Florida recently opened their newest trail, the Big Bend Shellfish Trail. The Shellfish Trail will lead visitors through the fishing and shellfish farming communities of Levy, Dixie, Jefferson, and Taylor Counties. But you won’t have to bring your hiking shoes for this path- all that’s required is a hearty appetite…for seafood.
Introducing the New Big Bend Shellfish Trail
The Big Bend Shellfish Trail is a shellfish connoisseurs guide to the Gulf Coast communities of Florida’s Big Bend. Stretching from Yankee Town all the way to Monticello, this trail will lead you to seafood markets, shellfish farming businesses, marinas, and of course, incredible seafood restaurants- all with some scenic coastal views along the way. So if you love clams, oysters, blue crabs, shrimp and scallops, the Levy County Visitors Bureau has a free downloadable trail map to get you started on your journey. They also have some handy detailed driving itineraries to help you navigate your way along this Gulf Coast Trail.
These waterfront communities are also home to eclectic art galleries and artisan workshops, and bearing this in mind, we have a little treat for our readers to help celebrate the opening of Florida’s Shellfish Trail- with art!
Here are printable coloring pages for you of scenes from Cedar Key, a clam-farming community that produces a whopping 80% of Florida’s clams, and one of the must-see spots along the new Shellfish Trail.
Print these coloring pages out for you or the kids and bring them on the trail- great for while you wait for that yummy smoked fish dip or basket of fried clams!
Cedar Key Scenes: Free Printable Coloring Pages
(Click links to download)
Cedar Key Printable Coloring Page (Dock)
Cedar Key Printable Coloring Page
Cedar Key Wharf Printable Coloring page
Cedar Key- Sea Gull Coloring Page
Cooking Up Florida’s Shellfish
While dining your way through the Gulf Coast of Florida sounds divine, you can also pay a visit to some of the seafood markets and bring a bit of the Gulf home with you as well! Looking for a delish dish? TV chef, seafood addict and my dear husband, Chef Randal White, recently whipped up some Mini Crab Cakes and Jumbo Seared Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Relish for his Chef’s Table show on WUFT. There’s a Key Lime Pie recipe at the end of the page which is an added bonus! He also has a rather tasty Garlic Shrimp Recipe that he did at a Healthy Eating Cooking Demo in Ocala last year. Plenty of good ideas for all of that shellfish!
Shellfish Safety
Shellfish comes with many warnings. Please follow the guidelines on the Shellfish Trail Map. If you have food allergies, beware and consult your doctor before consuming any shellfish. And when transporting fresh shellfish, have plenty of ice in a cooler and keep at temperatures below 40°F.
Other Posts That May Interest You:
- Exploring the Waccasassa River
- Adventures at Homosassa Springs
- The Insider’s Guide to Crystal River
- Apalachicola for Families
- Coolest Gulf Coast Restaurant Ever