These 12 Towns In Florida Feel Like Home
Most Floridians were born somewhere else. Land in Miami or Orlando and you can live there for years without learning a neighbor's name. These twelve towns are the opposite. They sit beside springs, lakes, and Gulf beaches, slower and more Southern than the cities. The farmers market on Alachua's Main Street opens every Saturday. Sponge divers in Tarpon Springs still unload at the docks. In Lake Placid, everyone turns out for the Caladium Festival each July. Move to one of these places and you are a regular at the diner by the second month.
Lake Wales
Lake Wales sits on the sandy ridge that runs down the spine of central Florida, about 15 miles southeast of Winter Haven. Bok Tower Gardens is the town's calling card, a 205-foot carillon tower in gardens laid out on Iron Mountain, and locals bring a lunch from the Blue Palmetto Cafe and stay for the afternoon bell concert. Down the hill is Spook Hill, the spot everyone in town has taken an out-of-state cousin to see. Put the car in neutral at the bottom of North Wales Drive and watch it seem to roll uphill. The historic downtown is a few blocks of brick and murals just east of US 27, with the Lake Wales History Museum in the old depot and The Ranch Taproom & Coffeehouse pouring both kinds of brew. Lake Kissimmee State Park is half an hour east for bass fishing and the Cow Camp living-history demonstration, and LEGOLAND is close enough for a day trip when the grandkids visit. Lake Wales is small enough that a new face downtown gets noticed, and greeted, within a week.
Lady Lake
When in Lady Lake, get ready for that small-town feel with a very relaxed ambiance. This town is home to quite a few retirees who enjoy one of the lowest tax rates in Florida. Locals tend to find themselves strolling around the historic downtown on a Sunday morning to grab a coffee and brunch. Maybe they wander into the Lady Lake Historical Society & Museum where they can explore and revisit the town's pioneer history. Most importantly, people love to visit The Villages, a community designed for retirees to relax and play with a golf course, wellness center, and even a theater. If you're around, try to catch a show at The Studio Theatre at Tierra Del Sol for some Oscar-worthy performances. On the other side of town is a popular activity for kids and adults alike: Uncle Donald's Farm. For just $10 for adults, and free for kids, you can spend an afternoon seeing everything from goats to baby alligators. All ages seem to find a bit of fun and relaxation when visiting Lady Lake.
Lake Placid
One of the most colorful and artistic towns on this list is none other than Lake Placid. With a vibrant downtown, Lake Placid has a lot to see and do. Stroll through the downtown and stop at the official Lake Placid Mural spot where you'll get to marvel at Miami-level murals glittering on the sides of buildings. You'll see murals big and small that highlight the state's Native American history and the natural beauty of the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park about 40 miles to the east. The town is named after Lake Placid, where you can do as the locals do and enjoy plenty of boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. If you're around in July, the entire town comes out to the Caladium Festival, a local event celebrating a tropical plant known for its bright, colorful, heart-shaped foliage. As the Caladium capital of the world, Lake Placid is the perfect place to explore in the summer and to feel that sense of home.
High Springs
When in Florida, one of the most interesting places to see are the springs. There are dozens of natural spring rivers sprinkled throughout central Florida, but High Springs is one of the most interesting. The downtown is filled with historic buildings like the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church built in 1896, or the popular Great Outdoors Restaurant located in a restored opera house from 1895. But what this town just 30 minutes northwest of Gainesville has to offer is something the big city can't: wild nature. Ginnie Springs is one of the local and tourist favorites for swimming, snorkeling, and tubing. Get a clear-bottom boat, and maybe you'll see manatees swimming underneath you. Real water lovers like to go deeper by diving into Devil's Ear Spring. Here you'll find friendly locals and nature photographers snapping shots of the fish and wildlife swimming below. Whether you're looking to stay on land or dive deeper, High Springs is full of warm locals who love to explore.
Lantana
For another spot with an Old Florida coastal feel, head over to the town of Lantana. Located just outside of West Palm Beach, this quieter, waterfront area is cozy and relaxed while having big-town amenities. You'll feel at home at the Lantana Municipal Beach. This compact beach area is full of people swimming and getting a tan along nearly 800 feet of shoreline. Being so close to Florida's coastline, you won't help but notice the array of birds to see. Locals enjoy pulling out their binoculars and heading to Lantana Nature Preserve for a bit of bird-watching. After you get your fill of nature and the beach, head towards the hugely popular shopping district of Ocean Avenue to try a truly local delicacy: key lime pie. Old Key Lime House on East Ocean Avenue has a legendary key lime pie that will truly give you that taste of Old Florida.
Stuart
North of West Palm Beach, where the St. Lucie River opens toward the Atlantic, is Stuart, the Martin County seat. Anglers call it the Sailfish Capital of the World, and a bronze sailfish stands in the circle at the center of downtown to make the point. The downtown itself kept its 1920s buildings, and the blocks around Sailfish Circle are boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafes. From there the Riverwalk runs a mile along the river, and most weeks the Green Market sets up on the boardwalk with the free Rock'n Riverwalk concert following it. The Stuart Heritage Museum, in an old feed store downtown, keeps the artifacts from the days when the town shipped pineapples north by rail. Bathtub Reef Beach on Hutchinson Island is where families go for calm, reef-sheltered water. Coastal Living named Stuart America's Happiest Seaside Town in 2016. Spend an afternoon on the Riverwalk and you will see why newcomers stop being newcomers quickly.
