Aerial view of Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

7 Most Relaxing Florida Towns

Florida, home to world-renowned beaches, island escapes, and cities like Orlando and Miami, is known for its vibrant beach scene. While living it up along the coastline, the real secret to a vacation in any season in the Sunshine State is the small towns. Dunnellon is perfect to avoid the summertime beach bodies and escape the heat on a riverside stroll through the many shaded parks.

Framed by the same white-sanded beaches, many welcoming towns boast fishing piers and lively seaside restaurants. The enviable island lifestyle can be your getaway in Cedar Key. Cortez, one of the state's last authentic fishing villages with marinas, is a hop from Sarasota. The first town along Florida’s Forgotten Coast stays quiet, ideal for relaxation against the views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Apalachicola

Apalachicola is a small coastal community located on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Panhandle
Apalachicola is a small coastal community located on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Panhandle.

Established in 1831 as "Cottonton," little has changed since on Florida’s Northwest Coast. Some 90 minutes southwest of Tallahassee, Apalachicola attained that warm, antiquated glow of an old port town, welcoming you to relax by the sea in the briny scent and some of the best seafood, wrapped in rich maritime history. Offering bountiful waters behind its moniker “Oystertown,” many enjoy simple strolls along the bustling seafood houses and stately historical buildings, with weather-worn shrimp boats along the dock and friendly folks, ready to guide you through maritime culture and outdoor recreation. From fishing charters to town greens, John Gorrie Museum State Park honors the local physician and air-conditioning pioneer.

Battery Park is a popular spot for dog walks, fishing, and sunset strolls, with a pier and overnight camping next to a gorgeous beach. Everything revolves around the waterfront; dine on freshly caught seafood and relax with a drink at the chill Up The Creek Raw Bar, serving eclectic eats over wild island views. One of the few remaining fishing villages offers access to some of the state's most pristine public lands. After just a 20-minute scenic car ride, you can be reveling at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, with trails and undeveloped beaches that lend a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities. St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge offers boat-only access to over 12,000 acres of two wild islands for a truly removed-from-it-all vibe.

Brooksville

The Brooksville water tower and the Country Depot Collectibles store in Brooksville, Florida
The Brooksville Water Tower and the Country Depot in Brooksville, FL. Editorial credit: Sunshower Shots / Shutterstock.com

From the statue of a Confederate soldier in front of its courthouse to the surrounding blueberry farms, this small town blends history into scenic outdoors for a fresh-air visit to the past. The 46-mile-long Withlacoochee Trail is one of the state's best for lengthy cycling, while the shaded Dade Battlefield Historic State Park offers a quiet sojourn with nature in a thought-provoking atmosphere. Take a drive along the quiet countryside roads; about six miles north, the 114-acre Chinsegut Hill Historic Site boasts one of the state's highest elevation points. Exuding a Gone with the Wind vibe, the grand white-columned house played host to suffragists and labor union activists in the 20th century, as well as Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

From the pristine Withlacoochee River on a picnic to the surrounding wildlife forest trails, Brooksville reveals the rural lifestyle on the wild side of Florida. Offering easy access via U.S. 41, Jefferson Street, right downtown, Fort Dade Avenue frames its history within grand live oaks and stately pines to explore on a shady stroll or drive. From the old city hall to the 1885 brick Grimsley country store and pre-Civil War sites, soak up the charm at leisure among Classical Revival homes with porch columns and balustrades. The Burnell-Barnett House is an original 1887 Victorian house with a two-story wrap-around veranda, while the 1885 Railroad Depot Museum at 70 Russell Street features a restored 1800s dining car, a 1925 fire truck, and other Florida Cracker life memorabilia.

Cedar Key

Sunset at a beach in Cedar Key, Florida
Sunset at a beach in Cedar Key, Florida. Editorial credit: Cavan-Images / Shutterstock.com

Established around the mid-19th century as one of Florida’s oldest towns, this quiet Hemingway-esque fishing village can be your natural retreat, some 50 miles southwest of Gainesville. Loved for its historic main drag, the local creative folk get a daily dose of inspiration just by stepping out the door into the natural beauty of the islands along the Gulf. You can explore the nearby keys, one of the nation’s oldest bird and wildlife refuges, on a boat and stop by the springtime’s Old Florida Celebration of the Arts. Cedar Key, a leading producer of farmed clams, is a great place to eat seafood. Experience modern-day culture at the annual Taste of Cedar Key in October or anytime over a true Floridian dining experience overlooking the fishing pier.

Having avoided too much commercialization, Cedar Key boasts one of the state's most charming downtowns with an artsy ambiance and many of its original structures. For a real blast from the past, the historic Cedar Key Island Hotel on the main offers doorstep access to dining and sightseeing against a photogenic backdrop. Cedar Key Museum State Park features a nature trail and a museum on port and railway history, plus a restored 1920s home. No escape in coastal Florida is complete without some beach time. The silky smooth sands at the dog-friendly Cedar Key Public Beach are perfect for relaxing and enjoying watersports. Take a hike along the beautiful Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail with open water views right to your dinnertime at the apt Lowkey Hideaway and Tiki Bar.

Cortez

Aerial view of Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida
Aerial view of Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Founded by North Carolina families in the 1880s, Cortez has played a vital role in Florida's fishing history. Just west of the touristy Bradenton, many enjoy access to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, plus the popular Sarasota Jungle Gardens, just south of town. Exuding Old Florida vibes, its own downtown is a blur with local culture in between tour operators and rental companies. Just a hop from shops and restaurants to the shores, you can be boating, jet skiing, and paddleboarding with the best of them, or pick up a new skill and reward yourself with seafood. After saltwater fun, reserve a spot at Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina. It's easy to pay tribute to the rich maritime heritage in your favorite way. From pirate ship cruises to watersports and annual events, the Bratton/Burton Store is the town's first commercial building.

