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In the event you’re craving a seaside city escape that appears like a real hidden gem—one with appeal, a relaxing vibe, miles of white sandy seashores, and nicely, a bit of little bit of every little thing—New Smyrna Seaside may simply develop into your new favourite Florida coastal city. It actually turned ours.
We visited as a part of an extended weekend journey to the Daytona Seaside space, and we favored it a lot, we determined to share a trip information on it so our readers can uncover it too.
Whereas Daytona introduced the thrill, New Smyrna Seaside introduced the steadiness – laid-back, artsy, effortlessly cool. It had that “I might stay right here” really feel.
Whereas many Florida seaside cities can really feel over-commercialized or cookie-cutter, New Smyrna Seaside has a vibe all its personal. It’s half surf city, half historic village, half foodie haven, with a robust native arts scene and a vibrant essential road that’s simply the precise dimension.
Right here’s why we fell in love with New Smyrna Seaside, what we did, the place we ate, and ideas that can assist you plan your individual go to to this East Coast Florida treasure.
The place is New Smyrna Seaside and methods to get there
New Smyrna Seaside is a barrier island situated on Florida’s east coast, only a 20-minute drive south of Daytona Seaside and about an hour’s drive northeast of Orlando. It’s a part of Volusia County and sits alongside the Atlantic Ocean, with 17 miles of gorgeous sandy shoreline.
Getting there may be simple, whether or not you’re driving or flying. In the event you’re coming from out of state, the closest airport is Daytona Seaside Worldwide Airport (DAB)—simply 25 minutes away—with handy direct flights from choose cities like Raleigh by way of Breeze Airways.
You too can fly into Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO), which is about 75 minutes drive away, or Orlando Sanford Worldwide Airport (SFB), roughly an hour’s drive.
When you arrive, the city is compact and straightforward to discover by automotive, bike, and even on foot, particularly across the Flagler Avenue and beachside areas.
Issues to see and do in New Smyrna Seaside
Surf or Swim New Smyrna Seaside (or park your automotive)
In fact, New Smyrna Seaside is the star attraction right here. Like Daytona, you’ll be able to drive proper onto the sand together with your 4 or two wheels. We biked alongside the seaside in Daytona, however didn’t have time for it in New Smyrna Seaside. Simply time your journey for low tide so that you get the hardest-packed sand.
Not like busier seashores, New Smyrna Seaside was peaceable, clear, and nice for swimming, lengthy walks, constructing sandcastles, or simply sitting and absorbing the ocean breeze. We additionally seen plenty of surfers, not shocking since this space is thought for having among the best wave motion in Florida. Skilled and novice surfers come right here from everywhere in the world because it has constant wave breaks.
It’s also referred to as the Shark Chew Capital of the World … no joke. Not fatalities, although, only a chomp on the arm or leg right here and there. Because the Eighties, there have been over 300 reported incidents, however lately, between 5-10 incidents yearly.
The New Smyrna Seaside space is thought for its excessive focus of bull, blacktip, and spinner sharks, which swim close to the Indian River Lagoon as a result of it’s stuffed with batfish. They sometimes mistake individuals for fish, therefore the chomp, however they aren’t identified to be aggressive. Their most energetic in the summertime months (July and August).
As an Aussie, sharks kinda spook me, so I used to be very hesitant to go swimming. I’d virtually determined I’d breathe deep and dive within the following day, till our waiter advised us his greatest mate had bitten his arm a couple of days earlier than, however to not fear, he was recovering nicely.
It’s like a ceremony of passage and a badge of honor for the surfers. You do your consolation stage. I’m certain the percentages are nonetheless low, and we noticed loads of individuals out swimming and browsing with limbs intact.
In the event you’re into wildlife or water actions, there’s extra to discover.
Kayak the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon
The close by Indian River Lagoon is probably the most biologically various estuary in North America, with dolphins, manatees, and a whole bunch of birds.
