A visit to Cedar Key, Florida brings the best of the Sunshine State. Cedar Key is located on Way Key, the largest of the Cedar Key Islands. The island sits three miles out in the Gulf of Mexico and is about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, Florida.
Cedar Key is located in Florida's Coastal Region which is known as Florida’s Nature Coast. It is home to a number of federally protected waterways and bird sanctuaries. Bird watching is a popular activity for locals and visitors alike. Those taking a walk along Cedar Key’s nature trails can spot bald eagles, the rare and elusive white pelican, and roseate spoonbills.
Fishing can also be done along the Gulf and in the many waterways within the island. Those casting a lure are sure to catch the ample sea bass, grouper, and mackerel in the area. The Annual Seafood Festival, now in its 43rd year, celebrates the delicacies of the Gulf with a number of cooking competitions for amateurs and professionals alike. Visitors can sample a variety of dishes celebrating the local coastal cuisine while listening to local bands jamming lack-back island tunes.
Cedar Key is one of the oldest sea ports in Florida and is a major supplier of seafood and timber to the north. Its rich, abundant supply of quality seafood has made it a haven for a number of popular and world-renowned seafood restaurants. Tony’s Seafood has been serving up their award-winning clam chowder to visitors since 2005. They have won three world championship cooking contests for their chowder and have been featured on a number of Food Network Specials. Another popular dining destination is Kona Joe’s Café. This café is famous for its version of the Florida dessert staple – the Key Lime Pie.
Cedar Key also has a rich history in the arts. Painters, writers, photographers, and sculptors have long visited the island to get inspiration from the breathtaking sunsets, wildlife, and sandy beaches that Cedar Key has to offer. The island is now a haven for artists, artisans, and musicians who have set up a permanent home on the island. The annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts Festival celebrates this bohemian lifestyle, where artists and craftsmen display and sell their talents. The artists compete for a 10,000 prize. The festival draws an average of 20,000 attendees and has been going on for nearly 50 years. With annual average temperatures around 85 degrees (F), visitors to Cedar Key can enjoy, year-round, all that it has to offer.
