These 10 Towns Are Florida's Best-Kept Secret
After welcoming an estimated 143 million visitors in 2024, it is no surprise that Florida reigns as one of the top travel destinations in the United States. From Miami to Kissimmee, millions are drawn to all the Sunshine State has to offer. But what about the towns we don’t often see in travel vlogs and magazines? While Florida’s theme parks and resort cities are popular for a reason, sometimes the best treasures are hidden in the shadows. Whether located off the beaten path or eclipsed by more popular attractions, these 10 small towns are some of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Boasting postcard beaches without the crowds and charming downtowns without the tourist traps, these towns unveil a more authentic side of Florida you never knew existed.
Indialantic-By-The-Sea
Indialantic-By-The-Sea, or Indialantic, is a serene and scenic barrier island town situated between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Since it is mainly residential, Indialantic is not on most tourist radars, making it more on the laid-back side. Nonetheless, there is still plenty to see and do in this easygoing beach town, whether dining at the Boardwalk Bar & Grill or browsing Longboard House, “Florida’s Best Surf Shop.”
Indialantic Ocean Beach Park is an uncrowded shore great for surfers and families, known for its epic waves and gorgeous boardwalk views. Next door, James H. Nance Park can also be enjoyed without Florida’s infamous crowds, offering its own oceanside boardwalk, picnic pavilions, and a playground. From March through October, visitors also have the exciting chance to spot sea turtle nests, monitored and maintained by the nearby Sea Turtle Preservation Society.
Surfside
Surfside, another barrier island beach town, is perfect for escaping the buzz of nearby Miami. Much like Indialantic, Surfside is primarily residential, keeping throngs of tourist crowds at bay. Instead, Surfside Beach is the type of casual shore you bring your family to on a Sunday afternoon. Without having to leave early for parking or battle for a spot in the sand, snorkeling, sandcastle-building, and shell collecting can all be savored at a slower pace.
Beyond its shores, Surfside features beachtown classics like a palm-lined main street, Harding Avenue. Running parallel to Surfside’s beaches, the shopping and dining district offers a relaxing break from the sunshine and sand. Whether dining at Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill, shopping for souvenirs at the Surfside Plaza, or grabbing picnic supplies at Publix Super Market, Harding Avenue is a charming stretch worth exploring.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
About an hour north of Surfside, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is another cozy Florida town to get away from the rush of Miami’s crowds. Understated by comparison, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is often overshadowed by the coastal city. In place of Miami’s towering skyline and half a million residents, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea shines for its small population and low-rise hotels like Blue Seas Courtyard, providing unobstructed views reminiscent of Old Florida.
Overnight stays are not the only way to enjoy gorgeous views in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, however. Scenic, grassy, and marked by winding paths, El Prado Park is perfect for an oceanfront stroll and picnic lunch. Nearby, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach is the town’s stunning main shore with a family-friendly atmosphere. About 100 yards offshore, adventurous snorkelers and divers can also discover the 3 coral reefs that earn Lauderdale-By-The-Sea its reputation as the “Beach Diving Capital of Florida.”
Micanopy
Florida’s oldest inland town and self-proclaimed "Antique Capital,” Micanopy is another underrated escape for travelers seeking Old Florida charms. Home to well under 1,000 residents, Micanopy is a small town with a big heart for visitors. However, guests are encouraged to embrace Micanopy-time, which means leaving your urgency at home and embracing an unhurried pace for the day.
Cholokka Boulevard is the heart of Micanopy, the main street lined with Old Florida storefronts and even older oak trees. Many like to begin their visit at the Micanopy Historical Society Museum to learn more about the town’s 200-year history, then venture south on foot to take in the sights. The Old Florida Cafe is a great stop for a pick-me-up drink before an afternoon of antique browsing. From Delectable Collectables to the Micanopy Trading Outpost, there are too many antique shops to name, but one for every taste.
Cabbage Key
Cabbage Key, “a hidden gem of Southwest Florida,” is the ultimate place to experience Florida’s natural side. Although the small island is privately owned and home to a select few, its locals are happy to welcome visitors. Nonetheless, Cabbage Key remains largely unknown to mainstream travelers due to being primarily undeveloped. With no paved roads or cars in sight, the island invites visitors to slow down and experience Florida at its most authentic.
Only accessible by water taxi or boat cruise, this little slice of paradise can be reached with Bokeelia tour agencies like Emmy Girl Charters. At the Historic Cabbage Key Inn, guests can spend the night or dine at its open-air restaurant, complete with a spellbinding view of the Pine Island Sound. Afterward, the island’s lack of traditional tourist attractions leaves the fun up to you. Whether casting a fishing line, climbing the local Water Tower for panoramic views, or hiking the Cabbage Key Nature Trail to explore local flora, Cabbage Key is all about embracing a free spirit and simple pleasures.
