2025's Most Underrated Towns In Florida
Florida is hands down one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. Its countless beaches, year-round warm weather, and bustling cities are full of fun and relaxation regardless of the season. Destinations like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, really need no introduction, as they feature many of the state's biggest draws. Instead, we will be talking about some of the best towns in Florida that fly a bit more under the radar.
As of 2025, these places lack the crowds, but all still pack a big punch in terms of must-see attractions during a visit, making them perfect for anyone in search of something quiet in the Sunshine State this year.
Brooksville
Brooksville separates itself from Florida’s more popular beach-focused destinations with its rolling hills, historic sites, and access to outdoor recreation in the state's lush interior.
Start your adventure here downtown where quite a few notable landmarks can be appreciated, including the 1885 Train Depot Museum, which showcases the region’s history as an important railroad stop. Furthermore, the May-Stringer House, a four-story Victorian-era museum, offers another look into the town’s past, this time with exhibits based on pioneer life and local legends.
Downtown Brooksville is also the location of one of Florida's most beloved independent restaurants, Florida Cracker Kitchen. This locale is the spot for locally-made draft beer and classic southern food to keep you good and full.
For nature lovers, just outside of Brooksville is the Withlacoochee State Forest, which spans over 159,000 acres. This vast greenspace is home to an extensive web of hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails. The Croom Wildlife Management Area, within the forest, is a top destination for off-road biking and primitive camping too.
For a more water-based outing, the Weeki Wachee River, known for its crystal-clear water, is also just a short drive away and allows its visitors to paddle by manatees and other wildlife. You can also watch a live mermaid performance in the water at nearby Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key is one of Florida’s last true fishing villages in 2025, maintaining a slower pace and fewer crowds than other, more renowned Gulf destinations like Key West. Located on the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) on Florida's west coast, about an hour southwest of Gainesville, it surprisingly remains largely untouched by large-scale development.
The town supports a strong local seafood industry, with its waters producing some of the best farm-raised clams in the country. You can experience this firsthand dowtown at joints like Steamers, or at one of Dock Street's restaurants, like The Tipsy Cow Bar & Grill, which extends out over the water for a great viewing experience with your meal.
You can also spend some time learning the history of Cedar Key, from its old-timey storefronts to the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum, which documents the town’s days as a lumber and shipping hub. Cedar Key Museum State Park is another cool locale, as it blends nature on the tip of the key with historic sites, including a home dating back to the 1920s and a museum highlighting the area's place as an important railway and port town.
Moreover, many outdoor activities here focus on nature rather than resorts, with spots like the Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve and the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge providing ways for you to go ocean kayaking, fishing, and observing the abundant birdlife.
Apalachicola
Apalachicola is an authentic coastal town in Florida's panhandle, exemplified by its seafood industry, historic charm, and peaceful surroundings.
This community notably rests in the heart of the state’s oyster industry, supplying restaurants across the region with the best of these tasty mollusks. Local seafood markets and dockside eateries that you can visit in Apalachicola, such as the Apalachicola Seafood Grill, serve the freshest of the oysters, shrimp, and locally caught fish, like grouper, straight from the bay.
The town’s history is evident in its collection of picturesque 19th-century buildings, including in the historic waterfront district, and at the John Gorrie Museum, dedicated to the inventor of mechanical refrigeration.
However, if you want to really get outdoors for some time, be sure to explore the nearby Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, which protects one of the most diverse coastal ecosystems in the country. Also, just south of town, the Cape St George Island State Reserve sits on a pristine barrier island and provides miles upon miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, making it the perfect spot for some peace and quiet under the sun this year.
Captiva
Captiva Island is a wonderfully secluded Gulf Coast destination, accessible only by a small bridge from Sanibel Island. Unlike many coastal towns, it has no high-rise hotels or major commercial chains, making it a top spot with anyone looking for a true break from big city life for a while.
The island’s main attraction is Captiva Beach, known for its soft white sand, abundant seashells, and unbeatable sunsets. Turner Beach, located at the island’s southern tip, is another prime spot beach beach-related activities, including shelling and surf fishing.
The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, covering 6,470 acres on neighboring Sanibel Island, is easily reached from Captiva and provides a habitat for local wildlife like roseate spoonbills, alligators, and even manatees! Paddling through the refuge’s mangrove waterways is a popular activity here, and offers a clearer look at the region’s ecosystems.
Although somewhat remote, Captiva still has what you need for a proper vacation, including a selection of different restaurants, hotels, and other unique local businesses and services, like the whimsical Jungle Drums Gallery, or Captiva Watersports, where you can embark on an exciting parasailing ride.
