The Art of Thankfulness in the New Smyrna Beach Area

When my editor assigned me a Thanksgiving feature on the New Smyrna Beach Area, I figured it would be a simple story—talk to a few visitors, visit a couple of local spots, and wrap it up before the holiday rush. But the moment I arrived, I realized this wasn’t going to be just another travel piece. The itinerary was designed to show the spirit of this coastal region—and by the end, I was the one feeling grateful.

Driving down from Atlanta, Georgia, I watched the landscape shift from city skylines to stretches of palms and open water. My first stop was Port Orange, one of the five welcoming communities that make up the New Smyrna Beach Area. Just a short drive from the beach, Port Orange blends small-town charm with easygoing coastal energy.

I arrived just as the Farmers Market at The Pavilion was getting started, the morning air filled with the scent of baked goods and citrus. Local growers and artisans arranged their displays under colorful tents while acoustic music floated through the open-air market. One vendor, selling jars of homemade marmalade, smiled as she handed me a sample. “We love when travelers stop by,” she said. “They remind us how special it is to live here year-round.” Her words set the tone for the rest of my trip—kindness, community, and a quiet appreciation for the everyday.

By lunchtime, I found myself at Aunt Catfish on the River, a Port Orange favorite perched on the Halifax River. The views were wide and calm, the kind that make you linger long after your plate is empty. A couple seated nearby struck up a conversation, telling me they were spending the week at the Country Inn & Suites Port Orange. “We wanted somewhere close to the coast but a little quieter,” they said. “Here, we can unwind by the pool, then drive to the beach whenever we want. It’s the best of both worlds.”

That afternoon, I continued south to New Smyrna Beach and checked in at Inn On The Avenue Bed & Breakfast, a cheerful inn right on Flagler Avenue. The scent of fresh-baked cookies greeted me at the door, and the owner welcomed me like an old friend. Each room had its own touch of coastal charm—soft blues, seashell décor, and the kind of comfort that makes you instantly feel at home.

The next morning, I set out to explore the Downtown Arts District, where creativity and coastal living blend effortlessly. Inside The Hub on Canal, located along the historic Canal Street, I met a seasoned artist from New York City, his hands still speckled with paint as he worked on a vibrant seascape. He told me he comes down every fall—drawn by the community’s events, the warm weather, and the natural beauty that continues to inspire him in ways he can’t quite find anywhere else. “There’s something grounding about creating art here,” he said. “It reminds me what it means to slow down and appreciate the moment.” His words lingered with me as I stepped back into the sunshine.

A few blocks away, I found myself beneath the banyan tree at Third Wave Café & Wine Bar, savoring lunch in the shade as a couple from Michigan settled at the next table. As a curious journalist, I asked if they could ever imagine spending Thanksgiving away from home in a place like this. They smiled and said it was their first trip to the New Smyrna Beach Area—but not their last. “We usually spend the holidays wrapped in scarves,” the woman laughed, “but after this, I think we’re trading snow for sand.” Their joy said everything—the kind of happiness that comes from discovering a place that instantly feels like home.

Later that afternoon, I joined a Viking EcoTours paddle through the mangroves of the Indian River Lagoon. A family from Texas paddled alongside me, their laughter echoing across the water as dolphins surfaced nearby. Between smiles, the father said, “We thought this would just be a fun outing for the kids—but it’s the kind of experience you remember for years.” As sunlight shimmered through the mangrove canopy, I couldn’t help but agree.

That evening, I made my way to Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille, where live music drifted across the marina and the sky turned coral and gold. At the next table, a group of friends from Connecticut, all in town for their annual beach getaway, laughed over tropical drinks and seafood platters. One of them raised her glass toward the sunset and said, “We’ve been coming here for years—some traditions are just too good to give up.” As the sky faded into twilight, it was hard not to agree.

On my final morning, I woke before dawn and walked to the shoreline. The beach was still and quiet, except for a few early visitors wrapped in light jackets, waiting for the sunrise. When the first light broke over the Atlantic, turning the sky pink and gold, it was the kind of moment no photograph could truly capture—only feel.

I came here to write about a destination for Thanksgiving, but the New Smyrna Beach Area showed me what gratitude really looks like. It’s found in every traveler who keeps coming back, in every sunrise worth waking up for, and in the way the ocean greets you like an old friend. Thanksgiving may come once a year—but here, gratitude lingers in the air, carried by the salt breeze all year long.

If you’re planning a Thanksgiving getaway, start exploring your trip at VisitNSBFL.com.

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