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Writer's pictureJonathan Stoddard

New Smyrna Beach, Florida | Top Things to Do While There!

New Smyrna Beach, is located on the east coast of Florida, is a popular destination for surfers. However, those who do not want to see a lot of development should consider visiting it. New Smyrna Beach is one of my favorite towns where we provide pest control services for. My travels and frequent servicing of the members of this town have enabled me for many years to enjoy many of New Smyrna Beach's tourist attractions.

Even though it is best known for its white-sand beaches, New Smyrna Beach has improved in recent years. It now has a lot more cultural attractions that keep people coming back. If you are like many first-time visitors, you may be overwhelmed by the many options available. Here are some things to do at New Smyrna Beach listed below.


Smyrna Dunes Park


Smyrna Dunes Park

Seeing the Indian River, Ponce de Leon Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean from Smyrna Dunes Park is breathtaking. It is impossible to find a bad thing.

The park, located near the northern extremity of one of the long spits of land, makes up the several barrier islands found offshore. With such a significant input of wind and water, the beaches can become windswept and wave-battered at times, especially in the afternoon.

As a result, surfing is fantastic, even though the waves are not always significant. In addition, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy, such as trekking through the dunes or trying your luck at surfing fishing.

The park's main gate is present on North Peninsula Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, and entry is a reasonable price considering the location.


Sugar Mill Ruins

A historic plantation, the New Smyrna Beach Sugar Mill Ruins are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are present on the grounds of the New Smyrna Beach Sugar Mill Ruins.

Visitors can get a fascinating glimpse into the past by visiting the mill erected more than two centuries ago in a sterile, rugged, and undeveloped environment.

According to historians, the mill closed forcibly in the 1830s after the Seminole raiding party destroyed the plantation. They were displeased that the white man had ripped their ancestral lands beneath their feet.

You may not find a lot of amenities here. Still, you will learn a lot about the area's intriguing history.


Marine Discovery Center


Marine Discovery Center

The Marine Discovery Center, located on Barracuda Boulevard in New Smyrna Beach, is more than simply a place to look but not touch anything. There is no better place to gain hands-on experience with the area's distinctive species and habitats than at the Wildlife Discovery Center of the Ozarks.

A marine zoo, an aquarium, and a museum all rolled into one; the facility is home to thousands of indigenous plants, land animals, and marine fish that thrive in rivers, seas, and marshlands. If you are on the road with your little ones, this is one of those attractions that you should never miss.

Plan your trip; it can take more than an hour here because there are staff-led eco-tours and a range of interactive displays and activities.


New Smyrna Museum of History

When it comes to diving deep into the region's fascinating history, there is no better place to go than the New Smyrna Museum of History, which welcomes people worldwide.

The museum's exhibits took visitors on a trip from the period when Native Americans were the only humans on the globe to the present day. Then people of European descent began to visit and settle in the area, beginning in prehistory and progressing through the ages.

Many visitors regard the Native American exhibits as the most interesting of the entire museum. Several exhibits depict the lives of the area's first colonists, led by a Scottish doctor, and the lives of the area's first visitors.


New Smyrna Speedway


speedway image

Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach are within driving distance, making daily visits to the latter an easy alternative for those interested in seeing the Daytona International Speedway up close. However, there is a more convenient choice for race enthusiasts who would prefer not to spend their valuable holiday time behind the wheel.

Although it is not as well-known as its bigger brother to the north, New Smyrna Speedway organizes several nationally renowned races. It is famed for its steep banking and fast average speeds. Several concerts take place at the venue throughout the year. Because many of them are more regional, obtaining tickets is not often difficult.


Atlantic Center for the Arts


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Turnbull Bay at New Smyrna Beach is named for the man credited with colonizing the area in the first place. Atlantic Center for the Arts is conveniently located on the picturesque shores of the Atlantic Ocean, providing guests with access to some spectacular sights. The center is unique in that it serves as both a temporary residence and a studio for artists worldwide and housing a remarkable collection. In addition, several homes and workplaces are scattered across the grounds. One of the center's attractions is observing and interacting with the artists as they work. The center also conducts many events relevant to art and culture.


Hub on Canal Street

Downtown New Smyrna Beach has a unique blend of historic elegance and contemporary culture rarely found in the same place. The Hub on Canal Street is the starting point for those who want to take advantage of both.

Canal Street, shaded by majestic palms and old buildings, is lined with boutiques, galleries, and small artist's studios. It makes it an ideal destination for travelers wishing to take an afternoon stroll or purchase a souvenir to remember their visit.

Almost all objects you will see are original works of art created by regional artists. In addition, according to its website, the Hub on Canal Street is home to various performances and festivals throughout the year, the majority of which take place during the milder winter months.


