Planning the perfect vacation can be challenging, especially when you have many other responsibilities. So let us take some of the burdens of vacation planning away from you by offering up a list of the 12 most charming small towns in Florida, one for each month of the year. While you don’t need to tackle all of these to find true enjoyment in the year, it might be fun to plan for some and check them off your bucket list!

January: Crystal River, Florida

Flickr FotoFloridian Crystal River, Florida, in January, is one of the best ways to see the annual manatee migration. Thousands of manatees trek to this river every winter to escape the hard cold water elsewhere. Plan a trip in January here and enjoy swimming side-by-side with these gentle giants. Crystal River, FL, USA

February: Plant City, Florida

Flickr Steven Martin Plant City, Florida, is a charmed town outside of Orlando that is also heralded as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Come February to the Winter Strawberry Festival and enjoy some of the finest shortcakes, pies, cobblers, and more made with the freshest strawberries in the country. Plant City, FL, USA

March: Dunedin, Florida

Flickr Susan Sermoneta Tucked away on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Dunedin is one of the oldest towns on the west coast of the state. Here, time seems to slow down- people relax on the waterfront stretch, enjoy cruising the St. Joseph Sound, and even adventure out through the nearby mangroves. Plus, visit Hammock Park, home to owls, butterflies, and woodpeckers! Dunedin, FL, USA

April: Sebring, Florida

Facebook Sebring Soda Festival There is no better place for soda lovers in April than the Sebring Soda Festival. This annual event takes place in the historic Downtown Sebring area and features over 200 craft sodas to sample. This festival is a great reason to visit this family-friendly town. Make sure you plan plenty of time to explore afterward. Sebring, FL, USA

May: Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Flickr Innisfree Hotels Nestled in the Florida Panhandle is Fort Walton Beach, Florida, a small town known for sugary white sand and tons of natural beauty. This area is great to visit in May, mainly because you can kick off the summer season with visits to the picture-perfect beaches as well as the beautiful parks and museums. Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

June: Islamorada, Florida

Flickr Christ O’Brien There’s no better time to take a cruise down to Islamorada, Florida than during the start of the summer. Encompassing six of the Florida Keys, Islamorada is known for coral reefs and snorkeling excursions. Visit the History of Diving Museum, complete with a 16th-century treasure chest, or the former quarry known as Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. There is always something to do here that highlights the beauty of the outdoors. Islamorada, FL, USA

July: Micanopy, Florida

Flickr Calmuziclover As far as history goes, Micanopy, Florida has a lot to offer. At 200 years, Micanopy is the oldest inland town in the state, and it is filled with antique shops, cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and so much more. There is scenery in abundance, but also the charm of an old Florida town that really draws people in. Micanopy, FL 32667, USA

August: New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Flickr Jill Bazeley Surf’s up this August when you take a trip to New Smyrna Beach! As the quintessential beach and surfing town, you’ll be able to end the summer in the best way possible. Take a stroll down Canal Street and peruse the shops. Then venture Downtown to grab tacos before hitting the shoreline for a surf session. New Smyrna Beach is the perfect place to wrap up a fun summer season. New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

September: Jupiter, Florida

Flickr Robin Mehdee Take a trip to Jupiter, Florida, on the east coast for a September to remember. Home to one of the last historic lighthouses that are still in use and open to the public, this gem was built in 1860 and is a coveted attraction in town. But beyond the lighthouse’s preserved pioneer-era homestead history, Jupiter also offers beachside beauty and much more. Jupiter, FL, USA

October: Dunnellon, Florida

Flickr Steven Martin While other states are bracing for cold autumn temperatures, we’re heading to Dunnellon, west of Ocala, for some water fun. Dunnellon has a little something for everyone, including the stunning Rainbow Springs State Park. Here, you can hike, paddle, tub, swim, and more. Cast a line and fish for an afternoon before enjoying the Dunnellon old Florida charm. Dunnellon, FL, USA

November: Seaside, Florida

Wikipedia paigeh As we wrap up the year of travel, there is one word on our mind: relaxation. And what better way to relax than in sun-bleached sand and lapping surf? Seaside is a small resort community on the Gulf that offers coastal magic. Dubbed one of the most charming small towns in America, you won’t ever want to leave this picturesque place. Seaside, FL 32459, USA

December: DeLand, Florida

Flickr Jimmy Emerson, DVM We’re ending the year with a bang by visiting DeLand, Florida. This small town comes alive during the wintertime, whether it’s from the decorated streets or the nearby Stetson Mansion holiday tours! While you might not get a lot of snow here, you’ll still be able to enjoy the small-town holiday charm. DeLand, FL, USA

What do you think about these charming small towns in Florida? Have you visited any already? Are you excited to add some to your list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section! Or, if you have some of your own favorite small towns to share across the Sunshine State, let’s hear them!

