When pondering New Smyrna Beach, the first thing you think of may not be shopping, but – with two main streets bursting with irresistible baubles and booty – maybe it should be. So take your pick of Flagler Avenue with its beachy vibe or downtown historic Canal Street. Either way, New Smyrna is sure to beguile you with its infinite charms as you fill up on whatever it is that you desire…

Gyftz, at 307 Flagler Avenue, will surprise and delight you with fun trinkets and ornaments, comical greeting cards, body scrubs, lotions and lip balms for pampering, earrings, bracelets and charms, handbags, nightshirts, aprons, frames, sunglasses, collectibles and more. It’s a great place to find the perfect souvenir or gift for someone special.

In search of the perfect shower gift? Julie’s is a delightful boutique at 231 Canal and simply overflowing with unique creations from items such as embellished wine glasses, beautiful handmade wreaths, beachy home décor, locally made jewelry…and don’t forget the seasonal gifts! In fact, Julie’s also participates in the Canal Street Annual Girls’ Night Out Sip and Shop in December, which is an exceptional place to do some holiday shopping.

Looking for handmade chocolates in the shape of a palm tree, seashell, starfish or gator? If you’re at Beachside Candy Company at 221 Flagler, you’ve come to the right place! Stock up on those and salt water taffy, bulk sweets and sugar-free treats.

Canal Street Historic District also hosts the New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market at 210 Sams Avenue. It’s small, but a fun way to spend a Saturday morning and jam-packed with things like fresh produce and flowers, local honey and jam, maple syrup, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and tasty items like hot pretzels and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Fill your beach needs at Wilde Side Beach and Surf, located at 512 Flagler and 4170 S. Atlantic, where you will find bathing suits and other beachwear, as well as beach towels, umbrellas, chairs, fun floats, boogie boards and rentals for paddle boards, surf boards and golf carts.

Or there is Red Dog Surf Shop where whether you are a beach loving local or a coastal traveler, you will feel welcoming vibes. It’s on the corner of Third Avenue and A1A in Indian River Plaza and stocks beach gear, surf focused clothing and a huge inventory of boards.

Touted as a shop with “tropical finds of all kinds,” Friki Tiki at 419 Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach is a great place to pick up Life is Good, Sum Bum and Jam’s World products.

Founded in Georgia and expanded to New Smyrna Beach, Wild Oats and Billy Goats is a whimsical artisan gift boutique located at 412 Canal Street, offering all sorts of paintings, pottery, metal art and more designed by local and regional artists.

For those who like your shopping with a vintage twist, there’s Vintage Thang at 362 Flagler, styling women from head to toe in vintage clothing and accessories since 2018.

Peppers is at 119 Faulkner off Canal and specializes in high-end clothing and accessories from jeans to gowns and everything in between. If you like designers including Frank Lyman, One Shoes, Insight, Ravel or Articles of Society Jeans (just to name a few), this may be a must-see stop for you.

For a diverse assortment of gifts and décor including beachy items such as driftwood carvings and windsocks, try Dolly’s Gifts at 405 Flagler Avenue. It’s a whole lot of fun!

Let’s talk home furnishings…Island Collection at 227 Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach offers coastal interior items inspired by the tropics. The Posh Pineapple at 330 Canal also carries lovely home décor, as well as bath and body items, holiday gifts, candles, jewelry, beach essentials and apparel.

Speaking of jewelry, you will discover New Smyrna Jewelry at 399 Canal – a handcrafted jewelry studio and showroom; and Jessup’s, which specializes in estate jewelry and can be found just off Canal at 121 Orange Street in New Smyrna Beach.

When it comes to fun gifts, don’t forget your pet! Silly Willie’s, at 218 Flagler Avenue, stocks tons of fun stuff from one-of-a-kind collars and leashes, to outfits, treats, toys and other dog and cat themed merchandise.

In addition, what you may or may not know about New Smyrna Beach is that it is also home to a thriving art community, making shopping even more extraordinary. There are art and photo galleries throughout town that are sure to please, including The Hub on Canal where pieces created by local artists in a wide range of mediums are displayed and sold. 

Fernandez Photography and Art Gallery at 407 Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna offers a unique combination of local photography and fair trade crafts from South and Central America. 

New Smyrna Beach (757 E. Third) is also the original location of the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery. Remember everyone’s favorite, soft spoken, hippie artist from “The Joy of Painting” Public Television series?

