Small Towns You Must See
There is something intrinsically pleasing about visiting a small town; the charm, the scenery, and the warm hospitality leave the soul feeling satisfied and renewed. In Florida’s small towns, you can escape from the fast pace of the every day and immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of towering oaks draped in Spanish moss, stately historic homes with charming architecture, little shops and boutiques with unique finds, and friendly inns where you’re the top priority. These are some small towns that, in our opinion, you really must see.
In Northwestern Florida
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, sponge divers, and today is home to commercial fishermen, shrimpers, and crabbers. Tranquil waters are dotted with fishing boats, and the town has the ambiance of days gone by. 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
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 (this year’s dates are April 4-5). 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
On 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. You may be distracted from your shopping adventures by the smells of the authentic Greek restaurants. Stop in for some sticky honey-infused baklava, or a hearty dinner.
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
While the main lodging attraction is the famous Gasparilla Inn and Club, some prefer an accommodation with less frills and more opportunity to feel at home while away from home. We recommend The Palmetto Inn, found within a beautiful historic house built in 1900 that sits on a quiet street just a block away from the beach and downtown shopping.
thepalmettoinn.com
In 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 area is blessed with numerous parks and even lakes, which are ideal for exploring, sightseeing, and relaxing. They are also a very pet-friendly town, and welcome you to explore with your furry friend in tow!
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
On 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 (the 1-3 this year) and includes delicious and fresh seafood dishes, as well as an art show, antiques show, music festival, and Kids Fun Zone.
shrimpfestival.com
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
Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa offers the kind of famous hospitality that we mentioned earlier, with luxuriously-appointed rooms and suites, each thoughtfully outfitted with modern amenities and comfortable furnishings including crisp white bedding and cloud like beds, marble countertops, and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers. The warm and inviting, coastal-inspired design blends seamlessly with the welcoming views of the ocean, pool, or sunset from your private balcony. There’s also onsite dining, and a relaxing spa.
hutchinsonshores.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 as the sculptures were built by just one man, Ed Leedskalnin, under the cover of night and seemingly against gravitational odds! Features of the Coral Castle Museum include a 9-ton gate that moves with just a touch of the finger, a Polaris telescope and functioning rocking chairs – all made entirely of stone.
coralcastle.com
In the Florida Keys
Islamorada
Though it’s more a series of small islands than a traditional small town, Islamorada has everything you want in a small town: charm, uniqueness, and hospitality. Islamorada’s location in these wildlife-rich waters is what makes it a fisherman’s paradise, and this area contains one of the highest densities of professional offshore charter boats with tournament-grade captains. Early Bird Fishing Charters is one of the top choices for offshore fishing in the Florida Keys, with rates and packages to fit your fishing style.
fishearlybird.com
But Islamorada is more than just a fishing destination - it is place for all kinds of adventures, for all ages. Thanks to this village of islands’ rich history and blend of many cultures, this is also an excellent place to go shopping for unique treasures. Antique collectors and home decorators love to peruse the many specialty shops to search for one-of-a-kind pieces. At the Rain Barrel Sculpture Gallery and Artisans’ Village, you’ll see all kinds of pottery and bronze and copper sculptures by island artists. You can’t miss this artist village, because sitting outside is a giant lobster aimed Big Betsy. Kids cannot get over the magic of this eerily life-like sculpture, and you’ll certainly want to snap some photos in front of her! There are many charming places to stay, and Drop Anchor Resort and Marina holds a special place in the heart of those who frequent Islamorada. The resort offers a beautiful tropical setting and picture-perfect marine decor. Spacious rooms with lots of natural sunshine emit an Old Florida feeling, and your relaxation will reach new heights at the waterfront pool. Enjoy easy access to your vessel when you dock at the resort marina.
rainbarrelsculpture.com
dropanchorresort.com
More Small Towns to Visit
FREE Small Town Events
Arts & Crafts Festival on the Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs
Weekends
Hit the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs for some small town shopping during their weekend arts and crafts festival. Stroll along Dodocanese Blvd. to tour more than 90 of the nation’s best artisans and crafters and their wares. From jewelry to ceramics to plants to photography to paintings and homemade soap, there is something to please anyone! Plus, you can enjoy the town’s famous Hellas bakery, Greek restaurants, art galleries.
Farm and Fish Market
Boca Grande
Fridays
Experience a truly Florida style farmers market in Boca Grande, where it’s not just about the vegetables - it’s also about the fish! Every Friday, enjoy this open air market located on the ball field on Wheeler Road. Peruse the wares of local farmers, fishermen, and artisans including: cheese, seafood, meats, produce, pickles, prepared foods, Orchids, native plants, soaps, and so much more! It’s also a great place to have lunch.
Throwback Thursday Tours
Winter Park
Every 3rd Thursday
Join history and art lovers at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum every third Thursday of the month for Throwback Thursday Tours. This is a free event that reflects on the past while delving into various historical works and themes on view at the museum.
