Eight Fall Family Adventures for a Fabulous Weekend Getaway

As the school year kicks into high gear, carving out time for a family vacation can feel impossible. But just because the homework has started piling up doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Picture this: a 36-hour weekend escape to Florida’s Nature Coast, where the charm of “old Florida” meets endless kid-friendly adventure. With Crystal River, Homosassa, and Inverness just a short drive away, you and your kids can easily drive and dive into a world of manatees, natural springs, and outdoor excitement. Here are eight activities that can make a weekend itinerary that’s budget friendly and unforgettable.

1) Three Sisters Springs & the Crystal River Shuttle, Crystal River

Welcome to nature’s classroom. At Three Sisters Springs, kids can spot fish, manatees, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and marvel at the crystal-clear water. A fun boardwalk circles the springs complex, allowing incredible access, along with hiking and biking trails to explore. To make it a day, get tickets for the Crystal River Shuttle that goes from Three Sisters Springs to Hunter Springs Park, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center, and Heritage Village.

2) Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center, Crystal River

Talk about budget-friendly! Visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center via the Crystal River shuttle, or on your own for free. The complex offers a gorgeous outdoor space with picnic tables right on Kings Bay near downtown. The park setting is dog-friendly and great for kids to run around. Inside they have interactive exhibits as well as a Junior Ranger Program for kids to learn all about manatees and the unique refuge.

3) Florida Cracker Monkey Bar and Monkey Island, Homosassa

No monkey business in the classroom, but in Homosassa, kids can go ape as they discover life on the water in an Old Florida fishing village. With plenty of activities to keep you busy, you’ll need to refuel, and there’s no place more amusing than the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar and Monkey Island. Enjoy piping-hot pizza while the kids watch a trio of spunky spider monkeys play on their island home right off the resort and restaurant. It’s totally unexpected and too cute to turn away!

4) Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Homosassa

A wonderful immersive experience for kids who love animals, the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is solely dedicated to Florida’s native wildlife. Kids will enjoy seeing Florida panthers, alligators, red wolves, black bears, a hippo named “Lu,” and much more at this low-cost state park surrounding Homosassa Springs. There’s even a boat tour and the ultimate family-friendly experience, the Underwater Observatory called “The Fish Bowl,” where visitors can “walk underwater” beneath the spring's surface. Manatee feeding times at the Fish Bowl are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The park also features two restaurants and a lovely gift shop. (All manatees at the park are being rehabilitated with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.)

5) Withlacoochee State Trail, Inverness

Inverness is small town Florida done right and perfect for a quick trip. Rent e-bikes or bring your skates and hop on the Withlacoochee State Trail for a beautiful day in nature, while burning off some excess energy. Start at the trailhead near the old Train Station and head south toward Floral City until the kids have had their fill. The generally flat terrain is covered by swaying trees and the trail offers a variety of fun stops. The most popular are Liberty Park, Wallace Brooks Park, and Fort Cooper State Park, all waterfront parks offering picnic tables, grilling areas, and playgrounds. P.S. There is also a playful cooter turtle sculpture that makes for great photo ops located near the Red Caboose on the trail head.

6) The Train Station at Liberty Park, Inverness

Whether you go during your bike ride on the Withlacoochee State Trail or solely for the pizza, the Train Station at Liberty Park is a great stop during a family getaway. Set in an authentic 1880s train station that has been refurbished, this dynamic location offers duckpin bowling, games, and a cute cafe that serves up all the kids’ favorites. Right outside is the Withlacoochee State Trail, a new playground and dazzling Lake Henderson.

7) Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, Lecanto

Unique to the area is Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, where kids can discover the enchantment of the ocean firsthand with 20+ exhibits, including interactive touch tanks with sea creatures and exotic birds. Plan your visit around the daily mermaid shows and get ready to be in awe! Expertly trained mermaids perform effortlessly in the water, showcasing their stunning tails and mesmerizing acrobatics in a 15,000-gallon Caribbean Saltwater Aquarium.

8) Bonus – Downtown Crystal River

Center your trip on downtown Crystal River for a fun and affordable weekend getaway. The charming town square runs along Citrus Avenue and is fun to explore. There are several colorful murals that will easily capture a child’s imagination – and make for a great photo opp! In addition to local flair, downtown offers a new splash pad and picnic pavilion, local boutiques, Guyer’s Ice Cream and Doughnuts, and two parks within walking distance: King’s Bay Park and Hunter Springs Park. King’s Bay Park has a kayak launch and great playground, and Hunter Springs Park has beach access with calm waters and a boardwalk. Manatees are known to frequent both areas so keep an eye out!

Whether planning for next weekend or later this fall, these eight outdoor adventures are ready when you are. And no matter how you spend your trip, there are plenty of lodging options to rest your head. Start planning your next kid-friendly, 36-hour getaway now at DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com.

About Crystal River Florida

Renowned as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River, Florida, is one of North America’s premier destinations for swimming with manatees. On a guided eco tour, you can enjoy an up-close encounter with these gentle giants. The city’s certified local guides ensure that this beloved, threatened species is treated with the utmost respect, using responsible passive observation techniques approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Located on Central Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River and the surrounding cities of Old Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City are an authentic showcase of outdoor adventure and scenic beauty. Within tens of thousands of acres of protected state parks, forests and wildlife refuges, visitors can explore miles of bicycling, walking, birding, and hiking trails to unlock a wild and wonderful world of natural, recreational and archaeological treasures. Pristine swimmable springs and a shimmering network of rivers, lakes, marshlands and mangroves make Crystal River perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, boating, fishing, scalloping and floating. Feeding the fun is a creative collection of restaurants, pubs, bistros and bars serving up freshly caught seafood and other seasonal favorites all year long. Begin your adventure at DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com or call (352) 794-5506.