I was born and raised in Miami, then moved to Florida’s Space Coast in my 20s.
It was supposed to be a temporary move to save money, but I ended up falling in love with Central Florida. Fifteen years later, I’m still here.
I’ve traveled all over the state and could honestly fill the rest of my days just visiting different towns and cities in Florida. There’s no shortage of tourist destinations here, but parts of Orlando and Miami are home to tons of crowds … and traffic.
Instead, there are four lesser-known places I’d recommend for gorgeous beaches, culture, and history.
Visiting Coral Gables feels like stepping back in time
If you want to experience Miami like a local, I’d recommend staying in Coral Gables.
Founded in the 1920s and featuring historic landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables feels completely one of a kind. I always think of it as a town within a city — it’s very different from the South Beach atmosphere that many people might imagine when they envision Miami.
Spending time in “the City Beautiful,” as Coral Gables is dubbed, is like stepping into a version of “The Great Gatsby” featuring a modern, tropical backdrop. The public Venetian Pool, for instance, first opened in the 1920s and features waterfalls and cave-like grottos.
For those with young kids, Matheson Hammock Park has a family-friendly beach complete with amenities. There’s also Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre botanic garden that opened in 1938 and is exactly as spectacular as it sounds.
Plus, when you’re in Coral Gables, you’ll eat at some of the best restaurants in the world — especially if you love a classic Italian spot. My favorite is Caffe Abbracci, which has been there since 1989.
I’ll always recommend a visit to Alachua County
Alachua County is full of wide, open spaces and lots of horses. It neighbors the city of Ocala, which is known as “the Horse Capital of the World” for a reason.
If you enjoy being out in nature, this county has a plethora of hike-worthy nature preserves — including Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where, if you’re lucky, you might see wild-roaming horses and bison.
There’s also Mill Creek Farm, a retirement home for horses that opens to the public on Saturdays, allowing guests to go for hikes while feeding rescue horses all the carrots they desire along the way.
Alachua County is also home to Gainesville, which is far more than just a college town. Home of the University of Florida, the city of Gainesville is a cultural hub and feels surprisingly family-friendly.
Here, you’ll find tons of performing arts, museums, eclectic restaurants, and sporting events.
St. Augustine is one of my favorite places in Florida
I believe every American should visit St. Augustine at least once.
This city’s history is tied up with America’s, too. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, almost 42 years before the English settled in Jamestown, making it the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States.
Aside from its history, St. Augustine is a Florida beach town full of art galleries, architecture, local music, and restaurants, giving it an overall very European feel for an American city.
If I could live anywhere, it would be Vilano Beach
I’ve been to beaches up and down the east and west coasts of Florida, and Vilano Beach is my favorite so far.
When I close my eyes and envision being on a beach, it’s this one — and I’m probably there with my pets, since it’s dog-friendly.
This is a small town, mainly consisting of a beach and the local fishing pier. Even though there is a tourist presence, Vilano Beach feels like a quiet, local spot, and I get the impression those who live there really love it.
I understand them, though: If I lived there, I’d rarely ever leave. It certainly wouldn’t hurt living just a short drive north of St. Augustine, either.
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