If “low-key” figures into your getaway requirements, head for New Smyrna Beach, tucked on Central Florida’s Atlantic coast.
 

By Denise Maloof

When asked to describe the New Smyrna Beach, Jim Pfief a visitor from Ohio, said, “It’s the quiet side of Volusia County.”

That sums it up nicely.

It's the kind of place that loves its sea turtles, and doesn't mind moving a little slower. Despite the relaxed pace, there are still tons of things to do in New Smyrna Beach.

The community beckons not only vacationers like Pfief, but day-trippers from metropolitan Orlando, just an hour to the west. Weekenders and locals playing hooky are a large part of the scene.

“You come over and rent a bike for $7 and it’s a no-brainer,” said Nichols Surf Shop and Chuckeyta Cafe owner Chuck Carter, citing inland escapees he knows who leave their own bicycles at home and hit Nichols for that trusty, returnable transportation.

Surf's Up

And when at New Smyrna Beach, you surf, or at least try.

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Nesting sea turtles love the shores of New Smyrna Beach.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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Surfing is big in New Smyrna Beach.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

It’s an East Coast surfing hot spot. Everywhere, you see surf shops featuring the lingo and brand name stock. In fact, surfing is one of the top things to do in New Smyrna Beach.

“You always get some kind of wave,” said Carter, a New Smyrna Beach native. “Everybody in New Smyrna has a couple of boards in their garage — every friend of a friend. Every doctor I know has one. The ocean is their playground.”

Here’s why: soft, then hard-packed silvery sand yields to the dark green and blue Atlantic. During low tide, the real estate expands, and shells — cockles, clams and whelks — are not uncommon.

new smyrna beach attractions

New Smyrna Beach Surf Shop

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

You can drive your gear right out to your favorite surfing spot on New Smyrna Beach

You can drive your gear right out to your favorite surfing spot on New Smyrna Beach

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

Parks

Three Volusia County parks are great gateways for a New Smyrna Beach day. All provide the requisite facilities and are close to other resources.

Smyrna Dunes Park sits at the north tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula; Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park is in the heart of its shoreline business district.

The third, 27th Avenue Park, lies 2.5 miles south and forms the no-drive demarcation zone.

Cruise as you please north of 27th Avenue; use your feet or cycle to the south. A playground here entertains youngsters.

Only Smyrna Dunes Park requires a fee as of this writing, but is dog friendly, offers sweeping views of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse across the water and a two-mile elevated boardwalk that protects dunes and vegetation.

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You can drive out to your favorite spot on New Smyrna Beach.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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You can stay in a hotel on the beach-- or a cute B and B, like the Night Swan.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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Smyrna Dunes Park sits at the north tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula-- and its sure to make your best friend's tail wag.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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The Night Swan is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in New Smyrna Beach.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

Shhhhhh

There are so many great things to do in New Smyrna Beach to experience the outdoors. Whether you pick a park, or stroll from your house, hotel, or bed and breakfast, the lack of bedlam is available even during summer’s peak.

In winter and shoulder seasons, New Smyrna Beach’s warmth and quietness seem irresistible. A recent attack of afternoon cloudiness proved no deterrent at Flagler Avenue Park, where surfers in wet suits sprinted to the water, and hopeful sunbathers and cyclists shared space. 

Book-club organizers, take note: readers parked in chairs beside their vehicles seemed the dominant beachgoers, engrossed as surf roiled and birds soared.

Jim Pfief, and his wife, Debbie, were among them.

Residents of North Canton, Ohio, the couple visits in November, near their wedding anniversary date. It dovetails with a stopover for children and grandchildren in Jacksonville, and, they discovered New Smyrna Beach during a time-share stay 12 years ago.

“It’s nice and quiet, not crowded... and the beach is very wide,” Pfief said, his lap full of automotive magazines.

Loyal to the Coconut Palms Beach Resort, the Pfiefs enjoy shelling and walking but both appeared to be content readers on this afternoon.

“We don’t ramp up the entertainment too much,” Jim Pfief said.

Flagler Avenue

If you do want to ramp it up, stroll Flagler Avenue and pick your watering hole. Or, make real use of that beach bag; stuffing it with purchases from a plant nursery, jewelry and clothing boutiques; even tiny art galleries.

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New Smyrna Beach boasts a vibrant arts community, brimming with one-of-a-kind works.

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This lovely work hangs in one of the area's numerous galleries.

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Shopping is available to the west, across the North Causeway, as well along New Smyrna Beach’s historic riverfront business district — Canal Street. Antique shops (NSB Antique Mall is fun) and the newly renovated New Smyrna Museum of History on Sams Avenue, just north of Canal, are two options.

Eat, drink

There's another alternative. You can overeat very well in this town. In fact, drinking and dining vie with beaching and surfing for most popular New Smyrna Beach activities.

Bagel World, south on South Atlantic Avenue, (A1A), is can’t-miss with its varieties and spreads. Back on Flagler Avenue, the Beacon offers consistent diner fare. Locals swear by the Breakers choice of 17 fresh burgers.

The view at Breakers isn't bad, either.

JB’s Fishcamp Seafood Restaurant lies several miles south on A1A. Expect fresh, no-frills seafood and a deck and dock for creek-side sunsets.

Come on down.

The view from inside Breakers Restaurant.

The view from inside Breakers Restaurant.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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You'll find a wealth of wildlife on New Smyrna Beach.

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When You Go...

A complete list of New Smyrna Beach restaurants, shops and accommodations can be found at visitnsbfl.com

Directions from Interstate 95: Take Exit 249 east on SR 44. After approximately two miles, look for signs to the Canal Street historic district, or continue on SR 44 toward the beach. After crossing the South Causeway, look for signs to the Flagler Avenue historic district. A turn to the west on Flagler Avenue leads to the North Causeway, and an alternate route back to Canal Street and SR 44.

 

things to do in new smyrna beach

New Smyrna Beach offers and abundance of activities, dining and shopping -- and quiet time.

- Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA

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