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An aerial of Anna Maria Island
An aerial of Anna Maria Island
via instagram/zgresh

10 small Florida towns Miami residents need to visit

For that chill weekend getaway

By Josh Baumgard Updated
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An aerial of Anna Maria Island
| via instagram/zgresh
By Josh Baumgard Updated

Miami can be a relaxing beautiful place and a vacation destination for many, but for longtime residents it may be a little too busy to provide an adequate enough staycation. This is especially the case if you're an extensive commuter, as Miami roads can often feel like a scene from Mad Max.

The excellent news is there is a cure, with oodles of tiny towns scattered throughout Florida capable of providing a much-needed change of pace, even if it's only for a night or two.

The following ten towns have populations of no more than 30,000 and are within an approximately five-hour drive from Miami's core. If we missed your favorite Florida weekend getaway, please share it in the comments!

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Key West

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If your goal is to eat and drink yourself into a slumber, look no further than the southernmost point in the U.S. Key West may be tiny but it offers a dynamic heap of restaurants, bars, and other shenanigans. Be sure to try the best key lime pie in the land—at Kermit’s.

Driving distance: 3.5 hours

3471 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL, 33040
(305) 809-5200
(305) 809-5200
via Creative Commons/Cristo Vlahos

Islamorada

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About halfway to Key West lives this fisherman’s paradise. Be sure to bring your mask and snorkel.

Driving distance: 1.5 hours

Florida 33036
(305) 664-6400
(305) 664-6400
via Creative Commons

Naples

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If an upscale scene is more to your suiting, head two hours west to Naples, where you'll find plenty of the same outdoor activities but also a solid number of fancy restaurants and high-end hotels.

Driving distance: 2 hours

A photo posted by Places True (@placestrue) on

Naples, FL

Stuart

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Besides its calling as the "Sailfish Capital of the World," Stuart features a pretty happening and walkable downtown area. The town of about 16,000 offers some diverse activities.

Driving distance: 2 hours

A photo posted by ETHÄN FËČK (@ethan_feck) on

Florida 34994

Vero Beach

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Vero Beach

A couple of hours north on the east coast is this chill town of roughly 16,000. It's loaded with historic buildings, protected shoreline, beautiful beaches and captivating wildlife. It's an ideal weekend getaway from the fast life after a mild road trip.

Driving distance: 2.5 hours

A photo posted by Jυlιa (@julia_arabin) on

Vero Beach, FL

Anna Maria Island

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Seven miles long and two miles wide, this tiny island is booming with gorgeous beaches along the Gulf. It's also a bird sanctuary and home to sea turtles nesting in the summer.Driving distance: 4 hours

You don't really appreciate that crystal clear Tampa ocean until you visit Massachusetts

A post shared by Zach (@zgresh) on

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Dunedin

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If you're looking for a bit more of a trek, Dunedin, west of Tampa, is an interesting place and the home of some gorgeous beaches. You'll also find plenty of festivals and boutique shopping.

Driving distance: 4.5 hours

1050 Palm Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698

New Smyrna Beach

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New Smyrna Beach is one of Florida's top surf towns and with an estimated population of around 25,000 is one of the bigger destinations on our map. It's also a haven for art and theater.Driving distance: 3.5 hours

A post shared by Lisa Speer (@lisaspeer1965) on

New Smyrna Beach, FL

Cedar Key

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The second furthest escape on our list is also the smallest, with a population of under 1,000. Here you'll find fishing, museums, beaches, and, most importantly, some peace and quiet.

Driving distance: 5 hours

Florida 32625

Vilano Beach

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If you're the type who cannot part with your pooch, head to our northernmost getaway in Vilano Beach. This town of under 3,000 is just north of St. Augustine and offers plenty of dog-friendly beaches. Also, there's a "Run Drop Slide Pro/Am" skimboard competition each summer.Driving distance: 5 hours

A post shared by Kennedi Luttropp (@kennedil172) on

Vilano Beach, FL 32084
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Key West

3471 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL, 33040

If your goal is to eat and drink yourself into a slumber, look no further than the southernmost point in the U.S. Key West may be tiny but it offers a dynamic heap of restaurants, bars, and other shenanigans. Be sure to try the best key lime pie in the land—at Kermit’s.

Driving distance: 3.5 hours

3471 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL, 33040
(305) 809-5200
(305) 809-5200
via Creative Commons/Cristo Vlahos

Islamorada

Florida 33036

About halfway to Key West lives this fisherman’s paradise. Be sure to bring your mask and snorkel.

Driving distance: 1.5 hours

Florida 33036
(305) 664-6400
(305) 664-6400
via Creative Commons

Naples

Naples, FL

If an upscale scene is more to your suiting, head two hours west to Naples, where you'll find plenty of the same outdoor activities but also a solid number of fancy restaurants and high-end hotels.

Driving distance: 2 hours

A photo posted by Places True (@placestrue) on

Naples, FL

Stuart

Florida 34994

Besides its calling as the "Sailfish Capital of the World," Stuart features a pretty happening and walkable downtown area. The town of about 16,000 offers some diverse activities.

Driving distance: 2 hours

A photo posted by ETHÄN FËČK (@ethan_feck) on

Florida 34994

Vero Beach

Vero Beach, FL

Vero Beach

A couple of hours north on the east coast is this chill town of roughly 16,000. It's loaded with historic buildings, protected shoreline, beautiful beaches and captivating wildlife. It's an ideal weekend getaway from the fast life after a mild road trip.

Driving distance: 2.5 hours

A photo posted by Jυlιa (@julia_arabin) on

Vero Beach, FL

Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Seven miles long and two miles wide, this tiny island is booming with gorgeous beaches along the Gulf. It's also a bird sanctuary and home to sea turtles nesting in the summer.Driving distance: 4 hours

You don't really appreciate that crystal clear Tampa ocean until you visit Massachusetts

A post shared by Zach (@zgresh) on

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Dunedin

1050 Palm Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698

If you're looking for a bit more of a trek, Dunedin, west of Tampa, is an interesting place and the home of some gorgeous beaches. You'll also find plenty of festivals and boutique shopping.

Driving distance: 4.5 hours

1050 Palm Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698

New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach, FL

New Smyrna Beach is one of Florida's top surf towns and with an estimated population of around 25,000 is one of the bigger destinations on our map. It's also a haven for art and theater.Driving distance: 3.5 hours

A post shared by Lisa Speer (@lisaspeer1965) on

New Smyrna Beach, FL

Cedar Key

Florida 32625

The second furthest escape on our list is also the smallest, with a population of under 1,000. Here you'll find fishing, museums, beaches, and, most importantly, some peace and quiet.

Driving distance: 5 hours

Florida 32625

Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach, FL 32084

If you're the type who cannot part with your pooch, head to our northernmost getaway in Vilano Beach. This town of under 3,000 is just north of St. Augustine and offers plenty of dog-friendly beaches. Also, there's a "Run Drop Slide Pro/Am" skimboard competition each summer.Driving distance: 5 hours

A post shared by Kennedi Luttropp (@kennedil172) on

Vilano Beach, FL 32084