Apalachicola
Back on the mainland, Florida’s Forgotten Coast is home to underrated towns like Apalachicola, a historic port with friendly locals and some of the best seafood around. Bounded by the Apalachicola River to the north and Apalachicola Bay to the south, waterfront parks are a hallmark of Apalachicola. Whether strolling the boardwalk at Lafayette Park or visiting Battery Park for its playground, fishing piers, and boat launch, breathtaking scenes are never far.
Waterfront views can also be enjoyed at some of Apalachicola’s best seafood joints. Up The Creek Raw Bar and Half Shell Dockside are both hotspots in this “Oystertown,” serving fresh seafood classics. Alternatively, on October 31st and November 1st, 2025, Apalachicola will host its 62nd Annual Florida Seafood Festival along the river at Battery Park. The event will feature tons of seafood and themed activities, including an Oyster Eating and Shucking contest and Blue Crab Races.
Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe is another unforgettable Forgotten Coast town not well known to many travellers. Overlooking St. Joseph Bay, this underrated beach town is the kind of place you go to relax and escape everyday troubles. At St. Joe Beach, sugar-white sands and gentle waves make it a popular yet uncrowded shore with families and adult travelers alike. Nearby, the Shipwreck Raw Bar is a nice follow-up, serving ice-cold drinks and coastal cuisine.
Back along the bay, George Core Park is known for its shallow waters, attracting young swimmers, seashell hunters, and kayakers. The park also features a scenic Bay Walk Trail, picnic tables, and the picture-perfect Cape San Blas Lighthouse. Open Wednesday to Saturday, the 131-step lighthouse offers breathtaking views of St. Joseph Bay when climbed.
Ponce Inlet
Home to award-winning beaches and the tallest lighthouse in Florida, Ponce Inlet is a laid-back town with remarkable attractions. Similar to Surfside and Indialantic-By-The-Sea, much of the town is residential, and just a few thousand call it home. With bustling Daytona Beach nearby, Ponce Inlet also benefits from being overshadowed, resulting in its signature cozy atmosphere.
Nearly 4 miles long with awesome surf conditions, Ponce Inlet Beach is a relaxing contrast to the hectic shores in Daytona Beach. This is just one of the many reasons Ponce Inlet’s shore was previously named one of the best in the world by Dr. Beach. Elsewhere, Lighthouse Point Park offers its own charms, including its dog-friendly swimming beach, elevated boardwalks, and an 800-foot jetty deck. Towering above it all, the 175-foot Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the park’s crown jewel, inviting visitors to snap the perfect photo.
Carrabelle
Despite its obscurity, little-known Carrabelle boasts some of Florida's coolest attractions and prettiest shores. Situated where the Carrabelle River and the Gulf of Mexico merge, this "Gateway to the Gulf" has scenic waterfronts galore. Carrabelle Beach is known for its soft white sands and mild surf, attracting seashell hunters and dolphin spotters. Island View Park, on the other hand, is a preferred place to launch a kayak, stroll a boardwalk, or cast a fishing line from the park pier.
As for Carrabelle’s more unique and unusual attractions, the most iconic would be the Crooked River Lighthouse. Built in 1895, guests can climb the historic 103-foot tower for dramatic ocean views. Close behind in popularity, Carrabelle is home to the World’s Smallest Police Station, a quirky little landmark housed in an old-fashioned telephone booth.
Lake Placid
Described as “Florida's Best-Kept Secret” by Southern Living in 2025, Lake Placid is a south-central Florida town with an eclectic range of sites and scenes. Fittingly named, the town is a gateway to 27 freshwater lakes, including Lake Istokpoga, one of the largest lakes in Florida. Additionally, Lake Placid is home to Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park, a nature lover's paradise. Home to the East Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail, guests can keep their eyes peeled for the Florida scrub-jay and other native fauna and flora.
Uniquely, Lake Placid’s downtown is brightened with nearly 50 one-of-a-kind murals, contributing to its reputation as “America’s Most Interesting Town.” Amongst the murals, downtown Lake Placid is dotted with cute locally-owned boutiques and restaurants like The Blueberry Patch and Morty & Edna's Craft Kitchen. For more of Lake Placid’s weird and wonderful charms, Interlake Blvd is also home to the mural-adorned Toby’s Clown Foundation, a zany clown school and museum.
Discover Florida Beyond The Theme Parks
If you want to plan a Florida theme park detour or skip the rollercoaster lines altogether, these 10 towns are some of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Serene, scenic, and one-of-a-kind, these off-the-beaten-path towns showcase the Sunshine State’s authentic side. Whether coral diving in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, sampling seafood in Apalachicola, or lounging on Carrabelle’s Gulf shores, these underrated Florida towns invite you to slow down, relax, and take in every moment.
