Winter Break Family "Staycation" on the Nature Coast in Citrus County Florida

Everyone is scrimping their budgets these days, but sometimes we all need a vacation to relieve the tensions of everyday stresses. What better way is there to take a vacation and save money at the same time? Easy, take a family "Staycation" during your winter break.

If you live in Citrus County and are looking to save a few bucks, but still want to feel like you're really getting away from it all, check out these fun family things to do for your winter break "Staycation":

Manatee Watching & Swimming with the Manatees on your "Staycation" in Citrus County

Citrus County, Florida is home to the wonderful world of manatees. Since the manatee is susceptible to cold water (they cannot spend significant amounts of time in water under 68 degrees F), especially in the winter months, most migrate to the area of Crystal River, Florida where the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is located and allows manatees to enjoy the 72 degree year-round temperatures of the surrounding crystal clear springs. The area in and around Kings Bay is full of family fun things to do, from watching the gentle giants in their natural habitats, to guided tours, diving, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and even "swim with the manatees" tours. This is a "must see" trip every family should take at least once, and there are many places all around Citrus County offering all types of tours and activities pertaining to the manatees, here are some of them you can choose from:

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park -4150 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa- (352) 628-5343.

Crystal River Manatee Tours Snorkeling Diving Manatees Crystal ... Enjoy a Manatee Tour in Crystal River Florida today. Choose from several different Manatee tours , diving with Manatees, snorkeling with Manatees, ...see more at: http://www. manateetours usa.com/ . Or see: Manatee - Kayaking - Links - Gallery

Manatees in Florida | Manatee Tours | Swim With The Manatees on ...Sunshine River Tours invites you to come snorkel or swim with manatees in the Crystal River and the Homosassa River along the Nature Coast of West Central...see more at http:// www.sunshinerivertours.com/ .

Manatee tours , manatee swim, manatee dive, manatee snorkeling at ... Manatee dive, manatee snorkeling, manatee swim tours and boat rentals in Crystal River Florida. Come swim with the manatees.. .see more at: http://www.manatee-central.com/

Floridamanateetours- See more at http://www.floridamanateetours.com/

Swim with the Manatees in Crystal River Florida-River Ventures, Swim with the Manatees. Florida Manatee Swim Tours. Join us in Crystal River, Florida where you will embark on an exciting adventure to Swim with the manatees, see more at http://www.riverventures.com/

Crystal River Divers-Manatee Tours. Explore the underwater world of the manatee in Crystal River Florida, the only place in the globe where you can interact with the endangered manatees; more at http//:www.crystalriverdivers.com/

Florida Manatee Tours-Florida Manatee Tours to swim with the Florida Manatees are year round in Crystal River Fl. Florida Manatees are gentle and easy to swim or snorkel with. More info at: http://www.aquamarineimages.com/

Horseback riding on your "Staycation" in Citrus County;

Just Horse'N Around, Inc.-If you're into horses, this place is better than any theme park. Ride Florida's pristine wilderness on a one, two, three, or four hour excursion through Half Moon's 9,000 acres on this fully functional horseback riding stable offering; lessons, trail rides, barbecues, birthday party ponies, boarding, sales, stud services, and much more. Join them for a vacation you'll never forget. See here for more info. http://www.horsebackrental.com/

Rymar Ranch - Rymar Ranch adjoins the 44,000 acre Withlacoochee State Forest, and their horses are gentle and always beautifully maintained. Whether you are a first time rider or an experienced rider, the trail staff can customize your ride to suit your riding abilities.They offer one, one and a half and two hour rides in the forest. They can accommodate riders from ages 7 and up. See here for more info; http://www.rymarranch.com/Trail_Rides.htm

FYI: Terms used to describe horses of various ages from Wikipedia.org. -A Foal is a horse of either sex less than one year old. A Yearling is a horse of either sex that is between one and two years old. A Colt is a male horse under the age of four.A common terminology error is to call any young horse a "colt", when the term actually only refers to young male horses. A Filly is a female horse under the age of four. A Mare is a female horse four years old and older. A Stallion is a non-castrated male horse four years old and older. A Gelding is a castrated male horse of any age.-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse

Butterfly & Bird Watching in Citrus County on your family "Staycation"

The best place to see butterflies is the Homosassa Butterfly Garden, see this article I wrote which explains everything about this family fun place; A hidden gem on the Nature Coast; visit the Homosassa Butterfly Garden . It's one of my favorite places in Citrus County.

The Citrus County Birding Trail is part of the West Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Some of the most sought after bird species that can be seen in Citrus County include the Red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman's Sparrow, American White Pelican, Scrub Jay, Red Shouldered Hawk, and many more. See the citrusbirdingtrail.com website for more information.