Flickr FotoFloridian

Crystal River, Florida, in January, is one of the best ways to see the annual manatee migration. Thousands of manatees trek to this river every winter to escape the hard cold water elsewhere. Plan a trip in January here and enjoy swimming side-by-side with these gentle giants.

Crystal River, FL, USA

Flickr Steven Martin

Plant City, Florida, is a charmed town outside of Orlando that is also heralded as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Come February to the Winter Strawberry Festival and enjoy some of the finest shortcakes, pies, cobblers, and more made with the freshest strawberries in the country.

Plant City, FL, USA

Flickr Susan Sermoneta

Tucked away on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Dunedin is one of the oldest towns on the west coast of the state. Here, time seems to slow down- people relax on the waterfront stretch, enjoy cruising the St. Joseph Sound, and even adventure out through the nearby mangroves. Plus, visit Hammock Park, home to owls, butterflies, and woodpeckers!

Dunedin, FL, USA

Facebook Sebring Soda Festival

There is no better place for soda lovers in April than the Sebring Soda Festival. This annual event takes place in the historic Downtown Sebring area and features over 200 craft sodas to sample. This festival is a great reason to visit this family-friendly town. Make sure you plan plenty of time to explore afterward.

Sebring, FL, USA

Flickr Innisfree Hotels

Nestled in the Florida Panhandle is Fort Walton Beach, Florida, a small town known for sugary white sand and tons of natural beauty. This area is great to visit in May, mainly because you can kick off the summer season with visits to the picture-perfect beaches as well as the beautiful parks and museums.

Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

Flickr Christ O’Brien

There’s no better time to take a cruise down to Islamorada, Florida than during the start of the summer. Encompassing six of the Florida Keys, Islamorada is known for coral reefs and snorkeling excursions. Visit the History of Diving Museum, complete with a 16th-century treasure chest, or the former quarry known as Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. There is always something to do here that highlights the beauty of the outdoors.

Islamorada, FL, USA

Flickr Calmuziclover

As far as history goes, Micanopy, Florida has a lot to offer. At 200 years, Micanopy is the oldest inland town in the state, and it is filled with antique shops, cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and so much more. There is scenery in abundance, but also the charm of an old Florida town that really draws people in.

Micanopy, FL 32667, USA

Flickr Jill Bazeley

Surf’s up this August when you take a trip to New Smyrna Beach! As the quintessential beach and surfing town, you’ll be able to end the summer in the best way possible. Take a stroll down Canal Street and peruse the shops. Then venture Downtown to grab tacos before hitting the shoreline for a surf session. New Smyrna Beach is the perfect place to wrap up a fun summer season.

New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

Flickr Robin Mehdee

Take a trip to Jupiter, Florida, on the east coast for a September to remember. Home to one of the last historic lighthouses that are still in use and open to the public, this gem was built in 1860 and is a coveted attraction in town. But beyond the lighthouse’s preserved pioneer-era homestead history, Jupiter also offers beachside beauty and much more.

Jupiter, FL, USA

While other states are bracing for cold autumn temperatures, we’re heading to Dunnellon, west of Ocala, for some water fun. Dunnellon has a little something for everyone, including the stunning Rainbow Springs State Park. Here, you can hike, paddle, tub, swim, and more. Cast a line and fish for an afternoon before enjoying the Dunnellon old Florida charm.

Dunnellon, FL, USA

Wikipedia paigeh

As we wrap up the year of travel, there is one word on our mind: relaxation. And what better way to relax than in sun-bleached sand and lapping surf? Seaside is a small resort community on the Gulf that offers coastal magic. Dubbed one of the most charming small towns in America, you won’t ever want to leave this picturesque place.

Seaside, FL 32459, USA

Flickr Jimmy Emerson, DVM

We’re ending the year with a bang by visiting DeLand, Florida. This small town comes alive during the wintertime, whether it’s from the decorated streets or the nearby Stetson Mansion holiday tours! While you might not get a lot of snow here, you’ll still be able to enjoy the small-town holiday charm.

DeLand, FL, USA

Meanwhile, when you’re planning all of your monthly excursions, make sure to check out these 12 hikes in Florida to see what you can include in your itinerary!

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