Darling Downtowns
If there is one hidden treasure in the tropical paradise that is Florida, it is the state’s darling downtowns. The coasts may get most of the attention, but it’s the heart of Florida — its downtowns packed with locally owned shops, family run restaurants, and special small businesses - that keep it strong. Here are the downtowns you need to visit.
In Florida’s Panhandle
Steinhachee
Located in Florida’s Big Bend region, Steinhachee is known as the “gateway to the Nature Coast.” The town is named for the Steinhachee River, and its long history dates back to prehistoric man, circa 12,000 B.C.! The area went on to see its share of pirates, loggers, and sponge divers. The town itself features Victorian homes, shady oaks, blooming gardens, and small footpaths. Hop aboard a bicycle to explore the charming back alleys, quiet side streets, and lovely backroads. Grab a snorkel and head down to the water to catch bay scallops, which make a tasty treat at dinner time. Rent a boat from the marina for a day of fishing, another way to catch a tasty dinner. We recommend a stay at the Steinhachee Landing Resort, a family-style, riverfront vacation retreat that encompasses a collection of quaint Victorian, Florida Cracker and Georgian architectural style cottages, ranging from one to four bedrooms, complete with full kitchens perfect for cooking your catch of the day. There are even 10 pet-friendly cottages!
steinhatcheelanding.com
The Forgotten Coast
Dubbed “The Forgotten Coast” because of its unspoiled beauty and authentic communities, Franklin County encompasses some of the most beautiful stretches of the Panhandle. Take a self-guided walking tour of coastal towns like Apalachicola, where you can take in an array of landmarks, shop unique boutiques and art galleries and learn about the town’s rich maritime history. The historic fishing community of Eastpoint continues to offer fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood in local waterfront restaurants, where you can watch fishing boats unload their catch. The community of Carrabelle offers a championship golf course. St. George Island is an idyllic community of unspoiled beaches, opportunities for bird watching, and a chance to connect with nature. The island offers pet-friendly beach areas where you dog can enjoy the sand and surf with you! Many vacation rentals and some accommodations offer pet-friendly options, and even local restaurants welcome well-behaved pets!
floridasforgottencoast.com
Santa Rosa
Found on the 26-mile stretch of Northwest Florida’s famed Emerald Coast, Santa Rosa Island offers several beach communities for visitors, each with its own unique draw. Santa Rosa Beach, founded in 1910, provides a perfect blend of old and new: historic architecture houses modern restaurants and boutiques, and arts and culture surround you. Throughout the island, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Northwest Florida nature with pristine parks, rich forests and rare coastal dune lakes all intertwined by a series of trails. Deer Lake State Park offers Southern magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrod, and scrub oaks can be seen in a coastal dune habitat, with a boardwalk across the dunes providing easy access to the beach. Local history and nature beautifully intertwine at Eden Gardens State Park, which features the historic Wesley house and ancient oak trees. Stop by for a guided tour of the home or walk through the gardens to learn about South Walton plant and wildlife species. And there are always special ways to explore nature thanks to plenty of adventure outfitters, from pushing yourself along the water on a paddleboard from YOLO Adventures Sandestin, to exploring the acreage of Point Washington State Park on horseback with Arnett's Gulfside Farm & Stables.
visitpensacolabeach.com
Okaloosa Island
The sister island of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa Island is full of outdoor water adventures! Surrounded by Santa Rosa Sound, Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the waves. Love to relax? Rent a pontoon boat from Crab Island Watersports, and spend your time laying out in the sunshine. Does your family love adventure? Try Banana Boat Rides in nearby Destin Harbor. Want to see some friendly dolphins? Visit Gulfarium Marine Adventure in Fort Walton Beach, where you can snorkel with stingrays and sharks, feed penguins and watch otters play - and don’t forget the dolphin shows and special dolphin encounters! Become a VIP trainer and work side-by-side with the staff to learn what it takes to train and care for marine mammals, and don’t leave with a sweet kiss from a seal! Speaking of family trips, there are plenty of family-friendly accommodations on Okaloosa.
