12 Nicest Small Towns In Florida
Welcoming a record-breaking 143 million visitors in 2024, Florida sets itself apart as one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. Even in times of uncertainty, travelling to the Sunshine State is an amazing way to unwind, disconnect, and embrace life’s pleasures.
As some of us fall on harder times in 2025, the pressure can feel high when choosing a travel destination. However, sometimes the best thing we can do is to keep things simple. For Floridians, vacationers, and road trippers alike, these are the 12 nicest small towns in Florida. Boasting breathtaking beaches, majestic coastal parks, and charming main streets, each of these towns will help you forget your worries for a while and remember what life is all about.
Tarpon Springs
For day trippers seeking a fun and friendly Gulf Coast getaway, Tarpon Springs specializes in all things laid-back and breezy. At Fred Howard Park, travelers can cross a 1-mile causeway to white-sand shores, playgrounds, and picnic shelters, perfect for a classic beach day. However, most would agree that the spotlight attraction in this “Sponge Capital of the World” is the historic docks back in town.
Lining Dodecanese Boulevard, the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks offer more than just pretty views of the Anclote River. Visitors can (and frequently do) spend hours exploring the eclectic gift shops, restaurants, and coastal attractions along the anchoring stretch. Whether browsing the Spongeorama Sponge Factory, dining at Dimitri's on the Water, or booking a sightseeing tour with Odyssey Cruises, Tarpon Springs promises laid-back fun for the whole family.
Key West
Key West, a vacation destination known for its free spirit and stunning coast, is one of Florida’s most inviting towns. Although all are welcome to this Florida Keys island community, it is especially popular with adult travelers and LGBTQ+ crowds due to its vibrant nightlife. Whether grabbing drinks at the Birdcage Cabaret or dancing the night away at the Aqua Bar and Nightclub, when the moon comes up, Key West comes to life.
During the day, Key West attracts people of all ages with its breathtaking beaches and quirky attractions. At Smathers Beach on the south side of the island, guests can enjoy Atlantic views and sea salt breezes. Known as Key West’s largest public shore, the beach boasts a half-mile stretch of sand to sink your toes into. On the opposite end of the island town, sites like the Key West Shipwreck Museum and Key West Aquarium are the perfect addition to any itinerary.
Ponce Inlet
If Key West sounds a bit too busy for your taste, consider a quieter beach town like Ponce Inlet. Located around 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach, this East Coast town is often eclipsed by the iconic spring break city. As a result, it is the perfect alternative for a cozier beach day, free from the spring break crowds.
Underrated and less congested, Ponce Inlet has a beach ideal for anyone. For families and travelers with mobility aids, Winter Haven Park stands out for its safe conditions and accessible beach boardwalk. Alternatively, Lighthouse Point Park features a stunning stretch of sand, elevated boardwalks, and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest beacon. Nearby, Ponce Inlet Watersports also “has everything you need for some great family fun,” including their Dolphin and Manatee Tours.
Crystal River
Wildlife spotting and coastal excursions are even more popular in Crystal River, the “Manatee Capital of the World.” A Gulf Coast town in western Florida, Crystal River is famous for its enchanting springs and thriving manatee populations. While the gentle giants can be spotted here year-round, your best chance of seeing one is in November through April.
Whether hoping to spot a sea cow or happy to take in gorgeous scenes, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the best place for both. At its Three Sisters Springs, visitors can frequently spot manatees from land on the boardwalk. That said, even outside of peak manatee season, the springs are well worth seeing. Whether strolling the boardwalk or paddling from public kayak launches at Hunter Springs Park and King's Bay Park, the clear turquoise waters are absolutely mesmerizing.
Silver Springs
Deeper inland, Silver Springs is equally loved for its bewitching spring-fed waters. While unincorporated, the community is a well-known gateway to Silver Springs State Park, one of the Seven Wonders of Florida. Although the official park is newer, many believe the spring itself is the oldest tourist attraction in Florida. Visitors can learn more about this history and ecology at the Silver River Museum before exploring the park’s wonders.
Much like the springs in Crystal River, the waters in Silver Springs State Park are crystal clear and jaw-droppingly blue. Glass Bottom Boat Tours are one of the most popular ways to enjoy views of the Silver River, showcasing its underwater habitats. On-site kayak rentals are also well loved, offering a closer view of local wildlife, like turtles, alligators, and manatees. Alternatively, land lovers may prefer waterfront views on scenic hiking paths like the 1.3-mile River Trail.
Mount Dora
Florida’s “Festival City,” Mount Dora offers the perfect blend of urban attractions with a small-town feel. Located in Central Florida, a little over 30 minutes from Orlando, this quaint and charming lake town is a nice refuge from theme park crowds. On the shores of Lake Dora, visitors can relax at scenic green spaces like Grantham Park, home to the Mount Dora Lighthouse. For a water-based adventure, eco excursions with Premier Boat Tours delve deeper into the lake, also exploring the Dora Canal.
