Homosassa

VISIT:

professional fishing guides and charter services if you want to spend a few hours on the water.

If fishing’s not your thing, but you still want to explore by boat, you can rent one or, better yet, schedule an airboat or pontoon boat tour on the Homosassa River. River Safaris & Gulf Charters is owned by a fifth generation Florida native who enjoys getting people close to “real” Florida. (Don’t miss their alligator exhibit.)

business in Florida’s past and is happy to share his knowledge.

You can’t come to the coast without indulging in some fresh seafood. Head to Seagrass Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar for lunch or dinner where you’ll enjoy plenty of tasty options from this picturesque spot right on the Homosassa River.

MAKE PLANS:

Act like a tourist and visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on Highway 19. There’s a reason this state park is so popular. West Indian manatees frequent the springs year-round and are easily viewed from the park’s underwater observatory. There’s also a boat tour, which offers a great chance to spot native wildlife, such as manatees, deer, black bears, bobcats, American alligators and river otters. Stretch your legs on the easy 1.10-mile hiking trail that meanders through the park. If you’re into birding, don’t miss the Pepper Creek Birding Trail near the visitor’s center, one of 20 birding trails in the county that is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Plan on three to four hours to fully enjoy the park.

Homosassa is home to virtually all of Florida’s major fly fishing records for tarpon and remains one of the state’s most popular fishing spots. Want to try your hand? There are numerous

Before or after your boat ride, grab lunch at the Coyote Cafe on-site. Then, check out neighboring Pepper Creek Pottery and the Glass Garage to find a little something made by local artisans and craftsmen to remind you of your day in Homosassa.

Because you’re so close, stop in at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park on State Road 490 for a glimpse of Citrus County history. Wealthy land owner, politician and developer David Levy Yulee built a 5,100-acre sugar plantation and sugar mill along the Homosassa River in 1846. The plantation is long gone, but the 40-foot limestone masonry chimney, iron gears and cane press remain. It only takes a few minutes to walk through the ruins, but it’s a great spot for photos and a picnic.

Speaking of history, right next door to the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins you’ll find nostalgia, antique printing presses and tasty Cuban sandwiches at the Olde Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum. Owner Jim Anderson is a wealth of information about the printing

ELLIE SCHILLER HOMOSASSA

SPRINGS WILDLIFE STATE PARK floridastateparks.org/park/HomosassaSpringswildlifepark, (352) 628-5343

YULEE SUGAR MILL RUINS floridastateparks.org/park/yulee-sugarmill, (352) 795-3817 homosassaguidesassociation.com

(Click on “Member Captains”)

RIVER SAFARIS riversafaris.com, (352) 628-5222 or (800) 758-FISH

OLDE MILL HOUSE GALLERY AND PRINTING MUSEUM (352) 628-1081

SEAGRASS WATERFRONT RESTAURANT & TIKI BAR seagrassresort.com/restaurant, (352) 503-2007

PEPPER CREEK POTTERY facebook.com/peppercreekpots, (352) 293-7756

THE GLASS GARAGE theglassgarage.net, (352) 212-3617 or (352) 228-3875