This Is The Most Charming Small Town In Florida, New Report Says

FLORIDA — Some have wineries, some are perched on the water, others are tucked in gorgeous mountains. But these communities have one thing in common: They all rank on a new list of the most charming small towns across the nation.

Travel magazine Afar, in its new analysis, picked Cedar Key, an island off the Gulf Coast as the most charming town in Florida.

The report picked Cedar Key because it "is full of pristine estuaries and artist co-ops."

The community is a haven for artists 50 miles southwest of Gainesville. It sits three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Highway 24 is the only road into town. It crosses over the salt marshes and channels on four small, low bridges.

Here is what the writers at Afar had to say about Cedar Key:

"Puttering around in a golf cart is one of the faster fun ways to explore this breezy Gulf Coast town of 700 residents. Once a hub for cedar pencil mills, the Cedar Key of today is better known for laid-back art galleries (check out Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-Op), fresh seafood (try the clams at Southern Cross Sea Farms), and abundant kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities (rent gear fromCedar Key Adventures). Located on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, it’s ideal for watching wildlife, too: Bald eagles, osprey, gopher tortoises, and endangered salt marsh voles can be spotted at the Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve and Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge."

Related:

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• 3 FL Freshwater Springs Among ‘Best Places To Visit’ In World: List

Other destination small towns listed in the report include Hudson in New York, North Adams in Massachusetts, New Hope in Pennsylvania, and Los Olivos in California.

For the list, Afar said it defined a small town as a place with around 25,000 people or fewer. The pick for each state was chosen based on a unique attraction or characteristic to draw in visitors – whether it’s “singular streets or spectacular outdoor adventure opportunities,” according to Afar.

For example, the standout Maine small town, Belfast, was chosen for its “palpable hippie-meets-hipster energy,” while Waterbury, Vermont, got a nod for being the home of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory.

Meanwhile, ski towns (and ski-town "vibes") made several appearances on the list — including Whitefish in Montana and Leadville in Colorado, while Wyoming, Georgia, and South Carolina all featured towns with deep histories: Cody, Dahlonega, and Beaufort, respectively.

Read the full report in Afar.