Hosting over 30 festivals throughout the year, Mount Dora’s city side brings the quiet community to life. While countless 2025 events have already passed, there are still many remaining. On October 25th and 26th, the 40th Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair will likely attract its usual 200,000 visitors. The month after, on November 15th to 17th, the Renninger's Antique Extravaganza will host over 1,500 dealers displaying eclectic antique treasures.
Winter Park
Even closer to Orlando, Winter Park is another cozy lake town perfect for escaping theme park crowds. A gateway to the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, the town is a popular day trip spot for kayaking, boating, paddleboarding, and waterskiing. Overlooking Lake Virginia, Dinky Dock Park is one Winter Park’s prettiest launch points, also offering a fishing pier and picnic tables for a full day of fun on the waterfront.
Back in downtown Winter Park, Park Avenue transports visitors to Europe with its cobblestone streets and sidewalk bistros. Boasting over 140 shops, restaurants, and museums, hours could be spent window shopping and browsing locales like Antiques On The Avenue, George's Cafe, and the Tiffany Light Museum.
Niceville
Returning to the Gulf Coast, Niceville lives up to its reputation as “The Nicest Little City in the South.” Despite being one of the more overlooked Emerald Coast destinations, its natural beauty is well worth exploring. Underrated sites include the Turkey Creek Nature Trail, whose 1-mile boardwalk winds through serene wetlands beneath a thick canopy of trees. With benches and rest stops along the way, visitors can take a slower pace, keeping an eye out for turtles, ducks, and other wildlife.
Niceville is also a gateway to Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, a former bombing practice range and WWII gunnery. But looking at the park today, one would never know it was once a fierce training site. An arm of Choctawhatchee Bay, the Rocky Bayou anchors the park, inviting guests to paddle, fish, and hike its borders on paths like the Rocky Bayou Trail.
Cedar Key
For the ultimate unplugged nature retreat, the island town of Cedar Key encourages visitors to embrace seclusion and serenity. While we often associate an island getaway with palm trees, beaches, and coconuts, this Nature Coast town offers a more rustic escape. In place of resort-style boardwalks and umbrella-lined shores, Cedar Key tourists can immerse themselves in Florida’s wild and rugged side.
The fishing village is paradise for anglers and seafood lovers, featuring nautical restaurants like Steamers and excursion options like In The Slot Fishing Charters. The town is also a gateway to the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, where fishing, snorkeling, and swimming can be savored away from throngs of tourist crowds. Spanning 13 islands, the island shores can be reached by paddling or booking a trip with Cedar Key Boat Rentals & Island Tours. Rugged and remote, the island beaches offer a level of solitude and relaxation any introvert would appreciate.
St. Augustine
Back on the mainland, St. Augustine offers a more classic Florida beach escape, fused with history and culture. Perched along the Matanzas River and Bay, the St. Augustine area offers 42 miles of Atlantic-facing beaches. Around 5 miles from its historic district, St. Augustine Beach has something for everyone: a splash pad for kids, a Fishing Pier for anglers, and 4 miles of white sand for lounging, beachcombing, and sandcastle building.
Family fun extends through the rest of St. Augustine, where historic sites and cultural attractions await. With a history stretching back over 450 years, the “Nation’s Oldest City” is teeming with bucket list-worthy sites like the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Families with younger kids can also find tons to do, like the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.
Navarre
Beachy fun is also a hallmark of Navarre, an unincorporated Emerald Coast town loved for its laid-back atmosphere. Navarre Beach, self-described as “Florida’s most relaxing place,” is undoubtedly one of the state’s prettiest and quietest shores. Much like Niceville, Navarre is one of the more underrated destinations on the Emerald Coast, meaning Navarre Beach can be enjoyed without fighting for a spot in its sugar sands.
For fun beneath the waves, the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary is a diving and snorkeling haven. Open free of charge from sunrise to sunset, the sanctuary’s artificial reefs allow adventurers to observe ocean life up close. Common sights include sea turtles, octopuses, colorful fish, and other gorgeous marine wildlife. Alternatively, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center is a great way for younger travelers to meet sea turtles like Sweet Pea and learn about coastal conservation.
Stuart
Ending our journey on Florida’s east coast, Stuart is a river town known for its hospitality and coastal scenes. Voted America’s “Best Coastal Small Town” by USA Today readers in 2024, the community is unsurprisingly known best for its waterfront attractions. Bordering parts of the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and Atlantic Ocean, postcard views are in high supply at Stuart’s Riverwalk and its beaches.
Much like Navarre’s main shore, Stuart Beach offers fun for all ages. While the beach itself is popular with divers, snorkelers, swimmers, and paddlers, right next door, the Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Center offers hands-on touch tanks ideal for families with kids. To top it all off, the nearby Seaside Café is the perfect finale to your time in Stuart, offering ocean views and great bites.
Discover Florida’s Nicest Small Towns
Whether planning a family beach vacation, booking a romantic lakefront getaway, or making time for a theme park detour, Florida’s cities and towns are among the greatest destinations in the country. Narrowing down your choice of setting can be hard, but these 12 Florida towns reveal the best the Sunshine State has to offer. From Key West’s welcoming atmosphere and vibrant nightlife to Stuart’s family-friendly shores and attractions, each of these Florida towns has something memorable for everyone.