Annual Seaside Fiesta

The Annual Seaside Fiesta in New Smyrna Beach has been drawing large audiences for more than three decades, and each year's theme is a new twist on an old favorite.

Civic and business development organizations arrange the events near downtown along Flagler Avenue. They aim to promote the area's history, culture, and natural beauty.

Although you may have missed the festival this year, be assured that it will return in June of the following year. Many people who have been to New Smyrna Beach have said that it was one of the best things they did there because it had live entertainment, carnival-style games, rides, and tasty street food.


Festival of the Arts


art gallery image

Themes such as art and festivals recur while discussing the most popular things to do in New Smyrna Beach; these are two of the most prominent.

The Festival of the Arts in New Smyrna Beach takes place over four days in January at Riverside Park and was recently named one of the top 50 outdoor art events of its kind in the country. When you consider the level of competition, this is an excellent ranking. In addition to the hundreds of artists from dozens of nations participating, the festival is a hotspot for live music, delicious food, and interactive activities for creative and enthusiastic children.


The Preserve at Turnbull Bay Golf Course


golf course image with a man putting

Golfers visiting Florida's central Atlantic coast may play two courses a day for weeks and still not be able to complete all of the courses available.

The Preserve at Turnbull Bay Golf Course is one of the most popular courses in New Smyrna Beach, and it is easy to see why. It has a length of 6,400 yards, which is a little shorter than many of its peers. The golf course makes it ideal for people who want to play a world-class round but are not interested in spending four or five hours doing it.

The 18 holes of this par-72 course wind their way through a quiet natural park. Even though the course has only been open since the mid-1990s, it already has a group of customers who love its beauty and value.


Cool Beans and More


coffee cup image with coffee beans on the side

Were you looking for a steaming cup of caffeinated java or a tangy and sweet Italian ice? Cool Beans and More has what you are looking for and more.

Cool Beans is well-known for its delicious drinks and inviting courtyard with plenty of covered seats, ideal for settling down after a long day on your feet. The rates were reasonable, and the personnel was courteous. Previous guests said they came to Cool Beans every day in the neighborhood – sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon – and enjoyed it. They also sell bags of a famous brand of locally roasted coffee beans. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a website for this company to share with you.


New Smyrna Brewing Company


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There is virtually no excuse for becoming dehydrated while visiting New Smyrna Beach. Everything from iced lattes and Italian ices to fresh orange juice and microbrews is available.

Coffee and sweet, fruity drinks have their place. However, after a long day spent in the blistering Florida sun, many visitors want a cold beer to wash away the effects of the heat.

The New Smyrna Brewing Company is present on Canal Street in the historic downtown area. It is well-known for its astounding array of beers, all of which are made on-site. Shark Attack IPA, their flagship beer, is a perennial favorite because of its hoppy kick and even hints of citrus flavor. Although they do not have a full food menu, they have flavored popcorn that is the perfect accompaniment to a cold brew in the afternoon.


Hit the Beaches


Many popular resort towns along the Atlantic coast have beautiful and unique beaches. Still, the area around New Smyrna Beach is known for its long stretches of white and tropical-looking beaches that you can not find in many other places along this coast. It is primarily due to the high concentration of quartz in the beach's sand. In addition to the abundance of food, hotel, and amusement opportunities, the waves on New Smyrna Beaches are a powerful magnet for surfers of all levels, from expert to novice. Although there are many more beaches to select from than just 27th Avenue Beach, Bethune Beach, and Canaveral National Seashore, these are some of the most popular.


Daytona International Speedway


Daytona International Speedway

Since its iconic inception more than 60 years ago, Daytona International Speedway, located in Daytona Beach, Fl. has established itself as a global racing destination, attracting race fans worldwide. When the Daytona 500 takes place in February, the weather in the Sunshine State is gorgeous. It might be hard to get racing tickets, but there are other ways to enjoy the speedway if you do not want to fight the crowds or spend a lot of money. You can take a walk along the track on days when no races or other events are taking place on the way. Numerous guided tour alternatives are available for those interested in getting a genuine behind-the-scenes peek at the operation.


Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse


Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is one of my favorite pest control accounts that we service. It is located in the Ponce Inlet/ Port Orange area of Florida. It stands approximately 180 feet tall, towering above the Florida coastline, and is the tallest of all of the state's lighthouses. Since its construction nearly two centuries ago, the lighthouse has had a remarkable history. Although it has experienced periods of low oil supply and structural weakness due to rough waves and erosion, it has withstood the test of time. A local preservation society has worked tirelessly to restore the lighthouse to its former glory. It is also possible to climb the 200 stairs to the observation deck, which offers unimpeded views of the land and the sea.

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