We rented kayaks from River Witch and paddled for an hour by quiet jungle-like waterways and mangrove-lined canals of the Mosquito Lagoon and the Canaveral Nationwide Seashore. These pristine waterways teeming with wildlife and pure magnificence are tucked away from the crowds.
The homeowners of River Witch pointed us towards a cove typically visited by manatees and dolphins. We didn’t see dolphins, however we did spot a number of manatees surfacing and waving their tails good day.
Single kayaks are $20 for an hour. They’ve various kinds of kayaks to lease and supply guided excursions.
Try this wonderful kayak tour we did down the Wacissa River on the Gulf Coast of Florida (considered one of my US favourite adventures)
Discover Smyrna Dunes Park
A final-minute determination to go to the Smyrna Dunes Park, situated on the northern finish of the New Smyrna Seaside Island, become a hidden gem ($11 entrance charge).
It’s a protected nature reserve with 1.5 miles of broad boardwalks and nature trails that loop by dunes with wonderful views of Ponce Inlet, the lighthouse, and dog-friendly seashores.
It’s a haven for nature lovers as a consequence of its 5 ecosystems: ocean, river, dunes, scrub, and saltwater marsh.
Maintain a lookout for gopher tortoises sunning themselves amongst the dunes – we noticed one completely camouflaged within the sand. We liked the views of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse throughout the channel from right here.
Contained in the park is a small crimson Espresso Me truck promoting respectable espresso, smoothies, and light-weight bites.
Discover Canal Avenue Historic District
Canal Avenue Historic District is the city’s charming historic district, identified for its artsy vitality, colourful murals, and a mixture of galleries, boutique outlets, and breweries. It’s an incredible place to decelerate, sip an area craft beer at New Smyrna Seaside Brewing Firm, and absorb the inventive spirit of the city.
It has a robust inventive vibe due to the Hub on Canal. It was one of the inventive artwork studio areas we’ve visited – with footprints on the ground weaving round alleyways and up mural-covered stairs to peruse the completely different studio areas and see artists at work.
Outdoors is a vivid mural masking the pedestrian crossing to remind you that “artwork is life is artwork!”
Flagler Avenue
If we hadn’t determined to take the choice Google Maps path to our lodging down Flagler Ave, we might have missed the center of New Smyrna’s seaside scene. We instantly determined to discover it both earlier than or after our dinner – time constraints pushed it again to after.
Whereas Canal St is a bit of inland, Flagler Ave leads proper to the shore, bringing a seaside city buzz — suppose surf outlets, boutique shops, seafood shacks, stay music bars, and the type of laid-back nightlife that pulls you in and retains you out longer than you deliberate.
Right here’s what we loved on Flagler Ave…
The Banyan Tree
Plan for a few minutes to admire the ginormous Banyan tree on the facet of Flagler Ave, reverse our breakfast spot, Third Wave Espresso.
These timber are a favourite of ours from Southeast Asia (even again dwelling in Oz).
That is the primary one we’ve seen within the USA.
Dwell music and bar hopping on Flagler Ave
It’s additionally the nightlife road of New Smyrna Seaside. Compared to Daytona, I favored how this was in a single central place. I’m undecided I might even let you know the place the nightlife components of Daytona are as a result of it’s so unfold out.
On Flagler Ave, you’ll be able to bar hop from one to the subsequent, which is what we tried to do, however we bought caught in Flagler Tavern dancing to the eclectic rock band, Stereo FM.
They purchased the unpretentious, enjoyable social gathering!
Fortunately, we walked dwelling at a respectful hour once they completed. You possibly can bar hop and keep out later if you happen to wished.
Espresso at Luma Cafe
Designed in your Instagram feed, Luma Café awaits with swinging chairs, cozy couches, large Jenga video games, and respectable espresso.
Calm down and watch the Flagler Ave world go by, or take it to go for a seaside stroll.
