11 Adorable Small Towns in Florida to Visit in 2024

Thanks to Florida's geographical position, the Sunshine State harbors some of America's most beautiful towns. Aside from world-class beaches and delicious seafood, Florida is also home to numerous adorable small towns brimmed with historic landmarks, festivals, and shops. This article will explore 2024's top 11 most adorable small towns in Florida.

Mount Dora

Starting the list is Mount Dora. You may be familiar with this town, as it landed a spot in the 13 prettiest towns in the US earlier this year. With more than 1,400 lakes in the area, few towns have as many bodies of water as Mount Dora does; hop in the refreshing waters at the scenic Dora Canal while kayaking amidst cypress trees. Several agencies offer rental and tour services related to kayaking and paddleboarding, including Adventure Outdoor Paddle and Get Up And Go Kayaking - Rock Springs. To break a sweat, trek the lush Mout Dora Trail, offering outdoor enthusiasts five enchanting trails to bike and run while enjoying the fresh outdoors. Finally, discover the Mount Dora Historic District, Modernism Museum, and Mount Dora History Museum to learn about the town's history. The latter was originally a firehouse and jail center but now showcases the area's local history through exhibits and artifacts as a museum.

Apalachicola

This small town is known as the "Oyster Capital of the World" and was responsible for 90 percent of Florida's oyster harvest. Since Apalachicola sits on the shores of Gulf of Mexico, visit the Scipio Creek Boardwalk to observe Florida's famous wetlands and the diverse wildlife it houses. Alternatively, experience how people lived two centuries ago during the cotton trade by touring the Raney Hous Museum inside a cozy 18th-century home. Finally, see why Apalachicola received its nickname by treating your taste buds to some delicious oysters at the Apalachicola Seafood Grill Restaurant, the town's premier diner. If you're in the area during fall, take advantage of the annual Florida Seafood Festival in the first two days of November. The festival features a parade, music, and an oyster eating contest.

Seaside

Seaside is a getaway town for Floridians with a friendly beachfront community. To see why visitors flock here, uncover the E Ruskin Beach Pavilion and enjoy its crystal-clear waters amidst the snow-white sand, with tons of amenities to provide a comfortable experience. What's more, the beach is known to give the best sunset views in the area, so be sure to bring your camera alongside you! When you're finished at the beach, stroll through the town center, where you'll find a variety of shops and restaurants. One popular spot is the Seagrove Village Market, known for its seafood, fresh fish, and other local specialties. Another perk of visiting Seaside is the many events hosted, including the weekly Sounds of Seaside in July, hosted every Saturday featuring live music from local artists at the Seaside Amphitheater.

Fernandina Beach

Located just 35 miles from Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach boasts stunning natural beauty and landmarks to roam. Kickstart your visit at Main Beach Park and catch some waves for surfing. Alternatively, enjoy the park's wooden boardwalk, take a stroll and explore the nearby restaurants. Fernandina Beach is much more than just a seaside town, as it played a significant role in the Civil War; investigate the famous Fort Clinch State Park to see the fort's numerous chambers, exhibits, and surrounding landscape. Finally, take a decompressing hike at Eagons Creek Greenway Trail, sitting on over 300 acres of protected land. The grassy-covered park is perfect for biking and spectating wildlife from a distance.

Dunedin

This town is the primary gateway to Caladesi Island State Park and the Honeymoon Island State Park. The first location features world-class beaches and nature trails and is popular among kayakers. The latter provides similar attractions and is ideal for swimming, fishing, hiking, and, as the name suggests, romantic honeymoons. After exploring the nearby islands, grab a bite on the downtown's Main Street, home to numerous shops and eateries. Two notable restaurants worth visiting are the Miggs Craft Kitchen and The Black Pearl, which consistently deliver excellent fine-dining experiences and have garnered impressive 4.8 and 4.7-star ratings on Google Reviews.

Micanopy

Love the outdoors? Micanopy is perfect for you. This town is near one of Florida's premier campgrounds, the Puc Puggy. Open year-round, Puc Puggy offers several scenic lakes and a secluded campground amidst dense trees for added privacy. Whether your forte is fishing, hiking, biking, or bird-watching, this place offers an enjoyable activity for every unique person's taste. Not too far away lies the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, consisting of 23,000 acres and 30 miles of trails. Before you start exploring, consider a visit to the visitor center for up-to-date information, and while you're there, climb the observation tower to see unforgettable panoramic views. To learn about the town's history, visit the Micanopy Historical Society Museum and discover what life was like for its earliest inhabitants and its role as a key trading post in the 1800s and onwards.

Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs has the luxury of a prime location as it sits in the middle of everything. To the east, the Gulf of Mexico stretches out, while to the south lie several parks and the world-class Copperhead Course golf course. Start your journey at Fred Howard Park, an idyllic 155-acre beach sitting on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, with all the white sandy beach you need to relax and soak in the sun. After a lovely day at the beach, take a leisurely stroll at Craig Park, offering mesmerizing views of the Whitcomb Bayou while being minutes away from several top-rated restaurants, including Madeline'sMadeline's Falafel & Shawarma and Mr. Souvlaki. Less than 15 minutes away, the Key Vista Nature Park provides a relaxing atmosphere away from all the noise of town, with secluded nature trails and a boardwalk to immerse yourself in the environment on more than 100 acres of green space.

Cedar Key

Cedar Key is one of two island towns on this list. This hidden gem of a town brings a modest 12,000 visitors annually. Whilw Cedar Key is relatively unknown, it boasts a wide array of exciting attractions waiting to be discovered by readers like you. One such landmark is the Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail—it takes 11 minutes to complete and provides access to picturesque forests with stunning views of the water. Another well-known attraction in town is the Cemetery Point Park, a 1,200-foot boardwalk, providing access to Florida's lush tidal marsh and, if you get lucky, wildlife. Finally, conclude your journey with a visit to the Cedar Key Museum State Park, offering a blend of history and nature with peaceful trails and paved paths.

Winter Park

Art lovers, prepare to be captivated by this town. Begin your journey at the Morse Museum, home to the biggest collection of works done by legendary artist and designer, Louis Comfort Tiffany. Here, you can observe esoteric-looking ceramics, paintings, jewelry, art glass, and more. Less than three miles away takes you to the Orlando Museum of Art, featuring several galleries, monthly events, and different collections. Additionally, another notable attraction here is the Mead Botanical Garden, which flaunts a scenic butterfly garden, boardwalk, bike path, and other amenities, including an amphitheater, sitting on more than 47 acres of land. Wrap up your trip by reliving the past at the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, known to locals as "Happy House." The facility is a museum but is also used as a wedding and music venue for live performances.

Venice

Known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" for the copious number of fossilized shark tooths on its sandy beaches, Venice provides several attractions and landmarks to explore. Kickstart your visit with Aristakat Charters, a scuba tour agency where you can choose from numerous dives, such as the Megalodon & Fossil Trips; the four-hour trip takes four hours to complete, taking patrons 10ft to 30 feet underwater to see unparalleled views of shipwrecks, fossils, and sea life. As an alternative, trek Caspersen Beach, the town's premier go-to beach to dip your toes in the soft sand and soak up the sun. Whether it's the paved paths, picnic spots, or scenic overlooks, Caspersen has it. And not too far away, the 700-foot Venice Fishing Pier located by Brohard Park provides all the space you need to reach your daily step count, in addition to nearby coffee shops, beachfront restaurants, and other amenities.

Anna Maria Island

Many towns have bought into modernist architecture and high-rise buildings, but not Anna Maria Island. This charming small town banned high-rise buildings to preserve what made it adorable in the first place. To see the architecture, take a brisk walk in its downtown core and enjoy a plethora of mouth-watering eateries—the best part? They're all unique restaurants, as Anna Maria Island banned chain establishments from operating. Among many restaurants to consider, Beach Bistro, Harry's Grill, and The Waterfront Restaurant stand out for their exceptional food, with the latter featuring beach views as a bonus. Another prominent landmark worth checking out is Bean Point Beach, a popular spot for swimming and catching calendar-worthy sunset views during dusk.

In conclusion, visiting these charming Florida towns will ensure that you never get bored. Whether you embark on an unforgettable dive in Venice to see what lies beneath the surface, or catch a breathtaking sunset picture at Anna Maria Island, these towns and their diverse landmarks are bound to leave you with a memorable trip to remember for a lifetime.