The best Golf Cart Tours in Cedar Key, FL
Cedar Key Museum State Park is one of the best places to start if you want to understand the history and natural landscape of Cedar Key, Florida. The 18-acre park combines a small history museum, peaceful grounds, a short nature trail and views of the surrounding salt marsh.
Florida State Parks currently lists the Cedar Key Museum as open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $2 per person, with children age 5 and younger admitted free. Because hours and conditions can change, verify current information with Florida State Parks before your visit.
The park is located at 12231 SW 166th Court, Cedar Key, FL 32625.
The museum covers Cedar Key history from Indigenous peoples through the timber era and the community’s development as a Gulf Coast port. Exhibits include detailed historic dioramas along with the shell and Native American artifact collections of longtime Cedar Key resident St. Clair Whitman.
The park is also associated with naturalist John Muir, who spent time in Cedar Key in 1867 after his long walk to the Gulf.
Important: Florida State Parks currently says the historic Whitman House is temporarily closed. The museum and park still provide plenty to explore, but visitors specifically hoping to tour the house should check its current status before arriving.
Don’t make the mistake of visiting only the museum building. A short nature trail leads toward the salt marsh and provides opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing. The park also has an unimproved canoe and kayak launch along the trail; portage is required.
For most visitors, this works well as a shorter stop within a larger Cedar Key day. History lovers may want more time to study the exhibits, while nature lovers can add the trail and marsh views.
The museum gives you the background; seeing the island itself helps bring that history to life. Continue planning with our Things to Do in Cedar Key guide or our Cedar Key Day Trip itinerary. For a guided introduction to the people, places and stories that shaped the island, explore our Cedar Key History Tour.
The museum currently charges $2 per person; children age 5 and younger are free.
Current Florida State Parks information lists Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Florida State Parks currently lists the Whitman House as temporarily closed. Check the official park information before visiting for the latest status.
This independent visitor guide is provided by Cedar Key Golf Cart Tours. Hours, fees and access can change; confirm time-sensitive details with Florida State Parks before your trip.