As we all know, there are endless of gorgeous beach towns in Florida. But locals know the smaller the beach the better the town. According to Southern Living these small beach towns have just as much to offer as the tourist hot spots like Clearwater or St. Pete Beach. Southern Living vetted towns with the most “beautiful shorelines, fun food scenes, and win-you-over-for-a-lifetime character.” Towns that also had accommodating hotels and unique art around town and one of a kind breweries and restaurants.
The best part about most of these beach towns is they are the perfect getaway spot for staycation. If you’re looking for a new relaxation paradise that’s close to home, consider these quintessential Florida towns. A couple towns on the list may be closer than you think!
Check out the list to see which bay area beach towns made the count!
Islamorada
If you plan on taking a trip to the Florida Keys anytime soon, consider stopping at this halfway point. If you’re a beer lover, you can find the Florida Keys Brewing Co. and Islamorada Beer Company here.
Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is nestled d on the north end of Amelia Island. Much like Tampa Bay, the celebrate the pirate life here, so it’s not uncommon to see people dressed similarly to Jack Sparrow just for fun. This island town is also the home of the Isle Of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria is the perfect beach town. Only an hour and a half outside of Tampa, you won’t be overcrowded with tourists here as there are no big hotel chains or condominium towers here. Instead look into an AirBnB in this cute town for your next staycation.
Key Biscayne
Close enough to Miami where you can enjoy the city life, but far enough to melt away into the soft sands. Key Biscayne is commonly known to be the home of the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse.
Captiva Island
Here you’ll find everyone riding round in their golf carts. Here there are zero traffic lights on the island completing the chill vibe.
Seaside
The perfect name for the perfect beach town. A colorful coastal town full of quirky restaurants and tropical homes. Locals and tourists flock to this town every year for the 30A Songwriters Festival, with live music performances at Seaside venues and other locales along scenic 30A Highway.
Vero Beach
The go-to beach for our friends in Orlando. This is a hidden gem on the east coast of Florida. With miles of biking and hiking trails, there are ample opportunities for eco-friendly adventures.
Delray Beach
Another east coast beauty. This is a beach heaven for art lovers. You’ll find more than 20 galleries and iconic public art pieces in downtown and in the Pineapple Grove Arts District, home to Artist Alley.
Pass-A-Grille Beach
St. Pete natives love Pass-A-Grille beach, it’s the perfect getaway spot for families who don’t want to deal with large crowds down towards north beach. Locals and tourists end their day outside of Paradise Grille to ring the sunset bell.
Gasparilla Island
You think with Gasparilla in the name it would be closer to Tampa Bay, but you can find this island town just outside of Fort Myers. Fishermen are known to flock to the area for its prized tarpon fishing.
Dunedin
Last but not least (and would have been first on our list) is Dunedin. It’s no shock why this small beach town that’s close to our hearts made this list. Downtown Dunedin is full of amazing options for food and crafted brews. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Island is one of the best beaches voted in the country.
11 Rooftop Bars With Stunning Views Of Tampa Bay
Tampa Rooftop Bars
1.) SiX at JW Marriott
SiX is one of the newest editions to downtown Tampa. Experience an elevated bistro on the sixth floor of the all-new JW Marriott Tampa. You can find intoxicating views of downtown Tampa while enjoying a lovely outdoor ambiance and chef-crafted specialties. It sounds super fancy, but the dress code on the website says casual wear is okay.2.) M.Bird at Armature Works
Armature Works has quickly become a favorite Tampa hot spot since opening in 2018. The newest edition to the food hall is the rooftop bar M.Bird, which offers waterfront views of Tampa’s ever-growing cityscape. Rain or shine, you can enjoy M.Bird’s strong and fruity cocktails under their covered patio. Head there on a Friday night and dance the night away with a dj set starting at 9 p.m.3.) Sal Y Mar
Located in the quickly developing Midtown Tampa, Sal Y Mar features fine dining Latin cuisine, 4,900 square feet of indoor and outdoor seating, and 360-degree views of the Tampa, Westshore, and St. Petersburg skylines. Head up to the 7th floor of the Dual branded Aloft and Element hotel to take in the newest Tampa edition. Note that this spot requires a smart casual or business casual dress code. No street wear or sportswear permitted.4.) Luna Lounge at Bulla
Set in the heart of the trendy Soho and Hyde Park neighborhood, Bulla Gastrobar Tampa has an electrifying atmosphere and is a great addition to Tampa’s restaurants. Head there for brunch, lunch, happy hour or dinner. Located on the fifth level of the Morrison building in Tampa’s south Howard corridor.5.) Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge
Across from the iconic Bern’s restaurants is The Epicurean Hotel, head to the top floor to experience the Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge. Indulge in crafted cocktails using the freshest fruits, herbs and spices and small plates that feature a European twist. Open till 1 a.m. on the weekends, this is a perfect spot to take your date for a night cap while enjoying the vibrant mood.St. Pete/Clearwater Rooftop Bars
1.) The Canopy at the Birchwood
When we think of rooftop bars in St. Pete the iconic Canopy is the first that comes to mind. Known for their signature Frosé and private canopy areas, this is the perfect spot to relax on a summer day. Note they do not allow reservations for the rooftop and all seating is first come-first served.2.) Pier Teaki
One of St. Pete’s newest additions. Perched high above Tampa on the new and improved St. Pete Pier is Pier Teaki, an upscale tiki bar with panoramic views of the bay. Seriously, it is highly recommended that you catch a sunset here at least once!3.) Level 11 Rooftop Bar & Lounge
From signature cocktails to stunning sunset views, Level 11 Rooftop Bar & Lounge is the place to be on St. Pete Beach. Jump into a vacation state of mind at this rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the Gulf Of Mexico. Located on the 11th floor of the Bellwether Beach Resort (formerly the Grand Plaza Hotel) in St. Pete Beach. Also, be aware that Level 11 does not accept reservations. Above the open-air rooftop bar you also find Spinners Rooftop Grille, the only revolving restaurant in the Tampa Bay area.
4.) Vantage Rooftop Bar
Chill out in a climate-controlled rooftop retreat and unwind in style. This rooftop hideaway features artisan cocktails, local craft beers and tapas to share. Located on the 12th floor of the Karol Hotel in Clearwater beach.5.) Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar
Located at the iconic Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, this rooftop Dunedin bar brings cocktails to new heights. Hi-Fi is a mix of modern resort vibes with a Florida twist. It’s the best spot to catch a post-beach drink and watch the sunset.6.) Rusty Lyon
If you like bourbon and bar bites, this is the spot for you. Opened in Fall 2018, Rusty Lyon is located right in downtown Dunedin. This is by far the most casual rooftop spot you can find in the city. Although it’s not known for the best sunset views, you should still stop in for $3 happy hour deals or check out their weekly specials.