Lesser known places to visit in florida


Lesser known places to visit in florida

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH This small city, just south of bustling Daytona Beach, is one of the most laid-back Florida towns I've found. The main street, Flagler Avenue, features everything from


T-shirt and flip flop shops to hip home décor stores. Rent a fat bike from the folks at Salty Rentals (they also run a small motel on the beach, the Salty Mermaid Oceanfront Hotel) and go


for a spin on the hard-packed sand. Across the intracoastal waterway is a small downtown area with a terrific gallery and community space called The Hub on Canal, with a huge variety of


local art on display. The New Smyrna Museum of History is a delight; Guide Barbara Zafuto sometimes dresses up as the town's first female mayor, Hannah Detwiler Bonnet, and gives tours


of the city. The Hampton Inn is a fine lodging option with a small pool a few blocks from the beach, while SpringHill Suites has rooms right by the water. Head to Riverpark Terrace for


terrific food, including fresh seafood and tasty salads, and a lovely outdoor patio. The Breakers restaurant is a great spot for casual dining right on the beach. SEAN PAVONE/ALAMY STOCK


PHOTO JUPITER Located in Palm Beach County, this down-home town feels worlds away from its neighbor, tony Palm Beach. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse offers outstanding views of the Loxahatchee


River and the Atlantic Ocean, if you're willing to climb the 105 stairs to the top (tickets are $12; $10 for visitors 60-plus). There's a great little (wheelchair-accessible)


museum next door, with displays on the history of Native Americans and white settlers in the area. The folks at Blueline Surf and Paddle can take you out for a stand-up paddle boarding


lesson on the river, or a kayak tour; you may be joined by turtles and manatees. Just down the road is the Juno Beach Pier, where you watch surfers roll past on blue-green waves, and the


Loggerhead Marinelife Center, which focuses on sea turtle research, education, conservation and rehabilitation. You can join a guided tour of its outdoor sea turtle hospital. For lunch or


dinner, try Guanabanas, a chilled-out waterfront restaurant with simple food, including steamed clams and coconut fried shrimp, and background music heavy on Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley.


The Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa is an upscale, oceanfront lodging option, or consider one of the many affordable chain hotels in the area.