Top 8 Florida Towns To Visit In 2025

While many states experience a dip in tourism during their colder winter months, Florida’s subtropical climate and abundant sunshine make it a top travel destination year-round. In 2024, the Sunshine State welcomed an impressive 34.6 million visitors, setting new records once again, with a 1.8% increase from 2023. In 2025, Florida’s beaches, parks, historic sites, and festivals continue to lure and bewitch travelers from across the country and the globe. Whether visiting Florida for its coastal culture and world-famous shores or its family-friendly attractions and events, there is something exciting for everyone.

Coral Gables

A few miles southwest of downtown Miami will bring you to Coral Gables, an enchanting community frozen in time. The storybook town is famous for its tropical greenery and Mediterranean Revival architecture, a style that thrived during the Roaring Twenties. This opulence is visible in landmarks like the Coral Gables City Hall and Biltmore Hotel resort, both of which were built in the late 1920s. If staying at the resort is outside of your budget, attractions like the Venetian Pool are a great substitution. Originally completed in 1924 and set to reopen after renovations in the summer of 2025, this historic Mediterranean-inspired pool boasts waterfalls, grottos, and 820,000 gallons of crystal-clear water.

Coral Gables also features more family-friendly places to cool down, like the Matheson Hammock Park & Marina. The park is set on a peninsula overlooking Biscayne Bay whose tides fill the park’s iconic atoll pool. While people of all ages can enjoy the marina’s round beach, the pool’s calm, shielded waters make it an especially popular and safe option for families with children. Afterwards, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is right next door and a must for any trip to Coral Gables. The 83-acre garden is famous for its breathtaking collection of rare tropical plants and annual events like the Orchids in Bloom celebration. The 2-day festival allows visitors to explore over 150,000 orchids, and this year’s event is set for March 2025.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a village of six islands in the Florida Keys known for being the “Sport-Fishing Capital of the World.” But if angling is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other family-friendly attractions to enjoy here in 2025. For starters, on April 5th and 6th, Founders Park will host Islamorada’s 33rd Annual Island Fest. The free-entry event promises live music, 100 creative vendors, and quirky activities like the “What Floats Your Boat?” homemade boat contest.

For the remainder of 2025, Founders Park is a charming 45-acre space with ocean access, a pool, and a splash pad for kids. Additionally, the village of islands is a gateway to larger outdoor spaces, including Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park. Since the Lignumvitae Key can only be reached by boat or kayak, it offers a more secluded tropical escape, whether swimming, snorkeling, or paddling its turquoise waters. Introverted paddlers may also like Indian Key Historic State Park, another Islamorada shore only reachable by kayak. In the 1800s, the small island once served as a home base for shipwreck salvagers. These days, the park is a little slice of heaven for swimmers, sunbathers, and hikers.

Key West

About two hours northeast of Islamorada, Key West is another Florida Keys oasis known for its beaches, parks, and coastal culture. Shores like the one at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park attract visitors from all over the country, with its clear waters and mild waves making it a popular snorkeling and fishing spot. If you plan on visiting Key West for its seafood and coastal cuisine, make sure to visit during its famous Florida Keys Seafood Festival. This year’s event will take place at Truman Waterfront Park on February 15th and 16th, featuring tons of local vendors, live performances, and the freshest seafood around.

As the southernmost island in the Keys, Key West also stands out for its Caribbean influence thanks to the large number of Cubans who migrated here in the 1860s. Without leaving American soil, visitors can experience a little slice of Cuba through authentic restaurants like Cuban Coffee Queen Waterfront and the town’s iconic pastel buildings. In contrast, attractions like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum reflect the town’s Spanish Colonial roots. While the former home of famous novelist Ernest Hemingway was built in 1851—long after Juan Ponce de León explored Key West in 1521—its Spanish influence is undeniable.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is another frozen-in-time town known with tons to see and do in 2025. Since its founding in 1565, the town’s shores have been a source of intrigue. Today, the St. Augustine area boasts 42 miles of beachfront, whose mellow waves and soft sands are just as captivating. Standout shores include Anastasia State Park for a more unspoiled beach experience, while St. Augustine Beach offers a more classic coastal atmosphere. The second is favored for its pier, splash park, and seafood restaurants like Beachcomber St. Augustine. If local seafood intrigues you, the town will also host its annual St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival March 29 and 30, 2025.

