13 Cutest Small Towns In Florida For 2025
While thrill rides and theme parks attract millions to Florida every year, more and more people are gravitating toward the Sunshine State’s cute small towns. Whether booking a family vacation, planning a girls trip, or flying solo for a weekend away, these cozy communities have something for everyone.
From charming Old Florida towns frozen in time to remote island villages with palm-lined shores, picture-perfect scenes are a common thread, coupled with out-of-the-box attractions. While small, these towns offer big adventures: swimming with manatees, exploring centuries-old landmarks, and so much more. But at their core, each boasts a small-town atmosphere that makes it feel oh-so-cute.
Key West
One of Florida’s cutest small towns, Key West is lined with pastel buildings as bright as the turquoise waters that surround it. Known for being the Sunshine State’s southernmost point, this Florida Keys community boasts a stunning coast and countless public shores, including Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach.
Beyond the sand, Key West’s charm extends to attractions like the Victorian-era Ernest Hemingway Home, where six-toed cats can be seen lazing around the museum. The quirky felines, descendants of the famed author’s own adorable polydactyl pet, attract cat lovers and literature enthusiasts alike. On nearby Duval Street, travelers can also find additional Victorian architecture along the palm-lined stretch, including sites like the Fogarty Mansion, now a popular restaurant for cocktails and seafood.
Seaside
Pastel buildings and emerald waters are equally eye-catching in Seaside, a Northwest Coast town known as the birthplace of New Urbanism. For movie buffs, the town may also look familiar, having starred as the idyllic setting in “The Truman Show.” The 1998 film, starring Jim Carrey, used Seaside’s picture-perfect appearance to its advantage, showcasing its walkability and close-knit neighborhoods.
These characteristics of New Urbanism can still be enjoyed today, with Seaside’s pedestrian-friendly planning allowing visitors to walk from attraction to attraction. Highlights include charming local businesses like Sundog Books, iconic landmarks like the Chapel at Seaside, and the public access points along Seaside Beach.
Crystal River
For many wildlife lovers, there is nothing quite as cute as the majestic manatee, fondly nicknamed the “sea cow” for their size and gentle demeanor. Accordingly, Crystal River, the “Manatee Capital of The World” shines for its access to the adorable marine mammals, allowing visitors to observe them up close.
The Kings Bay town, fed by warm springs, attracts hundreds of manatees each winter. Visitors can observe the gentle giants from the boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs Wildlife Refuge or book viewing excursions with local guides like Family Adventure Charters. Other agencies, like Crystal River Watersports, even allow you to swim with the majestic creatures for a truly bucket list-worthy experience.
Tarpon Springs
Manatees and marine wildlife can also be spotted in Tarpon Springs, a Gulf Coast town famous for its sponge diving. Known as the “Sponge Capital of the World,” Tarpon Springs attracts most of its visitors to the Historic Sponge Docks, where marine life can be frequently spotted from shore.
Bordering the Anclote River, the dock is lined with seafood restaurants and quirky marine-themed gift shops like the Tarpon Sponge Company. It also hosts the annual Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival, taking place May 24th to 25th, 2025. Much like Crystal River, Tarpon Springs welcomes manatees in the winter, mainly from November through March. For those too eager to wait until then, Island Adventure Dolphin Cruises can also be booked along the Historic Sponge Docks for sightseeing and dolphin spotting.
Cedar Key
With less than a thousand people calling it home in 2025, Cedar Key is the perfect destination for a laid-back Florida getaway. The Way Key island town, located 4 miles into the Gulf of Mexico (America), offers a remote and uncrowded escape. The town’s rural setting also means its water quality and nature are less disrupted by human development, showcasing a more unspoiled side of Florida’s Nature Coast.
Many come here to explore the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, a popular attraction for its rare birds and wildlife spotting. Back on land, Cedar Key’s walkable downtown is another charm worth exploring, especially for attractions like the Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-op & Gallery and Main Street Mercantile. Cedar Key’s coastal culture is also visible in many of its historic downtown structures, their airy porches bracketed with columns to shade and cool your stroll.
Dunedin
Despite its proximity to urban landscapes like Tampa, Dunedin boasts some of Florida’s most serene natural scenes. The Gulf Coast town is mainly known as the gateway to Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park, both of which came to be after a hurricane formed a channel between the islands in 1921.
While Caladesi is currently closed due to hurricane damage, Honeymoon Island State Park remains open, connected to the town by the Dunedin Causeway. Along the route, travelers can find additional attractions like Causeway Community Park and Dunedin/Honeymoon Island Jetski Beach. However, the best is saved for last, where a 3-mile coastal pine trail and 4-mile beachfront await at the state park.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine, a lively Florida town dubbed the “Nation’s Oldest City,” is one of the best places to step back in time. Since its founding in 1565, the Atlantic coast community has risen to fame as a living time capsule, its sights and attractions spanning centuries. On the pedestrian-only St. George Street, visitors can explore centuries-old sites like the Oldest Wooden School House, along with enchanting courtyards and cozy coffee shops like the Cuban Café And Bakery.
