There’s nothing like spending time outdoors together, and there’s no better way to do it than with a camping trip. The New Smyrna Beach Area is a fantastic place to enjoy a night under the stars, with plenty of nearby amenities and activities to round out the experience. Cooler autumn weather makes it even better, along with seasonal happenings that add extra fun for all ages.
Where to Camp in the NSB Area
Several campgrounds in the New Smyrna Beach Area are perfect for families with young kids, with opportunities to foster their creativity and explore the outdoors. The family-owned and -operated Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park offers RV spaces with full hookups and rental cabins with full baths, air conditioning, kitchenettes, and TVs. With activities for all ages, serene nature trails onsite, and a poolside tiki bar for the whole family serving up drinks and ice cream, everyone is bound to enjoy themselves here.
Located in Port Orange, the Rose Bay Resort Campground gives families the chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just enjoy spending time together in a peaceful environment. The 300-site campground offers arts and crafts groups for all ages and includes a horseshoe pit near the beach. Kids will love running around at the waterfront recreational area as well. RV sites offer full hookups and WiFi, and there’s even a billiards room in the clubhouse.
The Nova Family Campground, also in Port Orange, is a home away from home for families. Its 18 acres offer ample opportunities for kids to play and explore while adults unwind. Everyone will love the heated pool and game room, and the onsite store ensures you’ve got a place to restock without leaving the campground. Accommodations include RV/tent sites, as well as cabins, trailers, and “Florida igloos,” with high ceilings and screened breezeways to let in the cool ocean air.
Local Eats the Whole Crew Will Love
When it comes to mealtime, you’ll likely be grilling at the campsite. Childhood memories are filled with fire-roasted hot dogs, followed by melty, gooey s’mores! For those days you want a break from cooking, you’ll find plenty of kid-approved menus in the New Smyrna Beach Area.
At Boston’s Fish House in New Smyrna Beach, parents can enjoy a variety of fresh-caught fish, grilled or blackened, while children, who might be picky about trying new seafood dishes, can devour delicious chicken fingers or popcorn shrimp. Of course, some families may all enjoy a bucket of piping hot steamers or a hearty bowl of lobster bisque. And nothing tops off dinner better than a slice of the restaurant’s Key lime pie!
Chases on the Beach, located on Atlantic Avenue, is a destination for the whole family. With live music throughout the day, it’s a great place to kick back and enjoy time together. The kitchen offers a more casual menu throughout the day, with an elevated dining experience Thursday through Sunday evenings. For younger children, an expansive kids’ menu is sure to please, with youngsters’ favorites, like grilled cheese and buttered noodles.
Looking for a quick sweet treat? Go no further than Edgewater’s Frosty King. With weekly specials, like Milkshake Monday and Banana Split Thursday, as well as takeaway ice cream pies in a wide variety of flavors, this spot is destined to become a family favorite!
Active Fun Inside and Out
Families will find miles of beaches and trails to get their kids moving their bodies outside. With lots of sunny weather, the opportunities to explore the area’s wild environment are pretty much unlimited. You can spend the day frolicking in the surf at Smyrna Dunes Park or riding bikes along the New Smyrna Beach Pedestrian Trail.
For some kid-level high-adrenaline activities, the Tiki Adventure Zone in Port Orange has you covered. Whether your family wants to race around the go-kart track, try for a hole in one at the mini-golf course, or go for a wet and wild ride on the bumper boats, a day spent here is a day of memories that will last a lifetime.
Spend the morning or afternoon as a family on the water with Viking EcoTours. The abundant wildlife along the Canaveral National Seashore will enthrall paddlers of all ages. Maybe this excursion will even spark an interest in learning more about science and the environment among young minds!
As every parent knows, active kids need to move around, no matter the weather. For rainy day fun, check out Bizy Beaver Indoor Playground in Port Orange, where the kids can burn off some energy at this fun-filled center. Older kids can reach new heights on the jump pad and climb around on the intricate play structure. A separate area just for kids under 2 provides plenty of excitement geared to little ones.
Celebrate the Spooky Season Family Style
Every October, the Marine Discovery Center hosts an all-ages event, Spooky Ooky Estuary. With a trick-or-treat trail for kids, a scary trail for older kids and adults, and hands-on crafts and games for everyone, this celebration of the harvest season and Halloween, held on Friday, October 17, this year, offers the chance to learn about the area’s wetland fauna while collecting candy and frights.
A camping trip to the New Smyrna Beach Area is a great chance to spend some quality family time together, no matter how old your children are. After all, most adults are still quite young at heart!
