There are some pretty great small towns in Florida to fawn over. We’re lucky to live in a state that has so much natural beauty and community spirit all rolled into one – which is why this one tiny town is worth exploring, especially after you realize it is secretly one of the best towns in Florida to visit and one of the best places to live in the state.

About an hour's drive southwest of Gainesville, Florida, you’ll find the tiny town of Cedar Key.
Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
James Hawley/Flickr


Let's take a walk around Cedar Key, one of our favorite hidden gem towns in Florida, in this video from Florida 4K:
This stunning and oftentimes secret town in Florida is a quaint, old-fashioned place that is worth exploring.
zdv/Wikimedia
Cedar Key is an under-the-radar gem of a town that features beautiful beaches, tons of water activities, and loads of restaurants worth indulging in.
Steamers, 420 Dock St, Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
Steamers Clam Bar & Grill/Facebook
For example, Steamers Clam Bar and Grill is a local favorite, and it offers cuisine to die for. Pay them a visit at 420 Dock Street, Cedar Key, Florida, 32625.
Just walking up and down Dock Street is an experience unto itself, with plenty of shops and boutiques to wander into.
Steven Martin/Flickr

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Take Tony's Seafood Restaurant, for example, which has been a fan favorite for years.
Tony's Restaurant, 597 2nd St, Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
Management/TripAdvisor


If you are wondering where to go in Florida for the best clam chowder while visiting Cedar Key, head to Tony's Seafood. Take a quick tour in this video from Dinner with Mariah:
There is always something to fill your belly and your soul while wandering through the streets of Cedar Key.
Darryl Kenyon/Flickr
There are also bits of history peppering this charming town, like the Cedar Key Museum State Park, which allows guests to take a trip back in time through a collection of natural artifacts and Civil War memorabilia.
Cedar Key Museum State Park, 12231 SW 166th Ct, Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
FLcouple/TripAdvisor
But perhaps one of the most unique parts of Cedar Key is that the houses and stores are perched on stilts above the Gulf, with water flitting about below.
Daryll Kenyon/Flickr
In order to get the true feel for Cedar Key, hop in a shiny new golf cart and wander around town seeing the bits and pieces of what makes this town what it truly is.
Allen Forrest/Flickr


Learn more about what to do in Cedar Key when you come to visit by watching this video from ChadGallivanter:

When you find a delightful hidden gem like Cedar Key you really come to appreciate these welcoming small towns in Florida. Have you ever visited Cedar Key, Florida? Share with us your experiences in the comments!

If you are planning a Florida vacation, consider a trip to Cedar Key by staying at Bella Vista, a beautifully charming waterfront home that will make you smile.

 

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More to Explore

Best Small Town in Florida

Tori Jane | July 27, 2023

What are some nice small towns in Florida?

Some nice small towns in Florida include:

 

There are, quite literally, hundreds of small towns all over the Sunshine State. It’s nearly impossible to list them all, however, some stand out above the rest in terms of small-town charm. Some of our favorites include places like Williston, a small town that is also home to world-famous springs. It’s considered a diver’s paradise, but it’s still got that quaint charm. Another favorite on our list is definitely Fort Pierce, an old fishing village built in the early 1900s. If you’re a fan of reefs and diving near reefs, this is the small Florida town for you - the diving here is insane! Hankering for more small-town goodness from the Sunshine State? Here are 12 more lovely small towns to explore.

Where are the best places to live in Florida? 

Some of the best places to live in Florida include:

 

There are a number of Florida towns that make the list as the cream of the crop. We won’t list them all here, of course, but some highlights from the list include Port St. Lucie, nestled along the Treasure Coast, Ocala, known to some as the horse capital of the world (seriously!), and Melbourne. Of course, some of our lovely larger cities also made the list, like Sarasota, Tampa, and Pensacola.

What is living in Florida like? 

Florida is a nature-lovers paradise, and the usually-mild weather is just the second-best reason to live here (the first-best reason is probably that we have countless miles of breathtaking beaches to lounge on and/or explore). It rains often during the summers, which can be hot and humid. We’re the home of Mickey Mouse himself - we’ve got both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, and both parks draw in millions of visitors every year. Our local economy is in good shape, and it’s no wonder that Florida is one of the most popular states to retire in. Living here is rewarding and never boring; there’s so much to see and so much to do, and we couldn’t be prouder to call it home! 

 

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