Winging to the key

GETTING THERE

From LAX: Delta and US Airways offer connecting service (change of planes) to Gainesville, about 60 miles northeast of Cedar Key. Restricted round-trip fares start at $447.

Delta flies nonstop to Tampa, about 100 miles south of Cedar Key. Southwest and US Airways fly direct (at least one stop, no change of planes), and America West, American, Continental, Frontier and United offer connecting service. Restricted round-trip fares start at $198.

WHERE TO STAY

Island Hotel & Restaurant, 373 2nd St.; (800) 432-4640 or (352) 543-5111, fax (352) 543-6949, www.islandhotel-cedarkey.com. Laid-back, tropical, 13-room B&B on the National Register of Historic Places. Doubles begin at $80 per night.

Harbour Master Suites, 390 Dock St.; (800) 559-6327 or (352) 543-9146, www.cedarkeyharbourmaster.com. Comfortable rooms with kitchenette. Our balcony looked down into the Gulf of Mexico. Doubles begin at $70 per night.

Old Fenimore Mill, 11 Old Mill Drive; (800) 767-8354 or (352) 543-9803, www.fenimoremill.com. Condos available for daily, weekly or monthly rental. A good choice for families and those planning an extended stay. From $105 per night.

Cedar Cove Beach & Yacht Club, 192 2nd St.; (800) 366-5312 or (352) 543-5332, fax (904) 543-6269, www.cedarcove-florida.com. At $109 a night, rooms are reasonably priced, though they only have a partial view of the Gulf; two- and three-bedroom townhomes with better views start at $165 a night.

WHERE TO EAT

Island Hotel & Restaurant, address and phone above. Seafood specialties and an intriguing hearts-of-palm salad. Dinner entrees $16-$27.

Island Room Restaurant at Cedar Cove, 192 2nd St.; (352) 543-6520, www.islandroom.com. One of the best restaurants in town. Wild mushroom soup is outstanding. Dinner entrees about $12-$28.

Blue Desert Cafe, 12518 Route 24; (352) 543-9111. Burritos, crawfish étouffée, classic seafood dishes. Dinner entrees $8-$22.

TO LEARN MORE

Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 610, Cedar Key, FL 32625; phone and fax (352) 543-5600, https://www.cedarkey.org.

Visit Florida, 661 E. Jefferson St., Suite 300, Tallahassee, FL 32301; (888) 735-2872 or (850) 488-5607, fax (850) 224-2938, www.flausa.com.