Artist Series: A Weekend in Cedar Key, FL inspired, by Jimmy Buffett
Welcome to the Artist Series, where I pair albums with the perfect itineraries. Some people experience music through color—a neurological condition called chromesthesia. I don’t see music that way, but I do experience it through memories, places, and time. This is known as music-evoked autobiographical memory, and it’s actually pretty common.
Think of this series as a mix of travel inspiration and a personal diary. The connections I draw between albums and destinations come from the emotions, memories, and “vibes” each place stirs up for me. Sometimes the tie will be obvious—linked to a song lyric, a story about the artist, or the feeling of an album. Other times, it’s more abstract, built purely on the atmosphere and mood.
Either way, the goal is simple: to inspire new adventures and fresh ways of experiencing music. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
The Album:
Songs You Know By Heart, Jimmy Buffett
About Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett wasn’t just a musician, he was a storyteller who turned his love of the simple life into a lifestyle. Born and raised along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama, he found his signature, laid-back style in 1970s Key West. Buffett’s music blends folk, rock and breezy island rhythms that can instantly transport you to a vacation state of mind. His songs celebrate sunshine, saltwater, and not taking life too seriously.
Songs You Know By Heart & Why Cedar Key
I grew up on the Songs You Know By Heart, it was a staple in my dad’s tape deck. I’m pretty sure if he’d had the chance, he would have sailed away and become the pirate Jimmy sang about. Instead, he settled for a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and the occasional margarita.
Cedar Key, Florida feels like stepping into a Jimmy Buffett postcard, the kind of place he would have written a song about.
A tiny island town on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Cedar Key remains untouched by major development and corporate chains holding on to its “Old Florida” charm. Think colorful cottages, seafood shacks perched on the water, and sunsets that paint the Gulf in dazzling shades of orange & pink. Here, you’ll see more golf carts than cars. Buffett’s greatest hist provide the perfect soundtrack to this island escape. When you’re in Cedar Key, life slows down - this place has a rhythm of its own. It’s easy to imagine Buffett hanging out at the local tiki bar or strumming his guitar, barefoot in a hammock by the marshy bay that gives way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Things To Do in Cedar Key Florida
Dock Street
*Update - Dock Street was severely impacted by hurricane storm surges in 2024. A souvenir shop and The Tipsy Cow restaurant remain. Some businesses, like Steamers have moved to Second Street.
Dock Street is the Heart of Cedar Key’s waterfront. Lined with restaurants, bars and shops, Dock Street is the perfect spot to grab fresh seafood, sip on a fruity mixed drink and watch the boats come in.
Cedar Key State Park & Museum
The Cedar Key State Park & Museum takes visitors for a step back into history. Exhibits include information on the island’s past industries like cedar pencil mills and fishing. Additionally, on site you will find St. Clair Whitman's restored family home, an opportunity to see what life was like on the island in the 1920’s.
Kayaking & Island Hopping
The waters around Cedar Key are dotted with small islands and mangrove keys. Rent a kayak or hop on a boat to explore. If you’re up for adventure, take your kayak across the bay from Dock Street to explore Atsena Otie Key, the site of Cedar Key’s original settlement. Visitors to the island can explore ruins of old homes, a cemetery and the remnants of the Eberhard Faber pencil mill. Keep an eye on the tides as some areas can only be accessed at high tide!
Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge
The Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge is made up of about a dozen small islands only accessible by boat. It is home to ospreys, pelicans and bald eagles. A dream for birders and nature lovers!
Fishing
Fishing is the backbone of this community - you’ll see folks with a rod just about anywhere you can access the water. There are local charter operators who will take you out for the day. If you prefer to stick to land, some popular fishing spots include:
Dock Street Pier
Cemetery Point Board Walk
Atsena Otie Key
Take A Plane Ride
Cedar Key even has its own small private airstrip on the southwestern tip of the island. From here, you can hop on a private plane tour with Cedar Key Island Air Tours for a breathtaking aerial view of the surrounding barrier islands. It’s a unique and unforgettable way to experience the area, offering a whole new perspective on this hidden gem of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
About Cedar Key, Florida
Where is Cedar Key, Florida?
Cedar Key is a charming island town tucked along Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 60 miles southwest of Gainesville and two and a half hours north of Tampa. Part of Florida’s “Nature Coast,” it sits on the southern end of the Big Bend Scenic Byway, where the state’s panhandle curves into the peninsula.
Cedar Key History
In the mid-1800s, Cedar Key was one of Florida’s busiest ports and became famous for its thriving pencil industry, thanks to the abundance of local cedar trees. In 1861, Cedar Key became the first link of teh Florida Railroad - connecting east to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. During the Civil War, Union forces recognized the strategic location and occupied the islands. At that time, much of Cedar Key was burnt down - leaving behind only buildings that could be used for barracks or to store supplies.
Just offshore lies Atsena Otie Key, often called Cedar Key’s “abandoned island.” Once home to the original settlement including the Eberhard Faber pencil mill, it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1896 and never rebuilt.
When the timber industry collapsed and storms reshaped the town, Cedar Key reinvented itself. By the late 20th century, it became the heart of Florida’s clam farming industry. Thanks to the pristine waters of the Gulf and a supportive local community, Cedar Key grew into one of the largest producers of farm-raised clams in the United States. Today, these sustainable farms not only provide jobs but also protect water quality, since clams naturally filter and clean their environment.
Cedar Key Weather
Cedar Key enjoys the kind of weather you dream about for a laid-back island escape.
Spring is one of the most popular times to visit, with warm days, low humidity, and wildflowers blooming along the coast.
Summer is hot and humid, with plenty of sunshine and the occasional afternoon thunderstorm that rolls in off the Gulf and quickly clears.
Fall brings slightly cooler temperatures, fewer crowds
Winter is mild —think light sweaters in the evening and sunny afternoons perfect for strolling the waterfront.
Want more tips, personalized recommendations and access to perks such as complimentary upgrades and spa credits?
I would love to help you book your Cedar Key getaway!
