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When you’re craving a seashore city escape that looks like a real hidden gem—one with allure, a calming vibe, miles of white sandy seashores, and effectively, slightly little bit of all the pieces—New Smyrna Seashore would possibly simply turn out to be your new favourite Florida coastal city. It actually turned ours.

We visited as a part of an extended weekend journey to the Daytona Seashore 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 Seashore introduced the steadiness – laid-back, artsy, effortlessly cool. It had that “I may dwell right here” really feel.

Whereas many Florida seashore cities can really feel over-commercialized or cookie-cutter, New Smyrna Seashore has a vibe all its personal. It’s half surf city, half historic village, half foodie haven, with a powerful native arts scene and a vibrant primary avenue that’s simply the best measurement.

Right here’s why we fell in love with New Smyrna Seashore, what we did, the place we ate, and suggestions that will help you plan your personal go to to this East Coast Florida treasure.

The place is New Smyrna Seashore and the way to get there

New Smyrna Seashore is a barrier island situated on Florida’s east coast, only a 20-minute drive south of Daytona Seashore 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 lovely sandy shoreline.

Getting there may be simple, whether or not you’re driving or flying. When you’re coming from out of state, the closest airport is Daytona Seashore Worldwide Airport (DAB)—simply 25 minutes away—with handy direct flights from choose cities like Raleigh through Breeze Airways.

It’s also possible to 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 Seashore

Surf or Swim New Smyrna Seashore (or park your automotive)

After all, New Smyrna Seashore is the star attraction right here. Like Daytona, you possibly can drive proper onto the sand together with your 4 or two wheels. We biked alongside the seashore in Daytona, however didn’t have time for it in New Smyrna Seashore. Simply time your trip for low tide so that you get the hardest-packed sand.

Not like busier seashores, New Smyrna Seashore was peaceable, clear, and nice for swimming, lengthy walks, constructing sandcastles, or simply sitting and absorbing the ocean breeze. We additionally observed a number of surfers, not stunning since this space is understood for having among the best wave motion in Florida. Skilled and novice surfers come right here from all around the world because it has constant wave breaks.

It’s often known as the Shark Chunk Capital of the World … no joke. Not fatalities, although, only a chomp on the arm or leg right here and there. For the reason that Eighties, there have been over 300 reported incidents, however lately, between 5-10 incidents yearly.

The New Smyrna Seashore space is understood for its excessive focus of bull, blacktip, and spinner sharks, which swim close to the Indian River Lagoon as a result of it’s filled with batfish. They often mistake folks for fish, therefore the chomp, however they aren’t identified to be aggressive. Their most lively 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 nearly determined I’d breathe deep and dive within the following day, till our waiter instructed us his greatest mate had bitten his arm a couple of days earlier than, however to not fear, he was recovering effectively.

It’s like a ceremony of passage and a badge of honor for the surfers. You do your consolation degree. I’m certain the chances are nonetheless low, and we noticed loads of folks out swimming and browsing with limbs intact.

When 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 essentially 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 way of 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 house owners 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 several types of kayaks to hire and supply guided excursions.

Take a look at this wonderful kayak tour we did down the Wacissa River on the Gulf Coast of Florida (one in all my US favourite adventures)

Discover Smyrna Dunes Park

A final-minute choice to go to the Smyrna Dunes Park, situated on the northern finish of the New Smyrna Seashore Island, became a hidden gem ($11 entrance charge).

It’s a protected nature reserve with 1.5 miles of large boardwalks and nature trails that loop by way of dunes with wonderful views of Ponce Inlet, the lighthouse, and dog-friendly seashores.

It’s a haven for nature lovers resulting from its 5 ecosystems: ocean, river, dunes, scrub, and saltwater marsh.

Preserve 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 purple Espresso Me truck promoting first rate espresso, smoothies, and lightweight bites.

Discover Canal Road Historic District

Canal Road Historic District is the city’s charming historic district, identified for its artsy power, 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 Seashore Brewing Firm, and absorb the artistic spirit of the city. 

It has a powerful inventive vibe due to the Hub on Canal. It was one of the artistic artwork studio areas we’ve visited – with footprints on the ground weaving round alleyways and up mural-covered stairs to peruse the totally different studio areas and see artists at work.

Outdoors is a vibrant 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 could have missed the center of New Smyrna’s seashore 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 slightly inland, Flagler Ave leads proper to the shore, bringing a seashore city buzz — suppose surf outlets, boutique shops, seafood shacks, dwell music bars, and the form 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 aspect 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 avenue of New Smyrna Seashore. Compared to Daytona, I favored how this was in a single central place. I’m undecided I may even inform you the place the nightlife components of Daytona are as a result of it’s so unfold out.

On Flagler Ave, you possibly can bar hop from one to the subsequent, which is what we tried to do, however we acquired caught in Flagler Tavern dancing to the eclectic rock band, Stereo FM.

They purchased the unpretentious, enjoyable celebration! 

Fortunately, we walked dwelling at a respectful hour once they completed. You can bar hop and keep out later in the event you needed.

Espresso at Luma Cafe

Designed in your Instagram feed, Luma Café awaits with swinging chairs, cozy couches, big Jenga video games, and first rate espresso.

Calm down and watch the Flagler Ave world go by, or take it to go for a seashore stroll.

