Summer is almost here and it is the perfect time to get out and experience all that Citrus County has to offer.

In addition to all of the great amenities you have access to here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, there are also plenty of fun things to do all over the county. 

We have covered dozens of these exciting activities over the years. But since summer always has everyone feeling like they are ready for a new experience, we thought it might be a good idea to revisit some of the most popular things to do around Citrus County. 

There is an entire summer’s worth of fun amongst these seven Citrus County activities! 

Planning the Perfect Picnic

A while back we looked at seven of the best picnic spots Citrus County has to offer. There aren’t many better ways to spend a summer afternoon than with a nice picnic lunch, a bottle of wine, and a stunning view of the woods or the water. 

This article features picnic locations with historical significance like the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park and Crystal River Archaeological State Park, as well as other scenic destinations like the Withlacoochee State Forest and Kings Bay Park.  Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/7-perfect-picnic-spots-right-here-in-citrus-county

Getting Started Bicycling 

Summer is also a wonderful time to take up a new hobby like bicycling. This article details the best places to purchase or rent a bike, some of the basic rules of riding on the local trails, and which trails are best for beginners. 

With the Villages of Citrus Hills located so close to bike shops and trails in nearby Inverness, you’ll be hard pressed to find a reason not to hit the pavement this summer.   Click on the link below to view the article.  

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/how-to-get-started-bicycling-in-citrus-county

Play With Manatees 

For anyone just visiting Citrus County, learning all there is to know about manatees is almost always at the top of their to-do list. However, those of us who make our home here often neglect to make time to visit with these amazing creatures regularly. 

If you would like to spend some time interacting with our favorite local mammals this summer, our article has some helpful information on three of the best places to find manatees.   Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/the-best-place-to-experience-manatees-is-citrus-county

Tour Local Wineries

If you are planning a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine, you might want to think about stopping at a local winery to get that wine! Of course, those local wines are also great to have on hand just about any other time during the summer as well. 

We put together a list of all of the local wineries complete with their addresses, phone numbers, and website links. With a total of 13 wineries on the list, visiting each of them could be a project that might take you all summer to complete.  Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/wineries-in-the-greater-citrus-county

Stand Up Paddleboarding 

While kayaking and canoeing have been popular for years, stand up paddleboarding is the next big thing. Basically, you head out into the water on an oversized surfboard, stand up, and use an oar to paddle yourself along. 

We published this article breaking down everything you need to know about stand up paddleboarding, including where to get the equipment and where the best places are to try it out.  Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/new-florida-resident-guide-to-stand-up-paddleboarding

Scalloping Season

The summer months also happen to fall right in the middle of scalloping season. So if you are a seafood lover, you will definitely want to take advantage and catch some fresh scallops this year.

 We’ve got you covered here as well with this article that is packed with information about scalloping charters, the rules and limits associated with scalloping, and some delicious advice on cooking your scallops.     Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/florida-scalloping-season-is-here

Scuba Diving 

While the Gulf Coast might not have access to as many interesting shipwrecks as the Florida Keys, there are still plenty of interesting places for local scuba divers to explore. This article covers all of the interesting dive locations that are created by our freshwater springs.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are interesting scuba diving locations for all divers of all abilities to explore throughout Citrus County.   Click on the link below to view the article.

http://blog.citrushills.com/blog/scuba-diving-around-the-villages-of-citrus-hills

While there's a lot to do in your backyard at the Villages of Citrus Hills, take advantage of the summertime with lots of activities around the Nature Coast.