11 Delightful Towns to Visit in Florida
As one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country, it is unsurprising that Florida also has some of the prettiest small towns in the United States. And while many out-of-towners seem to have their eyes stuck on the state’s famous theme parks, this Sunshine State offers so much beyond its roller coasters and water slides. From fascinating historic downtowns to breathtaking island state parks, Florida boasts a wealth of sights and experiences that will leave you with a completely different image of the state. With that being said, here are 11 delightful Florida towns that are sure to reinspire your love of travel.
St. Augustine
As the "Nation’s Oldest City,” St. Augustine has some of the most spectacular historic sites and attractions in the country. And while no structures remain from the town’s founding in 1565, there are tons of impressive buildings from the centuries that followed. Visitors can take the Old Town Trolley tour to see some of these historic highlights, like The Castillo de San Marcos, located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay. Constructed in 1695, the massive stone fortress is both the oldest structure in St. Augustine and the oldest masonry fort in the United States.
The trolley also carries visitors to St. George Street, once the heart of St. Augustine’s downtown. Today, the pedestrian-only lane is still an active hub, with endless landmarks like Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and Cathedral Basilica, one of the oldest Catholic churches in the country. Nearby, the attractions continue with museums like the Governor’s House, Shipwreck Museum, and the Pirate & Treasure Museum.
Dunedin
Split between Florida’s mainland and 2 gorgeous islands, the town of Dunedin is primarily famous for its 2 state parks. Honeymoon Island is home to the more famous of the pair, luring over 1.27 million visitors every year. Accessible by car via the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island State Park offers 4 miles of pristine, unspoiled shoreline overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can conveniently rent beach chairs, kayaks, and bicycles from the park’s concession, and explore the 2.5-mile inland nature trail through one of the world’s only remaining virgin slash pine forests.
For a more mellow island experience, Caladesi Island features the second of the state parks, which is reachable from Honeymoon Island via a 20-minute ferry ride. Contrasting its sister, Caladesi Island State Park provides a quieter park day, attracting around 200,000 visitors annually. Like Honeymoon, Caladesi also features unspoiled beaches along with kayak and beach chair rentals. But Caladesi sets itself apart with a popular surfing beach on the north shore and wildlife spotting paths like the Hammock Loop and Beach Loop trails.
Islamorada
If you are intrigued by the island parks of Dunedin, you will find even more to explore in scenic Islamorada. Known as the “Sport-Fishing Capital of the World,” this village of islands is also famous for its truly one-of-a-kind state parks. This includes an 11-acre (formerly) deserted island that has since been designated Indian Key Historic State Park. Once home to ship salvagers in the early 1800’s, the island now showcases the ruins of the town of Indian Key. Alongside this history, visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking, with gear rentals available at places like Robbie’s Marina.
In the heart of Islamorada, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is another nature oasis with a fascinating history. This former quarry, once excavated by American industrialist Henry Flagler for the construction of his Overseas Railroad, now offers 5 scenic trails for exploring the island's natural beauty. Visitors can also walk along the 8-foot quarry walls to see ancient fossilized coral, revealed in the limestone by Flagler’s excavations.
Venice
Fossil enthusiasts may also appreciate the chance to collect their own prehistoric treasures while enjoying one of Florida’s prettiest beaches. Over in the charming town of Venice, Venice Beach is the area’s claim to fame. A certified Blue Wave Beach, people come from near and far to hunt for fossils here, specifically, fossilized shark teeth. The beach’s abundance of fossils has even earned Venice the title of “Shark Tooth Capital of the World”.
But Venice Beach is certainly not a one-trick pony. About a quarter-mile from shore, coral reef diving draws in its own share of tourists, with companies like Florida West Scuba happy to handle the gear and travel. Pair this with the beach’s other features, like views of the 700-foot Venice Fishing Pier or chances for dolphin sightings, and you can see why so many call Venice “a little slice of heaven”.
Captiva
Located on its namesake island, Captiva is proof that good things come in small packages. With less than 200 locals, this Southwest Coast town offers introverted travelers the bliss of a more secluded Florida getaway, void of the usual throng of beachgoers. Captiva Beach is the island’s star shore, known for its soft, white sands and bountiful seashells. For those who enjoy hunting for these delicate souvenirs, Captiva Cruises also offers their Out Island Beach and Shelling Cruise. The relaxing boat ride departs right from Captiva to a neighboring island for some of the best shelling in the world, along with swimming and snorkeling. Also departing right from Captiva, the Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise is even more popular, offering you the chance to see the playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.
