Florida is known for its busy tourist spots like Orlando and Miami, but there are also some beautiful towns that don’t get as much attention. These places don’t get enough attention, but they have unique things to do, beautiful scenery, and a lot of history and culture.
Each town has its own style, from beautiful beach towns to quiet getaways in the country. Whether you’re looking for small shops, thriving art scenes, or outdoor adventures, these secret gems are a nice change from the usual tourist traps.
Come with us as we visit seven of Florida’s most underrated towns and talk about their attractions and secret gems, as well as why everyone should put them on their travel list. Find Florida’s secret gems and the beauty of these less well-known places.
1. Clewiston
Clewiston is a beautiful town on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee. It is sometimes called “America’s Sweetest Town.” The namesake of the town comes from its long history in the sugar business. The U.S. Sugar Corporation, one of the biggest cane sugar makers in the country, is based here.
Civic Park is known for its well-kept, shady grounds that are next to tennis fields and a library. It also hosts Clewiston’s Sugar Festival, which brings foodies from all over the state. Sonny’s BBQ, which is famous for its Southern-style barbecue, and Roland Martin’s Marina & Resort, which serves fresh fish, are two other great places to eat.
2. The Cape Canaveral
You can find Cape Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast. It has a past with American space exploration. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is its biggest attraction. It gives visitors a detailed look at the Apollo moon landings, Space Shuttle launches, and chances to meet astronauts.
Port Canaveral, one of the biggest cruise ports in the world, is in this town. In terms of nature, the Canaveral National Seashore is a great place to watch birds; over 310 kinds have been recorded there.
The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, built in the 1800s, is another attraction. It gives occasional tours (reservations are needed). People know that Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar serves fresh clams and mussels.
3. Island of Amelia
This old piece of paradise is in the northeastern panhandle, just 20 minutes from Georgia. It has been ruled by the French, the Spanish, and the English. Epicureans who want to enjoy every part of their lives will agree with Amelia Island. As a real escape in a dream setting, the sands are perfect for days of lounging, taking slow swims to stretch, and strolling over to the nearest seafood shack for some delicious food.
People who like to golf can also visit the island, and families can enjoy sightseeing by bike or horses, as well as cooking classes. Amelia Island is all about slowing down to rest your body and mind. It’s based on the idea of constant meditation, which is easy to achieve when you’re in such beautiful places.
4. Island of Deerfield
The charming town has an Old Florida feel and is a great place to get that last little boost of energy before the end of summer while relaxing on the award-winning coastline. The clean beaches have many water sports for active people, and there is also a beautiful 976-foot-long fishing pier where people can watch the boats go by and take pictures.
Deerfield Island Park has beautiful nature trails and mangrove swamps that nature fans can explore. The Splash Adventure Water Park has thrilling water slides that families can use to have fun together. There are many places to eat, such as the Charm City Burger Company for burgers, JB’s on the Beach for fish, and Little Havana Restaurant for authentic Cuban food.
The truly underrated Florida spot is in the northern part of the state, close to Fort Lauderdale. It has beaches that look like coves on the Atlantic Ocean, free surfing, stand-up paddleboard classes every Saturday morning, and “Full Moon Paddle Tours.”
5. Hashisha
About 12 miles north of Tallahassee, on the border with Georgia, is the town of Havana. It used to be an agricultural village but has been turned into a beautiful place for history and antiques lovers. After turning itself into a shopping spot, the streets are now lined with one-of-a-kind shops, old stores, and restaurants from the area.
It is known for having a lot of important antiques and collectibles. You can also find home decor, furniture, jewelry, and art there. You can spend an afternoon looking at the buildings in the Quincy Historic District. The Gadsden Arts Center is the “cherry on top” of the buildings there. The building that used to be a hardware shop is now an art center with beautiful works by local and national artists that anyone can see for free.
6. Jensen Beach
With its laid-back vibe and well-known food scene, Jensen Beach is the real secret gem of Florida’s Treasure Coast in the southeast. It is an hour north of West Palm Beach and is known for its fruit farms. It used to be called the “Pineapple Capital of the World.” Every year, there is an event honoring the sour tropical fruit pineapple. There is live music, bright shows, and competitions for cooking and eating pineapple.
The beach is on a marine preserve and is a great place for water sports like sailing and scuba diving. It is also famous for being a place where turtles lay their eggs. Walton Rocks Beach is right next door and is dog-friendly, so you can go for walks or lay out in the sun with your best friend. There are many restaurants and shacks to choose from that serve fresh fish because of the great seafood.
7. Our Manasota Key
The secret Manasota Key is on the west coast, 50 minutes south of Sarasota. It is a great place to shell out for wealth. People love Blind Pass Park Beach for its pretty shells, shark teeth, and sea turtle nests. Manasota Key is famous for having the biggest number of nesting turtles on the whole Gulf Coast. It has a small population of just over 1,200 people who enjoy a nice, relaxing getaway in a laid-back setting.
With an emerald-green ocean on all sides, you can parasail to see breathtaking views, fish for local groupers, and watch the sunset from above the waves. After all those treasure hunts on the beach and drinks in the sun, you deserve a walk through Stump Pass Beach State Park, which is a real nature dream.
Conclusion
To sum up, Florida’s underrated towns and cities offer a wide range of unique experiences, stunning natural beauty, and a rich cultural history just ready to be discovered. From the peaceful beaches of Amelia Island to the old-world charm of Havana, these secret gems are a nice break from Florida’s more well-known sights. Take in the easygoing vibe, try some of the local food, and explore the natural beauty of these towns. These towns show off Florida’s natural beauty away from the crowds of tourists, making them great additions to any trip plan, whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation. Plan your trip now to see how beautiful these secret gems are!