emeraldcoastfl.com
St. George Island
Ideal for family gatherings, the St. George Inn offers peace and tranquility on a Forgotten Coast barrier island, St. George. Featuring a quaint Southern style with whitewashed exterior, gables, and even wraparound porches complete with rockers, the inn offers spacious, comfortable, individually-appointed rooms. Their adjoining two-room suites with private porches are perfect for a group trip or family stay, while their Honeymoon Suite with fireplace offers a cozy hideaway for newlyweds. Not only is the inn spectacular - it is also close to the island beaches, restaurants, and shops. A nearby free boat launch as well as a fishing pier are easily accessible to water lovers. Being a pet-friendly island, its makes sense that the St. George Inn welcomes pets!
stgeorgeinn.com
Pensacola
Perfectly situated in Historic Pensacola, the breathtaking Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast warmly welcomes guests into its individually-appointed guest rooms, each with private bath and antique decor from its four-poster bed in the Captain’s Room to its soaker tub in the Suzanne Room. Awake each morning to a delicious home-cooked breakfast, as well as sampling delicious home-baked treats throughout the day. In addition to the hotel, you can relax at the Cottage Cafe, which occupies what was once the property’s carriage house. Boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, museums, the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola Historic Village, and the local Farmer's Market are all within walking distance of the Pensacola Victorian.
pensacolavictorian.com
Miramar Beach
Sandestin Beach Resort in Miramar Beach offers pet-friendly accommodations at select parts of their massive property. This resort is a great choice for every family member thanks to its variety of accommodations that make plenty of room for everyone, as well as lots of activities for everyone to enjoy and family vacation packages that work with your budget. The kids could be spending time at the beach, dad could be golfing, and mom could be at the spa!
sandestin.com
Northwestern Florida
Havana
Perhaps one of the most perfect places to go antique hunting is the town of Havana, just 17 miles from Tallahassee. Havana is an iconic Panhandle destination, which has earned itself the moniker “Florida’s Friendliest Small Town.” Some years ago, the town went through a magical transformation, in which dozens of vintage homes were repurposed into antique shops, furniture stores, art galleries, fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Whether you’re into collectables or want a unique way to decorate your home, these shops have some of the coolest items you could think of. Weezie’s Cottage is a restored 1860’s cottage located in the heart of downtown Havana, with lots of items to furbish your own home. Wanderings Decor & More offers an extensive collection of eclectic styles, mixing exotic or funky with more traditional, transitional lines with their furniture, jewelry, gifts and home decor lines. Brides will find that it isn’t just “something old” available in these shops - there is also plenty of “something new”! Miss T’s Sets is a unique gift shop with a bridal registry and wine bar, women’s accessories, candles, kitchen gadgets, Waterford crystal, Kate Spade and Fortessa items, and lots of other accouterments that make it a great place for a bridal party trip or for finding a special bridal gift.
havanaflorida.com
Milton
Just 30 minutes outside of Pensacola is Milton, one of the oldest cities in Florida and a testament to Southern beauty and character. Even the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright drew inspiration from this town. Here you will find incredible antique shopping, with establishments such as Blackwater Trail Antiques & More. Search through this shop, which is located in a historic home, for special gifts like homemade soaps and unique household items like shabby chic decor, antique furniture, and even toys. Meanwhile, at the Copper ‘Possum Antique Mall, you can find a wide assortment of almost completely vintage items spread throughout 10,000 square feet of furniture, glassware, decor, jewelry, and more. If you’re searching for a special home decor item, you should certainly visit Millie’s Antiques & Collectibles, which offers lots of vintage and refurbished furniture as well as hand-crafted decor and knickknacks.