Golf Courses in Citrus County

If golfing is your thing, there are quite a few really beautiful courses to try out on your Citrus County "Staycation". Click here to see a listing of all golf courses in Citrus County; from www.golfable.com.

Miniature Golf - at Shady Acres Park Mini Golf at; 8763 E Gulf To Lake Hwy., Inverness, FL 34450. And at Adventureland Miniature Golf & Driving Range in Floral City, right off hwy. 41 is a fun place for families.

Historical Tours & Sites to See in Citrus County on your "Staycation"

Below are listed some sites in Citrus County that are either historical sites, trails, parks, churches or museums with scads of historical significance. Just click on the links to get more information on each one. Everyone in the family will enjoy learning while having fun at these interesting sites located throughout Citrus County.

Coastal Heritage Museum , De Soto Trail, Duvall Island Boat Ramp , De Soto Trail Wallace Brooks Park, Florida Black Heritage Trail, Frazier Cemetery , Florida Black Heritage Trail, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Florida Native American Heritage Trail, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Florida Native American Heritage Trail, Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Historic Site, Fort Cooper State Park , Heritage Village in Crystal River, Historic Citrus County Courthouse, & Old Courthouse Heritage Museum , The Floral City Historic District

Airboat Tours in Citrus County on your "Staycation"

Airboats are a fun and eco-friendly way to take the family on a boat ride without polluting the waterways, and are especially great for use in wetlands, shallow water, obstructed waterways, bogs or swampy areas, as they use air for propulsion and don't churn up the water. Here are a few places that give airboat tours in Citrus County:

AirboaTours.com Capt. Stu (At Riverside Resort), NativeSunTours.com -with Capt Russ (at MacRae's), RiverSafaris.com Can accommodate larger groups too. HomosassaAirboat.com with Capt. Chuck at Homosassa Airboats, WildBillsAirboatTour.com - Wild Bills also has a larger airboats for bigger groups. And ManateeToursUSA.com also gives airboat tours. Also see airboat magazine for many air-boating events in the area.

Places to Stay & Play on your Citrus County "Staycation"

Riverside Resorts at Monkey Island - The Homosassa Riverside Resort is the best family resort in Citrus County, situated right on the banks of the Homosassa River. The resort is a great place to relax and have fun on your family "Staycation". There are endless activities such as river tours, manatee tours, fishing charters and more. You can share a sunset and riverside cocktail or just spend time dreaming by the pool. Enjoy theRiverside Crab House Restaurant, the Yardarm Lounge, or the infamous Monkey Bar where you can enjoy snacks, drinks and live entertainment on the double-decker tiki bar that overlooks Monkey Island. Watch the gorgeous sunsets, the playful antics of the monkeys who inhabit the island, the passing dolphins, the jumping tarpon, playful otters, manatee, and many native birds, even Bald Eagles.

Some Bed & Breakfast Inns in Citrus County - Heritage House Bed & Breakfast , Magnolia Glen , Pine Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Lake House Bed and Breakfast , Running Deer Lodge, Chassahowitzka Hotel Web site.

Campgrounds & RV Parks in Citrus County: There are over 20 different campsites, RV parks and Camping Resorts in Citrus County with more than enough fun things to do at each one. See VisitCitrus.com for more information on all of them.

Go to VisitCitrus.com for specials and coupons for local accommodations and tours/activities, etc.

Helpful Links to more Manatee, Golfing, Fishing, Nature Trails, Horseback Riding, and General Area Information for your "Staycation" in Citrus County:

Local favorites; Airboat Tours
Manatee Tours
Airboat Rides
Local favorites; Airboat Tours
Backwater Tours
Horse Camping Trail Riding Hiking
Golf Resort and Spa
Citrus County Fishing Guides
Crystal River Kayak Rentals
Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
Homosassa Boat Rentals
Mud Bogging ATV
Florida RV Parks RV Resorts Campgrounds
Citrus County Lodging RV Parks Events Activities
Crystal River Fishing Guides Fishing Charters
Yankeetown Fishing Guides Fishing Charters
Crystal River Florida
Homosassa Florida
Dunnellon Florida
Yankeetown Florida
Ocala Florida
Fanning Springs Florida
Lake Roussseau

Resources & More Reading :

Visit Citrus.com; http://www.visitcitrus.com

Coupons for Accomodations/Activities/Tours

A hidden gem on the Nature Coast; visit the Homosassa Butterfly Garden

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

CitrusBirdingTrail.com website

Crystal River Manatee Tours

Sunshine River Tours

Floridamanateetours

Just Horse'N Around, Inc.

Rymar Ranch

Riverside Resorts at Monkey Island

Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse

Golf courses in Citrus County; from www.golfable.com

Citrus Springs Real Estate;