Celebrate America’s Birthday in the New Smyrna Beach Area

With its 17 miles of beaches, vibrant neighborhoods, and family-friendly events planned, the New Smyrna Beach Area is a great place to celebrate the Fourth of July. I just wrapped up my planning for my family’s Independence Day adventure there, and I’d love to share some tips I discovered to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as ours will.

1. Download the NSB Area Mobile App

To have all the information you’ll need for the perfect holiday getaway right at your fingertips, download the easy-to-use New Smyrna Beach app from the App Store or Google Play. You can research hotels, restaurants, and activities, read reviews, and even collect points by visiting participating locations to earn “Sand Dollars”, which you can exchange for prizes at the local visitor center.

2. Book your Flight

Why start your trip with the hectic hubbub of a large airport and a long commute? The Daytona Beach International Airport is less than 20 miles from New Smyrna Beach, and each day there are several direct flights to many large and medium cities, such as Charlotte, Dallas, New Haven, and Washington, DC. Picking up a rental car is easy too, with all the major companies represented right in the terminal. 

3. Choose a Place to Stay

With such a wide variety of lodging available in the New Smyrna Beach Area, it’s best to think about what type of accommodations would best suit your family. Do you have children who would enjoy splashing in a pool, or are you on a romantic getaway with your significant other? Is Fido coming along, or are you planning to spend a girls’ or guys’ weekend, taking in the sun and visiting the local bars?

A comfortable family-friendly option would be to stay at one of the area’s larger hotels. Country Inn & Suites features free laundry facilities, a patio with a grill, and a heated outdoor pool—perfect for occupying the kids. This hotel is also pet-friendly, in case you’ve brought the whole family along. You can also check out 1- to 3-bedroom condos available from Florida Vacay Rentals, which feature many amenities and offer a home-away-from-home feel.

For a more intimate setting, you’ll find several quaint B&Bs in the area. The Night Swan B&B features breathtaking views and a cozy atmosphere. Take in the ocean views from the terrace of The Inn on the Avenue, which also offers a picnic area and grill. 

4. Enjoy Beach Time

Of course, a big draw of this area is its expanse of white, sandy beaches. If you can't walk from your lodging to the beach, you’ll have to find a spot to park. But don't worry, there are plenty of parking lots near the beach. By the way, here's a curiosity: In the NSB Area, driving on the beach is still allowed! It'll cost you $20 per vehicle for a day of beach fun!

There are also a couple of free lots in the area, though with lots of visitors, you’ll have to get there early to snag a spot. Street parking is frequently free, but some spots require self-pay using a kiosk. Make sure before you stroll away from your vehicle that you’re all paid up. Try the Hiles Boulevard Beach or Mary McLeod Bethune Beach for their free spots. Just remember: the early bird gets the free parking spots!

5. Where to Watch Fireworks in the NSB Area

Of course, you’ll want to take in one of the area’s fireworks shows! Although fireworks are not allowed on the beach, you can attend official events to witness a great spectacle. It is America’s birthday, after all. In NSB, you can find a spot in Riverside Park to sit back and take in pyrotechnical displays. You can easily make a day of it, with playgrounds, picnic tables, and trails for walking and biking. 

You can also celebrate the event at the Port Orange City Center. Take breaks between picnic courses with a lap around the lake, or check out the fitness trail before the evening’s events.

Along the Indian River in Edgewater, check out the EDGEfest celebration. Get in the Independence Day spirit with live music, food vendors, and other activities. As the sun goes down, get ready for a spectacular fireworks display. 

Get ready to have a great Fourth of July in the New Smyrna Beach Area, and keep these tips in mind to ensure you and your family make the most of everything this region has to offer.