Florida is more popular now than ever to live and visit for all groups and ages seeking beautiful weather in the southern state with easy access to the rest of the country and the world. Escape from cities like Tampa, Miami, and Orlando on a small-town getaway that will become your go-to spot for relaxation and many themed trips to revisit. From the vibrant Greek culture to the antiquing capital and many hidden gems, you will find solace and nightlife, new urbanism and tradition, and barrier island respites in these towns that beat to their own drums. Visit one of these best towns in the Sunshine State in 2023 for lifelong memories with your gang.

　　

Boca Grande

Aerial view of Boca Grande. Boca Grande is a truly delightful town to visit and fall in love with any time of the year, just like Katharine Hepburn did. Her roaming grounds feel like a real movie set on Gasparilla Island off the Gulf Coast, just northwest of Fort Myers. Come to this affluent community for excellent fishing and check out the Gasparilla Inn & Club, the state's vintage gem from 1911. Its old Florida is unmistakable amid the resort's luxurious accommodations.

　　Lounge along the beach or boat out to the nearby Cayo Costa, a relaxed barrier island—a destination in its own right, beating to its own drum. Away from the miles of beautiful beaches for solace and vistas while leisurely fishing or swaying from oak-palm hammocks, you can explore the mangrove swamps in a jungle-like atmosphere. Back at the idyllic village itself, there's the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum—most worthy of a visit, particularly when they're all dressed up for the holidays.

　　

Cocoa Beach

Aerial view of the coastal town of Cocoa Beach. Escape from everyone and everything finally in 2023 to Cocoa Beach, a scenic slice of paradise catering to all tastes on a relaxed and stylish getaway in the state. Just an hour east of Orlando, the "quintessential beach town," with its exclusive Lori Wilson Park for birding, is a popular budget destination in Florida without the tourist trap vibe. Feel like a local when you browse through local eateries and shops overlooking the waters before or post-beachgoing. From sunbathing to ideal surfing conditions, you can enjoy your favorite pursuits in a tropical atmosphere with your gang along the endless sands.

　　The northern side hosts one of the best surf places in the country, along with the flagship Ron Jon Surf Shop flagship store—the world's largest of its kind—and its Florida Surf Museum. From lazy lounges along the beach to playing volleyball in the sands, a leisurely stroll along the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset is perfect for everyone. Visit the nearby Kennedy Space Center with your family for an insight into NASA's shuttles and launch pads. Here and now is the time for you to get as lazy or active as you wish and try something new, like a bioluminescent kayaking tour.

　　

Loxahatchee

CaptionEntrance to Lion Country Safari park in Loxahatchee, Florida. Editorial credit: mariakray / Shutterstock.com We bet you've never heard of this hidden town in Palm Beach County, nestled along the Loxahatchee River with its lighthouse—one of the state's most sought-after sights. Lovingly referred to as Turtle River by the locals, the charming town in a peaceful, bucolic setting is everything you've been dreaming about, with easy access just west of Palm Beach. Loxahatchee tends to all tastes on an escape from the city with unique attractions and nature strewn with wildlife sightings over sightseeing hikes and fishing.

　　Join a Guided River Tour along the Loxahatchee River or a historical walking tour through the town and be your own guide through its culinary discoveries. The quintessential Lion Country Safari is an "only here" experience of a drive-through safari with fun water attractions and seven habitats hosting animals in their natural environment, like zebras, rhinos, and giraffes.

　　

Marco Island

Aerial view of Marco Island, a popular tourist town in Florida Marco Island is a real seaside gem along the Paradise Coast, with quick access to Florida's renowned Everglades and the beautiful small city of Naples. Take a road trip along the shoreline to this largest and only developed slice of heaven in the Ten Thousand Islands of the state's Gulf Coast. From luxury resorts to simple Airbnb with an airy feel by the beach, you can immerse yourself in days of relaxation in the beautiful nature around you, like pristine sand stretches and unspoiled parks. The alluring tropical atmosphere will hold you captive outside with the best attractions, like Briggs Nature Center's half-mile boardwalk overlooking wildlife in their natural habitat.

　　Seek insights into the island's ties to the ancient Calusa Native Americans at the Marco Island Historical Museum or manatees, sea turtles, and other wild animals at the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Take up water sports like boating, fishing, and kayaking, or sunbathe and swim in between beachcombing under sunny skies. Despite the resort vibe, you can enjoy free pursuits like shelling and self-guided canoe trips. Visit Collier Seminole State Park, minutes from Marco Island, for primitive camping and activities like canoeing, fishing, boating, picnic grounds, and a mile-long nature walk—perfect for immersive family days and active friends.

　　7 Most Beautiful US IslandsWhile the choice may be overwhelming among the thousands of available destinations, here are 7 of the most beautiful must-see US Islands.

　　

Mount Dora

Colorful Mount Dora's downtown area, a popular tourist destination. Editorial credit: Jillian Cain Photography / Shutterstock.com If you've never been to this century-old historic village, you're missing out on a real Sunshine State gem away from the oceanfront crowds. Mount Dora exudes southern charm from the heart of Florida along Lake Dora. With its three freshwater lighthouses, the small, designated trail town will imprint itself in your memory for a lifetime. Just an hour from Orlando, immerse yourself in all the pleasures of Old Florida's bucolic charm, together with outdoor ventures like a mountain bike trail, parks, and the lakefront.