This may very well be an incredible spot for a extra informal breakfast than the place we went (see beneath).

Blue Spring State Park

It could be an hour drive inland from New Smyrna Seashore, however you gained’t remorse a half-day tour to the Blue Spring State Park. It’s about an hour drive inland from Daytona Seashore, however it’s so value 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 essentially 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 throughout the winter to supply a protected refuge for the manatees. We additionally noticed river otters, turtles, and plenty of birds.

Suggestions:

• Arrive early — they cap entry, and weekends get busy. It opens at 8am, and folks begin lining up at daybreak. When you can, go to mid-week or early Solar (afternoons are busier then)
• You’ll be able to deliver your personal tubes or hire them on web site – they’ve ample. Hire them from the Present Locker from Blue Spring Adventures. There are additionally lockers for hire – we suggest the important thing lockers close to the tube rental as an alternative of the code lockers in the beginning of the spring run. Deliver 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 Seashore to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

It’s Florida’s tallest lighthouse, and you may 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 enchanting shark exhibit once we visited in partnership with the close by Marine Science Middle.  

New Smyrna is just half-hour south of Daytona Seashore, the place you’ll discover loads of seashore actions and locations to eat. It’s much more touristy, however we favored it. You’ll be able to learn our information to our Daytona Seashore weekend getaway for extra concepts.

The place to eat at New Smyrna Seashore

We all the time say meals is without doubt one of the greatest methods to know a vacation spot—and New Smyrna Seashore delivered. It’s a surprisingly nice city for meals lovers, with all the pieces from beachy seafood shacks to elevated eating.

Right here’s what we liked:

The Garlic

The Garlic in New Smyrna Seashore was one of the memorable meals of our journey, probably within the USA. The ambiance alone is definitely worth the go to—twinkling lights, rustic decor, and a lush, open-air backyard vibe that looks like Italy meets Florida.

It’s the primary time in my life I used to be grateful for an hour’s await our desk (tremendous well-liked, doesn’t take reservations, and ponder. It seats over 4 hundred folks 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 dwell 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 surface area, however we loved a very good 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 purple to match our divine dishes of lamb cutlets with one of the best mint jelly I’ve ever had, mussels with a broth so good you can drink it, and Ravioli Bolognaise, wood-fired salmon for mains.

As if I wanted another excuse to return to New Smyrna Seashore.

You might need 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 will not be a wise concept! It seemed tremendous cool, and we’ll do it on our subsequent go to to New Syrma Seashore. It’s also possible to eat right here, and so they have dwell music.

Third Wave Café & Wine Bar

Tucked simply off Flagler Ave, Third Wave Cafe is a comfortable spot that gives a shady patio, a wonderful wine record, and artistic small plates. Good for a extra relaxed, romantic night time. Or, for us, we ate right here for breakfast, having fun with a hearty hash to absorb the enjoyable instances from the night time earlier than.

I had a scrumptious wood-fired brisket breakfast bowl with roasted potatoes, roasted purple pepper, corn mozzarella mix, over simple eggs, and purple pepper coulis. Craig went with the southwestern hash model.

Costs are larger right here, however the high quality of the progressive world flavors fused with Southern coastal traditions and the bamboo forest environment could make it value it.

Lunch at Outriggers

Barely exterior of the principle seashore space overlooking the marina is Outriggers, an ideal spot for lunch on a heat day.

Right here at Outriggers, you possibly can get pleasure from shrimp tacos, fish sandwiches, and views of fishermen scaling their catches of snapper.

It’s a vigorous spot with nice service. And preserving me related to my homeland, I had a Kylie Minogue non-alcoholic glowing rose. I ought to be so fortunate!

The place to remain at New Smyrna Seashore

There’s no scarcity of great locations to remain in New Smyrna Seashore, whether or not you’re in search of oceanfront resorts or cozy trip leases.

For a brief weekend journey like ours, we suggest staying near the seashore and Flagler Avenue so you possibly can stroll in all places and absolutely benefit from the city’s vibe.

Just a few standouts to contemplate:

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott – A more recent property simply off Flagler Ave with nice facilities, trendy rooms, and a brief stroll to all the pieces.
• Hampton Inn New Smyrna Seashore – Situated 7 minutes’ stroll from the seashore, this Florida resort affords an out of doors pool, each day continental breakfast, and free WiFi
• Finest Western New Smyrna Seashore Lodge & Suites – Situated proper on the seashore 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 – When you’re touring with household or staying longer, New Smyrna Seashore has tons of charming seashore cottages and condos obtainable on VRBO or Reserving.com.
• Black Dolphin Inn: We needed to remain at this award-winning, boutique property exterior of the seashore space close to the waterways, however it was a two-night minimal, and we stayed in New Smyrna Seashore for one night time. When you like slightly seclusion, this is able to be the proper property – in order for you proximity to eating places and nightlife, a resort close to the seashore and Flagler Ave could be extra appropriate.

Why we’ll be again to New Smyrna Seashore

New Smyrna Seashore took us unexpectedly in one of the best ways. 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 form 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.

When you’re road-tripping in Florida, or flying into Daytona Seashore like we did, you’ll want to carve out time for New Smyrna Seashore. It would simply turn out to be your favourite Florida seashore city, too.

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