I was born and raised in Miami and moved to the Space Coast in Florida in my early twenties.
It was supposed to be a temporary move to save money, but I fell in love with Central Florida. It's been 15 years and I'm still here.
I traveled all over the state and honestly, I could spend the rest of my life visiting different cities and towns in Florida. There's no shortage of tourist attractions here, but parts of Orlando and Miami have huge crowds… and traffic jams.
Instead, I would recommend four lesser-known places with beautiful beaches, culture and history.
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Visiting Coral Gables is like traveling back in time
Tropical Botanical Garden near Coral Gables
| Frank Goma / Shutterstock
If you want to experience Miami from a local's perspective, I recommend staying in Coral Gables.
Founded in the 1920s and filled with historic landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables is completely unique. I always think of it as a town within a big city – very different from the South Beach atmosphere that many people imagine when they think of Miami.
Spending time in “the City Beautiful”, as Coral Gables is called, is like entering the world of “The Great Gatsby” in a modern, tropical setting. For example, the public Venetian Pool opened in the 1920s and has waterfalls and cave grottoes.
For families with small children, Matheson Hammock Park is ideal, with its friendly beach and amenities. There's also the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, a 33-acre botanical garden that opened in 1938 and is exactly as spectacular as its description sounds.
Plus, when you're in Coral Gables, you'll eat at some of the best restaurants in the world – especially if you love classic Italian cuisine. My favorite place is Caffe Abbracci, operating since 1989.
See also: I help people plan their trips to Italy. Here are the six most common mistakes I see travelers make
I will always recommend a visit to Alachua County
If you love horses, Alachua County is a part of Florida you don't want to miss
| Ashley Archambault
Alachua County has vast expanses and plenty of horses. It is adjacent to the city of Ocala, known not without reason as the “horse capital of the world”.
If you like nature, there are many preserves perfect for hiking – including Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where, if you're lucky, you'll see free-ranging horses and bison.
There is also Mill Creek Farm, an equine retirement home that is open to visitors on Saturdays. You can walk there and feed the rescued horses as many carrots as they want.
Alachua County is also home to Gainesville, which is more than just a college town. As the home of the University of Florida, Gainesville is a cultural center and a surprisingly family-friendly place.
Here you'll find plenty of art, museums, eclectic restaurants and sporting events.
St. Augustine is one of my favorite places in Florida
In St. Augustine you will find plenty of interesting architecture and traces of history
| Ashley Archambault
I believe that every American should visit St. Augustine at least once.
The history of this city is closely related to the history of the USA. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, almost 42 years before the English colonization of Jamestown, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States.
Beyond the history of St. Augustine is a Florida beach town filled with art galleries, architecture, local music, and restaurants, giving it an overall European feel—for a U.S. city.
If I could live anywhere, it would be Vilano Beach
I believe that Vilano Beach is one of the most underrated beach towns in Florida
| Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
I've been to beaches along the east and west coasts of Florida, and Vilano Beach is my favorite so far.
When I close my eyes and imagine a beach, this is what I see – and I'm probably there with my pets because it's dog-friendly.
It's a small town, mainly consisting of a beach and a local fishing pier. Even though there are tourists, Vilano Beach feels like a quiet, local place, and I get the impression that the locals love it very much.
And I understand them perfectly: if I lived there, I would rarely leave. An added bonus is that it's only a short drive north of St. Augustine.
The above text is a translation from American edition of Business Insider
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