Micanopy
Micanopy is interesting for being one of Florida’s oldest towns, made even more curious by its small size and lack of modern development. With proximity to attractions like Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, it is also a great destination to explore the area's wild side.
In its compact downtown core, Cholokka Boulevard, the town’s main street, houses a number of storefronts and amenities that have been standing since the 1800s, including the Micanopy Historical Society Museum, which covers the town’s early days as a Seminole War site and trading post.
Micanopy's small cafés, such as Coffee n’ Cream and Mosswood Farm Store, operate out of restored buildings too, maintaining the town’s Old Florida character without major commercialization. Several antique stores, such as Delectable Collectibles and the Shop, specialize in rare books, vintage furniture, and historical memorabilia, making it a cool place to pick up some merchandise as well.
Paynes Prairie Preserve, located just south of town, spans around 23,000 acres and is one of the only places in Florida where you can see wild bison and horses. The La Chua Trail also offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the state, with frequent sightings of alligators and migratory birds. The park especially stands out with its observation tower, which provides a panoramic view of the prairie’s vast grasslands, not typically the first kind of environment when you think about Florida.
Dunedin
Dunedin is known for its wonderful downtown waterfront, strong Scottish heritage, and direct access to some of Florida’s best natural areas just west of Tampa.
The Pinellas Trail is a big draw for those who love to stay active, a 50-mile multi-use path that runs through downtown and connects cyclists and pedestrians to other nearby communities. For something a bit more relaxing, Edgewater Park, located along St. Joseph Sound, is among the best local spots for sunset views and is the departure point for the Dunedin Marina, where you are able to book fishing charters or ferry rides to nearby Caladesi Island State Park.
Speaking of, Caladesi Island is accessible only by boat. This scenic area features one of the state’s most pristine beaches, with undeveloped white sand, nature trails, and kayak routes through its mangrove forests. For another option for an island escape, Honeymoon Island State Park (which is accessible by car) is also close by and offers additional hiking trails and a well-curated nature center focused on local wildlife.
A short drive south will land you in Pier 60 Park, one of Florida's most renowned beachfront and greenspaces, with tons of restaurants, shops, and recreational activities located within reach.
There is much to see and do in town too. The Dunedin History Museum, for example, is set in a 1923 train depot, and covers the area’s storied past, including its vital role in Florida’s citrus industry. Or visit Hammock Park, a large urban green space in the heart of town with a network of paths leading to gardens, playgrounds, and a kayak launch on Cedar Creek.
Matlacha
Matlacha is another idyllic fishing village, this one resting a short trip west of Fort Myers. Located between Pine Island and the mainland, it is a hub for fishing and boating for both residents and vacationers alike. The “Fishingest Bridge in the World,” which connects Matlacha to Pine Island, is a favorite spot in particular for anglers looking to catch snook, redfish, and tarpon
The Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve surrounds Matlacha, offering shallow waters rich in mangroves, oyster beds, and wildlife. Kayakers are recommended to navigate through the preserve, where you are able to potentially spot dolphins, other local sea life, and wading birds along the way.
The town’s main street is lined with a number of eclectic galleries and studios, including the Leoma Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, a landmark known for its bright, tropical artwork. If you're hungry, the nearby Bert’s Bar & Grill, a longtime staple, serves dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients with incredible views of the water from its dining area, while the Blue Dog Bar & Grill specifically specializes in locally caught fish. You really can't go wrong with either if you love seafood.
Sebring
Sebring, known as the "City on the Circle," is recognized for its extensive waterfront on Lake Jackson. Located in central Florida, the town is anchored by the Circle, a tree-lined roundabout surrounded by eye-catching Mediterranean Revival architecture. This area features many of Sebring's best local shops and eateries, including the Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works, which offers a variety of homemade treats that go down easy on a hot Florida day.
Sebring also offers access to nature, with Lake Jackson sitting smack dab in the middle of town. Renowned for its clear water and ideal conditions for fishing and boating, it is just one of many lakes in the region, also including Lake Lotela, Dinner Lake, and the aptly named Lake Sebring. Highlands Hammock State Park, just west of town, is another gorgeous natural locale and one of Florida’s oldest state parks, where a network of trails and a number of historic Civilian Conservation Corps-built structures can be appreciated.
The Sebring International Raceway, located just outside of town, is another main draw to the area and hosts major motorsport events, including the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race.
See Florida without the Crowds
Overcrowding is to be expected in much of Florida, as it is easily one of the busiest vacation destinations in the country. But with these underrated destinations in mind, you don't have to worry too much about that, especially if you value a little peace and quiet or simply want to see something new for a change. From the interior swamps to the coastal beaches, stray off the beaten path in 2025 and experience the Sunshine State in a completely new way at any of these places!
