Posted in Florida Attractions April 30, 2021 by

These 9 Historic Villages In Florida Will Transport You Into A Different Time

Some of the most charming and relaxing destinations in Florida are the historic small towns and fishing villages dotting the coasts. The next time you’re looking for a getaway, these places should be at the top of your list! These are our picks for the most charming small, historic towns in Florida:

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1. Apalachicola
Gary J. Wood/Flickr
This fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for some of the best seafood in the country, especially oysters. You'll fall in love with its rustic charm.
2. Cedar Key
Darryl Kenyon/Flickr
This town near north-central Florida is a delightful slice of Old Florida. Visitors love the natural beauty and slower pace of this sleepy, cozy beach town. Cedar Key is world-famous for its tasty clams, so make sure to try out a few local restaurants while you're here.
3. Steinhatchee
Rain0975/Flickr
Steinhatchee is a true hidden gem located in Taylor County. You'll feel like you're going back in time when you're driving along its quaint country roads. There are plenty of relaxing activities, including boating, fishing and scalloping - as well as adorable shops and delectable local eateries.
4. Tarpon Springs
Jill Bazeley/Flickr
You'll feel like you're vacationing somewhere in Europe when you enter this historic Greek town in Pinellas County. Adorable shops, Victorian homes, authentic Greek food to die for, and the famous sponge docks make this one of Florida's most interesting small towns.
5. Cortez
psyberartist/Flickr
This historic fishing village on Sarasota Bay is as authentic as it gets. You'll love the unique charm of this coastal community.
6. St. Mark's
anoldent/Flickr
St. Marks is home to the Shell Island Fish Camp, the St. Marks Light, and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. With all those famous things to appreciate while you're here, you might as well stay a night or two.
7. Punta Gorda
Peter Barker/Florida
This fishing town has a beautifully restored historic district full of charm, as well as plenty of perfectly preserved wildlife areas. The birdwatching here is stellar and super interesting - much more than you might think!
8. Matlacha
Terence Faircloth/Flickr
This colorful strip of seafood markets and art galleries is a must-visit for anyone in the Fort Myers area. It's very quirky and lots of fun. You just won't find anywhere quite like it anywhere else in the world.
9. Welaka
Beth Scupham/Flickr
This little town of just 600 calls itself the Bass Capital of the World. It sits on the St. Johns River, and in the 1880s its mineral springs were noted for their healing properties. Whether it actually is the Bass Capital of the World, however, might be up to you.

So, what do you think? Have you been to any of these places? Which of your favorite historic places in Florida would you add to the list? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Need somewhere to stay in the beautiful Sunshine State? This Airbnb might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Address: Apalachicola, FL 32320, USA
Address: Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
Address: Steinhatchee, FL 32359, USA
Address: Tarpon Springs, FL, USA
Address: Cortez, FL, USA
Address: St Marks, FL, USA
Address: Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Address: Matlacha, FL 33993, USA
Address: Welaka, FL, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Historic Villages in Florida

May 04, 2021
Tori Jane

What are some interesting historic places in Florida? 

Florida is a huge state with plenty of iconic places that are much appreciated by history buffs. Of course, you’ve got your more obvious answers, like amusement parks and the Everglades, however, if you only focus on those, you’ll miss the rest of the awesome history all over the place. For example, author Ernest Hemingway spent three decades of his life in Key West, and today, you can tour his home and even spend the night! There’s also the amazing, historic Pelican Island Nature Preserve, which was set aside by President Teddy Roosevelt once upon a time for breeding native bird species. Castillo de San Marcos, in Saint Augustine, is also an incredible historic gem that’s still standing today – even though it was built in the 1600s! 

What are the most popular Florida landmarks to visit?

Florida is a state whose tourism industry is rich and thriving. Even during the darkest of times, people tend to seek Florida out for rest and relaxation, and oftentimes, they flock to the same places to do so. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida include, of course, Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios. For the more scientifically inclined, the Kennedy Space Center is a must-do. There’s also the insanely beautiful, and world-famous, Everglades region, which is host to some of the most unique wildlife in the entire United States. Interested in touring the state and seeing some interesting sights? This article might offer up some inspiration. 

What are some interesting facts about Florida?

Oh, boy, where to begin! Florida is home to the single longest coastline in the US, coming in at a whopping 1,197 statute miles in length, more than 800 miles of which are accessible beaches and public areas. We are home to more than 7,700 lakes, 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, and 11,000 miles of winding rivers. Key Largo is the site of the US’s first-ever underwater state park. We’ve got both alligators and crocodiles that call our state home, as well as more than 500 species of birds. We also produce 90% of the nation’s oranges. We guess you could say we’re pretty interesting down here!

Address: Apalachicola, FL 32320, USA
Address: Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA
Address: Steinhatchee, FL 32359, USA
Address: Tarpon Springs, FL, USA
Address: Cortez, FL, USA
Address: St Marks, FL, USA
Address: Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Address: Matlacha, FL 33993, USA
Address: Welaka, FL, USA