FLORIDA SMALL TOWNS

By  Mike Miller   Updated August 17, 2023

Here are 16 small Florida towns that we have visited and enjoyed.  All told, our website now has articles featuring more than 220 towns.  What you see here is only a small sample of what we have.

Map of Florida's 8 Geographic RegionsMap of Florida's 8 Geographic Regions

The population of a town does not always define "small" in this case. 

Some relatively large Florida towns, though high in population, have still retained that small town Old Florida feeling we love so much.

You can click on any photo to visit our article about that town.  Each article includes maps, photos, histories, dining and lodging.

SOME FAVORITE FLORIDA SMALL TOWNS BY REGION

Home in Milton, FloridaHome in Milton, Florida

MILTON is one of the oldest cities in Florida, incorporated in 1844 before Florida became a state.  Florida was still a territory and did not achieve statehood until the following year, 1845. 

Chautauqua Brotherhood Hall, DeFuniak SpringsChautauqua Brotherhood Hall, DeFuniak Springs

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS is one of the prettiest of Florida towns.  Numerous Victorian era homes encircle little Lake DeFuniak, and it's at times difficult to tell the old homes from the new ones built in the same Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles. 

Melrose Woman's ClubMelrose Woman's Club

MELROSE is a quiet unincorporated residential community about halfway between Jacksonville and Gainesville.  Many artists and writers are attracted to the town because of its quiet beauty.  The rustic streets, many of them unpaved, are canopied by ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss. 

John Denham House, MonticelloJohn Denham House, Monticello

MONTICELLO  is a pretty little town with giant oak trees forming canopy streets and a lot of old restored homes, many of them going back to before the Civil War. Many of these homes were restored during the Great Depression of the 1930's. 

Fernandina Beach DowntownFernandina Beach Downtown

FERNANDINA BEACH is as far north as you can go in Florida.  It is on the St. Marys River that forms the Georgia state line.  It was one of Florida's first major cities.  The downtown area of the town preserves and displays many of the old historic buildings.  

John D. Rockefeller Home, The CasementsJohn D. Rockefeller Home, The Casements

ORMOND BEACH is the first town north of Daytona Beach on Florida's east coast. Part of the town is on the mainland and the rest is across the Halifax River on the Atlantic Ocean barrier island. 

Melbourne Beach Community ChapelMelbourne Beach Community Chapel

MELBOURNE BEACH is a quiet bedroom community of about 3,000 people on the barrier island across the Indian River Lagoon from the larger city of Melbourne.  It is Brevard County's oldest beach community. 

Driftwood Inn, Vero BeachDriftwood Inn, Vero Beach

VERO BEACH has three areas that are almost like separate towns. The first is out near I-95, the second is along US-1, and the third is on the barrier island with beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. 

Mural in Lake Placid, FloridaMural in Lake Placid, Florida

LAKE PLACID is south of Sebring and is noted for its many downtown murals.  The town is surrounded by 29 lakes and is noted for its good fishing and water sports. 

Wauchula City HallWauchula City Hall

WAUCHULA  is a pretty little country town on the Peace River in Hardee County about 50 miles east of the Bradenton-Sarasota area.  Watermelons, cattle and citrus are important to the local economy. 

Pasco County Courthouse, Dade CityPasco County Courthouse, Dade City

DADE CITY is a popular destination for antique hunters. Many shops, quaint restaurants and historic buildings are located downtown.A popular attraction is the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village. 

Art Gallery in Safety HarborArt Gallery in Safety Harbor

SAFETY HARBOR is a tranquil oasis in the busy Tampa Bay metropolitan area. It is home to a popular historic spa and is a favorite location for artists and writers to live and work.

Stump Pass, Englewood, FloridaStump Pass, Englewood, Florida

ENGLEWOOD on Florida's gulf coast.  It is a typical old Florida town nestled along the shores of Lemon Bay, an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico.  In spite of being surrounded by large lot sales residential communities, it has retained its small town charm. 

Home in Punta GordaHome in Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA is on Charlotte Harbor which opens into the Gulf of Mexico.  It has many nice waterfront residential communities, and has extensively redeveloped its downtown in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley in 2004. 

Historic Delray Beach Train StationHistoric Delray Beach Train Station

DELRAY BEACH has beautiful beaches and an attractive downtown dining and shopping area.  It was settled by people from Michigan and many of the little old houses and cottages reminiscent of old Michigan neighborhoods.

Jupiter Inlet to Atlantic OceanJupiter Inlet to Atlantic Ocean

JUPITER is on the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.  It is home to a historic lighthouse.  The town is growing, and is quite often voted by travel sites and one of the best beach towns in Florida.

Learn about all 220 towns featured on our website by going to: 

FLORIDA TOWNS

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By Mike Miller, Copyright 2009-2024
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