…and there are so many more art galleries peppering the alluring town of New Smyrna Beach, but there is also some fabulous antiquing! Just a small sample of options for your shopping pleasure includes: Antique and Arts Highwaymen Gallery at 427 Canal, Antiques and Art at 520 Andrews, The Vintage Mermaid at 526 N. Dixie Freeway, Coronado Antiques at 1141 S. Dixie Freeway and Washington Street (518) Crossing Consigners Depot.

New Smyrna Beach is a seaside paradise which offers charming historic streets, miles of gorgeous, sundrenched beaches, loads of beachside shopping and meticulously landscaped golf courses, but what do you do when the sun sets in vibrant orange and pink along the majestic sea and day turns into night? Plenty! 

There is a veritable bevy of outstanding venue choices for nighttime entertainment in New Smyrna Beach, ranging from balmy beachside to electric hot spots. So put on your party pants (or your board shorts) and get ready for some fun after dark…

If you don’t know it already, Flagler Avenue offers up an upbeat beachy vibe and, at night, its bars and after dark entertainment follow suit. Take Traders, for example. Much more than a sports bar, Traders is an indoor/outdoor venue with live music, a dance floor and delicious daily drink specials.

Or maybe you’d prefer the luck of the Irish on your side when you head out for the night. In that case, you may want to visit Tayton O’Brien’s Irish Pub, where the drinks and camaraderie flow like Niagara. This old-style pub provides a large selection of beer and spirits, weekly entertainment including a DJ on Saturday nights and karaoke Wednesday and Friday nights, as well as an authentic Irish menu with homemade fare. Their seven hour happy hour, starting at noon, isn’t bad either!

Then you have Peanuts, a Flagler Avenue bar which is popular with locals and visitors alike. Peanuts is a lively bar with pool tables, drink promos and live music every weekend. Peanuts patrons will find rousing poker matches on Mondays, Tuesday comedy, auctions and bingo, Wednesday karaoke, Thursday live bands beginning at 8 p.m. kicking the entire weekend in ger and Sunday is lots of fun with what they call a “Nuthouse Jam,” with local musicians and free pool.

Flagler Tavern, this writer’s personal favorite, is a large venue with a great vibe. Downstairs offers a large bar, full menu (with some very tasty options), live music on the weekends, a dance floor and outside seating on an expansive porch, which happens to double as a great place to people watch. Upstairs is a hidden gem called “The Bounty.” A hat tip to its rich history, The Bounty is Flagler Tavern’s speakeasy with red velvet décor and smooth whisky. So pull up a chair and sip a smoky old fashioned or watch the bartenders put on a show, pouring high quality liquors over handmade ice spheres or infusing liquor with Jack Daniels wood chips smoke through a decanter. Or order a martini or glass of wine and enjoy the view of Flagler Avenue from its open air balcony.

Still on Beachside, but shifting from Flagler to the North Causeway, you can enjoy an evening filled with comedy at Madcaps Comedy Club with entertaining shows for everyone – from clean to adult humor, mentalists, magicians and lots of crowd interaction. Madcaps is family-owned by homegrown Floridians and offers shows Thursday through Saturday nights from 7:30-9:30.

You’ll discover Merk’s Bar & Grill, a favorite local hangout and good time, right down the road. Merks offers an extensive craft and import beer selection and is famous for its “Frankenstein wings.” Happy hour is from 11-7p, but Merks is open until 2 a.m., so you can enjoy its indoor/outdoor seating, 24 hi-def TVs with all your favorite sports packages from NASCAR to NFL, pool tables, darts, video games and more well into the night!

Whatever you do, don’t forget a stop at Beachside Tavern, a welcoming neighborhood open air bar on 3rd Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Beachside Tavern is a fun local gathering spot with live music on weekend nights, flame tables, pool tables, games and a chill vibe.

Sea Vista Tiki Bar, which can be found on S. Atlantic in New Smyrna Beach, is also a fun oceanfront spot to grab a cocktail. Plus there’s Casey’s, a lively after hours venue loved by locals with music and pool, which is on South Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach too; and the Surf Lounge Sports Bar with pool tables on the North Causeway…and quite a few more!

Of course, nearby Daytona Beach offers an excellent selection of after dark venues, including dance clubs like 509 Lounge. Popular with the spring breakers, 509 Lounge is the perfect blend of tropical nightlife with a premier bar and lounge, plus dancing upstairs. It is a great place to order up some VIP bottle treatment, a cocktail at the outdoor patio bar or cut loose with your best dance moves. You decide!

Also popular with spring breakers, Razzle’s Nightclub, where you feel and hear the music with immersive lighting and pulse pumping sound, is located in the heart of the action.

