Maggie & Ric's GuideBook of things to do and places to eat, drink & be merry

Maggie & Ric
Maggie & Ric
Maggie & Ric's GuideBook of things to do and places to eat, drink & be merry

Food Scene

All these places we have tried and recommend. And 2 play music Thursday - Sunday (Crumps & Seagrass in Homosassa)
Chef Owned & Operated. Beautiful Presentation, Attentive Staff w/Fantastic Taste makes this one of our favorites. But only approx. 9 tables, so reservations preferred (even an hour in advance). Favorite dishes, Seafood Pasta (plenty of seafood), Crab Cakes, Lobster Bisque, etc.
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Katch Twenty-Two
2924 W Gulf to Lake Hwy
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Chef Owned & Operated. Beautiful Presentation, Attentive Staff w/Fantastic Taste makes this one of our favorites. But only approx. 9 tables, so reservations preferred (even an hour in advance). Favorite dishes, Seafood Pasta (plenty of seafood), Crab Cakes, Lobster Bisque, etc.
Sports Bar that has extensive menu but most everything is tasty with sports memorabilia & tvs on every wall (Pool tables, darts and other family or couple's fun) with very reasonable prices. Main st. Downtown Historical Inverness
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Coach's Pub & Eatery
114 W Main St
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Sports Bar that has extensive menu but most everything is tasty with sports memorabilia & tvs on every wall (Pool tables, darts and other family or couple's fun) with very reasonable prices. Main st. Downtown Historical Inverness
Best Rueben Sandwiches we have ever had. Really good Waldorf Salads. Hamburgers are good too. Just a local pub done right. Beer & wine. Often they have music out on their back outside deck or streetside seating with a 1 or 2 piece band. And a great ice cream shop next door. All in Historical Downtown Inverness
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Pine Street Pub
108 N Pine Ave
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Best Rueben Sandwiches we have ever had. Really good Waldorf Salads. Hamburgers are good too. Just a local pub done right. Beer & wine. Often they have music out on their back outside deck or streetside seating with a 1 or 2 piece band. And a great ice cream shop next door. All in Historical Downtown Inverness
Italian Restaurant done well. Small place next door to several other cute little places in Historical Downtown Inverness. Known for their Lobster Ravioli and other pasta dishes. Pizza is very good as well. Look on Trip Advisor for their reviews.
Motor City Pasta Company
108 W Main St
Italian Restaurant done well. Small place next door to several other cute little places in Historical Downtown Inverness. Known for their Lobster Ravioli and other pasta dishes. Pizza is very good as well. Look on Trip Advisor for their reviews.
If you are looking for a consistently good meal, this chain restaurant has steaks, lobster, shrimp, salmon, pork chops, etc and always consistent for just a good meal. Great Chopped Salad, one of our favorite side dishes.
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Outback Steakhouse
2225 Hwy 44 W
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If you are looking for a consistently good meal, this chain restaurant has steaks, lobster, shrimp, salmon, pork chops, etc and always consistent for just a good meal. Great Chopped Salad, one of our favorite side dishes.
A little fresh seafood place, that looks like a hole in the wall but is a locals favorite for fresh seafood. VERY CASUAL. You pull up to a fish market with commercial fisherman's boats all around. But find the somewhat hidden door to the restaurant and enjoy delicious Stone Crab, King Crab, Blackened Salmon, Smoked Fish Spread. But heads up, you will be eating on paper plates & plastic utensils until you try the King Crab cracked for you with 100% real drawn butter. Just a unique locals place. And sit waterfront overlooking Kings Bay.
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The Crab Plant
201 NW 5th St
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A little fresh seafood place, that looks like a hole in the wall but is a locals favorite for fresh seafood. VERY CASUAL. You pull up to a fish market with commercial fisherman's boats all around. But find the somewhat hidden door to the restaurant and enjoy delicious Stone Crab, King Crab, Blackened Salmon, Smoked Fish Spread. But heads up, you will be eating on paper plates & plastic utensils until you try the King Crab cracked for you with 100% real drawn butter. Just a unique locals place. And sit waterfront overlooking Kings Bay.
