Safety Harbor is ranked among America’s Top 10 in USA Today’s 10Best reader surveys for “Best Main Street” and “Best Small Town in the South” in 2025.
Tag: Old Florida
Washington Oaks: Gardens plus unusual beach
I loved discovering this hidden gem near St. Augustine. It has two sides along scenic A1A: A historic oak-shaded formal garden on the west side and a beach with fantastically shaped coquina rocks to the east.
Cortez Florida: Charming fishing village, perfect place for classic seafood shack
This authentic Florida fishing village near Bradenton is the perfect place to find classic seafood shacks — open air, casual with the freshest fish.
Apalachicola & St. George Island: Delightful town; spectacular beach
Theare are so many things to do in Apalachicola, a charming, walkable small town full of history, good food & shops. It’s 20 minutes from the splendid beach on St. George Island.
De Leon Springs: ‘Pancake park’ is so much more
De Leon Springs, about an hour north of Orlando, is a state park with swimming, kayaking and fantastic history. It’s best known for — of all things — its pancakes. Our advice: spend the day and take in the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
Bulow Plantation Ruins: 5 minutes off I-95 for romantic ruins, picnic & walk
When driving I-95, you can travel five minutes off the highway and find romantic ruins, have a picnic and a walk through the woods in this Flagler County state park. In minutes, you feel like you’re in another world.
Grayton Beach State Park: Camping, cabins on one of America’s top beaches
Grayton Beach State Park is one of the crown jewels of the Florida State Parks system, and its beach, campground and cabins are coastal treasures.
Upstream on Estero River is a gem for kayakers near Naples and Fort Myers
The Estero River upstream from Koreshan State Park is a beautiful two-hour round trip with magnificent arching oak trees and wildlife in the Naples/Fort Myers area.
Hillsborough River State Park offers historic charm, shady campground, lots to do outdoors
Hillsborough River State Park has been closed since October after getting slammed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Unsung heritage corridor: Springs, history, scenic byway in Central Florida
This off-the-beaten track region offers springs, history and Florida scenic drives along the St. Johns, the ‘river of lakes.’ It’s centered around the Old Florida city of DeLand, an hour north of Orlando.