If you want to try something different, The Bank & Blues Club is an authentic historic bank which was converted into a rocking live music venue and it is right on Main Street in Daytona. Other fun Main Street bars in Daytona include the legendary Boot Hill Saloon, Main Street Station, Froggy’s, Dirty Harry’s and Full Moon Saloon.

There are also bars all along the beach in Daytona Beach, offering full menus and live entertainment with a beachside view, such as Ocean Deck, Landshark Bar & Grill, H20 and Mai Tai. Cheers!

New Smyrna Beach, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River, is a fisherman’s dream. Surrounded by water on three sides and in many places in between, there are well over 30 miles of fishable shoreline, rivers simply bursting with fish, deep water just offshore and several docks and public boat ramps in New Smyrna Beach for taking off in search of the catch of a lifetime or just filling your cooler.

Types of Fish in New Smyrna Beach

Offering one of the most prolific aquatic ecosystems on the planet, New Smyrna Beach has a ton on the menu when it comes to fish. Our rivers are full of catfish, crappie, carp and all sorts of bass. Plus, not only is New Smyrna Beach known as “The Redfish Capital of the World,” our Indian River Lagoon is ripe with them!

Then, of course you have inshore and offshore saltwater fish, including species from sailfish, to swordfish, mahi mahi, marlin, drum, tuna, king mackerel, jacks, grouper and snapper. New Smyrna Beach is also “Shark Bite Capital of the World.” Just sayin’!

WHERE the Fish Are Biting in New Smyrna Beach

Surrounded by rivers, lagoons and the deep blue sea, it’s no wonder that the fertile waters of New Smyrna Beach have produced a rich fishing heritage that is centuries long. New Smyrna Beach’s wide, long shoreline is fed by the Gulf Stream, making inshore fishing a hard to beat; and Ponce de Leon Inlet toward the north provides deep water access just perfect for sport fishing. 

About 40 miles out is where the Intracoastal drops off. Sailfish and tuna can be found in nice numbers there; and bottom fishing on the reefs and wrecks can result in a bounty of triggerfish, snapper and grouper. It is also fun fishing weed lines, wrecks and reefs for mahi mahi, cobia, kingfish and sails or you can bottom fish for amberjacks, barracudas or some tasty grouper and snapper.

Let’s not forget our rivers, which are full of trophy bass; and here’s a little secret…the rock jetty south of Ponce Inlet is a great place for you to put your surf rod to the test. Surf fishing here in New Smyrna Beach is famous for pompano, flounder, redfish, bluefish, whiting and mackerel. Fiddler crabs are usually the bait of choice.

WHEN the Fish Are Biting in New Smyrna Beach

Let’s be honest, fishing is a year-round sport here in New Smyrna Beach, but here are some timing tips you might enjoy. During the summer months, 10-40 pound tarpons are prevalent in the Banana River, Sebastian Inlet and Mosquito Lagoon and, if you use live bait, your chances of catching a really large tarpon increase. If you want an even better chance of catching a huge tarpon, The Indian River – which is part of the 3,000 mile Intracoastal Waterway and also inhabited by trophy trout, snook, reds, flounder and black drum – could snag you a 50-100 pound tarpon during October and November.

You don’t have to go far from shore for an exciting day of shark fishing either. The best time to shark fish is from April through October and you will most commonly find hammerhead, lemon, bonnethead, bull sharks, sharp nose sharks, spinners and blacktips.

Fishing Charters in New Smyrna Beach

It may not surprise you that a locale with such great fishing would offer beaucoup fishing charters to boot! Here’s just a sampling of some choices ranging from three to ten-hour fishing trips with offerings from inshore, to offshore, trolling, bottom fishing, shark fishing and night fishing:

Reel Compulsive Charters at 129 N. Riverside Drive – 386-547-4480 (This one is a 42-ft Egg Harbor with an air conditioned salon and full bathroom.)

