Florida
Roadtrip Series
Homosassa—
RIVER OF FISH
Homosasa Springs Sate aP rk near Crysal River, Florida is one of the best places in the sate to view manatees.
Sights Include Iconic Monkeys, Convalescing Manatees and One Very Old Hippo
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Written by: Dave Kelly
ust north of the hustle and bustle of Tampa lies a little village that is the perfect opposite of big-city madness—Homosassa, Florida, in Citrus County. During the 1800s, it was the home of flourishing sugarcane plantations and mills, and many of the world’s pencils were produced from the area’s vast cedar groves in the early 20th century. Now, it is home to fishing charter captains, quaint resorts, “Old Florida” history and … monkeys. But more on that later. At the center of all the action lies the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort. Tucked up to the main river just a few miles from Homosassa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the resort offers the best of the region’s amenities, all the while staying true to its “Old Florida” roots. The attached full-service marina has everything you need for outdoor activities—from boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals to scalloping equipment and manatee tours.
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The resort itself has 54 rooms, many within steps of the marina dock. More than 80 boat slips, two boat ramps and room to park a trailer provide the outdoor fanatic with everything he or she could need to experience this river town’s best. We checked into our suite and were thrilled to find that it was perfectly laid out for our week’s trip. Bedroom and bathroom were separate from the huge sitting area, and a complete kitchen with full-size fridge ensured that we could stock up early and have everything we needed for the week at our fingertips. The breathtaking river view from our front porch topped it all off. The Florida Cracker Riverside Resort bills itself as the “Home of World-Famous Monkey Island”—and we soon found out why. As you sit enjoying your classic stone-baked pizza and your beer at the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, you are only a stone’s throw from this iconic attraction.
