8 Towns in Florida With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024
Florida, America’s most-visited state, attracts over 120 million tourists each year for its endless sunshine, its wonderful beaches, and those always bustling theme parks. But for those looking for something different, the Sunshine State is also home to numerous charming small towns eager to deliver great vacation and getaway experiences.
From the historic streets of St. Augustine, North America’s original European settlement, to the tropical paradise that is Key West and the old-world charm of Micanopy, each of these eight towns in Florida boasts wonderful downtown areas waiting to be explored in 2024.
Naples
Situated on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida, Naples is renowned for its high-end shopping and world-class culture. Founded in the 1880s and named after the Italian city of Naples due to similarities in climate and their beautiful bay locations, Naples is both a popular tourist and retirement destination.
Downtown Naples certainly reflects the town’s wealth, with ritzy boutiques, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants lining Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. It’s a lovely area to explore on foot, with Fifth Avenue South leading right to the beach, a six-mile stretch of sand that’s famous for its sunsets. This year is a great time to visit as 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the 1000-foot-long Naples Pier, with special events planned to celebrate the occasion.
St. Augustine
Located on the northeast coast of Florida just 40 miles south of Jacksonville, St. Augustine holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the town’s historic downtown area is perfect for pedestrians and resembles a living museum of American history with its Spanish colonial architecture and 19th-century buildings. It’s also connected to the Civil Rights Movement, with special events and exhibits celebrating the movement’s 60th anniversary throughout 2024.
Top attractions that you can explore in and around the downtown center include the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fort built from coquina, a unique shell stone native to the area. The historic district, with narrow European-style thoroughfares like St. George Street, is for pedestrians only and is home to shops, restaurants, and attractions like the splendid Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and the Plaza de la Constitución.
Winter Park
While often overlooked by those flocking to Orlando’s theme parks (Walt Disney World is just a 30-minute drive to the south), Winter Park makes for a fun diversion. Founded in the late 19th century as a winter resort for wealthy northerners, this picturesque community has evolved into a sophisticated enclave that’s known for its ritzy homes and luxury shopping. Much of the downtown action here revolves around Park Avenue with its upscale boutiques, art galleries, and sidewalk cafés and restaurants that are perfect for people-watching.
The area around Central Park makes for a lovely stroll and often hosts outdoor concerts and art festivals. Winter Park is also home to Rollins College, the oldest recognized college in Florida, as well as attractions such as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art which houses the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Winter Garden
From Winter Park to Winter Garden is only a 30-minute drive if you skirt around the north edge of Orlando (go through Orlando, and the almost always heavy traffic will slow you down). Equally pretty but not as ritzy, Winter Garden started off as a citrus farming town but has morphed over the decades into a popular tourist and retirement spot. With its historic charm and brick-lined streets, Downtown Winter Garden is a delight to wander, with notable attractions like the Garden Theatre, opened in 1903, still hosting over 200 shows a year.
The Plant Street Market offers plenty of culinary delights and artisanal goods in a vibrant indoor setting, while the Winter Garden Heritage Museum is housed in a former train station and chronicles the area's agricultural past and railroad history. A fun thing to do in Winter Garden in 2024 is to hike or bike the West Orange Trail, a 22-mile paved rail trail that passes through the downtown core. Enjoy fishing? Winter Garden sits on the southern shore of Lake Apopka, a popular spot for bass fishing.
Key West
Key West needs little introduction. Famous as the southernmost point of the continental United States, this small island town at the tip of the Florida Keys is well-known for its laid-back atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and rich history. Dubbed the “Conch Republic” by locals, it has also long been a preferred destination for artistic types, with Ernest Hemingway being its most famous former full-time resident. If you’re there in July, check out the Hemingway Days festival which in 2024 marks the 125th anniversary of the writer's birth.
Duval Street is pretty much downtown Key West and is famous for its always-busy restaurants and colorful bars like Margaritaville, made famous by Jimmy Buffet. The star attraction, though, is Mallory Square at the top end of Duval Street. This public space is packed at the end of the day with folks here to participate in Key West’s famed sunset celebration with its street performers and party atmosphere.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach, an island town on Florida's southeastern coast just 70 miles north of Miami, is synonymous with luxury, old-world glamour, and tropical elegance. Founded by oil tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler as a resort destination in the late 19th century, Palm Beach has long been a winter playground for America's elite and is home to one of the highest densities of billionaires in the country.
Downtown Palm Beach largely consists of the aptly named Worth Avenue. Here, boutique shops and art galleries rub shoulders with luxury yacht sales rooms and high-end realtors, making it a great spot for watching others spend money. This year’s an especially good time to visit as the Norton Museum of Art will host a major exhibition celebrating Florida's artistic heritage featuring works inspired by the state's unique landscape and culture.
DeLand
Located in Central Florida between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Deland was founded in 1876 and named after founder Henry Addison DeLand. Start exploring in the Downtown DeLand Historic District, an attractive area that’s home to 68 historic buildings, including the Museum of Art-DeLand with its rotating exhibitions of American and international art, and the Athens Theatre, still hosting performances since it opened 102 years ago.
Those thinking of a 2024 visit might want to consider visiting the Stetson Mansion. Although located a few minute's drive from the downtown core, this 19th-century architectural gem was one of Florida's first luxury estates. Stetson University, Florida's oldest private college, is also fun for a walk.
Micanopy
Saving the smallest (and quite possibly the best) for last, Micanopy, just south of Gainesville in north-central Florida, is known as the "little town that time forgot." Founded in 1821, it holds the distinction of being the oldest inland town in Florida and boasts a rich history that predates the Second Seminole War. Downtown Micanopy doesn’t take long to explore, but is like stepping back in time with its well-preserved commercial buildings from the 1800s, many of which have found new life as antique and quirky boutique shops.
Little has changed here as the community escaped the building boom that took place in so many other parts of Florida, allowing Micanopy to retain its frontier town feel. By far the best way to relive this bygone era is to book a stay in the excellent Herlong Mansion. Built in 1845 and now a classy bed and breakfast, this beautiful red-brick home is steps away from downtown Micanopy and attractions like the Micanopy Historical Society Museum. Before you go, be sure to also visit the nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, a vast wetland that offers opportunities to view bison, wild horses, and over 270 species of birds.
The Final Word
These eight delightful destinations offer a unique opportunity for visitors to sample everything that’s great about the Sunshine State, but (mostly) without the crowds. From ritzy shopping in Naples and Palm Beach to wandering the historic and well-preserved streets of St. Augustine and Micanopy, each location contributes uniquely to Florida's appeal as a tourist destination. Visiting one or more of these eight towns in Florida with the best downtown areas is a must-do in 2024.
