It’s Summertime! Time to head to soak up the sunshine and have some relaxing time with the family. And there’s no better place for summer fun than New Smyrna Beach, FL. Its rich history and culture, outdoor adventure options, and exciting food scene makes it the ultimate summer destination for all types of travelers. As a bonus, New Smyrna Beach is centrally located within an hour’s drive from Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Kennedy Space Center.
So Many Things to Do and Experience
New Smyrna Beach is paradise for those who love the outdoors like we do. Our family spends a day at the beach, strolling along miles of pristine coastline. We always spend as much time as we can at the Canaveral National Seashore. It’s a recreational paradise, with camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, boating, and bird watching opportunities. The kids always compete to see who can be the first one to catch a glimpse of the West Indian Manatee along the water's edge. We always take advantage of the walking, cycling, and horseback riding trails.
New Smyrna Beach is world renowned for diving, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and other water sports. It’s a great chance for all of us to have fun and exercise…and see who can fall into the water more…it’s usually me! Check out East Coast Paddle, Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach, Red Dog Surf Shop, and Sea Dogs Dive Center to book your family’s water-based adventure.
For another water-based adventure, The Marine Discovery Center is an institutional landmark. The staff members educate visitors on the biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon, which is the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. The lagoon has more than 4,000 species of animals and spans 156 miles down Florida's east coast. Book a spot on one of the center’s guided ecotours or pontoon boats or kayak miles of backwater, mangroves, and surrounding inlets on your own. The Marine Discovery Center also offers fishing, archery, and adventure camps for kids throughout the year. Our kids enjoyed the Marine Discovery Center immensely.
Sleeping, Eating, and Shopping
Our family’s New Smyrna Beach Home is always the Springhill Suites New Smyrna Beach. Conveniently located on the beach at Flagler Avenue, this family-friendly hotel has an outdoor pool and is centrally located. It makes our New Smyrna Beach getaway that much better, walking with the family to the beach and the variety of shopping and eating options along Flagler Avenue.
In fact, the Springhill Suites is only a five-minute walk from some of the best pizza in town at the Flagler Avenue Pizza Company. This authentic New York style pizzeria serves up a variety of pizzas and hot sandwiches. Everybody has something to eat…and share…and it makes our family time that much more special.
After our meal, we always explore Canal Street. Canal Street always has something going on that we enjoy, including art strolls, gallery walks, and classic car shows. We never leave without visiting the New Smyrna Museum of History. The focal point of the museum is an exhibit devoted to the founders of New Smyrna Beach, a group of indentured colonists under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Turnbull. The gallery gives a chronological overview of how New Smyrna Beach came to be, starting with prehistoric Florida and continuing through present day.
And, for a nice change of pace, we all decided to indulge in our need for speed! New Smyrna Speedway is a high-banked, half-mile, paved, oval track that is located five miles west of New Smyrna Beach. Known as the "World Center of Racing," the circuit is home to the best stock car racing in the country. Along with providing weekly and special racing events, New Smyrna Speedway serves as a testing facility for the NASCAR Nationwide, Camping World Truck, and Spring Cup Series teams.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you plan on relaxing or re-energizing this summer, New Smyrna Beach is the perfect place for either goal. It is a prime getaway for visitors who are looking for a laidback community that is filled with hidden adventures. Our family fell in love with New Smyrna Beach’s intriguing history, artistic talents, one-of-a-kind boutiques, local eateries, and countless outdoor activities. That’s why we make it our primary vacation destination – there’s so much to do and experience. What more could you ask for? Visit New Smyrna Beach today!
