11 Best Things to Do in Inverness, FL

By VI Staff on July 26, 2020 - Updated

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Situated in central Florida’s Citrus County, Inverness is a sunny city surrounded by vast groves of citrus trees, verdant forests, tranquil lakes, and beautiful landscapes that provide a wealth of outdoor recreational activities. The pet-friendly Fort Cooper State Park offers fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking, and swimming, while the Liberty and Wallace Brooks Parks are located along the year-round Withlacoochee Trail. Other fun attractions in and around the city include the Citrus County Speedway, historic Citrus County Courthouse, the 1926 Valerie Theatre, and the Whispering Pines Park with three walking trails and an Olympic size swimming pool. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Withlacoochee State Trail

The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 46-mile long paved multi-use trail with numerous access points and is suitable for all skill levels of hikers, rollerbladers, and bicyclists. The trail extends along US301 in Pasco County through several towns, including Trilby, Istachatta, Inverness, and Citrus Springs to the northern trailhead near Dunnellon. A dirt track runs parallel to the Withlacoochee State Trail for horseback riders, and facilities along the trail include restrooms with drinking water, picnic spots, ample parking, as well as parking for vehicles with horse trailers at the Citrus Springs, Ridge Manor, and Gulf Junction trailheads.

Withlacoochee State Trail, Brooksville, FL 34602

2.Old Courthouse Heritage Museum

Nestled in the heart of Historic Downtown Inverness, the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum is dedicated to the art, culture, and heritage of Inverness with an array of award-winning exhibits that focus on the pioneering days of the city. Permanent exhibits in the museum include artifacts and displays devoted to the history of Citrus County and the impact of the citrus and film industries on Central Florida, highlighting Elvis Presley’s visit to Citrus County to film Follow That Dream. The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum also hosts special events and programs such as monthly concert series featuring acoustic, blues and jazz, and a Coffee and Conversations Series.

1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 352-341-6428

3.Cooter Pond Park

Cooter Pond Park is a lovely urban green park within walking distance of the downtown historic district and the Historic Courthouse. Named for the Cooter turtles which reside in the park’s pond, Cooter Pond Park features grassy lawns and a pavilion for picnicking, scenic overlooks with benches, and a boardwalk with interpretive signage along the way. There are several nature trails around the park, and the pond is home to a variety of fish species, turtles, alligators, and several bird species that nest around its edges. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.

181 US Hwy 41 S, Inverness, FL 34450

4.Fort Cooper State Park

Fort Cooper State Park is a 710-acre nature reserve that is home to Lake Holathlikaha and a diverse array of fauna and flora. The lake provides a wealth of recreational activities from canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating, and fishing, and swimming is allowed when water levels are high enough. The surrounding terrain offers excellent hiking on numerous self-guided trails, and some of the best bird and wildlife watching in the county. Other facilities in the park include a recreation hall, a primitive group campground, several lovely picnic sites, and seasonal boat-borne nature tours.

3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, Florida 34450, Phone: 352-726-0315

5.Shirdi Sai Center of South Florida

The Shirdi Sai Baba temple of South Florida is a religious institution that facilitates worship services similar to those held in Shirdi, India. Established in Lake Worth, the temple was opened in Florida in 2014 and features the main prayer hall for the deities, a meditation hall for meditation and reading sat Charitra, classrooms near the temple, and a multipurpose building with a kitchen and dining hall. The temple offers prasad to devotees on Thursdays, and hosts special events, religious festivals, and functions throughout the year.

4761 Myrtle Dr, Lake Worth, FL 33463, Phone: 561-619-8598

6.Holder Mine Recreation Area

Located southwest of Inverness, the Holder Mine Recreation Area is a vast nature reserve that forms part of the 50,000-acre Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The area offers a wealth of recreational activities, ranging from camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as seasonal hunting in the Citrus Wildlife Management area. The Holder Mine campground offers 27 campsites with electricity, water, and sewerage hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, as well as a covered pavilion, two bathhouses, and an RV dump station.

4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL 34452, Phone: 352-797-4140

7.Olde Inverness Antiques

Olde Inverness Antiques a multi-dealer mall in historic downtown Inverness that offers a large variety of antiques and collectibles. Owners Steve Barnes and Cindy DeVries bring old things back to life in well-displayed stalls that showcase a wealth of interesting, eclectic, and vintage furnishings, objects, artworks, jewelry, glassworks, ceramics and china, clothing, and collectibles. Vintage-lovers, bargain hunters, and people wanting unique and one-of-a-kind gifts will love this treasure trove.

104 N Pine Ave, Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 352-344-0333

8.Florida Best Blueberry Farm

Florida Best Blueberry Farm is a family-owned and operated working blueberry farm that produces fresh, Florida-grown blueberries for commercial markets. At the end of the season, the farm is opened for the public to pick their blueberries and purchase by weight. Florida Best Blueberry Farm also sells a variety of blueberry-related products such as Blueberry Jam, Honey, and frozen blueberries, which can also be found at the Inverness Farmer's Market. Florida Best Blueberry Farm is open for picking Tuesday through Sunday.

11135 E. Nottingham Dr. Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 813-928-9028

9.Dillon's Cinnamon Sticks Restaurant and Bakery

Located on the U.S. 41 South in Inverness, Dillon's Cinnamon Sticks Restaurant and Bakery are a friendly, family-owned restaurant and long-standing institution for hearty breakfasts and tempting lunch and dinner menus. Patrons pack in for breakfast, which boasts various skillets, eggs Benedict, homemade corned beef hash, crepes, parfaits, omelets, and the signature stuffed strawberry and cinnamon swirl pecan pancakes. The lunch and dinner menus won’t disappoint with classic dishes like Pot Roast Puff, Mama’s Meatloaf, chicken tender, hush puppies, oven-roasted turkey with cornbread stuffing, and seafood baskets. The restaurant has comfortable tables and booths, and a lovely outdoor patio for alfresco-style dining. Dillon's Cinnamon Sticks Restaurant and Bakery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, daily.

727 S US Highway 41, Inverness, FL 34450-6031, Phone: 352-419-7914

10.Stumpknockers on The Square

Stumpknockers on The Square is a bustling eatery with nautical-themed décor and a friendly, welcoming vibe that serves Florida specialties such as catfish and gator. Established over 20 years ago by Inverness natives, Tim and John Channell, the family-friendly restaurant specializes in unusual and unique Floridan dishes like frog’s legs, catfish, sea scallops, alligator, and sizzling beef steaks. Named after the Stumpknocker fish that are found in submerged cypress stumps along the scenic Withlacoochee and other Florida rivers, the restaurant is small and hidden but full of life and well worth a visit. Stumpknockers has a second location at the Withlacoochee River Bridge and both are open for lunch and dinner, daily.

110 W Main St, Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 352-726-2212

11.Angelo's Pizzeria & Ristorante

Angelo's Pizzeria & Ristorante is a casual, family-owned establishment that brings the tastes, flavors, and friendly vibes of Italy to Inverness with an array of authentic Italian fare and traditional wood-fired, New York-style pizza. Established in 1996, the long-standing institution serves delicious house-made, wood-fired pizzas with an array of toppings prepared with quality ingredients, as well as other Italian dishes like lasagne, Spaghetti Bolognese, fresh seafood, veal dishes, and fresh salads. The food menu is accompanied by a bar list of casual wines from Italy and other wine-growing regions around the world, craft beers, imported spirits, and classic cocktails. Angelo's Pizzeria & Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

301 W Main St, Inverness, FL 34450, Phone: 352-341-0056