Best ever Shrimp Boil. Locals flock to this place. Not sure how but they make a very simple u-peel and eat shrimp dish in a way that everyone comes just for that. Their clam chowder in a bread bowl is delicious. And their prices on all their sandwiches and dishes are reasonable for sure. This used to be a commercial freezer for fisherman bringing in their catch to sell. Now they converted it into a unique local hot spot on the water. So come by boat or car. You get in line and order and then find a table. They call out your name and deliver your food. So grab your table while your partner gets in line. Just a unique way to eat and have a beer or wine with your dinner. Very Casual.
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The Freezer Tiki Bar
5590 S Boulevard Dr
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Best ever Shrimp Boil. Locals flock to this place. Not sure how but they make a very simple u-peel and eat shrimp dish in a way that everyone comes just for that. Their clam chowder in a bread bowl is delicious. And their prices on all their sandwiches and dishes are reasonable for sure. This used to be a commercial freezer for fisherman bringing in their catch to sell. Now they converted it into a unique local hot spot on the water. So come by boat or car. You get in line and order and then find a table. They call out your name and deliver your food. So grab your table while your partner gets in line. Just a unique way to eat and have a beer or wine with your dinner. Very Casual.
Waterfront seafood dining on the Ozello Trail. Kewl little spot down this winding twisting road that is known for motorcycle enthusiast to go up and down for its twists and turns. But at almost the end is this unique family seafood restaurant that has good prices with large proportions. Fun little locals place to try.
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Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello Trail
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Waterfront seafood dining on the Ozello Trail. Kewl little spot down this winding twisting road that is known for motorcycle enthusiast to go up and down for its twists and turns. But at almost the end is this unique family seafood restaurant that has good prices with large proportions. Fun little locals place to try.
Seafood with the flavor of New Orleans. They do have other non-seafood items on them menu. We recommend you try the Clam Chowder, Blue Crab Balls & the Seafood Gumbo with Gator Sausage. Quite good. They have a full liquor bar and is a great little locals place to check out.
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Seafood Seller & Cafe
300 Southeast US Highway 19
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Seafood with the flavor of New Orleans. They do have other non-seafood items on them menu. We recommend you try the Clam Chowder, Blue Crab Balls & the Seafood Gumbo with Gator Sausage. Quite good. They have a full liquor bar and is a great little locals place to check out.
Great Seafood place right on the Homosassa River. Fantastic Calamari (lightly breaded, very tender), Great Grouper & Grouper Cheeks. Loved their Philly Cheese Steak Sub. Fried Oysters & Fried Mushrooms were great too. All freshly made food. Fresh Trigger Fish as well. We go there quite often and have brought friends as well. Highly recommended.
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Marguerita Grill
10200 W Halls River Rd
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Great Seafood place right on the Homosassa River. Fantastic Calamari (lightly breaded, very tender), Great Grouper & Grouper Cheeks. Loved their Philly Cheese Steak Sub. Fried Oysters & Fried Mushrooms were great too. All freshly made food. Fresh Trigger Fish as well. We go there quite often and have brought friends as well. Highly recommended.
Best Mexican Restaurant we have found in this area. Great Margaritas, love their Taquitos, Guacamole, Enchiladas, etc. We will drive a long way for good Mexican, but no need. Cause this place is 5-10 minutes away and has a full liquor bar. Excellent Reviews too.
Los Magueyes Inverness
1674 US-41
Best Mexican Restaurant we have found in this area. Great Margaritas, love their Taquitos, Guacamole, Enchiladas, etc. We will drive a long way for good Mexican, but no need. Cause this place is 5-10 minutes away and has a full liquor bar. Excellent Reviews too.
Home of the "Little Big Burger". Great burgers at a great price. We love their hamburger, fries and both of us can eat there for $10. Great for lunch. They have fantastic milk shakes, banana pudding and home made root beer (a well known fountain soft drink in the United States).
Paige's Root Beer
2147 West Norvell Bryant Highway
Home of the "Little Big Burger". Great burgers at a great price. We love their hamburger, fries and both of us can eat there for $10. Great for lunch. They have fantastic milk shakes, banana pudding and home made root beer (a well known fountain soft drink in the United States).
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Kawa Sushi House
109 Courthouse Square
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If you want a steak or a good burger and nice huge house salad, with peanuts to eat and throw the shells on the floor with a full liquor bar & over in the Crystal River Area, after swimming or kayaking with the manatees, then Cody's is a good option. I think Weds they have 2 for the price of 1 steak and/or chicken fajitas. Good place for chicken wings as well. Good variety of food.
