Looking for the best things to do in Cedar Key, Florida, from historic downtown to the waterfront? You’ve come to the right place. Cedar Key is a small island community on Florida’s Nature Coast known for its Old Florida charm, rich history, fresh seafood, wildlife, beautiful sunsets, and laid-back way of life.
Whether you’re visiting Cedar Key for a few hours, planning a day trip, or staying for the weekend, there’s much more to discover here than you might expect. As Cedar Key locals, we’ve put together this guide to some of our favorite ways to experience the island — including historic sites, local restaurants, outdoor adventures, hidden gems, and a few experiences visitors often miss.
1. Take a Cedar Key Golf Cart Tour
One of the best ways to experience Cedar Key for the first time is on a guided golf cart tour. The island may be small, but more than a century of history, fascinating characters, natural disasters, and local stories are packed into these few square miles.
Our 2-hour Cedar Key golf cart history tour takes you beyond the places most visitors see on their own. Along the way, you’ll discover the stories behind Cedar Key’s historic sites, neighborhoods, waterfront, and some of the hidden corners of the island while exploring from the comfort of a golf cart.
Explore our Cedar Key tours and experiences at https://livingcedarkey.com/cedar-key-experiences/ and more local guides: Cedar Key Beach, Cedar Key Fishing Pier, Cedar Key Museum State Park, Cedar Key Historical Society Museum, Cedar Key clams and clam farming, Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, Dock Street Cedar Key, Cemetery Point Park, and bird watching in Cedar Key.
Looking for something beyond the standard island tour? Explore the Atsena Otie Lost Island Adventure or make a full day of it with our Cedar Key Adventure Tour. You can also explore our Cedar Key Clam Farm Experience, Coffee and Cart Tour, and Sunset & Stories Tour.
2. Explore Historic Downtown Cedar Key & the Waterfront
Cedar Key is the kind of place that’s best explored slowly. Take a walk through the historic downtown, browse locally owned shops and galleries, and enjoy the colorful buildings and laid-back atmosphere that give the island its Old Florida character. If you want to bring a little of the island home, explore our Cedar Key gifts, art and Old Florida decor guide.
Be sure to make your way toward the waterfront and Dock Street, where you’ll find restaurants, shops, Gulf views, and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery. Cedar Key’s downtown waterfront is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore the historic downtown, Dock Street, local shops and Gulf views without a strict itinerary. If you’re planning to stay overnight, our Where to Stay in Cedar Key guide covers hotels, inns and vacation rentals around the island.
#3 Visit the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum
To understand Cedar Key, it helps to understand its remarkable history. The Cedar Key Historical Society Museum is a great place to learn about the people and events that shaped the island, from the railroad and early industries to fishing, hurricanes, and everyday life in old Cedar Key.
History is a big part of what makes Cedar Key different from many Florida destinations. A visit to the museum pairs especially well with exploring the island itself, where many of the places and stories from Cedar Key’s past can still be seen today.
#4: Walk Dock Street & Enjoy the Waterfront
No visit to Cedar Key is complete without spending some time along the waterfront. Dock Street is one of the island’s most recognizable areas, with restaurants, shops, colorful buildings, and wide-open views across the Gulf.
Grab a bite to eat, enjoy a drink overlooking the water, watch the boats come and go, or simply find a spot to take in the view. It’s an especially nice place to slow down in the late afternoon as the island begins to settle into sunset.
5. Eat Cedar Key Clams & Local Seafood
You can’t really experience Cedar Key without tasting the local seafood. The island is especially famous for its farm-raised clams, which have become an important part of Cedar Key’s modern economy and working-waterfront culture.
You’ll find local clams and fresh seafood served throughout the island, from casual waterfront spots to longtime local favorites. Whether you order steamed clams, clam chowder, fresh fish, or another Gulf Coast favorite, make time for at least one seafood meal while you’re here. For more options, see our Best Restaurants in Cedar Key guide, including waterfront dining and island favorites.
Local tip: If Cedar Key clams are on the menu, give them a try. They aren’t just something to eat — they’re part of the Cedar Key story
#6: Watch a Cedar Key Sunset
Sunsets are one of the simple pleasures of visiting Cedar Key. With the island surrounded by open water, marshes, and small offshore keys, there are plenty of places to watch the sky change as the sun drops toward the Gulf.
You can enjoy sunset from the waterfront, grab dinner or a drink with a view, or make an evening out of it with our Cedar Key Sunset Golf Cart Tour. The one-hour adults-only tour explores the island during one of the most beautiful times of day and finishes at the Tiki Bar, where you can settle in and enjoy the evening.
#7: Discover Cedar Key's Haunted History
Cedar Key has more than its share of ghost stories, legends, and unexplained happenings. With more than a century of hurricanes, shipwrecks, fires, epidemics, and colorful characters behind it, the island has accumulated plenty of stories that continue to be told today.
One of the best-known locations is the historic Island Hotel, where stories of unusual encounters and unexplained activity have been passed down for generations. But the hotel is only part of Cedar Key’s haunted past.
If you enjoy history with a darker side, our Cedar Key Haunted History Tour explores some of the island’s most fascinating stories and locations after dark.
Plan Your Visit to Cedar Key
Whether you’re coming to Cedar Key for a few hours or spending the entire weekend, the best way to experience the island is to slow down and explore. Driving in for the day? Use our Cedar Key trip guides from The Villages, Gainesville, Ocala, Crystal River, or Tampa. Enjoy the history, meet the locals, eat some fresh seafood, spend time along the waterfront, and leave a little room in your schedule to discover something you weren’t expecting. Staying longer? Use our 2-day Cedar Key weekend getaway itinerary to plan the rest of your visit.
If it’s your first visit, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in Cedar Key. And if you’d like a local to show you around, we’d love to have you join us on one of our Cedar Key golf cart tours.