traditional Florida, it is set off the beaten path, accessible by Route 24, with a small downtown area cozily lined with century-old oak trees and boutiques. Multilevel houses sit on stills overhanging the Gulf of Mexico, while the beachfront airport makes a great spectacle from the white sand with quiet, gentle waters. The Lil Shark Park city park is a perfect getaway for families with a playground and more white sand beachfront. Nature lovers will love visiting the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and the Cedar Key Museum State Park to see flocks of the endangered spoonbills flying over the area and even landing on the beach. The numerous beaches are best viewed during a Floridian orange sunset.

Crystal River

This tourist hotspot on the Nature Coast of Citrus County is widely known for its West Indian manatee sightings. One can see the gentle giants and float with them in water on an eco-tour at the Three Sisters Springs. Tucked away within the residential district, it provides a warm and safe hideaway for the manatees during wintertime's cold temperatures at the Gulf, while the surrounding boardwalk makes them great to spectate from. Easily reachable by the Three Sisters Springs Trolley, the recent wetlands expansion restored the natural habitat for the animals and added to the experience of watching them. The town has one of the purest and clearest spring-fed water systems in its Crystal River, with kayaking and snorkeling year-round. The quieter Homosassa River and the Rainbow River are full of fish, turtles, aquatic plants, and natural spring vents nearby. The Crystal River State Archaeological Park displays the remnants of Florida's Native Americans through an insightful perspective highlighting the historical significance of their early life in the area. Coming inclusive with stelae, burial mounds, middens, and a paved walkway throughout the 61-acre site, there is also a stairway to the scenic view from the top of Temple Mound "H."

Fish Creek

Known as a "spring-breakers" town, Fish Creek is perfect for any taste, whether one is looking to have fun or relax in the laid-back atmosphere, including those passionate for fine art, entertainment, culinary experience and excellence, and intoxicating culture. The town of Fish Creek comes complete with exquisite storefronts and quirky eating places, along with Boutique clothing stores, art galleries, specialty shops, and home décor retailers along its picturesque downtown streets. The Adult Night at Hands On Art Studio is a spanned-out interactive workshop set within a refurbished picturesque barn held on Friday nights with beer, wine, music, and a variety of art to try, such as metalwork, painting, and ceramics. Another sought-after experience in town includes stocking up on the locally sourced cheeses, bakery items, and gifts at the stress-free atmosphere of the family-owned Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery & Market, with complimentary wine and product tastings.

Hernando Beach

Off the path and out of sight, the picturesque oasis of Hernando Beach town is a best-kept secret of the state. Set on the west coast along the Weeki Wachee River and Springs, it is a shrimping mecca that offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and Gilligan's Island, while its picturesque houses are lined along the canal, a la Venice. Prior to becoming a waterfront canal community, it was all wetlands before 1950s when a developer Charlie Sasser purchased the area and had it ready by 1970. The restrictions on wetland development came next year, with state claiming ownership and the Army Corps of Engineers accusing the developer of not having the proper permits. Sesser was ordered to restore the land to its natural state, as he built a dike around the 144 acres to separate it from the gulf. Although some say that the town should not exist, those who visit to see the shallow sand bars glistening from the clear turquoise waters, along with the proximity to the scallop patches, would argue otherwise. Perfect for boating, it is also home to the Hernando Flats, which will make one think they've landed in the Caribbean.

Homosassa

Set near the southern end of the Big Bend on Florida's Gulf Coast, Homosassa is known for its several state parks. The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park offers manatee viewings through an underwater observatory, while the Yulee Sugar Mill State Park gives one a tour of a sugar mill that served troops during the Civil War. The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features various animals including alligators, black bears, red wolf, key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes, and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The town was also a popular train stop in the early 1900s, where people would debunk not for a smoke break or some fresh air, but for swimming and fishing in the place, even then, known as one of the most beautiful spots in Florida. Today, the town with great scalloping opportunities and the quintessential springs still has the air of a "throwback to simpler times". The "Florida Cracker Riverside Resort" is a hot spot especially during the scalloping season, set on water, with a private boat ramp, and boats for rent.

Horseshoe Beach

Horseshoe Beach is known (or not) for its extreme remoteness of a peninsula that juts out from the nearest main roadway into the Gulf for 20 miles, where a sparsely-populated fishing and boating community sits at the tip in a secluded area. Nevertheless, there is a restaurant, a full-service marina, an athletic area, and a park, while rocks and walls surround the town's beach for a dramatically picturesque setting right out of a movie. The park comes with a boat ramp, picnic areas, and water views, although there is no actual beach for swimming. The only natural beachfront is reachable by driving to the end of the County Road 351, or the town's Main Street.