To see more of St. Augustine’s historic side, the Old Town Trolley Tour is one of the best ways to see and learn about the town’s oldest sites. If you would prefer to travel solo, St. Augustine’s walkable downtown showcases some of its oldest attractions, including the Alcazar Hotel and Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. Beyond downtown, attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos are also worth exploring to appreciate the depth of history St. Augustine holds. Located on Matanzas Bay, this 17th-century structure is the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

Fort Pierce

On Florida’s Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce is a quaint coastal town ideal for travelers seeking less crowded shores. While it is primarily known as a fishing village, this reputation works in favor of travelers looking to avoid the tourist traps and congestion of Florida’s larger beach towns. Local shores like Blind Creek Beach are perfect for a laid-back day in the sand, and even the town’s larger beaches at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park are not overly crowded. The park has an observation tower for panoramic views of the Indian River Lagoon and its half-mile beach is great for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and angling.

If you love seafood and do not mind an increase in crowds, every year, the Treasure Coast town hosts its Fort Pierce Oyster Festival. In 2025, the event will take place on the waterfront in downtown Fort Pierce, featuring vendors, live entertainment, and plenty of world-class coastal cuisine. But if you prefer to visit Fort Pierce during its slower season, there are many quieter attractions to enjoy, including Jetty Park, the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, and the St. Lucie County Aquarium.

Vero Beach

About thirty minutes north of Fort Pierce, Vero Beach is a premier Treasure Coast town nicknamed the “Hamptons of Florida.” With 26 miles of pristine beachfront, there is plenty of shore to share, from Sexton Plaza Beach to South Beach Park. But beaches are just the beginning of what Vero Beach has to offer. For a break from the sand, the McKee Botanical Garden is a lovely addition to any itinerary. Kids can explore the whimsical Children’s Garden, while all ages can enjoy the main garden's diverse botanical displays. The park also hosts exciting pop-up exhibits like Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!, happening January 24th to May 4th, 2025. The exhibit will feature over 40 Lego sculptures made from 800,000 bricks.

For adult travelers who love art and culture, both are in high supply in Vero Beach. Attractions like the Vero Beach Opera, Riverside Theater, and Vero Beach Museum of Art are a year-round delight and the town also hosts a variety of artistic events and festivals. For live music, the Very Beach Blues Festival will take place February 15th and 16th, 2025, while the town’s 44th Annual Art in the Park will take place over several Sundays from January through April at Humiston Park.

Miramar Beach

Over on Florida’s Northwest Coast, Miramar Beach is another destination with exciting attractions for travelers of all ages. Like most Florida beach towns, its main shore on Scenic Gulf Drive takes the spotlight. The waters here are shallow and clear and feature a gradual slope, making it popular with families with little swimmers. The beach is also ADA accessible, offering beach wheelchairs and accessible parking to ensure all visitors can enjoy the sunshine and sand.

If you find yourself needing a break from the sun, shopping and dining are popular pastimes at the Silver Sands Premium Outlets. The mall features over 100 stores, from a Disney Store to a Sea & Sand Jewelry shop, along with a free play center for kids. On the other hand, if you are hoping to spend your time enjoying the town’s pristine quartz shores, consider the Sun, Sand, and Soul Festival. Taking place May 1 to 3, 2025, at the Seascape Resort, this all-ages event will have live music and plenty of seaside fun like golfing and paddle boarding.

Plant City

While many think Plant City earned its name from the town’s agriculture and lush surroundings, this central Florida town was actually named after American businessman Henry B. Plant. Despite this, Plant City has, in many ways, become synonymous with its green name, with many visiting for its famous Florida Strawberry Festival. Known for being the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” Plant City welcomes thousands to this sweet event every year. From February 27 to March 9, 2025, the town will celebrate the harvest with parades, headline entertainment, and heaps of strawberry-themed treats.

Whether visiting for the festivities or seeing what else Plant City has to offer, make sure to check out the town’s other natural attractions like Edward Medard Conservation Park. The 700-acre reservoir is the park’s star feature, welcoming kayaking, fishing, and boating. Its 3-mile multi-use trail is also popular, while bird’s-eye views of the lake can be savored atop an observation tower. Elsewhere in town, Plant City’s McIntosh Preserve boasts similar features, including a 30-foot observation tower and 2.2 miles of wildlife trails showcasing Florida’s wild side.

Final Thoughts

Whether traveling from out of state, from abroad, or from elsewhere in the Sunshine State, Florida shines as a refuge from everyday stresses. While planning a trip can feel daunting, remember to slow down and enjoy the ride, whether that means lounging on Islamorada’s island shores, exploring St. Augustine’s centuries-old landmarks, or bringing the whole family to Plant City’s famous Strawberry Festival. Relaxation can take many different forms, but whatever it means to you, Florida is the perfect place to unwind and let loose in 2025.