Inverness, Florida travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Inverness is the county seat of Citrus County in the Big Bend Coast region of Florida. It is home to the County Courthouse, and the Flying Eagle Reserve.

2 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Inverness

Old Citrus County Courthouse

Built in 1912 and designed by J. R. MacEachron and Willis R. Biggers, after 80 years in existence it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Since the year 2000 a museum has operated in the building.

Fort Cooper State Park

Flying Eagle Preserve

Citrus County Speedway

Whispering Pines Park

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 53°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Central Florida)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
GNV Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville — 59 mi away. Directions
TPA Tampa International Airport, Tampa — 61 mi away (major hub). Directions

FL-44, which crosses the state from east to west, goes through Inverness and connects to towns on each side. From Orlando (the location of an international airport), follow the Turnpike northwest and take the FL-44 exit.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Old Citrus County Courthouse, Whispering Pines Park, Citrus County Speedway
Lunch Stumpknockers
Afternoon Fort Cooper State Park, Flying Eagle Preserve
Dinner Coach's Pub and Eatery
Evening Pine St Pub

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

History

Inverness had a population of 7,000 as of 2019, when the city turned a hundred years old.

Settlement of the area by Europeans began in 1868 by A.D. Tompkins, and the town was originally named "Tompkinsville" after him. He established a mail service and the county's first sawmill in order to attract residents, and his brother-in-law became the town's first merchant. Jacksonville bought the town and renamed it "Inverness" after the Scottish city, and the city was incorporated in 1919. Downtown's historic courthouse brought some fame to the city after Elvis Presley filmed part of Follow that Dream in the building in 1961.

The city has been designated a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the US Forest Service and a "City of the Year" by the Forty and Eight.

Nearby Floral City, at the southern end of Citrus County, is smaller, but has historic homes and a history of phosphate mining. It was founded in 1883 and experienced a boom, when it became larger than Miami, until World War I brought an end to the mining industry. Its population was 5,000 in 2010.

Get in

See

See Old Citrus County Courthouse

📍 1 Courthouse Square☎ +1 352 341-6428⚠ Last checked Jul 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Fort Cooper State Park

📍 3100 S Old Floral City Rd🕒 8AM-sundown💲 $3/vehicle, $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers. Put in honor box, exact change only. Primitive tent campingː $5 per person, per night, plus tax. Call for reservations☎ +1 352 726-0315⚠ Last checked Jul 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website