This small town in Tampa Bay ranks among the best in the South. This is why.

Three Florida destinations are exploding fascinatingly. And it ranks one of the best small towns in the South, a new report finds.

According to results released on April 9, the town is on the list of small places awaiting travelers with “relaxed vacations, cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights.”

Here’s where I created it in the ranking:

Number 3 invernessSafety Harbor No. 5Cocoa Beach No. 8

This list comes from USA Today’s 10 Best, which publishes vacation-related rankings. To determine which small towns to visit in the south, travel experts have appointed local destinations with fewer than 25,000 residents. The editors then said they narrowed down their options and gave readers a month to vote for their favorites.

Why does this small town in Florida make?

In the list of the resulting readers’ choice award winners, Florida’s highest-ranked destination was Inverness. The town, which is about 70 miles northwest of Orlando, lives in the town.

The town nodded with renovated buildings, shopping destinations and food scene, but praise didn’t end there.

“Outdoor enthusiasts can circulate the 46-mile withlacoochee state trail running through Inverness, explore the Cooper State Fort, and enjoy Lake Henderson within the Lake Tsara Apopka chain,” wrote 10best in the report. “This area in the area close to the natural springs, including three sister springs where manatees gather in the winter, makes this place nowhere else.”

Other “charming” Florida towns have also been praised for their waterfront and entertainment options.

The safety harbor, recovering from the hurricane that affected the Tampa Bay Area in 2024, was recognized for its view. The 10 Best also said downtown events will create a “vibrant community atmosphere that welcomes visitors.”

Meanwhile, the 10 Best called Cocoa Beach “a small town on the bucket list.” The destination, near the Kennedy Space Center and a drive about 60 miles east of Orlando, is known for its relaxing beachfront, surfing scenes and pier activities.

McClatch news reports that the top-ranked destination across the country is Starkville, Mississippi, about 120 miles northeast of Jackson.

In other categories, the 10 bests were named Fanfak’s small town for historic sites, universities and other attractions.

Other highlights from the Sunshine state are:

In the past, the 10 Best told McClatchy News that it had not revealed how many people voted in the contest.