　　The Palm Island Boardwalk is strewn with hot items for daytime and evening sunset strolls, with its boat rental shops, a launch, and a pretty, famous lighthouse spying on you. Mount Dora hosts a relaxing atmosphere that holds particular appeal to lovers of everything vintage from around the world. Take a stroll to its old railroad station and enjoy buffet-style dining options, or choose a quaint b&b and explore the whole scene of outdoor cafes, gourmet restaurants, galleries, and wineries.

　　

Rosemary Beach

The spectacular Rosemary Beach in Florida. Rosemary Beach is a real hidden jewel along the Sunshine State's panhandle of the northwest Gulf coast, between Panama City and Destin. Find this delicious slice off the eastern end of the famous Scenic Highway 30A, with a peaceful beach atmosphere of alluring sights and zen-inducing powers. The neo-traditional community was founded in 1995 to share a special vision with the world, combining New Urbanism vibes with traditional style for one perfectly classic beach town leveled up.

　　Check out the European-style downtown with its attractive Main Street and the stunning Pearl Hotel. Take a stroll through the beautiful gulf-front development of long, pristine stretches of the brightest white sands in your life for the best beach fun and relaxation. Enjoy swimming and sunbathing in the refreshing breezes blowing off the waters with kid-friendly, gently lapping surf, or boat out into the peaceful and tranquil seascape under singing gulls and sandpipers.

　　The Best Small Towns In Florida's Emerald Coast To Chill OutSeveral small towns dot the coastline, each with a unique character and one-of-a-kind attractions.

　　

Seaside

A shopping center in Seaside, Florida. Editorial credit: Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com Named the prettiest town in the state by Architectural Digest, Seaside offers a real respite from the stressors of life. Stroll the scenery of The Truman Show—the town itself, with a downtown full of laidback shops, cafes, and artisan food vendors serving some addicting stuff. The whole set, steps away from the sugar-sand beach, is easy to cover on a bike ride with a feast for the eyes of glittering attractions under the sun.

　　This small resort town in the Gulf of Mexico aspires to a quintessential feel of quaint New England and exotic Europe in an attractive candy wrap of New Urbanism. Meander in the sea breeze along the white picket fences of adorable pastel-colored houses with large porches, where every sight is Instagrammable. Despite a lack of full-time locals, the must-visit places cater to all tastes and ages, like cafes overlooking the sparkling waters.

　　

Siesta Key

Lido Beach in Siesta Key, Florida. Visit Siesta Key on a day trip, a getaway, or a whole vacation with views that induce a relaxing vibe before you even step foot on this picturesque barrier island just outside of Sarasota. The public Siesta Beach, one of the world's most beautiful and twice named the nation's best, is a must-hit at least once in your life. Its captivating powers and ambient atmosphere along the powdery white sands will pull you back time and time again. Get away with your family for the bevy of kid-friendly attractions, like beach volleyball, easy hiking trails, and a playground for the little ones.

　　The quiet Turtle Beach, without crowds even during the summer months, is perfect for shelling and kayaking in solace with your gang, while Siesta Key Village calls in the evening for live music. Find everything within a hand's reach of top-notch island shopping, hotels, and resorts for the best nightly rest of your life. Don't wait any longer to take a short drive or a scenic boat hop to this glittering, 8-mile-long Gulf of Mexico island with shopping, dining, and nightlife. Its turquoise bay and quartz sands are a playground for outdoor adventures that will never leave your mind.

　　

Tarpon Springs

The charming town of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Tarpon Springs, a small Gulf of Mexico town just 45 minutes north of St. Petersburg, is one of the best places in the US to get a fill of Greek culture. Seek your dreamy Greek island escape, complete with 51 miles of waterfront allure for abundant fishing and other beachy pastimes. Enjoy shoreline strolls and relaxation along the sands before the tedious but most joyful task of discovering the whole center listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From unique hotspots to architectural marvels, it is a real ambient place, with rich heritage mixing with the sea breeze in the air.

　　The Historic District takes you on a stroll amid buildings dating back to the 1800s with art galleries, antique stores, and specialty shops. Visit Tarpon Springs Performing Arts and Cultural Center for theater, art, historical exhibits, and concerts, among other events for all ages. Greek sponge divers settled in this "sponge capital of the world" along the glittering waters back in the 1920s for you to seek out their best traditional cuisine at Greek food restaurants overlooking Dodecanese Boulevard along the waterfront. The town is worthy of many themed trips like shopping, dining, and cultural absorption through the center along the sponge docks, and don't forget those beaches and purchasing natural, fresh sponges.

　　8 Adorable Small Towns In FloridaFrom coastal gems to inland cities preserved in time, each small town offers its own unique beauty that can only be found when exploring every nook and cranny.

　　Florida, without the summertime crowds, shows its true natural face, which is varied. Florida is an all-inclusive state, from fun in the sun along the quartz sands lapped gently by the turquoise waters and watching vessels bobbing in the distance to "surf's up" towns. Its pristine white-sand beaches by the sparkling blue sea induce a dreamy feeling of a faraway land. Take a coastal road trip for seaside gems and dive in for treasures in the heart of the state—a shopping and antique scene like you've never hit before.