Steinhatchee, Florida

Set on the Gulf of Mexico at the southern end of State Road 51, Steinhatchee, Florida, is a little fishing village on the north side of the Steinhatchee River, with some 1,000 residents. Commercial and sport fishermen on the river and the gulf represent the export and the tourism that "feed" the town's economy, with fishing as its biggest industry. The Gulf's shallow waters brim with scallops, stone crabs, and blue crabs, where tourists come to snorkel for scallops during the season. The Steinhatchee River has a large trout and redfish population. The surrounding wilderness, teeming with alligators, panthers, hogs, turkeys, and all kinds of shorebirds, makes one think they have landed in Africa's Amazon. Artists love this town to capture Old Florida and the "jungle" images. The streets are wonderful for biking and walking to marvel at the Victorian homes set along the river. For a laid-back weekend, one can stay at one of the charming Old Florida B&Bs, while fishing, exploring, cycling, or just getting away from it all in this picturesque place with a quintessential charm that suits its name.

By visiting Florida's Nature Coast, one will see the difference between the terms "wild" and "unspoiled," often used interchangeably. While some towns are more rugged and others simply untouched, they all make for a unique experience in the Sunshine state's very picturesque natural place.

Editor’s Note: This story is part of an occasional series of “staycations” that allow Citrus County residents to spend vacation time locally this summer without the expense of traveling very far.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

History defines not only people but cities, counties and states.

Citrus County is fortunate to have many historical places where we can reconnect with the past and perhaps learn a thing or two going forward.

The best part: you can save gas and stay close to home.

Here are some of the historical places in Citrus County that would make great day trips:

The museum is housed inside the Historic Citrus County Courthouse on the square in downtown Inverness.

The courthouse was built in 1912 but by the 1990s, when the old courthouse was no longer being used for county offices, it seemed destined for demolition. The community banded together to preserve this symbol of the county’s history.

In 1992 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Next began the eight-year restoration process, headed by the Citrus County Historical Society.

In 2000, the building was reborn as the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum.

Today, the building is a symbol of the community’s past.

For more information, visit www.cccourthouse.org

Crystal River State Archaeological Site is a 61-acre Florida State Park located on the Crystal River and within the Crystal River Preserve State Park.

It’s located two miles northwest of the city of Crystal River, on Museum Point off U.S. 19/98. Under the title of Crystal River Indian Mounds, it is also a U.S. National Historic Landmark

This pre-Columbian site has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area and a substantial midden.

The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600 years, the area served as an imposing ceremonial center for Native Americans.

People traveled to the complex from great distances to conduct trade and bury their dead. It is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year.

Primarily an archaeological site, the park is located on the edge of an expansive coastal marsh. Anglers may catch saltwater and freshwater fish.

As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, the park offers bird-watchers the chance to observe a variety of species.

For more information, visit https://www.florida stateparks.org/park/crystal -river-archaeological

This site was once part of a thriving sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee.

Yulee was a member of the Territorial Legislative Council, and he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate after Florida statehood.

The park contains remnants of the once thriving, 5,100-acre sugar plantation, including a 40-foot limestone masonry chimney, iron gears and a cane press. The steam-driven mill operated from 1851 to 1864 and served as a supplier of sugar products for Southern troops during the Civil War.

The park is located in the small town of Homosassa, about 3 miles west of the city of Homosassa Springs. Take U.S. 19 (northbound or southbound) to the town of Homosassa Springs, then turn west onto County Road 490 West (Yulee Drive).

Proceed for 2.5 miles to the park. There are brown and white highway signs that will lead you to the park. The ruins of the mill are situated within 5 feet of the road and can be easily seen.

The site offers a picnic pavilion, tables for picnicking, and grills.

For more information, visit https://www.floridastate parks.org/parks-and-trails/yulee-sugar-mill-ruins -historic-state-park

Visitors to the Historic Duval House in downtown Floral City can learn a little about the home’s history without setting foot inside.

The Fort Cooper chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) funded and installed a historical marker explaining the history of the house, which is the oldest surviving residential structure in Citrus County.

Official historical markers are reviewed and approved through a Florida Department of State program “designed to raise public awareness of Florida’s rich cultural history,” according to the department’s website, and to “allow us to tell the stories of the places and people who created the Florida that we all enjoy today.”