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Cody's Original Roadhouse
305 SE US Hwy 19
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If you want a steak or a good burger and nice huge house salad, with peanuts to eat and throw the shells on the floor with a full liquor bar & over in the Crystal River Area, after swimming or kayaking with the manatees, then Cody's is a good option. I think Weds they have 2 for the price of 1 steak and/or chicken fajitas. Good place for chicken wings as well. Good variety of food.
Sitting on Homosassa River their Cobia Sandwich is a fresh local fish that is delicious. Great local shrimp in a bucket ready for you to peel & eat while LISTENING TO THE BAND that plays outside (dockside) next to the tiki bars. Check their website but usually entertainment is Friday, Saturday & Sunday
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Seagrass Waterfront & Tiki Bar
10386 W Halls River Rd
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Sitting on Homosassa River their Cobia Sandwich is a fresh local fish that is delicious. Great local shrimp in a bucket ready for you to peel & eat while LISTENING TO THE BAND that plays outside (dockside) next to the tiki bars. Check their website but usually entertainment is Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Want to sit and watch the sea planes land and take off while having a cocktail and/or good lunch. This is a place where I enjoyed fish n chips and a pina colada while I watched the people take the sea planes to have lunch on the other side of the lake. If you are interested in a special sea plane ride/tour/hop over for lunch, type of ride, let us know and we can send you the link. Or check out Tavaries, FL for Sea Plane tours. We enjoyed this place on the way to Mt. Dora riding along Lakeshore Drive. Gorgeous drive.
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Puddle Jumpers
111 West Ruby Street
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Want to sit and watch the sea planes land and take off while having a cocktail and/or good lunch. This is a place where I enjoyed fish n chips and a pina colada while I watched the people take the sea planes to have lunch on the other side of the lake. If you are interested in a special sea plane ride/tour/hop over for lunch, type of ride, let us know and we can send you the link. Or check out Tavaries, FL for Sea Plane tours. We enjoyed this place on the way to Mt. Dora riding along Lakeshore Drive. Gorgeous drive.

Drinks & Nightlife

Weekends they typically have great music (rock and roll). This is a local's place that has motorcycle events as well as great bands. Just look on their site to view their calendar of bands. 30 minute drive from our house to High Octane.
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High Octane Saloon
1590 S Suncoast Blvd
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Weekends they typically have great music (rock and roll). This is a local's place that has motorcycle events as well as great bands. Just look on their site to view their calendar of bands. 30 minute drive from our house to High Octane.

Activities in the local area. We are central to all the activitiesetc.

If you want to SWIM WITH THE MANATEES (INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE) , Scallop, Swim in the Springs, Snorkel, Kayak down a gorgeous river, AIRBOAT RIDES THRU THE HOMOSASSA RIVER AND OUT TO THE GULF OF MEXICO (EXCEPTIONAL), see State Parks with gorgeous sites or local animals, then check then click on these links for pics and websites as well as the maps of where they are. 1ST listed are restaurants, then keep scrolling down for things to do that are FANTASTIC THINGS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THIS AREA. Message us if you need help. Ask for Irish Dave. He is the most knowledgable. We have told all our friends about this tour. Too Fun.
Scalloping and/or Fishing Charters. Great charter boat to go Scalloping during Scallop Season from July 1 - Sept. 24th yearly. It is like Underwater Easter Egg Hunting. They provide all gear needed. Also if you want to go on a fishing charter, they provide the rods, fishing licenses and everything you need. Lots of fun to be had no matter what you want to do on the water. Just look up Nature Coast Adventures . Com
Nature Coast Adventures with Capt. Mike Baize
5300 S Cherokee Way
Scalloping and/or Fishing Charters. Great charter boat to go Scalloping during Scallop Season from July 1 - Sept. 24th yearly. It is like Underwater Easter Egg Hunting. They provide all gear needed. Also if you want to go on a fishing charter, they provide the rods, fishing licenses and everything you need. Lots of fun to be had no matter what you want to do on the water. Just look up Nature Coast Adventures . Com
Snorkel or scuba dive in this gorgeous spring and cave system. They can provide dive & snorkel gear. Just see the link for their website
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Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
5390 NE 180th Ave
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Snorkel or scuba dive in this gorgeous spring and cave system. They can provide dive & snorkel gear. Just see the link for their website
Great reviews and lots of our guests have said they do a GREAT JOB of finding the manatees and helping you swim with them. They provide wetsuits and snorkel gear. Click on the link. In the winter when the water is cold in the Gulf of Mexico, then hundreds of manatees flock to these springs. In the summer time, 40-50 manatees (moms and they babies & teenagers) stay in the river and springs. AMAZING AND GENTLE CREATURES. AN experience you don't want to miss. Not a tourist trap.
