6 Most Beautiful Towns To Visit In Florida

Each year, Florida plays host to more than 80 million tourists, most of whom flock to the theme parks of Orlando and the beaches of Miami. However, outside these tourist hotspots lie breathtaking natural beauty, unique townships and rural communities. From Cedar Key to Boca Grande, we bring you Florida’s 6 most picturesque towns and villages.

# Cedar Key

Cedar Key represents a slice of old Florida, with a low-season population of around 900 and a two-lane road leading on and off the Key. Cedar Key is off the beaten path, accessible by Route 24 along Florida’s Nature Coast. The small downtown offers boutique stores and is lined with meandering roads and century-old oak trees. Flocks of endangered spoonbills pass by to land on the nearby beach in time for a Floridian orange sunset. With plenty of private accommodation available, the small town is a place to connect with nature and slow down.

# Cassadaga

Behind the Bright Eyes album and the Tom Petty song, Cassadaga is also known as the “psychic capital of the world.” This unincorporated community in Volusia County is home to a large number of psychics and mediums. Spiritualism is the main industry here. Visit the Cassadaga bookstore, where books about clairvoyance and metaphysics are sold alongside crafts, candles and semi-precious stones. Of course, the main attraction in Cassadaga is a spiritual reading at the Cassadaga Hotel, and you can stay the night there too but if you’d rather stay somewhere a bit homier, try one of the local Airbnbs.

# Crystal River

Located two hours from Tampa Bay, the town of Crystal River is on Florida’s Nature Coast, showcasing one of the state’s purest and clearest spring-fed water systems. The main attractions are kayaking and snorkeling, which are offered year round on the Crystal River and in the winter months in the less populated Homosassa River. Both rivers guarantee an encounter with the endangered Florida manatee. The Rainbow River is also nearby, with visibility of over 200ft (60m), giving snorkelers a chance to swim with fish, turtles, aquatic plants and natural spring vents.

# Sebring

Founded in 1912, Sebring is also known as the City on a Circle because of the circular historic downtown district. Surrounded by rivers, lakes and citrus groves, Sebring offers boutique shopping and access to some of the best hiking in Florida. Located on Florida’s scenic ridge, the city is nestled in rolling hills, which are unique to the otherwise flat and swampy state landscape. The International Speedway is an attraction for race car fanatics, and the leather factory and world-class golf courses are just a few other things that make Sebring a great place to visit.

# Winter Park

North of the main attractions of Orlando, Winter Park offers an array of cultural and outdoor activities. Amid the lakes of Orange County, the suburban town hosts Rollins College and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Natural Art. Check into a local Airbnb, dump your bags, and take a stroll down Park Avenue where al fresco dining restaurants fill the street. Just off Park Avenue is Central Park with its beautiful fountains, Hannibal Square and the historic Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers II. If you’re interested in music, head to the Bach Festival Society for the chance to see a vigorous performance during the spring season.

# Boca Grande

Boca Grande is an affluent community located on Florida’s west coast, known for its charming downtown, white-sand beaches and world-class tarpon fishing. It was also named one of the best coastal small towns by USA Today. Stroll over to the landmark Gasparilla Inn and Club, which was built in 1911 and has maintained its charm through authentic renovations. Or take a boat ride out to the barrier island of Cayo Costa, where secluded beaches await. The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum runs a scenic historical tour providing insight into the changes the town has experienced over the decades.