The Historic Duval House was built in 1860 by John Paul Formy-Duval – whose great-great-grandson, H.D. Bassett, is involved in the restoration of the home by the Duval Preservation Trust, which purchased it in 2012.

That restoration is ongoing.

The marker provides the basic history of the house, and sits near the corner of East Orange Avenue and South Old Floral City Road on the Duval House’s large lot.

For more information, visit: Facebook/DuvalMetzHouse or call 352-726-7740.

Fort Cooper State Park is a 710-acre historic site in Inverness.

On June 13, 1972, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places. It is also a Florida State Park

With over 700 acres of nature, it offers a spot for relaxing, hiking, studying nature and learning about Florida’s rich history.

Lake Holathlikaha is popular for fishing and boating; although private boats are prohibited, canoes and kayaks are available for rent when water levels and conditions are optimal.

As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, the park offers nearly 5 miles of self-guided trails with excellent bird and wildlife viewing. The park’s diverse natural areas provide a refuge for many plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species.

A paved pathway connects the park to the multi-use paved Withlacoochee State Trail. Park visitors can enjoy the picnic facilities and playground under a hardwood hammock near the lake.

The Seminole Heritage Trail kiosks are a series of four interpretive panels that provide insight into the lives of the Seminole Indians who lived in this area and the reason for Fort Cooper’s construction.

The state park is located two miles south of Inverness, off U.S. 41 on South Old Floral City Road.

For more information, call 352-726-0315.

Park Services Specialist, Rick Coosey

Park Services Specialist Rick Coosey has always enjoyed being outdoors. From breathing in the salty air on sandy beaches to exploring the quiet wonders of shady mangroves, he finds himself most at peace when he is outdoors.

“I thought it would be a cool job to work outdoors in a natural environment, and there was an opening at Honeymoon Island so I applied,” says Rick. That was in 1998. He was hired to Honeymoon Island State Park and worked there for nearly 20 years, also helping to take care of associated parks Anclote Key, Caladesi Island, Egmont Key and the Skyway Fishing Piers.

Over the years, he held many positions, including a substitute maintenance mechanic, maintenance repairman, park ranger and assistant park manager. Upon leaving the beach parks, he was a park ranger for a short amount of time at DeLeon Springs State park before coming to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Spring Wildlife State Park as a maintenance park services specialist.

With his diverse experience, Rick has an abundance of stories and favorite places. He starts his workday with the rising sun, walking along sandy beaches conducting sea turtle patrol during nesting season. Remote islands have welcomed him into their wild landscape during picnic pavilion construction. Rick has enjoyed giving guided trail walks and leading interpretive programs about ospreys in the spring while watching manatees swim and rest in warm waters in the winter.

One of his most memorable experiences was making additions onto park housing at Caladesi Island, a place that is accessible only by boat. He worked the project start to finish, having the blueprints drawn up, materials ordered and then working with park staff and volunteers to build the rooms.

On any given workday, Rick can be found replacing boardwalk, repairing a diesel engine or maintaining manatee pool heaters. His skillset is diverse and he is able to determine how to fix anything.

According to Park Manager Zach Phifer, “Rick does a great job representing the Florida Park Service and its core values! We’re very fortunate here at Homosassa Springs to have his years of knowledge, skills and abilities. He is held in very high regard by his coworkers, volunteers and supervisors and is an integral part of what makes this park tick. Rick is always willing to give a helping hand and continuously demonstrates a positive attitude.”

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manatee springs florida

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A manatee swimming in Florida. Right: A cute manatee in Three Sisters Springs.

Florida is known for its sunny skies and beaches, but it also might be one of the best places in the country to spot oceanic wildlife — more specifically, manatees.

The so-called "gentle giants" of the ocean are most widely seen in the abundance of blue around the months of April to October because of the warmer ocean water temperatures around the state. Outside of their season, they head to freshwater areas where the water stays at a constant temperature, as warmth is needed for a manatee's survival.

Where can we spot these friendly mammals? Well, there's no shortage of waterways, so we found the top sighting areas.

Three Sisters Springs — Crystal River

Price: $7.50 to $20

When: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Address: Three Sisters Springs Center, 123 N.W. Hwy. 19 Crystal River, FL

Why You Need To Go: This wildlife sanctuary is home to many manatees from one of Florida's most popular springs. You can even join a kayak tour to get up close.

Homosassa Springs

Price: $5 to $13

When: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Address: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa FL

Why You Need To Go: Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is home to the adorable creatures as well as many other wonderful animals.

