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Best Beach Activities to Do in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Living in Florida, I love to visit the beach at least once a month. The beach closest to Orlando, Florida is New Smyrna Beach, and is very popular with Central Floridians!
New Smyrna Beach was voted “Best Beach” in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 by readers of Orlando Sentinel newspaper!
Voted “Best Beach”
Blue skies meet over 13 miles of white sand in New Smyrna Beach, consistently voted one of the “Best Beaches”. New Smyrna Beach lays claim to the best Florida offers — excellent backwater and offshore fishing, golf, historical sites, cultural events and eclectic shopping and dining experiences along historical Flagler Avenue and Canal Street.
Drive on the Beach
This beach allows you to drive & park your car right on the sand! It’s great for a girl like me who doesn’t like to carry the cooler/chairs/blankets/beach bag from a hot parking lot, then more walking. It’s very convenient.
Most of time, there are not many people, as you can see in my video. If you’re looking for a romantic beach that feels like you’re the only two people there, this is it!
During the summer months, there are more beach-goers. Check out a photo on my Instagram:
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When the beach is busy, half of the beach-goers are relaxing under the blazing sun with an umbrella. Many people bring little barbecue grills. The other great thing about New Smyrna Beach is that are lots of restaurants, serving foods delivered in baskets. Fried fish & french fries, chicken wings, lots of finger food appetizers.
Plus, there are food stands right on beach, serving hot dogs and ice cream.
Water and Toys
It’s a great beach to watch the paddle-boarders, wind-surfers, as well as kites flying high up into the air. It’s an “adult toy” type of beach!
If you want to wander about, just south of New Smyrna lies the Canaveral National Seashore, which offers excellent swimming, bird watching, hiking and more.
Love to fish?
Anglers at nearby Mosquito Lagoon have set international records with giant redfish catches. Deep-sea charters leave New Smyrna Beach daily, giving offshore fishers an easy way to wet a line in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.
Love history?
Many historical and cultural sites also make New Smyrna Beach noteworthy. From the Turnbull and Sugar Mill Ruins, to the Eldora State House and the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, the area is rich in history.
Love The Arts?
Named one of “America ‘s Top Small Cities for The Arts,” New Smyrna is home to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, an artists-in-residence community and educational facility, the Harris House, the Little Theatre and Arts on Douglas. Frequent arts shows featuring visual and performing arts take place throughout the year.
Love Antique Shopping?
Flagler Avenue and Canal Street, which were recently renovated, feature several quaint shops and cafes. It should be no surprise that the second oldest city in Florida is also home to many antique shopping pavilions.
New Smyrna Beach possesses a distinct hometown quality reflected in its cracker architecture, lush tropic landscape and community. Enjoy culinary delights from fresh seafood to steaks and pasta on the waterfront, or under an umbrella at a sidewalk cafe. At the end of the day, retire to a charming bed and breakfast inn, family-size condominium or oceanfront hotel.
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You have to be careful with those beach toys…I had a paddle board flip over on me once and a wave took me under. Make sure you have a supervisor if you aren’t experienced with these beach toys. Admittedly they are a blast though!