Not far from the bustling main street, architecture and history intertwine at sites like the Lightner Museum. The 1888 Spanish Renaissance Revival building, formerly Hotel Alcazar, features a gorgeous display of Gilded Age antiques. Alternatively, if you find yourself needing a break from the tourist crowds, consider booking a St. Augustine Scenic Cruise for a narrated sightseeing tour over Matanzas Bay.
Micanopy
For those seeking a quieter view of Old Florida, Micanopy invites travelers to embrace the simple pleasures of a small town frozen in time. Located in north central Florida, Micanopy, “the little town that time forgot,” is the oldest inland town in the state. With less than a thousand locals in 2025, this tucked-away town encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy a more laid-back glimpse of Florida’s past.
Cholokka Boulevard, the town’s unofficial main street, is the epitome of Old Florida, with moss-draped oak trees skirting the road and shading the historic storefronts below. Along the historic stretch, visitors can find everything from charming museums like the Micanopy Historical Society to cute coffee shops like the Old Florida Cafe. Cholokka Boulevard is also where travelers can find many of Micanopy’s famed antique shops, including Bond’s Vintage Vault and Lost Ark Antiques.
Winter Park
Avoiding Florida’s infamous crowds is also a specialty in Winter Park, a central Florida community known for its art, culture, and serene natural surroundings. Just 20 minutes north of Orlando, the town is a charming respite from the tourist city, inviting travelers to take on a more relaxed pace. Whether strolling the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens or the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, overwhelming theme park crowds are nowhere in sight.
This bliss extends to Winter Park’s beautiful green spaces and waterfronts. Much like St. Augustine, Winter Park's waterways are a delightful escape from land when things get too crowded, with agencies like Scenic Boat Tours showcasing the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Alternatively, views of Lake Maitland can be enjoyed at Kraft Azalea Garden, a secluded 5-acre park covered in a vast shade of cypress trees.
Mount Dora
Also near Orlando, Mount Dora is a spirited “Festival City” with tons of exciting events to look forward to in 2025. While a few of the top festivals have already passed this year, there are still many to mark your calendars for. In October, Halloween fun will pair with the 40th Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair on the 25th and 26th. The month after, Renninger's Antique Extravaganza will exhibit over 1,500 antique dealers from the 15th to 17th, preceded by the 31st Annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair on November 1st and 2nd. However, if you find yourself visiting Mount Dora outside the festivities, have no fear: Lighthouse Park on beautiful Lake Dora is a year-round delight.
Anna Maria
Waterfront scenes are also a year-round delight on Anna Maria Island, where winter temperatures average in the mellow mid-70s. Like other Gulf Coast destinations, the 7-mile-long barrier island is famous for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. For vacationers seeking a classic beach getaway in 2025, Anna Maria beckons with its beauty and free-spirited energy.
In Anna Maria's namesake town, travelers can find a beach for every vibe and need. Tucked away at the northernmost tip of the barrier island, shores like Bean Point Beach offer a more quiet and secluded setting to enjoy the sand and sea. For a livelier atmosphere, the Bayfront Park beach is geared more toward families, featuring picnic tables and a playground. Right next door, the Anna Maria City Pier is another great attraction to check out. Stretching deep into Tampa Bay, the pier offers gorgeous views, a Bait Shop for anglers, and a seasonal seafood restaurant, the City Pier Grill.
Fernandina Beach
Situated on the Atlantic coast in northeastern Florida, Fernandina Beach is another barrier island town renowned for its gorgeous coastline. Located on Amelia Island, “Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure,” the community is a haven for beachgoers seeking a blend of quintessential and unique Florida shores.
Spots like Main Beach Park and Peters Point Beachfront Park are perfect for families, each promising clean shores, refreshing waters, and plenty of sand to go around. For a more active day in the sun, the town is also home to Fort Clinch State Park. Beyond its Civil War-era fort, the 1,500-acre park features a scenic 6-mile multi-use trail and a 3-mile beach, perfect for beachcombing, fishing, and swimming.
Apalachicola
Over on Florida’s Northwest Coast, Apalachicola is a welcoming waterfront town shaped by its maritime industries. Perched on Apalachicola Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico (America), Apalachicola has a rich history of fishing, with many dubbing it “Oystertown.” With over 90% of the state’s oysters produced and harvested from Apalachicola Bay, this nickname could not be more fitting.
Unsurprisingly, Apalachicola has some of the best seafood in the United States, served fresh at restaurants like Up The Creek Raw Bar and Half Shell Dockside. On October 31st and November 1st, 2025, the town will also host its 62nd Annual Florida Seafood Festival, drawing tens of thousands to “Florida's Oldest Maritime Event.” For the remainder of the year, Apalachicola’s maritime spirit is kept alive with spaces like Riverfront Park, a pretty space along the Apalachicola River with a waterfall fountain and walking paths.
Discover Florida’s Cutest Small Towns in 2025
For travelers seeking a slower pace, authentic experiences, and genuine Florida culture, these cute small towns promise all this and more. While you will still find the occasional tourist trap or high-traffic attraction, these communities mainly focus on showcasing the Sunshine State’s history, coastal culture, and natural splendor. Whether visiting Crystal River for its manatees, Mount Dora for its festivals, or Micanopy for its frozen-in-time main street, you will leave with great photos and even greater memories.
