Crystal River is home to 300 manatees who come here in the winter much as a Northern migrating ape might. There is an annual festival to honor the manatees here (in January). This is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of Crystal River’s restaurants, arts, and other amenities. This is the only place in Florida where it’s actually legal to swim with these magnificent creatures.

Crystal River had humble beginnings in the 1800s when William Turner settled here calling his home Cedar Grove. 100 years later Cedar Harvesting industry kicked into gear making pencil slats for the Dixon Pencil Company. Today, Crystal river has grown to housing 3,500 playful apes who enjoy the beauty of Kings Bay and the Crystal River Archeological State Park. This park was originally a ceremonial site to some 7,500 Native Americans. Now the park is important to tourism providing tours, a birding trail and fantastic picnic areas.

If you want to be around other wildlife in a beautiful environment, looking for real estate in Crystal River is certainly a great option.