Things to Do in Cedar Key

The commercial and social center of Cedar Key, Dock Street runs along the waterfront with restaurants, shops, and galleries overlooking the Gulf. This is where locals and visitors gather to eat, shop, and watch the sunset. A fishing pier extends into the water, and pelicans, herons, and dolphins are regular visitors. The atmosphere is unhurried and unpretentious — flip-flops and fishing shirts are the dress code. Evening sunsets from Dock Street are among the best on the Gulf Coast.

This small but well-curated museum tells the story of Cedar Key's history from indigenous peoples through the pencil manufacturing era to modern clam aquaculture. Exhibits include Native American artifacts, antique tools, a collection of seashells and sea glass from around the world gathered by local collector St. Clair Whitman, and displays about the town's railroad and fishing history. The grounds include a short nature trail through coastal hammock.

Located along SR-24 on the approach to Cedar Key, this 5,028-acre state reserve protects one of the largest remaining tracts of Florida scrub habitat. Hiking trails wind through sand pine scrub, flatwoods, and salt marshes, offering opportunities to spot scrub jays (a threatened species), gopher tortoises, and a variety of shorebirds. The reserve is a quiet, uncrowded option for nature lovers looking to complement their Cedar Key visit.

The calm, shallow waters around Cedar Key are ideal for kayaking. Multiple outfitters on the island rent kayaks and paddleboards. The most popular paddling destination is Atsena Otie Key, about a mile offshore, which was the original Cedar Key settlement before a hurricane destroyed it in 1896. Today the island has trails through old cemetery ruins and offers quiet beaches. Other nearby islands in the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge are accessible by kayak for day exploration.

Kayaking Near Ocala →

Cedar Key has attracted artists for decades, and the town supports a surprising number of galleries for its size. Studios and galleries along Dock Street and the surrounding blocks showcase painting, pottery, woodworking, photography, and mixed media by local and regional artists. The Cedar Key Arts Festival, held annually in April, draws thousands of visitors and features over 100 juried artists. Many galleries double as working studios where you can watch artists at work.

Cedar Key's restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood on the Gulf Coast, anchored by locally farmed clams. Steamers Clam Bar & Grill is the go-to for clams in every preparation — steamed, fried, in chowder, and as clam strips. Tony's Seafood Restaurant offers waterfront seating with a broad menu of Gulf catches. The Island Hotel Restaurant, in an 1860 building, serves upscale seafood and steaks. Kona Joe's Island Cafe is the breakfast and lunch favorite. No visit to Cedar Key is complete without trying the clam chowder.

Best Seafood Near Ocala →

Encompassing 13 offshore islands within a few miles of Cedar Key, this national wildlife refuge protects critical nesting habitat for brown pelicans, white ibis, cormorants, and other colonial waterbirds. While most islands are closed to public access to protect nesting birds, Atsena Otie Key and Seahorse Key (outside nesting season) are open for day visits. The refuge is best explored by kayak or guided boat tour, offering close encounters with Gulf marine and bird life in a wild, undeveloped setting.