8 Florida Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Touristic appeal is largely determined by how friendly a place is. The Sunshine State, the top to visit in the US, is very tourist-friendly. Also kid, pet, bike, LGBTQ+, and crypto-bro friendly: there is a vibe and a tide for everyone. From the touristy beaches to the lesser-known gems, there are eight small towns in Florida, bursting with good vibes, unmatched in their level of friendliness.

These towns are deeply beloved by locals on a getaway, and visitors return time and again to an enclave that has stolen their heart. Hemingway made his home in Key West. From the Florida Keys to Emerald Coast, Destin is "the world's luckiest fishing village." If the Palm Coast calls your name, Flagler Beach is a colorful, laid-back town along the Matanzas River and the open ocean.

Destin

Destin is "the world's luckiest fishing village," thanks to the Continental Shelf just beyond Florida's Emerald Coast. Next to the lively Fort Walton Beach, there’s no shortage of ways to explore, wrapped in coastal serenity. The 24 pristine miles of white-sand beaches inspire long strolls, inevitably giving into the irresistible softness or running towards the warm, calm surf—a runway for kiteboarding. At Topsail Hill Preserve Beach, a scenic boardwalk offers panoramic views as the gulf’s waters shift hues beneath cotton-candy sunsets. Five beachfront parks add to the town’s outdoor splendor.

Henderson Beach State Park is minutes from downtown for snorkeling, paddling, and surfing its crystal-clear waters. The deep blue teems with blackfin tuna, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel, an angler's paradise.

Beyond the shoreline, Destin Commons and HarborWalk Boardwalk serve up a vibrant mix of dining, waterfront shopping, and entertainment.

Whether you're into fresh seafood, theme parks, or scenic cruising, celebrate its seafaring spirit during the renowned Seafood Festival in September and a month-long Fishing Rodeo—an ode to its deep-rooted maritime heritage.

Dunedin

Most known for its Scottish heritage and two stunning island state parks, Dunedin remains a hidden gem on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The perfect time to visit? The annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival is a lively weekend celebration each April, featuring traditional music, dance, dress, and mouthwatering cuisine.

During the summer, Caladesi Island State Park beckons with its pristine white-sand beaches, accessible via ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island or private vessel. Caladesi delivers unforgettable coastal serenity, ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking.

From the northern shore, Honeymoon Island State Park dominates the horizon, reachable by the Dunedin Causeway. Take the looping drive with stops like a nature center, picnic shelters, and an epic playground. Exploring this impressive park further on foot, Dundedin Beach and Oasis Beach offer fantastic shelling, swimming, and fishing. Among the hiking trails, Osprey Trail leads adventurers through lush vegetation and local wildlife.

Back in town, the Dunedin Fine Art Center invites you to explore engaging galleries, a gift shop, and an onsite café to bookend a perfect day.

Flagler Beach

With six miles of shoreline and multiple beach access points, Flagler Beach is a true coastal retreat. Planning your trip around the annual Turtle Fest in April guarantees a lively experience, celebrating local conservation efforts with music, food, and family fun.

Between its surfable waves, oceanfront dining, and unique shops, a stroll along the Flagler Beach Boardwalk leads to the eclectic Flagler Beach Historical Museum, a local treasure filled with fascinating exhibits. Local parks like Betty Steflik Park and Wadsworth Park feature scenic boardwalks, playgrounds, sports fields, and a canoe launch.

Whether you're casting a line, paddling picturesque waterways, or simply soaking up the sun, many know of the free coastal access for whatever adventure calls. Graham Swamp East Trailhead draws region-wide mountain bikers with its challenging terrain, while the Lehigh Trail Trailhead features a newly paved route for family strolls and bike rides.

Just south, Bulow Creek State Park stretches for some 5,600 acres, where ancient oaks tower above historic ruins and tranquil nature trails. Meanwhile, Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area offers shelling, camping, and coastal exploration.

Gulfport

Southwest of St. Petersburg, Gulfport is a vibrant waterfront community where culture and retro vibes converge with coastal beauty. Overlooking the shimmering Boca Ciega Bay, Gulfport’s beloved features include the weekly Gulfport Tuesday Market and the 521-foot Williams Pier, perfect for fishing and romantic sunset strolls. Once a humble fishing village, today it thrives as an intimate, artsy enclave. The town’s charming brick-paved streets wind beneath moss-draped live oaks, adding to its warm appeal for both families and the LGBTQ+ community alike.

