Florida’s raucous spring break reputation is one the state may never shake, thanks to a slew of Hollywood movies dramatizing the debauchery of a college trip to Fort Lauderdale. But it’s not all Jello shots, drive-on beaches, and frat-house foolery come spring in the Sunshine State.
In fact, there are parts of Florida that can even be described as tranquil this time of year if you know where to look. You may not have heard of these lesser-known beaches and small towns. But they make for peaceful escapes from the still-nippy northern weather as seemingly everyone flocks south for one last warm weather thaw-out.
Whether you’re looking for an uncrowded family vacation, a romantic getaway for two, or a solo adventure that won’t have you shoulder-to-shoulder with university freshman, then give these small Florida towns a try and start to rewire your idea of what spring break in Florida really means.
Marathon Key
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Avoid the revelry of Key West’s Duval Street during spring break, and instead stay 1 hour north in Marathon Key where the focus is on natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Snorkel at Sombrero Reef, kayak within the shady mangrove tunnels of Curry Hammock State Park, or visit the Turtle Hospital to get up close with these ancient sea creatures.
Make sure you don’t leave without ending a day at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, which overlooks the famous 7-mile overwater bridge. Marathon offers a quieter base for exploring the Florida Keys while still delivering on water-based adventure activities, beaches, and sun.
Milton
Courtesy Coldwater Gardens
The sparkling beaches of Pensacola attract snowbirds and beachfront accommodations there fill up quickly for spring break. But just 35 miles inland from the popular shoreline is the historic town of Milton which defies the traditional ideas of panhandle vacations.
Here, Coldwater Gardens, a 352-acre sustainable agritourism destination, blends outdoor adventure, unplugged peace, and natural Florida beauty with all the comfortable amenities of a boutique hotel stay, such as a personal grocery concierge service that stocks your fridge upon arrival with requested items. Stay at cottages, cabins, treehouses, tiny houses, or glamping tents, where you’ll have access to stargazing platforms, private sandbar beaches, kayaks and tubes, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Fill your days with overwater exploration through Blackwater River State Park, cycling the , or butterfly spotting at the Panhandle Butterfly House & Nature Center. And when you need to hear the sound of the waves and feel sand between your toes, Navarre Beach is less than an hour’s drive away.
Anna Maria Island
Known for its small-town vibe, midcentury aesthetic, and old-Florida personality, Anna Maria Island is a charming alternative to the high-rise-lined coastlines of Florida. Bradenton Beach, Coquina Beach, and Bean Point are all white-sand shores on Anna Maria Island that are filled with locals in the know.
Spend the day lounging on the wide, spacious beaches, fishing in clear Gulf waters, or staying satiated at quaint small businesses like Skinny’s Place, North Shore Cafe, or The Doctor’s Office speakeasy. Rent a bike while staying at the renovated midcentury motel, Mello on the Beach, and cruise the entire island easily.
When you need a break from the sun, head over the bridge into Bradenton for a family outing to Bishop Museum of Nature & Science, known for its manatee rehabilitation habitat, where you can see and learn about the gentle sea cows up close.
Lake City
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Sure, Florida beaches are beautiful, but I’d trade the sticky after-feel of salt water and a sand-filled car for a trip to Florida’s crisp freshwater springs any day. Lake City is home to Ichetucknee Springs State Park, arguably one of the best tube runs in the country, where visitors float down a cyan-toned natural lazy river of 72-degree waters. Here you can tube, snorkel, kayak, paddle, canoe, and even scuba dive in these waters. Stay at the campground in a cabin for as little as $50 a night and have access to the river before and after the day visitors do.
Ocala
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Ocala National Forest was named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025 for its well-groomed trail network and still-untouched ecosystem of pine trees, lakes, and spring heads. An itinerary to Ocala can be a mix of forest hiking, mountain biking, freshwater spring swimming, and horseback riding.
In early March, connect with Florida’s mountain biking community at the Santos Fat Tire Festival. In late March, catch the world’s best equestrian jumping athletes at the Longines League of Nations qualifier, where top riders compete for large prize winnings.
Beyond enjoying misty morning sunrises over horse paddocks and softly rolling hills, you can fill multiple days with adventures through Silver Springs State Park, bike rides from the Santos Trailhead, and over-water ziplines at The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park.
New Port Richey
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While Clearwater’s sugar-soft beaches and Tampa’s Busch Gardens have a lot of Spring Break appeal, there’s just as much excitement 30 minutes north. It’s here in Pasco County where you can ride a camel at a giraffe ranch, learn to wakeboard, wave to “mermaids” swimming in fresh spring waters, or explore over 11,000 square miles of undeveloped Gulf islands.
Base yourself at The Hacienda or Saddlebrook Resort for your vacation, where you’ll be within an easy drive of Giraffe Ranch, Lift Adventure Park, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and the departure dock to Anclote Key Preserve State Park, an untouched trio of islands made of flour-soft sand. In the Spring, this preserve is a haven for nesting birds and the audubon enthusiasts who love to spot them. Watch dunlins, piping plovers, herons, osprey, and even bald eagles make the mangroves and coastal pines their warm-weather home.