This could possibly be an incredible spot for a extra informal breakfast than the place we went (see under).
Blue Spring State Park
It might be an hour drive inland from New Smyrna Seaside, however you gained’t remorse a half-day tour to the Blue Spring State Park. It’s about an hour drive inland from Daytona Seaside, however it’s so price it.
The Blue Spring, situated alongside the St John’s River, is a crisp 72 levels, which matches the 90-degree air temp simply heavenly.
We tubed the spring run (about 1/8 of a mile) a couple of instances, however I ditched the tube for a swim and was rewarded with probably the most magical second: a manatee popped up proper beside me.
I floated hands-up, legs-kicking to remain clear, and she or he brushed previous my stomach earlier than lifting her nostril subsequent to mine. It was wild.
The spring and run are closed in the course of the winter to offer a protected refuge for the manatees. We additionally noticed river otters, turtles, and many birds.
Suggestions:
- Arrive early — they cap entry, and weekends get busy. It opens at 8am, and folks begin lining up at daybreak. In the event you can, go to mid-week or early Solar (afternoons are busier then)
- You may deliver your individual tubes or lease them on web site – they’ve ample. Lease them from the Reward Locker from Blue Spring Adventures. There are additionally lockers for lease – we advocate the important thing lockers close to the tube rental as an alternative of the code lockers at the start of the spring run. Carry meals or a picnic lunch as there are a number of picnic and grill areas.
- $6 charge per automobile. Tubing prices $7+. Locker $5+
Reminder: Do NOT contact the manatees. I needed to yell at a couple of individuals who have been. There are hefty fines and bans, and extra importantly, it’s their dwelling — we’re simply guests.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
You noticed it from Sand Dunes Park, now drive half-hour from New Smyrna Seaside to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.
It’s Florida’s tallest lighthouse, and you’ll climb to the highest for sweeping 360-degree views over the inlet, waterways, and barrier islands. The snowy white sandbar island felt straight out of the Whitsundays.
The outdated buildings on the lighthouse grounds home small museums that share the Lighthouse’s 135-year historical past. My favorites have been the lens exhibit constructing and the kerosene storage constructing.
Don’t miss the Constance D Hunter Historic Pacetti Lodge, which lately reopened after a four-year restoration right into a public museum. That they had an interesting shark exhibit once we visited in partnership with the close by Marine Science Middle.
New Smyrna is just half-hour south of Daytona Seaside, the place you’ll discover loads of seaside actions and locations to eat. It’s much more touristy, however we favored it. You may learn our information to our Daytona Seaside weekend getaway for extra concepts.
The place to eat at New Smyrna Seaside
We at all times say meals is without doubt one of the greatest methods to know a vacation spot—and New Smyrna Seaside delivered. It’s a surprisingly nice city for meals lovers, with every little thing from beachy seafood shacks to elevated eating.
Right here’s what we liked:
The Garlic
The Garlic in New Smyrna Seaside was one of the memorable meals of our journey, presumably within the USA. The ambiance alone is definitely worth the go to—twinkling lights, rustic decor, and a lush, open-air backyard vibe that appears like Italy meets Florida.
It’s the primary time in my life I used to be grateful for an hour’s look forward to our desk (tremendous well-liked, doesn’t take reservations, and ponder. It seats over 4 hundred individuals at a time!!).
It gave us time to discover all of the nooks and crannies of the eating places, all centralized round timber with trunks in the course of sections, two separate stay music areas, quirky decorations from spectacles hanging down, to paper mâché collectible figurines, and naturally, garlic; and an out of doors space, with a small bar to seize a ready drink from.
Sadly, it was pouring exterior, so we couldn’t make the most of the skin area, however we loved a great aperol spritz crowded across the bar whereas we waited.