Home to beautiful marinas like Cove Sound Moorings, the small town is a dream for seafood lovers. Star Fish Company epitomizes the chill waterside fish market, a local hangout with buckets of beers and outdoor picnic tables. Stop for artisanal ice cream at Tyler's Homemade Ice Cream, a cheerful family-owned shack next to the Florida Maritime Museum, pending opening. Get lost along the untouched hiking/biking trails through Robinson Preserve to the north, with picnic areas, a boat launch, and observation platforms. Many enjoy the intimate feel through Ungarelli Preserve, which is perfect to follow up at Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar. After a stroll through Sunny Shore Park, on the doorstep of Parrot Cove Marina, catch the sunset overlooking Palma Sola Bay. The state-of-the-art John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is just south in Sarasota.

Dunnellon

The spring at Rainbow River State Park in Dunnellon, Florida
The spring at Rainbow River State Park in Dunnellon, Florida.

Known for great kayaking and tubing, Dunnellon is a great town to escape life off the path and back in time. Founded in 1887, two years after the discovery of phosphate in the area, its prosperity is the wealth downtown. Visit in the cooler months to avoid crowds around the mounting attractions between the scenically wild Rainbow River lacing the downtown to the east and the huge Lake Rousseau west of town. Pristine nature reigns abounding in adventure opportunities on land and by water at the serene Rainbow Springs State Park. Boasting natural springs, a river, plus campgrounds and picnic areas, the water scenery frames snorkeling and wildlife like otters. Just north, Grandview Clydesdales is a local attraction for real equestrian lovers.

Without the summertime crowds flooding the public park, you can peacefully float down the Rainbow River on inner tubes. For something more intimate, Tidewater Trailhead offers camping with clean restrooms for a weekend escape along the trails with natural wonders. KP Hole Park is a county park with river tubing, boating, and snorkeling, while the downtown Blue Run of Dunnellon Park offers access to the Rainbow River for kayaking and a water tubing exit. Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is a great place for hiking or a leisurely bike ride along the Withlacoochee State Trail. After a walk with your dog through Chaplin A. Dinkins III Memorial Park, the nearby Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant serves Southern-style seafood grub with a beachy vibe, a bar, river views, and live entertainment.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

Street café at the beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
Street café at the beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida. Editorial credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com

North of Fort Lauderdale, this retro-style seaside villa induces relaxing vibes along a scenic stretch of Florida’s Southeast Coast. Home to 6,000 people, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea entices locals and visitors alike with its only low-rise-only development and hotels to escape the city in the breezy atmosphere. Life sure revolves around the walkable beach that connects to Greater Fort Lauderdale. Boasting 2.5 miles of pristine shoreline, public parks, and oceanfront viewpoints, welcome to Florida’s Beach Diving Capital. The first, three-tiered natural coral reef system, just 100 yards from the beach, is behind the moniker. It's easy to swim out to explore the diverse ocean life from shore via snorkeling or scuba diving.

El Prado Park, home of the weekly farmers’ market from December through May, flaunts paradisiacal sands and a beach pavilion to relax, picnic, and people-watch against the endless oceanscape. Enjoy views of the sparkling waters from Adirondack chairs and boat benches, just a hop from shops and eateries at Anglin’s Square. Strolling through Commercial Boulevard along this oceanfront district, you can easily access Laura Ward Park and Washingtonia Beach, a popular spot with unspoiled sands to relax. Boasting mid-century modern architecture, take a stroll along the Intracoastal or hop on the Circuit-By-The-Sea, a free shuttle to get around the area.

Steinhatchee

View of the Steinhatchee River in Steinhatchee, Florida
View of the Steinhatchee River in Steinhatchee, Florida. By Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Home to 1,000 friendly locals, this small Gulf town is an angler's paradise in Florida’s Big Bend region. Offering to exchange the city chores and worries for moments of pure joy, take your time admiring unique buildings, stroll along relaxed marinas, and indulge in waterfront restaurants. The historic fishing village offers a modern twist to discover its unique flavor. From Kathi’s Krab Shack to Fiddler’s Restaurant & Resort to Roy’s Restaurant, you'll be snacking on fresh seafood, cooked up any style, all day long. Steinhatchee also means plenty of time on the water and plenty of fish in it, like grouper, snapper, redfish, spotted sea trout, black sea bass, and tarpon.

The bright and beachy McDavid’s Cafe serves hot donuts, Southern-style breakfast, brunch, and lunch. From a riverside stroll, rent a boat or book a charter to explore. Enjoy scenic relaxation on the Gulf of Mexico beach straight from your cottage rental by the water, Steinhatchee Landing Resort, or Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina. The upcoming annual Fiddler Crab Festival in February lends a perfect reason to visit and experience it all. Scalloping is a popular summertime activity to wade in the shallows, while the adventurous enjoy a six-mile float with the River Paddling Trail from Steinhatchee Falls to the Jena Boat Ramp. Give in to relaxation during the Sips and Sunsets in November, with an off-season feel, live entertainment, local fare, craft beer, and wine.

Relax and Explore Florida's Unique Small Towns

Dream of a sunny escape to relax on the oceanfront or explore Florida's phenomenal landscapes? These seven unique communities offer access to both. With more than 825 miles of sandy beaches, Florida's small towns provide so much more. Dunnellon immerses you in natural beauty at Rainbow Springs State Park.

From a Hemingway-esque fishing village to blueberry picking in Brooksville, there’s something for everyone. Steinhatchee offers an angler’s paradise and scalloping adventures between the river and the Gulf of Mexico. In Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, the diving capital, enjoy a retro-style vacation paired with a charming shopping district.

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