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Famous Bird's Underwater Manatee Dive Center
320 US-19
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Great reviews and lots of our guests have said they do a GREAT JOB of finding the manatees and helping you swim with them. They provide wetsuits and snorkel gear. Click on the link. In the winter when the water is cold in the Gulf of Mexico, then hundreds of manatees flock to these springs. In the summer time, 40-50 manatees (moms and they babies & teenagers) stay in the river and springs. AMAZING AND GENTLE CREATURES. AN experience you don't want to miss. Not a tourist trap.
We have used this group and think they do an amazing job. I was hugged for 10 minutes by a manatee in December. Just an amazing experience. Less expensive than Birds Underwater. But I think they are a little bit shorter of a tour. So check them both out. This group has never failed to find the manatees for our guests to swim with and get up close and personal with them. In the winter, we have hundreds of manatees in Crystal RiverArea. And in the summer time, there are 40-50 moms and their babies and teenagers. They provide the snorkel gear and wet suits and bring you by boat to swim where the manatees are. Even if you only see & swim with 1 manatee, it is worth the trip.
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Manatee Tour and Dive
36 NE 4th St
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We have used this group and think they do an amazing job. I was hugged for 10 minutes by a manatee in December. Just an amazing experience. Less expensive than Birds Underwater. But I think they are a little bit shorter of a tour. So check them both out. This group has never failed to find the manatees for our guests to swim with and get up close and personal with them. In the winter, we have hundreds of manatees in Crystal RiverArea. And in the summer time, there are 40-50 moms and their babies and teenagers. They provide the snorkel gear and wet suits and bring you by boat to swim where the manatees are. Even if you only see & swim with 1 manatee, it is worth the trip.
GORGEOUS SPRING you can swim in, walk thru the trails to see the picturesque waterfalls. A MUST SEE. STUNNING VIEWS.
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Taman Negeri Rainbow Springs
19158 SW 81st Pl Rd
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GORGEOUS SPRING you can swim in, walk thru the trails to see the picturesque waterfalls. A MUST SEE. STUNNING VIEWS.
This outfit does a GREAT JOB of renting Kayaks & Tubes to float down the Rainbow River that is crystal clear. Then they pick you up at the bottom and bring you back up to your car.
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Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
12121 River View
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This outfit does a GREAT JOB of renting Kayaks & Tubes to float down the Rainbow River that is crystal clear. Then they pick you up at the bottom and bring you back up to your car.
RESERVATIONS A MUST for kayaking: Gorgeous springs & river to kayak down. Our favorite river to kayak on actually. But this is the only place you can rent a kayak at the top, kayak down and then they will bring you back to your car. All the others you have to start at the bottom and kayak against the river. BUT YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS. THEY STAY BOOKED UP MOST OF THE TIME. Crazy but true!!! If they are full then call Kayak Shack and you can paddle against the river and drift down. You just won't make it to top, more than likely. So book Weeki Wachee's State Park's Kayaking. No other company that sounds similar. If you have the right one then you park in the STATE PARK at the back of the parking lot to kayak with them.
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Taman Negeri Weeki Wachee Springs
6131 Commercial Way
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RESERVATIONS A MUST for kayaking: Gorgeous springs & river to kayak down. Our favorite river to kayak on actually. But this is the only place you can rent a kayak at the top, kayak down and then they will bring you back to your car. All the others you have to start at the bottom and kayak against the river. BUT YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS. THEY STAY BOOKED UP MOST OF THE TIME. Crazy but true!!! If they are full then call Kayak Shack and you can paddle against the river and drift down. You just won't make it to top, more than likely. So book Weeki Wachee's State Park's Kayaking. No other company that sounds similar. If you have the right one then you park in the STATE PARK at the back of the parking lot to kayak with them.
Walk thru the park after a small boat ride to see manatees underwater in the underwater observation room. All animals are local to Florida. Actually a nice time.
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Pintu Masuk Barat Taman Hidupan Liar Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs
9225 W Fishbowl Dr
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Walk thru the park after a small boat ride to see manatees underwater in the underwater observation room. All animals are local to Florida. Actually a nice time.
