10 Charming Small Towns in Central Florida You’ll Love
Central Florida is home to several charming small towns, making it the perfect place for those who want to enjoy all they have to offer.
These towns offer a variety of activities and attractions, from shopping and dining to fishing and hiking.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway or a fun-filled vacation, Central Florida has something for everyone.
Want to explore Florida? Check out these posts!
Best Small Towns in Central Florida
Florida is the perfect place to be if you’re looking for a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. The state offers all of the amenities and conveniences you want or need, and the weather is perfect year-round.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors in the middle of summer or escape the cold in winter, Florida is always a great option.
If you’re looking for a charming small town to call home in Central Florida, here are a few of our favorites:
1) Celebration, Florida
Celebration, Florida is a popular planned community in Central Florida designed and developed by Walt Disney. It is home to several beautiful homes and lush green parks.
Celebration is perfect for those who want to live in a community with everything they need, including top-notch schools, restaurants, and shops. It offers residents a high quality of life, with plenty of amenities and activities to enjoy.
Celebration, Florida is a charming town that is great for raising a family. There are plenty of amenities and activities to enjoy. It’s a great place to live! Celebration should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a place to call home.
2) Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a charming seaside city located on Florida’s Atlantic coast in Indian River County. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, high-end shopping, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Vero Beach has a thriving cultural scene, with a variety of art galleries, museums, and performing arts venues. Some of the notable cultural attractions in the city include the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Riverside Theatre, and the Indian River Citrus Museum.
Vero Beach offers a diverse shopping experience, with a mix of high-end boutiques, upscale malls, and local shops. Some of the popular shopping destinations in Vero Beach include the Indian River Mall, Vero Beach Outlets, and the historic downtown shopping district.
While you explore this town, you’ll find several state parks and nature preserves, offering plenty of opportunity to explore the area’s natural beauty.
The Vero Beach Historic District, located in the downtown area, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a variety of historic buildings and homes.
3) Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden is a charming town located close to Orlando. It was established in 1903 and is home to around 40,000 people. Winter Garden is known for its historic downtown district, full of charming shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Locals love the beautiful parks, including Central Park and Plant Street Park.
Downtown Historic Winter Garden is the perfect place to live if you’re looking for a small town with a lot of character. The town has historic homes and buildings, charming shops, and restaurants.
The town has several beautiful parks that are perfect for spending time outdoors. This is definitely a top pick for quaint towns in Florida.
4) Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a charming and upscale city located in Orange County, Florida. The city is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, historic architecture, high-end shopping, and cultural attractions.
Park Avenue is the heart of Winter Park’s shopping and dining scene. The street is lined with high-end boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. The historic brick streets and canopy of old oak trees make it a beautiful and picturesque destination.
Rollins College is a private liberal arts college located in Winter Park. The campus features beautiful Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and is home to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which houses a collection of over 5,000 works of art.
Central Park is a beautiful and serene park in downtown Winter Park’s heart. The park features a scenic lake, walking trails, and a stage for live music and other performances.
The Scenic Boat Tour is a popular attraction in Winter Park that takes visitors on a leisurely boat ride through the city’s chain of lakes. The tour provides beautiful views of the city’s historic homes and lush landscapes.
This community houses the Alfond Inn Hotel, beautiful boutiques, fine dining, art and music festivals, scenic parks, tree-lined streets, Multi-million-dollar homes, and historic bungalows.
5) Maitland, Florida
Maitland is located in Orange County and is considered one of Florida’s greatest places to live. This area has a beautiful mix of urban and suburban feel and offers a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Maitland is also home to Enzian Theater which hosts the Florida Film Festival. A lot is happening in Maitland if you are looking for scenic entertainment.
6) Deland, Florida
Deland’s historic community is rich in sites, parks, and attractions and has 68 historic buildings.
Some must-see aquatic attractions are the public fountain area along Indian Avenue, north of the Historic Courthouse, the rotunda area inside the Historic Volusia County Courthouse, and the Chess Park fountain and alleyway between Indiana and New York Avenues.
7) Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a historic city located in Seminole County, Florida. The city is known for its charming downtown area, rich history, and diverse community. Here are some of the notable features of Sanford:
Sanford’s historic downtown area is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. The district features a mix of architectural styles, including Victorian, Art Deco, and Mediterranean Revival.
Lake Monroe is a large lake located just north of downtown Sanford. The lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and birdwatching. Visitors can rent a boat or take a scenic cruise on the lake.
The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a popular attraction just outside Sanford. The zoo is home to various animals, including big cats, primates, and reptiles. The botanical gardens feature a variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
Sanford is home to several historic residential districts, including the Sanford Residential Historic District and the Mayfair Historic District. These neighborhoods feature a mix of architectural styles and are a great place to take a stroll and admire the historic homes.
