CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – The holidays can be a time to be a tourist in your own town – so to speak. A time when you search for things to entertain your out-of-town visitors. A time to explore all the things Florida has to offer – beyond just the world-renown theme parks.

Fortunately, the 352 area presents a lot of options. The tourist town of Crystal River, known as the ‘Home of the Manatee,’ could be one such day trip for you and your guests.

Manatees congregate in the warm waters of the Three Sisters Springs. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today

In the colder months, manatees head to the relatively warm springs of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to huddle and rest up.

Three Sisters Springs is one place where you can get some great views of manatee along well-maintained boardwalks without disturbing the gentle giants.

Manatees are the main attraction at Three Sisters Springs. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today

A brand-new Three Sisters Springs visitors center provides the only gateway into the springs.

Hurricane Idalia lashed the coastal community of Crystal River on August 30, flooding among other things the city hall, the old visitors center and damaging the refuge itself.

The floodwaters from Hurricane Idalia forced the Three Sisters Springs management to search for a location for a visitor center. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Hurricane Idalia flooded the Crystal River city hall, leaving it severely damaged. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
A sign on the door of the old Three Sisters Springs visitor center informed guests access to the springs was temporarily closed for shoreline restoration. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today

Coincidentally, the refuge had already been temporarily closed since April for a shoreline restoration project that was supposed to take six months to complete.

That gave managers of the visitors center time to search for a new home. Ultimately, they found one right across the street.

“With the flooding of the old city hall and the old Three Sisters Springs visitors center, we had no place to go after Hurricane Idalia hit,” said Andrea Hullstrung, visitors center director. “We were relentlessly searching and looking for a building and we were able to locate this one.”

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Once an agreement was in place, Hullstrung says it all came together quickly.

“In 38 to 42 days, we were able to get a lease in this location and remodel it to be open to the public for tourism and all the visitors.”

Hullstrung says their ability to bounce back has been remarkable.

“It is actually like we never closed in the first place,” said Hullstrung. “Our numbers are fantastic for tourism and on an annual basis we have about 65,000 tourists and visitors to Three Sisters Springs.”

Hullstrung says manatees are easily spotted right now and would make a great outing for you and your family new year’s weekend.

The Three Sisters Springs Visitors Center is located at 917 Three Sisters Springs Trail in Crystal River.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Last entry is at 3:30 p.m.