miltonfl.org
Cedar Key
When you truly want a getaway, turn to the small island community of Cedar Key. While it’s only an hour’s drive from the college town of Gainesville, it is a complete world away from your typical Florida vacation destination, with small homes and businesses perched above the Gulf on stilts. Surrounded by the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Cedar Keys consist of dozens of islands or keys, some no bigger than a pelican’s perch. Most of the islands are part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, which hosts some of the largest numbers of nesting birds in Florida. Bird watching is easy, whether you walk the shores or paddle your kayak out to the refuge. Because of its peaceful location and stunning natural beauty, Cedar Key is a haven for artists, and hosts the Cedar Key Fine Arts Festival every year in the spring. The festival features award-winning fine art: paintings, sculptures, jewelry, crafts, ceramics, textiles, photography, and more, along with homemade baked goods and fresh local seafood.
cedarkeyartsfestival.com
The Gulf Coast
Tarpon Springs
A dazzling gem of the Gulf Coast, Tarpon Springs was a haven for Greek sponge divers in the early 1900s, thanks to its abundance of natural sponge beds - making it the “sponge capitol of the world.” The main attraction of Tarpon Springs became its famous Sponge Docks, which are set along the Anclote River. And, the Greek heritage still runs strong; visiting here is like visiting a little piece of Greece, right in Florida! Enjoy this colorful culture as you walk the riverfront Dodecanese Boulevard, lined with small shops that carry everything from souvenirs and gifts to home goods, natural sponges, and olive oil soaps. On Tarpon Avenue, you’ll find a treasure trove of antique shops. Nestled on a boat basin that connects to Lake Tarpon, the Vista Inn on Lake Tarpon is a beautiful, Mediterranean-style hotel with spacious rooms perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. Choose a room with a private balcony for endless views of the lake, and enjoy a free breakfast every morning. Small pets can join you for just a small fee! Take a dip in the outdoor pool that overlooks the water, or head out to nearby shops and restaurants for a day of exploration.
vistainnlaketarpon.com
Venice
Featuring 14 miles of breathtaking Gulf beaches, Venice is a fantastic place to find a relaxing getaway. Shelling is also a favorite pastime in Venice, and fossilized shark's teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. Golfers can enjoy plenty of courses in nearby areas, such as the Golf Club at Capri Isle or the Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, to name a couple. Shoppers and arts and culture lovers will love visiting Venice’s main thoroughfare. Venice is a Florida Main Street City – its downtown graced by northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards that date to the original city plans of 1925 and reminiscent of the Italian city of Venice, which is where this Florida city gets its name. Visit the unique shops, where you can find shark’s teeth, shells, gifts, collectables, home decor, boutique fashion, and more! Venice also offers cultural options like museums, town events, and the Venice Performing Arts Center. The Arts Center is home to The Venice Symphony, The Venice Concert Band, The Venice Chorale, The Venice Institute for Performing Arts, and the Venice High School Performing Arts Department, as well as a packed calendar of special performances like comedy shows, musicals, dances, cinema series.
veniceperformingartscenter.com
Boca Grande
Located on Gasparilla Island off the Gulf Coast, just north of Fort Myers, Boca Grande is one of the best-kept secrets of Southwestern Florida. An affluent community has built it into an island treasure over many decades, with most of the town’s architecture offering a feeling of true Old Florida with Victorian roots, towering trees draped in Spanish moss, small estates guarded by banyans, and a complete lack of high-rises and traffic lights. Boaters can explore 750,000 acres of estuary – where freshwater and saltwater blend to provide nurseries for the oceans fish species. Dolphins, white pelicans, osprey, and manatees are only some of the unusual species you will encounter. The beauty of this island has provided many artists with inspiration, and the town’s art galleries feature many interpretations of the scenery and wildlife. At the Hughes Gallery on Park Avenue, you will find a variety of artists who present an array of works that include Boca Grande scenery. Stop in for monthly events and the opportunity to meet some of the artists!