Sanibel
Less than half an hour from Captiva, the barrier island of Sanibel also features a namesake town with breathtaking beaches. And like the shores along Captiva, Sanibel’s beaches are a treat for those who enjoy hunting for seashells. Thanks to its rare east-west alignment, unlike the typical north-south orientation of most barrier islands, this position results in a fortune of seashells on Sanibel’s beaches. Popular shores for shelling include Bowman’s Beach and Lighthouse Beach Park, which is also home to a towering historic lighthouse that dates all the way back to 1884. For a different kind of outdoor adventure, Sanibel is also home to the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a popular place to see migrating birds, dolphins, and manatees.
Siesta Key
If you are taken with the charm of these Florida's island towns, Siesta Key is a must-add to your travel itinerary. This 8-mile barrier island, home to just under 4,500 locals, boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This includes Siesta Beach, which was recognized as the #2 Beach in the US and the #9 Best Beach in the World in by TripAdvisor. The beach is renowned for its gentle waves, but what truly sets it apart, is its sand. Siesta's shore is famous for its sugar-white grains, composed almost entirely of quartz, giving it its distinctive pearly white appearance.
Beyond the beach, Siesta Key is easily explored using one of the island’s complimentary trolleys. These trolleys transport visitors to attractions like the Siesta Key Farmers Market and Siesta Key Village, a fabulous hub for shopping and dining. Indulge in a meal at the Village Cafe, treat yourself to dessert at Abel’s Ice Cream, and make sure to pick up a souvenir at Sea Shanty.
Punta Gorda
Returning to the mainland, on Florida’s Southwest Coast, picturesque Punta Gorda offers a delightful escape for those seeking waterfront vistas without the hassle of tracking sand home. Located where the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor merge, Punta Gorda may lack beaches, but it boasts a stunning waterfront. The 2.5-mile Harborwalk provides an ideal way to explore the waterfront and town, offering captivating views of the harbor and river as it extends from Trabue Park to Fisherman’s Village. Despite its name, the village is actually a picturesque entertainment hub, featuring a marina, waterfront mall, and resort.
Also along the Harborwalk, families will love Laishley Park, a 17-acre scenic area complete with a 400-foot fishing pier, marina, interactive fountain, and concert area.
Micanopy
Historic Micanopy, considered the oldest inland town in Florida, is a charming small community famous for its Old Florida atmosphere. The town's natural and historic allure is visible everywhere, from Spanish moss-covered oaks lining Main Street to the detailed Victorian buildings in the Micanopy Historic District. Many homes showcase Queen Anne Victorian architecture, including the Simonton House, Fontaine House, and Herlong Mansion. Built in 1845, this beautiful estate now functions as a bed & breakfast, maintaining much of its antique charm. Key historic sites include the Micanopy Historic Cemetery and the Micanopy Historical Society Museum. Visitors can also explore Antique City Mall or Wren Wood Antiques for unique finds. Nature lovers can enjoy Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park at the northern end of town, where they might see bison and wild horses, offering a perfect blend of history and nature.
Tarpon Springs
Known as the "Sponge Capital of the World," Tarpon Springs is a town rich in history and worth exploring. Its thriving natural sponge industry was started by Greek immigrants in the early 1900s. Today, it has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans of any U.S. town, with over 10% of residents proudly claiming Greek descent. Visiting the historic sponge docks is essential to discover this heritage, where you can see sponge boats gently floating or join a live sponge harvesting tour aboard the St. Nicholas Sponge Diving Boat. On land, the Greektown Historic District near the docks offers authentic Greek cuisine at places like The Limani. From April to September, visitors can enjoy events such as the Saturday Sponge Docks Craft Festival or the Hippie Festival.
Osprey
Finally, we highlight the underrated town of Osprey on Florida's Paradise Coast. Although often overlooked, its parks rank among the state's finest. Last year, USA Today named the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Historic Spanish Point as one of the top 3 “Best Botanical Gardens” in the US. This 30-acre outdoor museum, called “A Window to the Past,” combines archaeology, history, and landscaping. It features an 1894 chapel, a boardwalk into Little Sarasota Bay, scenic nature trails, and pristine butterfly gardens. Nearby, visitors can enjoy nature at Oscar Scherer State Park, which offers 15 miles of hiking trails, Lake Osprey for swimming, and South Creek for fishing and kayaking. The park is ideal for a summer day trip or an overnight stay at its campgrounds.
Final Thoughts
While many view Florida primarily as a theme park destination, this view only scratches the surface of the state's offerings. Whether you're an introverted traveler in search of a quiet beach, a shelling lover aiming to grow your collection, or someone eager to explore the charm of “Old Florida,” this Sunshine State has charming small towns ready for discovery.