At the heart of historic downtown, the Beach and Shore Boulevards are lined with colorful boutiques, locally owned restaurants, and cozy cafés. With no parking meters or chain stores, Gulfport embraces an independent spirit. Neptune Grill is a standout counter serve for authentic Greek dishes cooked to order.

Finally, the one-of-a-kind Clymer Park Sculpture Garden, its interactive wind chimes, towering chess pieces, and more. Held annually each February, the prestigious Gulfport Fine Arts Festival celebrates regional creativity in a stunning coastal setting.

Indialantic

Across the Indian River from Melbourne and south of the Kennedy Space Center, Indialantic is often overlooked just off Florida's Space Coast.

The active can explore the crowdfree waterway in a rental from Kenzi Boats, while others enjoy the ocean and the boardwalks. Indialantic Boardwalk and Park spans five blocks next to the beach break of surfable swells, up to 8 feet, breaking over 200 yards. Take in the views from James H. Nance Park, with a beach volleyball stadium, picnic pavilions, and events.

Key West

Key West is well known to be Hemingway's haunt. At the southernmost point in the US, it is where creative juices flow in scenic nature and prevailing vibes that you can do anything without feeling inhibited. Now, before breaking out into a hippy dance, forgetting the purpose behind your visit, there's the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory and Key West Aquarium, plus a dedicated Dog Beach. Between historic sites and pastel, conch-style architecture, Duval Street is one of Florida's liveliest main strips, with Sloppy Joe’s bar, the novelist's favorite hangout.

Ernest Hemingway lived here throughout the 1930s, rising up early with the sun to write. Follow his routine with afternoon beach strolls or reinvigorating water sports and evenings spent socializing. Hemingway Home & Museum, his former house, on Whitehead Street, is open for daily tours. Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is another great place to explore or soak in the serenity. From the bustling Duval Street to the beaches, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, Hemingway Days celebrate the Nobel Prize winner over six days in July.

Niceville

Northeast of crowded Fort Walton Beach, Niceville invites families and adventurers in the embrace of Choctawhatchee Bay. Explore the bayous in a rental kayak from Jolly Rogers or S.E.A. Chase Watersports, which offers awesome pontoons. The area rings with serenity through the spectacular Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park immediately to the east.

Soak up good vibes at the local 20-acre Turkey Creek Park, with nature trails, a fantastic boardwalk, swimming platforms, and a picnic pavilion to hike, cool off, and relax.

From Eglin Golf Course to Mattie Kelly Arts Center, visitors can enjoy culture and recreation year-round in town. Its trademark Mullet Festival centers around family entertainment that will chase away falltime blues in October. Aircraft and navigation fans can visit the nearby Air Force Armament Museum, free in Eglin, with over 25 planes at the world's largest air base.

Finally for dining, Papa’s Smokehouse serves mouthwatering BBQ along the waterfront, while TradeWinds Italian Restaurant will nurture your soul with seafood, pizza, and pasta.

Punta Gorda

This Gulf Coast gem on Peace River is popular among sailors, fishers, and watersports fans, with calmer waters than the open ocean. Destroyed by Hurricane Charley in 2004, its historic district lives on, thanks to the crafty locals, with many of the late-19th and early-20th century buildings. Stunning Charlotte Harbor embraces you away from crowded locales. Gilchrist Park is a classic Florida postcard, with picnic and play areas along a waterfront green, plus tennis courts, a fishing pier, and local events.

Among the beguiling beaches, Ponce de Leon Park takes precedence. Play and explore year-round at one of the state's best, with a mangrove boardwalk, a boat launch, and a wildlife center.

There's no place in the world that can mimic Florida's vibe. More than just a relaxed, sunny vacation destination, Florida is incredibly scenic, culturally diverse, and steeped in history—home to the first European settlement in the US, St. Augustine. The Sunshine State ranked the 14th happiest state to live in in a recent survey. Take away the work and add in your loved ones, new friends, and of course, the beach. Now, choose any one of these towns, bursting with good vibes, local pride, and a desire to share its natural slice of Florida's bounty.