Blue Springs

Price: $2 to $6 (depending on type of vehicle)

When: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to sundown

Address: 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL

Why You Need To Go: This state park is widely known to have manatee sightings during the season.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Price: $10 per vehicle, and varying prices for passes

When: Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Address: 1963 Refuge Headquarters Rd., Titusville, FL

Why You Need To Go: You can find manatees here year-round!

Silver Glen Springs

Price: $8 to $11, annual pass also available

When: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Address: 5301 N. Hwy. 19, Salt Springs, FL

Why You Need To Go: You can swim with the manatees here! It's also a great place to go during the wintertime to see the animals and avoid the crowds of other sighting spots.

Manatee Lagoon

Price: Free

When: Open daily starting November 15 to March 31; closed Mondays during the remainder of the year starting April 1 to November 14

Address: 6000 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach, FL

Why You Need To Go: Manatee Lagoon is a public education center, but you can see a school of manatees over a public viewing area, and it's free.

Wakulla Springs

Price: $6 per vehicle

When: Daily, 8:00 a.m. until sundown

Address: 465 Wakulla Park Dr., Wakulla Springs, FL

Why You Need To Go: It's one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. March through September is the best time for viewing manatees here.

Lover's Key

Price: $8 per vehicle

When: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to sundown

Address: 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL

Why You Need To Go Here: Lover's Key is a romantic destination and manatees love to gather right at the public viewing area by the park entrance.

Manatees at listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. You are also not allowed to touch the manatees if you choose to swim or get close to them under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission guidelines. Be very respectful during your visit to these springs.

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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Manatees are large and friendly herbivorous marine mammals often called sea cows (even though they are closely related to elephants). There are three accepted living species of Manatees; the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee, and the West African manatee. Watching manatees is a nice change from whale or dolphin watching in Puget Sound.

Manatees inhabit shallow and marshy coastal areas and rivers of the Caribbean and the species found in Florida is West Indian Manatee. The best time to see them is in the winter when they congregate in warm spots around the coast to shelter from the colder winter waters.

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Manatees Require Warm Waters To Survive

Manatees need warm water as they cannot keep their body temperature very well. In order to avoid succumbing to the cold, they migrate south to water waters in the winter or they seek refugee in warmer waters along the coast. Often the water waters are from water springs flowing into the ocean.

But another source of warm water has been the heated wastewater discharged by powerplants along the Florida coast. A new and unexpected problem has emerged - shutting down these powerplants is killing the manatees! That is because the manatees in the area have gotten used to seeking refugees in the plant's warm discharge.

When the warm water from the plant ends, they have forgotten to migrate to warmer waters and so still hang around and succumb to the cold in the winter. Solutions to protect the manatees are being sought now.

Other threats are other human-related issues like habitat destruction and collisions with ships. They are slow-moving and curious. This means they may check out a boat or ship and then get hit by it or its propeller.

Manatees roam the waters of Florida from April to around October. After that, as the weather cools off they migrate south or head to places like freshwater Florida springs where the temperatures are constant throughout the year.

If one comes at the right times one can be rewarded with seeing a large number of Florida's manatees chilling out in the same place. It is important to not disturb these gentle giants of the seas.

According to Visit Florida, here are some of the places to see manatees.

Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River: In the winter manatees gather here in large numbers. One can kayak or take a boat tour to the springs - sometimes one can count over 100 manatees in the area at one time. There is also a large concentration of people so if one would like to avoid the crowds then just down the road are Homosassa Springs that are a little less crowded.

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City: One advantage of this location is that one does not need a boat to see the manatees. There are several overlooks and boardwalks where one can see them lounging about.

TECO Manatee View Center, Apollo Beach: There's a giveaway in the name but this center was designated as a manatee sanctuary and has viewing platforms, tidal walkways, and an environmental education center. This is a sanctuary where a large number of manatees return to the warm discharge waters of the Big Bend Power Station.

Manatee Lagoon - An EPL Eco-Discovery Center: This is a free Palm Beach County education attraction with a dedicated area for seeing the manatees up close. There are hands-on exhibits where one can learn all about the threatened and unique mammals of the seas. On cold winter days, one can see herds of manatees basking in the warm water from the Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center from the observation deck.

If one is interested in a guided Manatee Tour, then Blue Heaven River Tours offers tours of these stunning creatures. They recommend booking the tour in advance but still welcome last-minute callers. Manatees are sociable and may end up coming to the visitors if they are calm.

Manatees are often one of the overlooked stunning sea creatures overshadowed by the more popular whale watching. Much like the often-overlooked penguins of New Zealand.