Every year, millions of tourists flock to Florida, but the Sunshine State isn’t just about Miami and Orlando. There are many smaller communities, some off the beaten road, that have their own allure. The lovely tiny villages of Florida provide an insight into the actual essence of the state.
These charming towns attract year-round visitors who want to walk their historic streets, drink up the old-world charm, and relax in a mom-and-pop café. Of course, many of these little communities in Florida are also home to the state’s famous soft, sandy beaches.
Here are ten of Central Florida’s most attractive towns that you should not miss if you visit.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach proper, a 10-square-mile barrier island, with a population of just under 9,000 people, despite being one of Florida’s largest and most popular districts. Palm Beach, while being one of America’s wealthiest zip codes, manages to remain approachable, with magnificent beaches and enough to do in just a few square miles.
Visitors can stay at The Breakers or another hotel — some glamorous, some old-school, all sophisticated and historic ride bikes along Lake Trail to see the island’s multimillion-dollar properties, or visit the luxury stores and art galleries along Worth Avenue, dubbed the East Coast’s Rodeo Drive. Another must-see in Palm Beach is the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, which was once home to the railroad magnate and hotelier himself; the Gilded Age estate was Flagler’s wedding present to his third wife.
Crystal River
If you’re looking for perfect joy, Crystal River could be the spot for you! This modestly coastal hamlet is a heaven for lovers of aquatic adventures as well as other outdoor activities, as it has the state’s purest spring-fed water system. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a popular tourist destination where you may see manatees all year.
Explore the ruins of an early human community at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park if you’re interested in history. Try snorkelling amid turtles, schools of fish, and unique marine life in the crystal-clear waters here for some mind-blowing experiences — the area is famed for having a visibility of over 200 feet!
Mount Dora
Mount Dora, with a population of around 14,000 people, is a little central Florida town with big-time appeal, especially in its beautiful downtown section, which is lined with antique stores, cafés, and annual festivals. (The Mount Dora Arts Festival, which takes place the first weekend in February and draws around 200,000 people each year, is a perennial favourite.) There are other museums dedicated to a wide range of topics, including modern furniture, local history, and even old automobiles. Mount Dora’s languid pace, peppered with lakes and live oaks, is a pleasant flavour of old Florida.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key, an island city, epitomises the phrase “low-key.” The tiny town, which is located on the Gulf of Mexico, boasts some of the best beaches in the state as well as fantastic fishing, bird-watching, and kayaking opportunities.
A trip to Cedar Key isn’t complete for seafood lovers unless they eat Tony’s World Champion Clam Chowder and breakfast at Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast. The town’s biggest attractions are the ancient industrial ruins and Atsena Otie Old Cemetery, which the locals refer to as “before Disney Florida.”
Deland
This sleepy hamlet halfway between Orlando and Daytona Beach is rich in history and charm. Deland is home to Florida’s first private institution, Stetson University. Students, locals, and visitors gather downtown to see movies at the 1921 Athens Theatre, shop locally owned boutiques, and dine at sidewalk cafes, all while being surrounded by vivid outdoor murals depicting historic scenes. Hari Pulapaka, who owns Cress Restaurant and is a four-time James Beard semi-finalist for finest chef in the South, is a local academic and chef.
Cassadaga
Cassadaga is recognised as the “psychic capital of the world,” despite its name being lent to a Bright Eyes album and a Tom Petty song. This is because a huge number of mediums call this unincorporated town in Volusia County home. The principal industry in this town is spiritualism. Visit the Cassadaga bookstore, where clairvoyant and metaphysical books, as well as crafts, candles, and semi-precious stones, are available. A spiritual reading at the Cassadaga Hotel is the major attraction, and you can even stay the night there.
Celebration
The Town of Celebration is a contemporary interpretation of Americana. In 1996, Disney began construction on the self-contained enclave as a master planned community. Today, this intelligently constructed little metropolis, which is no longer linked with the corporate behemoth, is a polished, upmarket residential and commercial district with old-fashioned-looking homes with large front porches and sophisticated interiors. The main drag, Market Street, attracts travellers with its indoor-outdoor restaurants with lake views. Signature buildings were designed by a number of well-known architects, including Michael Graves and Philip Johnson. Celebration’s 26 miles of walking pathways and 45 parks of all sizes are popular with residents and visitors. The public can play on a Robert Trent Jones golf course.
Matlacha
Matlacha is one of Florida’s most well-kept secrets. It is one of the five villages on Pine Island and is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers region. This coastal community provides guests a warm welcome with laid-back atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in, combining old Florida with a blast of colour. Fresh seafood is easy to come by, while historic Indian mounds and a small MOTI – Museum of the Islands – provide history buffs with a glimpse into the area’s past.
Kissimmee
Kissimmee, formerly a tranquil farming community before the entertainment parks arrived, now welcomes travellers to experience Old Florida. While on their way to traditional airboat rides, visitors pass over large cow ranches. Participants on eco tours learn about Orlando’s natural side. Operators of zip lines and ropes courses offer a jolt of adrenaline to the outdoor experience. If the timing is right, go witness a great rodeo. The eccentric Monument of States, an early 1940s statue featuring keepsakes from 48 of the Fifty Nifty, is worth a visit in Kissimmee’s historic city centre for its street art.
It’s part of Kissimmee Lakefront Park, a 25-acre open-air oasis with floating docks over Lake Tohopekaliga, fishing piers, wooden and concrete walkways, and eco-friendly “rain gardens.” Family-friendly dinner theatres abound along Kissimmee’s main tourism highway.
College Park
The bustling area of College Park, just outside of downtown Orlando, is all about the metropolitan vibe with a lovely small-town style. In this tree-lined region with brick-trimmed streets, you’ll find lovely stores, delightful restaurants, and many intriguing little businesses. Parks and lakes provide a calm respite from the frantic theme park industry. It’s a popular hangout for locals who know how to take the back roads.
Theme parks and nonstop entertainment aren’t the only attractions in Central Florida. While such things are certainly entertaining to see and do, it’s also enjoyable to discover the hidden gems that Central Florida has to offer visitors from all over the world. When you visit these locations, you’ll understand why the locals enjoy living here. Clermont, Minneola, and Lakeland are three other honourable mentions worth checking out. Make time on your Central Florida schedule to visit one of these little towns for a true taste of Floridian living!