Florida's 9 Unsung Small Towns
Florida is one of the most distinctive destinations in the country, if not the world, to visit. It has a diverse history, with numerous countries laying claim to it over the years. Remnants of each remain visible, creating a tapestry of cultures, heritage, and architecture that gives its cities a vintage yet progressive character. These nine unsung small towns deserve consideration for those seeking the "old Florida" atmosphere that is slowly being covered by concrete jungles.
Waterfront views in Port St. Joe, to the uninhabited barrier islands of Cedar Key, offer seclusion and romance for the adventurous and the curious alike. Historic Venice sweeps visitors back to the heyday of the Roaring Twenties and an often untold side of Florida, filled with salty breezes and the aroma of Cuban cigars. Off-the-beaten-path towns are the best way to discover the southernmost state in the contiguous US, and these unsung towns define the region.
Havana
Known as "Florida's Friendliest Small Town," Havana is an unsung treasure in the Panhandle, renowned for its quality tobacco and named after its Cuban counterpart. Its cigar history is interpreted at the Shade Tobacco Museum, part of the Havana History and Heritage Society. The gallery provides a deep dive into the town's heritage by collecting, archiving, and publishing artifacts related to Havana.
The small city is also a noteworthy antiquing hub and part of the Florida Antique Trail. Shops like The Antique and Design Center and Traditions Antiques and Gifts line Main Street, along with colorful murals for added impact. Eateries like Off the Rails Irish Pub add to the charming area with a relaxed ambiance and open-beam ceilings.
Port St. Joe
The fishing village of Port St. Joe is a "small city with a big heart" on Florida's Northwest Coast. The bayfront town is a fishing and boating hub near the Gulf of America and St. Joseph Bay, giving it a laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Historic downtown provides a half-mile stroll through time, culminating in the Constitution Convention Museum, the site of Florida's 1838 Constitution Convention.
The Reid Avenue shopping district adds modernity to the historic village, with coastal shops like Walter Green Boutique and other upscale merchants, offering a different side of Port St. Joe. There is also a collection of fun restaurants, such as Sisters' Bistro and Quatro Locos Tacos and Cantina, for an evening in an "old Florida" coastal town.
Apalachicola
Apilachicola is a historic fishing village on the Forgotten Coast, known for its historic district, commercial boats, and charming atmosphere on Apilachicola Bay. The historic district has a lively community centered around the six original squares in the town's plan: City, Chapman, Gorrie, Franklin, Madison, and Washington, lined with Victorian homes, which adds to the overall culture.
Unique places to visit include the John Gorrie Museum State Park, which contains a replica of the ice machine invented in 1851 by John Gorrie, an integral element of the local fishing industry, and the Raney House Museum. The Florida Seafood Festival offers an excellent opportunity to visit, as it showcases the industry and community. The annual event includes competition, Oyster Eating, and Blue Crab Races for a fun time in one of the coast's preferred villages.
Mount Dora
Mount Dora's historic district is among the best in Florida, featuring the landmark Lakeside Inn, the oldest continuously operated inn in the state. The area is also home to galleries, such as the Modernism Museum, and fascinating eateries like 1921 Mount Dora. The eatery features contemporary Florida cuisine and a forward-looking menu in a 1921 home. Thiblendon, past and present, is a signature of Mount Dora and should be considered a quaint destination for an extended stay.
Grantham Park is an essential stop, featuring the Mount Dora Lighthouse, Florida's oldest lighthouse. The iconic candy cane strip navigational beacon is accessible and open to the public. It stands watch over Lake Dora, another stunning hallmark of this unsung town in the middle of the state.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key is a barrier island off Florida's east coast, known for its "old Florida" ambiance and laid-back vibe. Although devastated by Hurricane Helene, the community is making a strong comeback, a testament to its resilience and love of the island. A big draw for many is Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, a string of barrier islands accessible only by water, making it a popular stop for kayakers.
Cedar Key Museum State Park on the island is an essential stop, covering 18 acres and featuring large pines and expansive salt marshes. It also features vintage exhibits from the University of Florida from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the historic Whitman Home, which commemorates the life of St. Clair Whitman. Her seashell and Native American collections are featured in a home restored to its 1920s appearance.
Venice
Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World, but its unsung historic district is simply breathtaking. Constructed during the 1920s, downtown still retains its Roaring '20s mystique, anchored on Tampa Avenue and East Venice Avenue. The heart of the neighborhood is Centennial Park, which hosts free outdoor concerts and offers the Venice MainStreet kiosk for information on essential sites.
Walking tours pass the Venice Train Depot, still regal a century later, anchoring the area in its railroad roots. Those looking to get off the main drag can explore the Venetian Waterway Park or the Legacy Trail. The natural trails provide miles of walking and biking trails that connect to the historic downtown.
Vero Beach
Vero Beach is a Treasure Coast gem featuring 26 miles of beaches and an uncrowded shoreline. It offers cultural and natural attractions to appease any appetite, from the McKee Botanical Garden to the Riverside Theatre. The botanical garden is Vero Beach's first and oldest attraction, founded in 1932 to preserve Florida’s native hammock and showcase tropical plants from around the globe. The professional theater hosts year-round shows and educational exhibits that present another dimension of this seaside town.
Arts and culture are alive and well in Vero Beach, with Admiralty Gallery and Art on 18th lining the main streets. The aura is also evident across the culinary scene, from casual to fine dining, on the Treasure Coast Wine, Ale, and Spirits Trail. Indian River Distillery is just one stop along the trail, a hub for the community. Each one brings the fun Florida vibe the area is known for, and is an excellent way to connect with locals.
Micanopy
Micanopy is a small town, covering only 1.1 square miles and with fewer than residents, but it is large enough to be the self-proclaimed "Antique Capital of Florida." Antique City Mall, Wren Wood Antiques, and other collectible shops line Cholokka Boulevard, which was once a Native American trading route. A stroll through the historic district or a visit to the Micanopy Historical Society Museum lets visitors revisit its history.
Those looking to spend more time in the historic town should consider the antebellum Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast. The 1845 home on Cholokka Boulevard is a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of larger cities and the faster pace of modern life. The brick walkway leads past manicured hedges to a porch adorned with white columns, leading to stately rooms in Florida's oldest inland town.
Monticello
Historic Monticello is near the capital of Tallahassee, named after Thomas Jefferson's famed estate. It also includes Jefferson's designation of "the South's Most Haunted Small Town." Monticello's supernatural features can be seen during a Historic Monticello Ghost Tour. It is home to many beautiful structures, and visitors can see them up close by staying at a bed-and-breakfast like the Daffodale House.
The two-story inn with a red roof offers cozy rooms and suites with stunning views, setting the tone for a stay in the historic town. The 1890 Monticello Opera House downtown is another shining example of the area's prestige and history. The brick edifice includes a garden courtyard reminiscent of yesteryear. Booking a trip around a particular show is one of the best ways to take in this Panhandle town.
Florida is an intriguing destination for many reasons, and its unsung towns are among the historic. From historic Venice to antiquing in Havana or Micanopy, there is something for every taste. Historic districts in Mount Dora and Apalachicola both offer a different glimpse of Florida's diverse history, and modern amenities in 1921 Mount Dora complete the "old Florida" scene.
Cedar Key and other towns are also more popular. Still, they have seemingly unsung aspects to visit, like outer islands that are worth finding, offering distinct elements of Florida, from the Treasure Coast to the Forgotten Coast, and each moniker reflects what the small towns have to offer. Walking past historic buildings on streets lined with pine brings visitors to areas and creates a unique experience.