This is the closest beach. It isn't large cause this area is known for springs. But this is a beach you can go to and sit and watch the sunset and see the views. Nice ride down a winding road to see the Gulf of Mexico.
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Fort Island Beach
W Fort Island Trail
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This is the closest beach. It isn't large cause this area is known for springs. But this is a beach you can go to and sit and watch the sunset and see the views. Nice ride down a winding road to see the Gulf of Mexico.
This is a great little beach about 45 minutes away. Get there early to make sure you can get in. You have to pay a small fee to park and they have snack bar there. The next BIG BEACH would be Clearwater Beach at Pier 60. Look for our link
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Pine Island Beach Park
10800 Pine Island Dr
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This is a great little beach about 45 minutes away. Get there early to make sure you can get in. You have to pay a small fee to park and they have snack bar there. The next BIG BEACH would be Clearwater Beach at Pier 60. Look for our link
If you want to take a day trip about 1.5 hours south, or go there next to stay after checking out of our place, check out Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. Also see all the commercial fishing boats to see their catch of the day. Beautiful Sparkling Clean Beaches.
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Pantai Clearwater
Gulf of Mexico Drive
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If you want to take a day trip about 1.5 hours south, or go there next to stay after checking out of our place, check out Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. Also see all the commercial fishing boats to see their catch of the day. Beautiful Sparkling Clean Beaches.
CEDAR KEY IS A VERY KEWL location full of restaurants. Our favorite there is Steamers Clam Bar & Grill. But search for Cedar Key, Florida on Trip Advisor to see this historical village on the water. A MUST SEE that is a little over 1 hour away and worth the drive if you want to see Old Florida. Homosassa by the way is truly Old Florida as well. But Cedar Key is for those that want to walk thru shops and try different seafoods and spend the day at a kewl old town where people go there and never leave once they live there. Its amazing. And they harvest Clams locally there as well. Yum
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Steamers Clam Bar & Grill
420 Dock St
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CEDAR KEY IS A VERY KEWL location full of restaurants. Our favorite there is Steamers Clam Bar & Grill. But search for Cedar Key, Florida on Trip Advisor to see this historical village on the water. A MUST SEE that is a little over 1 hour away and worth the drive if you want to see Old Florida. Homosassa by the way is truly Old Florida as well. But Cedar Key is for those that want to walk thru shops and try different seafoods and spend the day at a kewl old town where people go there and never leave once they live there. Its amazing. And they harvest Clams locally there as well. Yum
LOVE LOVE MOUNT DORA. Take a ride over for lunch or dinner or just walk thru all the historical little town up and down the various roads. You can also take a sea plane to eat across the lake or take the train for lunch and see the views of this kewl town that looks down on the large lake. ALL THE RESTAURANTS are great and go out of business if they aren't. So check Trip Advisor for the best ones. And go into the Olive Oil Tasting Store. I was hesitant and OMG SO GLAD i DID. I sampled all of them and they were delicious.
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Mount Dora
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LOVE LOVE MOUNT DORA. Take a ride over for lunch or dinner or just walk thru all the historical little town up and down the various roads. You can also take a sea plane to eat across the lake or take the train for lunch and see the views of this kewl town that looks down on the large lake. ALL THE RESTAURANTS are great and go out of business if they aren't. So check Trip Advisor for the best ones. And go into the Olive Oil Tasting Store. I was hesitant and OMG SO GLAD i DID. I sampled all of them and they were delicious.
CRAZY FUN AIRBOAT RIDES. We HIGHLY recommend doing this. Great value. We did this Airboat ride and the 2 of us were $49.95 each (so $103.00 after tax). And we have lived in Florida for many years and this and the Swimming with the Manatees are both the 2 best THINGS to do in this area and are NOT a tourist trap type of thing. Just PURE FUN!!!
River Ventures - Homosassa
10823 W Yulee Dr
CRAZY FUN AIRBOAT RIDES. We HIGHLY recommend doing this. Great value. We did this Airboat ride and the 2 of us were $49.95 each (so $103.00 after tax). And we have lived in Florida for many years and this and the Swimming with the Manatees are both the 2 best THINGS to do in this area and are NOT a tourist trap type of thing. Just PURE FUN!!!
Great place to listen to music on the weekends in the Downtown Square of Inverness.
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MC Wine Bar
103 W Main St
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Great place to listen to music on the weekends in the Downtown Square of Inverness.