We ended up with a romantic desk within the nook, an attentive server with nice suggestions, an ideal bottle of Tremendous Tuscan crimson to match our divine dishes of lamb cutlets with the perfect mint jelly I’ve ever had, mussels with a broth so good you possibly can drink it, and Ravioli Bolognaise, wood-fired salmon for mains.
As if I wanted another excuse to return to New Smyrna Seaside.
Chances are you’ll wish to add the Norwood’s Treehouse Bar as a spot for a pre-dinner drink. We had deliberate to have our dinner on the Garlic (they’re subsequent to one another), however needed to cancel due to the torrential rain and thunderstorms. Sitting in a treehouse consuming cocktails when it’s thundering and lightning isn’t a wise thought! It seemed tremendous cool, and we are going to do it on our subsequent go to to New Syrma Seaside. You too can eat right here, they usually have stay music.
Third Wave Café & Wine Bar
Tucked simply off Flagler Ave, Third Wave Cafe is a comfy spot that gives a shady patio, a wonderful wine checklist, and inventive small plates. Excellent for a extra relaxed, romantic night time. Or, for us, we ate right here for breakfast, having fun with a hearty hash to take in the enjoyable instances from the night time earlier than.
I had a scrumptious wood-fired brisket breakfast bowl with roasted potatoes, roasted crimson pepper, corn mozzarella mix, over simple eggs, and crimson pepper coulis. Craig went with the southwestern hash model.
Costs are increased right here, however the high quality of the modern international flavors fused with Southern coastal traditions and the bamboo forest environment might make it price it.
Lunch at Outriggers
Barely exterior of the primary seaside space overlooking the marina is Outriggers, an ideal spot for lunch on a heat day.
Right here at Outriggers, you’ll be able to take pleasure in shrimp tacos, fish sandwiches, and views of fishermen scaling their catches of snapper.
It’s a energetic spot with nice service. And preserving me related to my homeland, I had a Kylie Minogue non-alcoholic glowing rose. I needs to be so fortunate!
The place to remain at New Smyrna Seaside
There’s no scarcity of fantastic locations to remain in New Smyrna Seaside, whether or not you’re searching for oceanfront motels or cozy trip leases.
For a brief weekend journey like ours, we advocate staying near the seaside and Flagler Avenue so you’ll be able to stroll in every single place and absolutely benefit from the city’s vibe.
A couple of standouts to contemplate:
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott – A more moderen property simply off Flagler Ave with nice facilities, fashionable rooms, and a brief stroll to every little thing.
- Hampton Inn New Smyrna Seaside – Situated 7 minutes’ stroll from the seaside, this Florida resort gives an out of doors pool, every day continental breakfast, and free WiFi
- Finest Western New Smyrna Seaside Lodge & Suites – Situated proper on the seaside with an out of doors pool and the Seascape Eating Room on web site.
- Inn on the Avenue – On Flagler Ave cute boutique fashion with character comes with American breakfast together with champagne!
- Trip Leases – In the event you’re touring with household or staying longer, New Smyrna Seaside has tons of charming seaside cottages and condos accessible on VRBO or Reserving.com.
- Black Dolphin Inn: We wished to remain at this award-winning, boutique property exterior of the seaside space close to the waterways, however it was a two-night minimal, and we stayed in New Smyrna Seaside for one night time. In the event you like a bit of seclusion, this could be the right property – if you’d like proximity to eating places and nightlife, a resort close to the seaside and Flagler Ave can be extra appropriate.
Why we’ll be again to New Smyrna Seaside
New Smyrna Seaside took us abruptly in the easiest way. It’s a spot that manages to really feel relaxed and thrilling suddenly, too crowded, however by no means boring both.
It’s a city with tales, browsing, fashion, and substance. The type of place the place the salt air soothes you, the locals smile at you, and also you go to mattress already planning your return journey.
In the event you’re road-tripping in Florida, or flying into Daytona Seaside like we did, you should definitely carve out time for New Smyrna Seaside. It’d simply develop into your favourite Florida seaside city, too.