Homestead
Homestead is about 30 miles southwest of Miami, at the far end of the Turnpike and the start of the Redland farm country. It is the gateway town for two national parks, Everglades to the west and Biscayne to the east, and the Everglades park entrance is only a few miles out of town. But local life runs along Krome Avenue. Historic Downtown Homestead is on the National Register, with the restored 1921 Seminole Theatre, the Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum, antique shops, and the Mexican and Latin American eateries that come with being a farm town. Robert Is Here, the fruit stand on SW 344th Street that has been open since 1959, is where everyone takes visitors for a tropical fruit milkshake. Coral Castle on South Dixie Highway, more than 1,100 tons of rock carved by one man, is the standard school field trip. Winter brings the strawberry fields and the cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm. Homestead is a working town, and that is why it feels like a place to live in rather than pass through.
Miami Lakes
On the other side of Miami is another sweet town with a homey feel distinctly different from its bigger neighbor. Miami Lakes is a main street that brings people together. Stroll along its brick sidewalks and be greeted by warm smiles from locals heading to get lunch at the popular 1910 Restaurant & Bar. If you're around on a Saturday, the Miami Lakes Farmers Market shouldn't be missed. You can find everything from seasonal produce to jewelry and crafts made by local artisans. But the locals really gather at Optimist Park. True to its name, this gathering spot is where kids come to play baseball, retirees enjoy some tennis, or families come to take a rest at Veterans Park. It's a place where everyone in town knows they can find a bit of joy and a sense of home. Miami Lakes is underrated for its warm vibe; perhaps you'll feel it too when you go to visit.
Siesta Key
On the coast, just outside of Sarasota, is a cozy beach town called Siesta Key. The town is most popular for being a lovely place to lay down a blanket and catch some rays on the white quartz sands of Siesta Beach. But it's also full of locals who center around the Siesta Key Village. The evening is when the center comes alive with live music at places like the Big Tiki Lounge, where you'll find the young and young at heart dancing all night. The town also has a special spot where locals check out a seasonal visitor: Turtle Beach. Between May and October, locals run to Turtle Beach to watch the turtles come to shore, nest, hatch, and return to the sea. Then just north, you'll find locals bust out their snorkeling gear and catch some colorful fish swimming in the depths. Sometimes the warmest communities in Florida are coastal ones, and Siesta Key definitely qualifies.
Alachua
Some of the homiest towns in Florida seem to be located in the center of the state. Alachua is one of those central Florida towns where everyone knows each other and offers a wonderful combination of natural and city activities to do. The historic main street is incredibly walkable and is filled with historic brick buildings with hometown restaurants, bars, and shops. You'll find locals enjoying a tea at the adorable Teatime Tranquility & Treasures or at the Saturday Main Farmers Market. Alachua locals love the great outdoors. You can too at the San Felasco Hammock Preserve with ample hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing areas. Or you can spend a bit of time at the Mill Creek Farm to pet some retired and rescued horses on a Saturday. Even Ginnie Springs and Gilchrist Blue Springs are nearby, so you can enjoy the local springs like a true local. Alachua has that hometown feel with lots of outdoor activities to choose from.
Tarpon Springs
In Tampa Bay, nestled on the Gulf of Mexico, is an area with one of the largest Greek populations in the country: Tarpon Springs. Nearly one in ten people is of Greek descent, and you can feel it in every corner. When in Tarpon Springs, don't miss the Sponge Docks. Here, local Greek sponge divers bring their findings to market with the backdrop of Greek restaurants and shops all around. You can even do a sponge-diving boat tour if you're really curious and want to learn the craft of the locals. The historic downtown is one of the best in Tampa Bay, with lots of yellow brick historic buildings to explore and the important St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral with its colorful wall coverings and rich history. Don't forget to hit the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum for a true download on the area and its Greek-American fishing culture. Tarpon Springs has a way of making you feel like part of the family.
Weeki Wachee
Another sweet town on the Gulf of Mexico is the water-rich town of Weeki Wachee. This springs-centered town has a culture that's truly its own. The Weeki Wachee Springs are the highlight of town, where if you're lucky, you can spot a real alligator in the wild. But locals can also be found at Pine Island Park playing beach volleyball and watching the sunset. Just lay down a blanket with a few snacks, and you too can live like a Weeki Wachee resident. You can also find some locals hanging around the Weeki Wachee Village Shopping Center grabbing a bite to eat or chatting at a local coffee shop. Most Weeki Wachee residents find themselves at the Buccaneer Bay waterpark to splash around or watching a live show at the Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show. The people here love to gather around the water and visitors enjoy joining them.
You Can Feel at Home in These Florida Towns
Florida has huge metropolitan areas that draw visitors from all over the world. But it's the tiny towns nestled around the lakes, along the coasts, and near nature parks that seem to have the warmest vibe. Take your pick of kayaking with manatees in High Springs, releasing your inner child at LEGOLAND near Lake Wales, or scarfing down homemade key lime pie in Lantana. Each of these twelve towns offers something the big cities don't: friendly locals looking to share their hometown's highlights with visitors. So find your next small town in Florida and become one with the locals.
