8 Charming Florida Towns For The Perfect Getaway
Florida, the 27th and southeasternmost US state, is one of the country’s top tourist destinations thanks to its inviting climate and world-renowned amusement parks. But beyond Orlando’s theme parks, the Sunshine State’s small towns illuminate Florida’s everyday charms. From beach towns and barrier islands to lake towns and riverfronts, the state’s breathtaking waterways, whether coastal or inland, are a common tie. Coupled with unique excursions, shopping districts, and a range of accommodations for different price points, Florida’s warm weather and welcoming atmosphere beckon for a getaway in 2025.
Crystal River
Crystal River, a “gem of the nature coast” in western Florida, stands out for being one of the only places in the country that allows people to legally swim with manatees. Although the town’s annual Florida Manatee Festival passed this previous January, there are plenty of other ways to experience the gentle ocean giants in 2025. While they can be spotted in Crystal River’s waterways throughout the year, the peak season is from November through April. During these colder months, hundreds of manatees migrate to Crystal River’s springs in search of warmer waters.
Excursions like the Crystal River Marvelous Manatee Tour allow guests to snorkel with these majestic creatures at the Crystal River Refuge. Alternatively, guests can view them from land at Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the refuge. Set in Kings Bay, Three Sisters shines for its boardwalk and three natural springs with striking turquoise waters. Nearby, Paddles Outdoor Rentals And Tours also offer clear kayak ecotours and paddle rentals. To save on transportation costs, the town has countless waterfront accommodations close by, including King’s Bay Lodge, Best Western Crystal River, and the Retreat at Crystal Manatee.
Juno Beach
For travelers craving a more beachy getaway, Juno Beach provides the best of both worlds. The barrier island town is perched on Florida’s southeast Atlantic shore. While predominantly residential, the seaside community features hotels like the Hampton Inn while road trippers may prefer RV parks like the Juno Ocean Walk Resort. Its main stretch of sand, Juno Beach Park, is perfect for a family beach day, whether swimming, combing for shells across its 5 acres, or enjoying 300 feet of guarded ocean frontage. The shore also boasts a pier that extends over 990 feet into the Atlantic, complete with a snack bar and bait shop for anglers. Adjacent to the park, beachgoers can also visit the Juno Dunes Natural Area to explore its loop trails and towering dunes.
Beyond its classic beach amenities, Juno’s shores are even more famous for their sea turtle nests. From May to October, hundreds of thousands of eggs are laid and buried on Juno's beaches, lying dormant until early fall. Some travelers choose to book their trips around this time to witness the adorable turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean. Alternatively, outside of fall, vacationers can also visit the Loggerhead Marinelife Center to meet the preserve’s sea turtle patients and engage with interactive exhibits.
Naples
On southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, Naples is another beach town with exciting experiences for travelers of all ages. Beyond its reputation as the "Golf Capital of the World," it offers an eclectic range of tourist attractions. Families with kids can enjoy experiences like the Naples Zoo and Golisano Children's Museum while adult travelers may prefer its high-end dining and shopping on Fifth Avenue South. The palm tree-lined main street features a treasure trove of upscale locales, including spots like the White House Black Market and Dolce & Salato Italian Bistro.
Naples’ top attraction, however, is its award-winning shores. Lowdermilk Park is one of the town’s premier beachfronts, featuring a playground, picnic tables, and pristine white sands. Larger shores, like the 10-mile Naples Beach, promise a “picture-perfect beach day” with even more of the same soft sands and crystal-clear waters. To get the most out of your days in the sand, Naples offers countless high-end accommodations on the water, like the Escalante Hotel and Edgewater Beach Hotel. Alternatively, for a more cost-effective option, Naples also offers more affordable stays deeper inland, like the Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel or Tamiami Motel.
Marco Island
Starting your journey from Naples on the US-41, Collier Boulevard will bring you to Marco Island, the perfect setting for a more secluded escape. The drive to the barrier island features scenic views of the McIlvane and East Marco Bay, but the best beauty lies at your final destination. Known for being the only developed key in Florida’s renowned Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island blends a resort atmosphere with Florida’s wild side. This includes unspoiled shores like Tigertail Beach, which is favored for its white sands, tide pools, and coastal bird watching.
Excursions are another great way to experience the beauty of Marco Island and its surrounding bays. Local tour agencies like Eco Endeavors & Breakwater Adventures will carry you to the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge to explore its barrier beaches and mangrove forests, with dolphin spotting along the way. Back on Marco Island, travelers can choose from a range of accommodations. Similar to Naples, the town offers more luxurious stays like the Marco Beach Ocean Resort as well as more affordable options like the Marco Island Lakeside Inn.
