8 Florida Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
In these Florida towns, you can paddle a spring run at dawn and pass maybe two other kayaks. No timed-entry tickets, no valet line, no waiting an hour for a table. Cedar Key serves the day's oysters at a stilt-house bar over the Gulf. Micanopy hands you a whole afternoon of antique shops on one shaded street. Crystal River lets you swim with wild manatees, not watch them from a boat rail.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key is all about the blissful beach life and golf karts. At Cedar Key Beach, visitors will get that tropical holiday feeling, complete with white sand and palm trees. The water is great for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming, and there is plenty of time for oyster hunting when the tide recedes. Those who feel like hiking can take the short trail up to Shell Mound, about 8 miles north of town. The mound it leads to was built more than 1,000 years ago. A path off the trail runs out to a boardwalk and fishing pier that draws walkers at sunset. Back in town, Dock Street awaits with its waterfront restaurants and stilt structures. Big Deck Restaurant is a must-visit for fresh seafood and fantastic Gulf views.
Micanopy
Micanopy is Florida's oldest inland town and one of the most serene travel destinations in the state. It is a tiny place between Gainesville and Ocala and an antique connoisseur's dream. There are several antique shops to explore on Cholokka Boulevard, the main street. These include Lost Ark Antiques and Wren Wood Antiques. Visitors can browse to their heart's content before sitting down for a breakfast burrito and Coffee N' Cream. Those who want to experience old-school Florida can opt for lunch at the Old Florida Cafe instead, where key lime pie is the dessert of choice. Micanopy is also the gateway to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, which offers eight hiking trails, campgrounds, and fishing spots along Lake Wauburg. The park also features an observation tower where visitors can spot wildlife, including bison and alligators.
Apalachicola
Visitors who want to enjoy the water and mouthwatering seafood while on a relaxing Florida trip should head to the Panhandle's southernmost point. Here, they will find the tranquil little town of Apalachicola. Located at the convergence of the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay, the town has lots of water to go around thanks to the Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System. There are eleven canoe and kayak trails that cover around a hundred miles through the river and the swamps that surround it. Those who crave the waves can make their way to St. George Island to enjoy the 22 miles of wide, sandy beaches. Visitors interested in history can take a walk through the Historic District and see some of the beautiful Victorian houses. Those who want even more of the seafood vibe should plan their visit for November to join the famous Florida Seafood Festival.
Mount Dora
The town of Mount Dora sits in a county with 1,400 named lakes. Visitors can start their exploration with the Mount Dora Trolley, which offers a historic tour four days a week. There are plenty of vintage things to see and buy at the popular Renninger's Flea and Farmer's Market held over weekends. Along the marina, a path leads to Palm Island Park, where a boardwalk offers great views of Lake Dora and the chance to see the red-and-white lighthouse on the lakefront. And those who want to explore the tranquility of the water firsthand can head to the Dora Canal for kayaking and canoeing.
Islamorada
Islamorada is a village of six islands in the Florida Keys. This quirky town offers scuba diving and snorkeling, and visitors can even feed the tarpons at Robbie's. Robbie's also offers sunset cruises on a catamaran, which includes complimentary champagne as the vessel cruises the Florida Bay. Those who want even more of the water can go on a tranquil kayaking tour through mangrove tunnels. The branches and leaves form a dense canopy overhead, making the tunnels one of the more memorable kayaking experiences in the Keys. There are several homes along the water, and sometimes crocodiles can be seen basking in the sun practically on a house's doorstep. Another kayaking option is LED night kayaking on kayaks that feature a string of LED lights. Before leaving town, visitors can stop by 'Betsy', a gigantic roadside lobster statue, to take a couple of selfies. Be warned, however, Betsy is slightly terrifying.
Fernandina Beach
Up the Atlantic coast sits Fernandina Beach, where pirate history still resonates and a walk on the sand feels like a complete reset. There are thirteen miles of beach to explore and a lot of seashells to collect. In the town itself, the Amelia Island Museum of History makes the past come to life with a Discovery Ship, the Footprints in Time exhibition, and even a recreated prison cell (the museum is located in the old Nassau County Jail). There is more history to experience at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, 10 minutes away, where visitors can tour the old fort, the barracks, and the hospital. Several staff members put up a show recreating what military life looked like during the Civil War. After touring the fort, visitors can hike the trails and walk to the beaches. They can also put up a tent if they want to stay overnight in one of the campgrounds.
Sebring
Inland Sebring is home to one of the oldest state parks in Florida, Highlands Hammock State Park. The park protects an ancient hammock ecosystem, which in turn shelters several endangered species. Those who want to experience the park can take one of the 9 designated trails, including a boardwalk that stretches across a swamp. Those who want to live on the wild side for a bit can take a tram tour to see the alligators that inhabit the park. There is also water to see in Sebring, despite the town not being on the coast. Lake Jackson is great for watching the sunset, while Veterans' Beach is popular with boaters. For a couple of hours of fishing, there is the Lake Jackson Fishing Pier. From the pier, visitors can head to downtown Sebring, centered on the Sebring Circle. The entire downtown area is a 1920s Historic District and one of the best-preserved of its kind in Florida.
Crystal River
Last, but certainly not least, there is Crystal River, the place where people can swim with gentle-natured manatees. Visitors who are nervous about swimming with these massive sea creatures can go on a water kayak tour instead. Those traveling with their kids can spend an afternoon at the Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, a short drive away. The aquarium is known for its mermaid shows, and families can also explore its marine exhibits, which include tortoises and seahorses. Travelers who are up for something a little different can book a spot on an airboat ride with Ozello Boats. The airboats cross the Crystal River and Homosassa, through marshes and mangroves. While on the boats, passengers can keep an eye out for sea turtles and dolphins. And there is the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The 0.75-mile walk circles around 57 acres of clear spring waters and dense forests.
The Case For Slowing Down
What these eight towns share is a scale that rewards patience. An afternoon stretches long enough to watch manatees surface at Three Sisters Springs, browse an antique shelf on Cholokka Boulevard, or wait out the tide for oysters at Cedar Key. Nothing here runs on a schedule tighter than the sunset. That is the whole appeal, and it is why travelers keep coming back to the quieter corners of the state.
