Arcadia is a small city in Southwest Florida with 7,722 people. Don’t be fooled by its size; this small town packs a big punch. Here are several highlights that make Arcadia a town everyone in Florida should visit:
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Arcadia’s got plenty of history, shopping, unique dining and fun activities for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway, with tons of small-town charm.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Arcadia’s downtown historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city was once the county seat for what became many nearby counties, so it has a particularly nice historic downtown and lots of historic homes and public buildings.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Arcadia was founded in 1886 and named after a woman who baked Reverend James Madison Hendry a cake. That must have been some cake! These days it’s celebrated as the perfect place to relax, with great antiques, shops and activities for more laid-back travelers.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Begin your trip with breakfast at Wheeler’s Cafe. You’ll love the small-town diner atmosphere (and the food)!
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Next, take the whole family out for a kayaking trip on the Peace River. Even the name sounds serene.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Stop by Lions, Tigers & Bears, the local wildlife sanctuary, to see everything from deer to big cats up close.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor There are a lot of exciting activities packed into this small town.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Next, head back to the historic downtown to check out Mary Margaret Tea and Biscuit for a lunch that will feel like a real tea party.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor After your scrumptious lunch, stroll through the shops downtown and find some treasures, old and new, for the perfect souvenirs.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Antiquing is very popular in this historic town, so be sure to visit a few shops while you’re there.
Flickr/dfbphotos If you’re lucky enough to be in town during an event, head to the Arcadia Rodeo. The rodeo has been a part of the town’s history since the 1920s.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor When evening rolls around, head to Cafe Italiano and Ristorante for a casual fine dining experience in a warm and inviting environment.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor That pizza looks delicious!
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Now that you’re full of delicious food and good memories, it’s time to head back to The Oak Park Inn Bed and Breakfast for a good night’s sleep.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Arcadia is so charming you’ll probably want to wake up and start all over again.
Have you lived in or visited Arcadia? What did you enjoy most? What other small towns do you think everyone should visit in Florida? Please leave your comments below!
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor
Arcadia’s got plenty of history, shopping, unique dining and fun activities for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway, with tons of small-town charm.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Arcadia’s downtown historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city was once the county seat for what became many nearby counties, so it has a particularly nice historic downtown and lots of historic homes and public buildings.
Arcadia was founded in 1886 and named after a woman who baked Reverend James Madison Hendry a cake. That must have been some cake! These days it’s celebrated as the perfect place to relax, with great antiques, shops and activities for more laid-back travelers.
Begin your trip with breakfast at Wheeler’s Cafe. You’ll love the small-town diner atmosphere (and the food)!
Next, take the whole family out for a kayaking trip on the Peace River. Even the name sounds serene.
Stop by Lions, Tigers & Bears, the local wildlife sanctuary, to see everything from deer to big cats up close.
There are a lot of exciting activities packed into this small town.
Next, head back to the historic downtown to check out Mary Margaret Tea and Biscuit for a lunch that will feel like a real tea party.
After your scrumptious lunch, stroll through the shops downtown and find some treasures, old and new, for the perfect souvenirs.
Antiquing is very popular in this historic town, so be sure to visit a few shops while you’re there.
Flickr/dfbphotos
If you’re lucky enough to be in town during an event, head to the Arcadia Rodeo. The rodeo has been a part of the town’s history since the 1920s.
When evening rolls around, head to Cafe Italiano and Ristorante for a casual fine dining experience in a warm and inviting environment.
That pizza looks delicious!
Now that you’re full of delicious food and good memories, it’s time to head back to The Oak Park Inn Bed and Breakfast for a good night’s sleep.
Arcadia is so charming you’ll probably want to wake up and start all over again.
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