hughesgallery.net
Central Florida
Micanopy
Just a short drive from the college town of Gainesville into the heart of Florida is the state’s self-proclaimed antiques capital, Micanopy. Named in honor of a Seminole Indian chief and settled in 1821, this beautiful Alachua County town features dozens of antiques shops, many on tree-lined Cholokka Boulevard. The whole town is thick with tall trees, most draped in Spanish moss, as well as vibrant tropical foliage that surrounds the historic homes and buildings, making it the perfect backdrop for a couple of Hollywood films! Your first stop should probably be at the Antique City Mall, which features over two thousand feet of unique treasures, and also offers auctions for the most special of items. For some very special clothing items, visit the impressive boutique collections at Winters Past, on Cholokka Boulevard. Whether you’re searching for an art deco compact, a bakelite bangle, a 1940’s rhinestone brooch, a fabulous sixties evening dress or a seventies western shirt, you’ll find it at Winters Past.
antiquecitymall.com
winterspast.com
Winter Park
Just north of Orlando is a quiet little paradise that has served as a winter-time getaway for decades: Winter Park. In fact, you can even take the Amtrak from the Orlando metro area right to Winter Park for a day of shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing. Originally founded as a winter resort for wealthy northerners, Winter Park’s architecture, restaurants, and shops tend to be on the upscale side, but the new influx of younger inhabitants and college students has been re-shaping the dynamic to include more modest offerings. The Alfond Inn is a quintessential boutique hotel in downtown Winter Park, with a stylish atmosphere and top-notch amenities. Sitting on the previous property of the once-illustrious Langford Hotel, the Inn carries on the legacy of luxury with big, airy rooms and an attractive combination of heavy furniture with clean lines. The boutique hotel showcases The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art for Rollins College, which is part of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. You can feel even better staying at The Alfond when you know that it is owned and operated by Rollins College, with its net income directed to The Alfond Scholars program fund.
thealfondinn.com
The Atlantic Coast
Fernandina Beach
On Florida’s northeastern border lies the idyllic Amelia Island on the small historic town of Fernandina Beach. The town, established in 1811, celebrated its bicentennial a few years ago, and features tall, stately buildings, beautiful and intricately-built homes, and a rich sense of Southern hospitality. This enchanting Victorian seaport village was once a stomping ground for pirates, Gilded Age millionaires, bootleggers, shrimpers, and other colorful characters, and has at one point or another been governed by eight different countries! Hence the name for its most famous festival, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival that happens every May.
Jensen Beach
Tucked into Florida's East Coast between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach is Jensen Beach, famous for its pineapples and holding a huge Pineapple Festival every November. Quite appropriately, the pineapple is a sign of hospitality, another thing for which this town is known. You can also enjoy a variety of retail offerings for the avid shopper, and water enthusiasts will find boating, sailing, fishing, skiing, surfing and scuba diving. Jensen Beach also attracts several species of endangered sea turtles during nesting seasons, which will be happening in the next few weeks. Jensen Beach Boat Rental will get you out on the waves with ease, with a variety of crafts that area cleaned up, fueled up, and ready to go! Each of their boats is equipped with a stroke engine making them more fuel efficient, quiet and smoke free! If you’re a frequent visitor to Jensen Beach, consider joining their Boat Club to unlock all kinds of perks and discounts.
jensenbeachboatrentals.com
Homestead
Found just 30 miles south of Miami, Homestead offers visitors a small-town atmosphere with the amenities of a big city and plenty of adventures to be had. Homestead is a jumping-off point for all kinds of nearby attractions including the Florida Keys, and is even adjacent to two national parks: Everglades National Park, a subtropical wilderness that shelters amazing animals, and Biscayne National Park encompassing the bay, barrier islands and coral reefs. Homestead also has its own attractions. In its downtown, you will find restaurants and shops, as well as museums and history centers. And, just outside of town is the fantastical Coral Castle Museum! Prepare to be amazed and astounded as you visit this stone sculpture garden, whose construction is shrouded in mystery.
coralcastle.com
