8 Undiscovered Small Towns in Florida's Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast is an area famous for its access to the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, stretching across the 5 Sunshine State counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay. Chances are, you have heard of the region’s famous resort towns and beaches like Seaside and Rosemary Beach. But if you are looking for some undiscovered small towns on the Emerald Coast to experience more secluded shores or a different side of the region altogether, look no further than the towns on this list.

However, do not mistake laid-back for boring. Many of these communities offer the same white-sand beaches you can find in the busier resorts, and even the non-coastal towns boast their own scenic waters and attractions. From state parks and charming historic districts to dolphin cruises and vibrant boardwalks, endless excitement awaits in these underrated towns, and without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, you can truly soak it all in.

WaterColor

Sandwiched between the popular resort towns of Grayton Beach and Seaside, the charming, lesser-known town of WaterColor offers a quieter coastal escape. Its namesake WaterColor Inn grants access to the WaterColor Beach Club and a gorgeous private Gulf shore with far smaller crowds than the surrounding towns, making it an introverted beach lover’s dream. Elsewhere in town, Western Lake is a breathtaking 100-acre coastal dune lake, perfect for a change of scene. Kayaks and paddleboards can be rented from the WaterColor Boathouse to explore the lake’s imposing views, or you can hike its border to savor the sights from land.

DeFuniak Springs

About 40 minutes north of WaterColor, DeFuniak Springs is another underrated town with a stunning lake. While often overshadowed by the region’s coastal waters, Lake DeFuniak offers its own intrigue. The 40-acre spring-fed lake is one of only 2 in the world with a nearly perfectly round shape, making a trip to this scenic wonder truly bucket list-worthy.

Chipley Park is a beautiful green space to access the waterfront, whether fishing from the park’s piers, swimming at the designated area from May through September, or strolling the 1-mile sidewalk trail along its banks. The town’s Circle Drive Historic District around the lake also features nearly 200 historic homes and buildings to appreciate, including the DeFuniak Public Library and historic Chautauqua Building. As a follow-up, the district is right across from cute restaurants like Cafe Nola Defuniak and live performance venues like the Florida Chautauqua Theatre.

Niceville

Heading to Florida’s Okaloosa County, Niceville is a hospitable bayou town with some of the best people and nature on the Emerald Coast. While it was originally named Boggy after the bayou it resides on, locals eventually decided their town deserved a better name, choosing the far more flattering “Niceville.” And while this certainly helped with the town’s image, to this day, this incredible Florida town is largely underrated.

In addition to the town’s southern hospitality, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is one of Niceville's best features. Centered around the scenic Rocky Bayou and an arm of the Choctawhatchee Bay, fishing, boating, hiking, and canoeing are just a few ways you can take in the sights and interact with the wildlife. In November 2024, the park will also host its annual Pioneer Day, promising tons of exciting activities for the whole family, like heritage crafts, old fashioned games, and blacksmithing demonstrations.

Milton

Known as the “Canoe Capital of Florida,” Milton is another welcoming Emerald Coast town with natural beauty to spare. Located along the stunning Blackwater River, this Santa Rosa County community is the perfect escape for those looking to explore Florida’s non-coastal landscapes. With tons of local rental companies to choose from, like Barefoot Canoe, Bob's Canoe Rentals & Sales, and Blackwater Canoe Rental, visitors can explore the river with ease. As for nature lovers looking to explore Milton on land, the 8.1-mile paved Blackwater Heritage State Trail is a great alternative, guiding hikers, bikers, and picnickers through Milton’s wildflower-dotted countryside.

Crestview

As a designated “Hub City” thanks to its location at the junction of 3 major highways, Crestview is the perfect detour on an Emerald Coast vacation or road trip. This quaint Okaloosa County town admittedly lacks the glitz and glam of the adjacent resort towns, but it is a great little community with some must-see charms.

Crestview’s anchoring feature is the Emerald Coast Zoo, which specializes in “up-close and personal animal encounters.” Visitors can experience anything from feeding a giraffe to chilling with penguins, while families with kids may want to mark their calendars for the zoo’s 2024 Trick-or-Treat events, happening October 19th and 26th. Afterwards, Crestview’s family-friendly restaurants are the perfect end to your time here at places like Stewby's Seafood Shanty, Palma's Restaurant, and City Smokehouse & Grill.

Pensacola Beach

While Pensacola Beach is not necessarily “undiscovered,” it is often overshadowed by its sister community, the bustling mainland city of Pensacola. With that being said, this beautiful Santa Rosa barrier island town has so much to offer and should not be overlooked. As its name implies, the sugar-white shores in this beach town are stunning, and the adjacent Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is a fantastic hub of stores and restaurants like the Ron Jon Surf Shop and Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar. As for those looking to get out on the water, Pensacola Bay Cruises and Premier Dolphin Tours are a Pensacola Beach specialty, and fun for the whole family.

Gulf Breeze

For those looking to extend their beach bliss, a 5 minute drive across the Pensacola Beach Toll Bridge will bring you to Gulf Breeze, a darling little town located on the Fairpoint Peninsula. Despite being known as Pensacola Beach’s “front porch,” this Florida community has its own sights and experiences that set it apart. The public shore at Shoreline Park is an obvious first choice for beach lovers, who can also enjoy the dog park, several picnic areas, a fishing pier, and hiking trails like the Shoreline Loop. For families with young kids, Gulf Breeze also has a Dolphin Island Splash Pad and the Gulf Breeze Zoo, which is home to over 800 animals.

Freeport

Making our way to Walton County, Freeport is an off-the-beaten-path kind of town that rewards visitors with its incredible location. Enjoying the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay to the east and south, Freeport is heaven for those looking to get outdoors and enjoy its waters. Choctaw Beach Park is one of the more popular places in town to do just that, while also taking advantage of the park’s pavilions, picnic tables, splash pad, and boat launch.

As a non-coastal follow-up, Harry A. Laird Park is a picturesque greenspace in Freeport with a boardwalk following Four Mile Creek, an extension of the LaGrange Bayou. With tons of shade from the surrounding trees, a kayak launch, and a play area, this quaint little park is a great choice for those traveling with young kids.

Final Thoughts

While the towns on this list are often eclipsed by the more popular resort towns and coastal cities on Florida’s Emerald Coast, their extensive perks and attractions mean they might not stay undiscovered for long. With that in mind, why not visit these incredible towns before they become overridden with tourist crowds? Whether planning a lake getaway in DeFuniak Springs or a Gulf Breeze beach day, these towns will allow you to savor the beauty of this spectacular Florida region without having to fight for a spot, making your experience that much more memorable.