Lake Wales
Around 50 miles south of bustling Orlando, Lake Wales showcases a more serene and natural side of central Florida. Wrapped around the shores of Lake Wailes, the town’s landscape is equally noted for its citrus groves and lush hillsides. To experience the greenery Lake Wales is famous for, Bok Tower Gardens is a must. Since opening in 1929, over 23 million people have visited the Gardens, fulfilling the founder’s mission of creating a space “to inspire others and touch hearts.” Its 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower anchors the park’s 50-acre gardens which can be explored on two winding trails.
Lake Wales’ natural splendor extends to attractions like Lake Kissimmee State Park, where the region’s cowboy history comes to life. Guests can observe dynamic demonstrations of an 1876-era cow camp or simply enjoy the park’s scenic setting. The nearly 6,000-acre area grants access to the Kissimmee, Rosalie, and Tiger lakes, with kayak and canoe rentals available throughout. Back on land, the park also boasts 20 miles of trails where hikers can encounter wildlife like sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, and even bobcats. For an overnight stay, travelers can stay in the park's Luxury Pioneer Tents or book a room back in town at spots like the Rodeway Inn.
Destin
Returning to the Gulf Coast, Destin is a Florida Panhandle town popular for its beachfront parks. Like other Emerald Coast communities, Destin’s beaches feature sugar sands and emerald-green waters. Henderson Beach State Park shines as the town’s most popular place to embrace the spirit of the Emerald Coast. The park’s mile-long waterfront invites relaxation with views of bordering 30-foot dunes. Conversely, the park’s nature trail allows travelers to experience a rare view of Florida’s endangered coastal scrub ecosystems.
Beyond the sand, Destin’s Harbor Boardwalk is where you can find the town’s top excursions. Whether booking a dolphin cruise, snorkeling tour, parasailing trip, or fishing charter, the Destin Boardwalk is a one-stop gateway to adventure. For a break from the sun and heat, the Emerald Coast town is also home to the Destin Commons, an award-winning shopping center with over 80 restaurants and stores. Nearby, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Comfort Inn & Suites offer an affordable gateway to the mall and Henderson Beach.
High Springs
Much like Destin, the Alachua County town of High Springs offers an exciting mix of natural attractions, outdoor adventures, and charming downtown amenities. With multiple natural springs near town, this “Gateway to the Springs” is a popular scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking destination. Blue Springs Park is a local favorite for swimming, tubing, and picnicking, its quarter-mile boardwalk following the spring’s turquoise waters. O'Leno State Park is another top choice, welcoming travelers to a rich landscape of sandhills, Santa Fe River swamps, and countless nature trails. The shallow Ginnie Springs, by contrast, welcomes divers and snorkelers to explore its underwater caverns.
In downtown High Springs, vacationers can enjoy the charms of a 20th-century Main Street. The area is known for its large concentration of antique shops like The Bird Nest, Decades on Main, and The Mantle. High Springs’ Main Street is also lined with some of the town’s coziest eateries, like the Great Outdoors Restaurant, a local hotspot serving locally sourced American-style bites. For those looking to stay close to downtown, the High Springs Country Inn is a charming choice, while vacation rentals like Serene at the Springs are closer to attractions like the River Rise Preserve State Park and Poe Springs Park.
New Smyrna Beach
As the name implies, New Smyrna Beach is beloved for its 17 miles of sandy shore. However, the town's beaches stand out from the rest, attracting surfers from all over the country due to the dependable waves formed by coastal rock ledges. As a result, the American Professional Surfing Association hosts one of its renowned contests in New Smyrna Beach every summer. But even outside of its contest season, New Smyrna’s shores are almost always dotted with surfboards. Although this may feel intimidating for inexperienced surfers, the town’s energy is extremely welcoming. Local gear rental spots like Nichols Surf Shop even offer beginner-friendly lessons, allowing everyone to embrace New Smyrna’s surf culture.
If surfing is not on your radar, the town’s beaches are still a delight. The main shore, New Smyrna Town Beach, is a wide stretch of soft sand favored by tourists seeking classic beach vibes. Smyrna Dunes Park, on the other hand, offers a more natural side of the coast. Bordering the southern shoreline of the Ponce de Leon Inlet, this 184-acre park includes a 2-mile elevated boardwalk with gorgeous views of the Atlantic and Indian River. Alternatively, vacationers can experience the luxury of beach access with accommodations like the Coconut Palms Beach Resort or The Salty Mermaid Oceanfront Hotel.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s legacy as a theme park center may often overshadow its other attractions, but its charming small towns are becoming increasingly popular. Whether visiting quintessential beach communities like Juno Beach or inland towns like High Springs, natural beauty stretches through every nook and corner of the Sunshine State. Whether visiting these towns for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, your days will be filled with stunning natural scenes and memorable experiences, sending you home with a longing to come back soon.
