We love learning about all of the beauty and adventure the Sunshine State has to offer, and we try to share as much of it as possible. Now, we’re taking a look back at several of the must-see places we’ve featured in the past year. in hopes that you will find a few places to add to your New Year’s resolutions. You don’t have to wait until January 1st, though! Start planning your perfect Florida adventure today with these 13 amazing places:
- Lake Placid
Flickr/Judy Gallagher Visiting small towns is a great way to get away from the ordinary and discover shops, restaurants, and other places that are actually unique. This small town in Florida is incredibly enchanting and totally unique. To read more about Lake Placid, check out our article here.
- Cortez
Flickr/Carol VanHook Cortez is a historic fishing village located on Florida’s west coast, near Bradenton. The town has fewer than 5,000 residents, and many Floridians have never even heard of it. This village has some amazing history and restaurants. Read more about this tiny village here.
- Bradley’s Country Store, Felkel
Facebook/Bradley’s Country Store Bradley’s Country Store is located about 12 miles north of Tallahassee, in a small community called Felkel. The store provides a window into an important part of life almost a century ago, today selling preserves, honey, syrup, or some homemade soaps. Read the full article here.
- The Official Florida Flamingo Museum, Ocala
Facebook/The Official Florida Flamingo Museum This unique museum and store in Ocala holds the largest collection of pink flamingos in the entire world. Read more about this quirky roadside attraction right here.
- Dade City
Flickr/Matthew Paulson Dade City is a small city of around 7,000 people in Pasco County. It’s famous for its Southern charm and kumquat obsession, but we think it should be most famous for its incredible restaurants. To read about a few of its best restaurants, check out our article here.
- Sarasota Farmers Market
TripAdvisor/BillieKidFamilyFun The Sarasota Farmers Market has even been named one of the best in the South by Southern Living Magazine. It’s held in downtown Sarasota every single Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Read more about this unique market here.
- O’Lena State Park, High Springs
TripAdvisor/Brandi D This beautiful state park is full of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Read our full article about O’Lena State Park here.
- The Village of Arts, Bradenton
villageofthearts.com The Village of Arts is a real, working artists community near downtown Bradenton. The village is made up of historic homes painted in bright, eye-catching colors. Next time you’re headed to Southwest Florida, be sure to add a stop at this unique and fascinating community. Read more about it here.
- Jungle Queen, Fort Lauderdale
TripAdvisor/management Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruises has actually been in business since 1935. In the 1950s, it grew and added more and more attractions, including dinner and a stop on a “tropical isle,” along with a vaudeville show. To read more about riding the riverboat today, check out the story here
- European Village, Palm Coast
Facebook/European Village - Palm Coast With lots of restaurants and shops below levels of housing, European Village in Palm Coast is a unique combination of housing, restaurants, and shops that feels like a modern take on an ancient small town square. Read more about it here and plan your visit.
- Treasure Camp on the Suwannee, Fowler’s Bluff
TripAdvisor/Dennis R The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating for peaceful riverfront dining. The decor is delightfully rustic, with antiques, knick-knacks, and lots of Southern charm. As you would expect, guests are greeted with friendly Southern hospitality, too. For more information on how to find this hidden gem, read the article here.
- Tony’s Restaurant, Cedar Key
TripAdvisor/management You probably thought the best New England clam chowder could be found in New England. Turns out it’s actually right here in Florida. Read more about where to find it here.
- Oxford Exchange, Tampa
TripAdvisor/management If you’ve always dreamed of going to London but couldn’t afford the trip, Tampa’s Oxford Exchange will give you a taste of the sophisticated, stylish atmosphere of the shops and cafes of that historic city. If you want to learn more about visiting this incredible gift shop, cafe, restaurant and bookstore, read the full story here.
Have you visited any of these incredible places? Which of these places are you most excited to add to your plans in 2018? Are there any other places you would add?
Flickr/Judy Gallagher
Visiting small towns is a great way to get away from the ordinary and discover shops, restaurants, and other places that are actually unique. This small town in Florida is incredibly enchanting and totally unique. To read more about Lake Placid, check out our article here.
Flickr/Carol VanHook
Cortez is a historic fishing village located on Florida’s west coast, near Bradenton. The town has fewer than 5,000 residents, and many Floridians have never even heard of it. This village has some amazing history and restaurants. Read more about this tiny village here.
Facebook/Bradley’s Country Store
Bradley’s Country Store is located about 12 miles north of Tallahassee, in a small community called Felkel. The store provides a window into an important part of life almost a century ago, today selling preserves, honey, syrup, or some homemade soaps. Read the full article here.
Facebook/The Official Florida Flamingo Museum
This unique museum and store in Ocala holds the largest collection of pink flamingos in the entire world. Read more about this quirky roadside attraction right here.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson
Dade City is a small city of around 7,000 people in Pasco County. It’s famous for its Southern charm and kumquat obsession, but we think it should be most famous for its incredible restaurants. To read about a few of its best restaurants, check out our article here.
TripAdvisor/BillieKidFamilyFun
The Sarasota Farmers Market has even been named one of the best in the South by Southern Living Magazine. It’s held in downtown Sarasota every single Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Read more about this unique market here.
TripAdvisor/Brandi D
This beautiful state park is full of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Read our full article about O’Lena State Park here.
villageofthearts.com
The Village of Arts is a real, working artists community near downtown Bradenton. The village is made up of historic homes painted in bright, eye-catching colors. Next time you’re headed to Southwest Florida, be sure to add a stop at this unique and fascinating community. Read more about it here.
TripAdvisor/management
Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruises has actually been in business since 1935. In the 1950s, it grew and added more and more attractions, including dinner and a stop on a “tropical isle,” along with a vaudeville show. To read more about riding the riverboat today, check out the story here
Facebook/European Village - Palm Coast
With lots of restaurants and shops below levels of housing, European Village in Palm Coast is a unique combination of housing, restaurants, and shops that feels like a modern take on an ancient small town square. Read more about it here and plan your visit.
TripAdvisor/Dennis R
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating for peaceful riverfront dining. The decor is delightfully rustic, with antiques, knick-knacks, and lots of Southern charm. As you would expect, guests are greeted with friendly Southern hospitality, too. For more information on how to find this hidden gem, read the article here.
You probably thought the best New England clam chowder could be found in New England. Turns out it’s actually right here in Florida. Read more about where to find it here.
If you’ve always dreamed of going to London but couldn’t afford the trip, Tampa’s Oxford Exchange will give you a taste of the sophisticated, stylish atmosphere of the shops and cafes of that historic city. If you want to learn more about visiting this incredible gift shop, cafe, restaurant and bookstore, read the full story here.
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