Even though more and more people seem to be moving to the Sunshine State, there are still many uncrowded and charming small towns in Florida that make a great day trip. We think you’ll love everything these 10 delightful small towns have to offer.
- Defuniak Springs
Flickr/JR P
Flickr/JR P Most Floridians will recognize the name “Defuniak Springs” as an exit on Interstate 10. But take that exit the next time you’re passing through. This small town in the panhandle of Florida is a quiet charming picturesque community. Navigate to the Circle Historic District to gawk at all the beautiful old homes that line this round lake in the middle town.
- Flagler Beach
TripAdvisor/Lisa H A visit to this classic unassuming Florida oceanside town should well-up your nostalgic sense of days gone by. Quaint restaurants offer picturesque views of the big blue.
Flickr/Dave Hunt And a walk along the municipal pier offers visitors a chance to get atop the beautiful blue waters of Flagler Beach.
- Crescent City
Wikimedia Commons/Ebyabe
Wikimedia Commons/Ebyabe The charming town of Crescent City, Florida is wedged between two big lakes. Take a step back into Florida history with the many old well-preserved homes and churches in this waterside community in Putnam County. You’ll also find a few outstanding restaurants here.
- Marianna
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/nanaannemarie Historic Marianna is a great place to spend a day. From the Florida Caverns State Park to the Blue Springs Recreational Park, you won’t run out of fun things to do in this small Florida city in the Panhandle.
- Ocean Breeze
Google Maps [streetview]
Google Maps [streetview] This tiny town in Florida got its start 56 years ago, when in 1960, 124 residents petitioned for a town charter and won. This entire town, located within an area commonly known as “Jensen Beach,” is actually a trailer park that was started in 1938. There’s nothing to do in Ocean Breeze except drive through it. But there are many things to do in neighboring Jensen Beach.
- Moore Haven
Moore Haven
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Located along the south shore of Lake Okeechobee, Moore Haven is now a sleepy little community in Glades County. But in its heydey it was called “Little Chicago.” Some old buildings from that period remain in this small city of roughly 1,600 people. If you love to hunt, then Chappy’s Outfitters (in the photo below) in Moore Haven is a great place to start!
Facebook/Chappy’s Outfitters
- Bowling Green
Google Maps [streetview]
Yelp/Jim B The charming town of Bowling Green in Florida’s Hardee County has a train depot, circa 1911, complete with a restored train car from the Atlantic Coast Line. Visitors also make it a point to stop at Smokin’s Joes BBQ in town before heading over to Paynes Creek Historic State Park (shown here) to admire the great outdoors.
- McIntosh
Wikimedia Commons/Ebyabe
Flickr/Allen Forrest Take a step back in time in this small community where the population is less than 500 souls. In fact, the population of McIntosh is very close to its population in the 1920 census. In a state where so many people are moving to, that’s quite remarkable. Stop in to this picturesque town in west central Florida and feel the nostalgia.
- Horseshoe Beach
Flickr/Simply Shar♥n ~ on again off again Follow
Flickr/Jim Brickett Unless you’re an avid fisherman, (or married to one,) you may not be so familiar with Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County, Florida. This historic fishing town saw its first residents way back in the early 1800s, long before it became a town. Now home to only 167 full-time residents, Horseshoe Beach has become a wonderful resort town where you can kick back and relax.
- Green Cove Springs
Flickr/Jon Dawson
TripAdvisor/Robin G The historic little town of Green Cove Springs was once a thriving resort town known as “the Saratoga of the South.” Originally named “White Sulphur Springs, this small picturesque community is located along the St. Johns River and offers much in the way of beautiful parks and great eateries.
Have you visited any of these small Florida towns yet? We’d love to know in our comments!
Flickr/JR P
Most Floridians will recognize the name “Defuniak Springs” as an exit on Interstate 10. But take that exit the next time you’re passing through. This small town in the panhandle of Florida is a quiet charming picturesque community. Navigate to the Circle Historic District to gawk at all the beautiful old homes that line this round lake in the middle town.
TripAdvisor/Lisa H
A visit to this classic unassuming Florida oceanside town should well-up your nostalgic sense of days gone by. Quaint restaurants offer picturesque views of the big blue.
Flickr/Dave Hunt
And a walk along the municipal pier offers visitors a chance to get atop the beautiful blue waters of Flagler Beach.
Wikimedia Commons/Ebyabe
The charming town of Crescent City, Florida is wedged between two big lakes. Take a step back into Florida history with the many old well-preserved homes and churches in this waterside community in Putnam County. You’ll also find a few outstanding restaurants here.
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/nanaannemarie
Historic Marianna is a great place to spend a day. From the Florida Caverns State Park to the Blue Springs Recreational Park, you won’t run out of fun things to do in this small Florida city in the Panhandle.
This tiny town in Florida got its start 56 years ago, when in 1960, 124 residents petitioned for a town charter and won. This entire town, located within an area commonly known as “Jensen Beach,” is actually a trailer park that was started in 1938. There’s nothing to do in Ocean Breeze except drive through it. But there are many things to do in neighboring Jensen Beach.
Moore Haven
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Located along the south shore of Lake Okeechobee, Moore Haven is now a sleepy little community in Glades County. But in its heydey it was called “Little Chicago.” Some old buildings from that period remain in this small city of roughly 1,600 people. If you love to hunt, then Chappy’s Outfitters (in the photo below) in Moore Haven is a great place to start!
Facebook/Chappy’s Outfitters
Yelp/Jim B
The charming town of Bowling Green in Florida’s Hardee County has a train depot, circa 1911, complete with a restored train car from the Atlantic Coast Line. Visitors also make it a point to stop at Smokin’s Joes BBQ in town before heading over to Paynes Creek Historic State Park (shown here) to admire the great outdoors.
Flickr/Allen Forrest
Take a step back in time in this small community where the population is less than 500 souls. In fact, the population of McIntosh is very close to its population in the 1920 census. In a state where so many people are moving to, that’s quite remarkable. Stop in to this picturesque town in west central Florida and feel the nostalgia.
Flickr/Simply Shar♥n ~ on again off again Follow
Flickr/Jim Brickett
Unless you’re an avid fisherman, (or married to one,) you may not be so familiar with Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County, Florida. This historic fishing town saw its first residents way back in the early 1800s, long before it became a town. Now home to only 167 full-time residents, Horseshoe Beach has become a wonderful resort town where you can kick back and relax.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
TripAdvisor/Robin G
The historic little town of Green Cove Springs was once a thriving resort town known as “the Saratoga of the South.” Originally named “White Sulphur Springs, this small picturesque community is located along the St. Johns River and offers much in the way of beautiful parks and great eateries.
If a road trip to more than one place fits your timeframe, then try The Ultimate Central Florida Road Trip. You’ll love it!
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