let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
Trips & RoutesSmall Towns

The Unassuming Town Of Cocoa Beach, Florida Is One Of America’s Best Hidden Gems For A Weekend Getaway

Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a hidden gem perfect for a weekend getaway with its surf breaks, beaches, and family-friendly activities.

Updated Jan 9, 2024

Written by 

Marisa Roman

Taking a vacation to Florida has been a beloved pastime for many throughout the years. But perhaps you’re ready for something new if you’ve seen all there is to see in terms of Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville. We have a perfect, unassuming town in Florida that is the best for a weekend getaway. Picture sunshine, shoreline, surfing, and more when you visit one of the best small towns in Florida – Cocoa Beach. And if you ask us, it’s one of America’s best hidden gems.

The small coastal town of Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a premier place for people to get away for a weekend to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand.

A scenic view of a coastal landscape with palm trees, lush greenery, and a cloudy sky over the water.
Flickr Andrew Parlette

This city is known primarily for its epic surf breaks and incredible beaches just south of Cape Canaveral.

A surfer walks along the beach at sunset, with waves crashing and a pier in the background under a colorful sky.
Flickr Jill Bazeley

Some call Cocoa Beach a quintessential beach town filled with endless summer energy all year.

A serene beach scene at sunset, featuring a pier silhouetted against colorful clouds and calm ocean waves.
Flickr Anish Patelk

Cocoa Beach is also lauded as the ultimate family-friendly destination. From the abundance of shoreline activities to the restaurants and beyond.

Sunlight streams through the wooden supports of a pier, casting reflections on the water below.
Flickr Jill Bazeley

One of the best places to explore while you’re there is the Cocoa Beach Pier. Not only is it considered to be a historic Space Coast landmark, but this giant pier stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic, offering nearly 360-degree views of the ocean.

A colorful pier at sunset, with restaurants lining the structure and calm waves lapping at the sandy beach.
Flickr Matthew Paulson

Also, make sure you stop by the famous Ron John Surf Shop! Since surfing is widely appreciated in Coca Beach, this well-known surf shop has become the hub for tourists to visit and even snag some surf swag.

Colorful night scene of a building with tiki sculptures in the foreground, surrounded by palm trees and vibrant lights.
Flickr Matthew Paulson

So the next time you want to explore one of America’s best-kept secrets for a weekend getaway, head on over to Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Aerial view of a beach with umbrellas, a pier, and gentle waves lapping at the shore.
TripAdvisor Management

Want more reasons to visit one of the best small towns in Florida? Check out this YouTube video by Leonard Shea highlighting some of the cool spots in Cocoa Beach.

https://youtu.be/wfUc8-TWtN8?si=88q91jvlA5m1JaK_

Have you ever been to Cocoa Beach, Florida, before? Share with us some of your favorite places to visit in town! Or, if you’re looking for more information about Cocoa Beach, Florida, check out the Cocoa Beach official website.

Also, if you’re ready to continue adventuring through the Sunshine State, we have another spot worth checking out. Here are 11 reasons to drop everything and visit one of Florida's most charming coastal towns.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trips & Routes

You Can Explore This Tennessee Mountain City Entirely on Foot—and It’s Stunning

From the Tennessee River to the mountain lookouts above the city, Chattanooga is a walkable haven for visitors hoping to escape the heat with historic charm.

by Molly Harris
on Jun 7
Sunset over Chattanooga
Nature

Skip the Hikes and Try This Kansas Rail Trail Instead

There’s no need to hike when you can wheel or wander along this scenic Kansas rail trail.

by Stephanie Frias
on Jun 6
A meandering, gravel trail passing through green pastures with yellow blooms beneath a brilliant, blue sky. It's the Prairie Sunset Trail, a rail trail in Kansas.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

7 Waterfront Hawai’i Rentals So Stunning They Don’t Feel Real

From rainforest cabins with private waterfall pools to cliffside oceanfront homes and sandy beachfront condos, these waterfront rentals offer immersive island escapes where the sound of water, whether river, rain, or ocean, is always part of the experience.

by Kate Orlando
on Jun 6
Looking up at a waterfront Airbnb in Hawaii that overlooks a small waterfall.
Experiences
Attractions

The Hidden Attraction in New Jersey That People Still Seek Out to This Day

Hidden in plain sight, this remarkable New Jersey destination continues to spark curiosity to this day.

by Kim Falchek
on Jun 6
Birds sit on the remains of the sunken Atlantus shipwreck which sits in the waters off Sunset Beach in Cape May, New Jersey.
Trips & Routes
Cities

This Walkable Coastal City in Maine Is a Must-Visit Gem

This stunning Maine city is easy to explore on foot, with scenic views, local shops, and must-see attractions all within walking distance.

by Megan Todaro
on Jun 6
An aerial view of Downloaded the harbor and town of Rockland, Maine. Boats line the harbor and the streets are walkable in every direction.