The St. Johns Riverwalk is a scenic walkway along the St. Johns River in downtown Sanford. The walkway features benches, picnic tables, and a playground, and offers beautiful views of the river and the surrounding area.
Overall, Sanford is a charming and historic city that offers visitors a range of activities and attractions. The city’s downtown area, beautiful lake, and historic neighborhoods make it a must-see destination in Central Florida.
8) Windermere, Florida
Another popular planned community in Central Florida is Windermere. Windermere is a town in Orange County, and it is known for its upscale homes and beautiful lakes.
It is perfect for those who want to live in a quiet and peaceful community while still being close to all the fun things to do in Orlando.
9) Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a quaint little town located in the rolling hills of Central Florida. It’s known for its antique shops, annual festivals, and charming downtown area.
The Mount Dora Lighthouse is a popular tourist destination for Grantham Point Park visitors. The only inland navigational aid of its kind, the brick-and-stucco beacon stands sentry near the renovated boardwalk leading into Palm Island Park nature preserve.
One Flight Up, located on the main downtown thoroughfare in Mount Dora, offers a variety of delicious sandwiches, salads, and specialty teas. Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view of the bustling street below.
10) St. Pete Beach, Florida
The small town of Pass-a-Grille is located at the southern end of St. Pete Beach. The community is known for its stunning turquoise waters and soft white sand. Boutiques, restaurants, tennis courts, and fishing piers are all located in this dog-friendly beach town.
St. Pete Beach is home to miles of beautiful, white sand beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Some popular beaches include Pass-a-Grille Beach, Upham Beach, and St. Pete Beach itself.
Corey Avenue is the main commercial district in St. Pete Beach and features a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. The street has a long history dating back to the early 1900s and is now a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
St. Pete Beach is a popular destination for fishing, with opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing. Visitors can rent a boat or book a charter for a day of fishing on the Gulf.
Fort De Soto Park is a beautiful natural area located just a short drive from St. Pete Beach. The park features miles of beaches, nature trails, and historic structures, including a fort from the Spanish-American War.
The sunsets at St. Pete Beach are some of the most beautiful in Florida. Visitors can watch the sunset from the beach or from one of the many beachfront restaurants or bars.
Bottom Line
There are many great places to live in Central Florida, including Downtown Historic Winter Garden, Park Avenue in Winter Park, DeLand, Sanford, Windermere, and Mount Dora. Each of these towns has its own unique character and attractions, making them perfect places to live.
Central Florida has many charming small towns offering scenic views, historic buildings, and lively downtown areas. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting adventure, you’re sure to find the perfect destination in Central Florida.
Ocala should have been #1
Hi Kristy! I have been to Ocala a few times. I am excited to see so much growth. What do you love about Ocala? I want to visit some new areas next time.
Ocala has grown so much within their historical downtown area or the Horse Capital and The World Equestrian Center. But that’s just some of their big headliners. The city is surrounded by the Florida’s natural spring rivers from Silver River ( Old movie attraction) to the Ocala National Forest where there are more springs to the west for another sweet town, Dunnellon with their Rainbow River (which also is a little stop in the area with its own history). Ocala’s also has a rich native history to the settlements from the war that traveled through there. Other interest is the Appleton Art Museum and an abstract art scene around town.
Thank you Debby for sharing! I am definitely going back will update the blog:)
Ocala isn’t a small town, it’s too spread out with no real town center… plus the traffic there is a nightmare all the time.
Spring hill, Florida is located in Hernando county…just 40 miles south west of Ocala….I call spring hill (little New York) 🙂
Hi what interior ideas did you have for kids rooms and storage for stuffed animals mostly and closets
Hello! Thanks for stopping by. I am currently working on an article and posts for kids rooms and storage options. One example is to use bench seating with storage and another is to use woven baskets. Kids like these 2 options as well.
Hi, I’ve been living in Florida for 22 years, there are very beautiful cities and towns, I liked your published content.thank u…
Thank you Jose. Happy you enjoyed it:)
There’s many small towns and businesses on west coast of Florida…All located 50 to 70 miles from beautiful Orlando, Florida 🙂 Nice cities on west coast of Florida include spring hill, Hudson, Port Richey n New Port Richey,in oldsmar is Tampa Bay downs racetrack…..The Tampa Bay derby in March every year is the kickoff race on the road to Kentucky derby n triple crown!!!! Tampa Bay downs is a wonderful small racetrack !!!!
If you haven’t checked out the historic Clermont area, you’re missing out! Open container district, 2 breweries, 3 markets with food and retail, vinyl record store with a craft beer bar, the town is right on the water with more being built daily, a winery, – and houses the highest hills in Florida with lots of history. These are great but do a top 20 list with more hidden gems!
Hello Tina,
I have visited and I agree. I will specifically highlight the historic district:)