Cedar Key is a place in time! It is not the every day, run of the mill, tourist location. It is peace, quiet and nature all wrapped into one. You will not find a nightclub, movie theatre, or traffic, but you will find breathtaking views and friendly people. They seem to call it Paradise! Beware, the locals enjoy having you visit, but forget about moving in as they are very happy with a resident number of around 900 people. However, you can find some fantastic buys for places to live. As Mr. Trouble said, “What’s your hurry? There is no rush around here!”

Cedar Key is not a dying fishing village. It is the special place for those who want to spend a week, few days or weekend. The accommodations are very nice, the food is exceptional and the shopping limited and quality merchandise is found in all shops. All needs can be found, but that big Winn Dixie or Publix’s is not around the corner. Wallmart? Ha! Try the Dollar Store and that is about seven miles down the road.

When invited to visit Cedar Key, I thought of Key West. Well, it is similar, but this town is not Duvall Street.It does have a Key feeling, but lacks all the headaches from the night before. A cocktail can be had in your hotel or at your condo on the private balcony over looking the Bay or the Gulf. There are a couple other places in town that you might like. Cedar Key is a place for a good book, a kayak trip, some fishing, and YOU! This is a “your time” place!

We had the pleasure of staying in a beautiful third floor condo at the Old Fenimore Mill Condominiums located at the very end of the main street in Cedar Key. This complex overlooks the Bay and has spectacular views and lovely sunsets. The rooms can be two or three bedrooms or more and they are very comfortable and well appointed. By-the-way, you have all the goodies included; i.e., cable TV, wireless, washer, dryer, etc. The complex swimming pool and Jacuzzi made each afternoon very relaxing. Check them out on the web www.fenimoremill.com or call 800-767-8354.


Food is not a problem in Cedar Key. Dinner in the Island Room could not have been more delicious. From Steamed Cedar Key clams to Crab Bisque, Shrimp Royale to Grouper Piccata, all of it was delightful and very tasty. The dining room is located right on the water and you can have cocktails on the porch outside. We met many visitors while there including Kay and Roy Hill from Sheffield, England and Geoffrey and Phyllis Field from Palms, California. So you see, this is a special place and ready for you to discover.

The next day we had a wonderful breakfast at the Depot, and met Betty, who helped us select one of the best breakfasts in Florida. You will enjoy this restaurant, up-stairs, right on the water. Betty, a local for 27 years comes from Kentucky and is related to Loretta Lynn and a personal friend of the Judd’s. She said, “I came to visit Cedar Key, stayed and have never gone back to Kentucky.” She knows it is paradise!

Next we had a fantastic catamaran tour with Tidewater Tours, Inc. with Doug and Barbara, owner and operators, seeing all of the nature and historical points of interest. Captain Doug is a tremendous tour guide and you will find this is a must on the Island while there. He offers three tours; I.e., The Island Tour, The Suwannee River Tour and The Coastal Marsh Tour. For reservations and information contract them direct at 352-543-9523 or check the Web www.TidewaterTours.com

After a little shopping and a swim in the pool at Old Fenimore Mill, it was off to the Island Hotel for dinner in their historical restaurant built in 1859. The hotel is owned and operated by Stanley and Andy Bair and is a perfect place for a quiet and romantic weekend. This Hotel housed many a famous guest including Tennessee Ernie Ford, Richard Boone and Myrna Loy (….for those of us old enough to remember!) and most recently Jimmy Buffet. This historic bed and breakfast operation is in the heart of Cedar Key and listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Our dinner consisted of the Island Hotel Original Heart of Palm Salad to Artichoke Hearts with Sautéed Shrimp. For the entrée it was Fish, Shrimp and Scallops baked a la David in butter, sherry, garlic, herbs and mushrooms. This is “to die for”! Everything is prepared from scratch with only the finest ingredients and the secret family recipes are delicious. The next morning we returned for what I consider the best french toast I have ever eaten in my life. WOW! For reservations and additional information call 352-543-5111 or go to the Web www.islandhotel-cedarkey.com

On the way out of Cedar Key we stopped to visit the Cedar Key Museum and State Park, the Cedar Key Area Chamber of Commerce and then the Southern Cross Sea Farms, Inc. Now this was one experience I will never forget. Owned and operated by Bill Leeming and under the scientific mind of Scotty Moots, who gave us a unbelievable tour in the life of clams, this is a must while visiting the Cedar Key area. My mistake was asking, “Where do you get the shells for the clams?” Scotty stopped and said, “Let me start from the beginning!” How was I to know that clams make their own shell! HELLO! Regardless, Scotty was very educational with his hands on presentation. If you like clams, you can order direct from the farm by calling 352-543-5980 or go to the Web www.clambiz.com. More clams are produced in Cedar Key than anywhere else in the country.

What a fun time! Thank you to all the members of the Chamber of Commerce for making us welcome. Cedar Key is like no other island. “It is just over there on the Gulf Coast down a long straight road, right in the middle or nature!” If you want to see “old Florida”, it is still alive and well in Cedar Key! Thanks to all for opening my eyes to a relaxing travel destination.