Holy Smokes Fishing Charters at 162 N Causeway – 407-702-5309

The Fishing Guy at 1424 Peninsula Avenue – 407-948-5035

New Smyrna Fishing Charters at 550 Canal Street – 386-456-6709

Not to be confused with New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charters at 804 Dougherty Street – 386-868-2046

Reef Wrecker Fishing Charters at 170 Causeway N. – 386-402-3957

Poseidon (386-314-1367) and Code Red (386-214-3530) are both at 639 Goodwin Avenue

Caught Up Fishing Charters (386-689-7409) and OAR Sport Fishing (386-233-0872) at 111 Riverside Drive

Freddie Z Fishing at 129 N. Riverside Drive – 386-423-9260

Addicted Fishing Charters at 160 Causeway N – 386-748-1585

Timeless Fishing Charters at 162 Causeway N – 386-456-7156

Finn Addict at 164 N. Causeway – 386-547-4053

New Smyrna Beach Boat Rentals

Plus, in addition to all the boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis rentals available to add hours of enjoyment to your stay, there are boats available for rent in New Smyrna Beach too. So, if you prefer to head out on your own to do your fishing (keeping all your favorite secret fishing holes secret), it is easy to do so in New Smyrna. 

Gerry’s Marina, located on the North Causeway right by Merk’s has been serving Central Florida boaters for decades. Gerry’s is full-service, has an excellent reputation and offers well-maintained boats for rent with easy access to extremely fishable New Smyrna Beach waters. 

If you happen to have your own boat, 500 N Causeway and 2455 Boat Ramp Drive are just two of the New Smyrna Beach boat ramps available to the public.

Fishing Licenses

Here in Florida, you don’t need a fishing license if you are fishing in Florida with a charter boat captain; if you are fishing from a pier; if you are under the age of 16; or if you are over the age of 65. However, if you are under 16 or over 65, you must be able to provide proof of age; and seniors must also be able to provide proof of residency. 

Most local bait and tackle shops sell fishing licenses. Sporting goods stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or a Walmart with an outdoor department, usually provide fishing licenses as well. A fishing license may also be easily obtained on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

It is a widely known fact (and something of which our residents are very proud) that New Smyrna Beach is the nesting destination of choice for three species of sea turtles, including the loggerhead, the green turtle and the leatherback. 

What you may not know, however, is that the temperature of the sand on the beach determines the sex of sea turtle hatchlings. Warmer nest temperatures produce female sea turtles and cooler nests yield male sea turtles. Amazing, right?

What is even more amazing is that the pristine beaches of Volusia County are especially vital to the survival of our treasured sea turtles. Because our beach sand is unique in that it is slightly cooler than Florida’s more southern beaches, it provides the crucial sanctuary that produces so many of the male sea turtles which play a critical part in ensuring the survival of their species.

Other interesting sea turtle facts include their nesting habits. Sea turtles nest in two to four year intervals and may lay three to seven nests per season. Healthy sea turtle nests typically yield 115-135 eggs and the incubation phase lasts about 50 to 75 days.

When it comes to nourishment, loggerhead sea turtles generally order up yummy menu items such as crabs, shellfish and conchs. While the green turtle species tends to prefer to munch on seagrass and algae and loggerhead sea turtles feed on a diet rich in jellyfish.

These amazing sea creatures also grow to pretty enormous lengths and, in a safe, healthy environment, can live very long lives. For instance, loggerhead sea turtles reach maturity at 30 to 35 years of age, a point where they might have grown up to approximately 3 1/2 feet in length and weigh up to around 375 pounds! Wait, it gets better. Green sea turtles reach maturity between 20 and 40 years of age and can grow to reach 4 feet and approximately 420 pounds. Leatherback sea turtles are even bigger, reaching maturity at around 9 to 20 years of age and up to 4 feet wide, 6 feet long and 1100 pounds!

It’s an exciting time when hundreds of sea turtles emerge from the sea to nest and lay their eggs on the pristine beaches of New Smyrna. New Smyrna Beach welcomes our sea turtles in May and their nesting season lasts throughout October. Their gestation period lasts approximately two months, at which time, all those tiny sea turtle hatchlings break free of their shells and begin making their way to their new ocean home. 

It’s a long and arduous journey for those little “guys” with dangers on land including predators such as dogs, birds, crabs, raccoons and armadillos that can end that journey long before it even begins. Additionally, any garbage or holes in the sand can hamper their travels; and the ocean also presents its own set of potential dangers, with a throng of sea creatures that are higher up in the food chain and looking for a tasty snack.

Believe it or not, artificial light can also be a detriment to the survival of sea turtles, as it can potentially prevent adult sea turtles from nesting and disorient baby sea turtles on their way to the sea. 

As residents and visitors of New Smyrna Beach, we try to do our part to improve their chances of survival. Our motto is, “Leave no footprint behind and let the night provide the light.” So, we respect the beach by leaving it as clean as we found it and we are careful not to shine lights from our condos or homes, our cars, flashlights, phones or anything else during sea turtle nesting season. We are also careful not to disrupt the sea turtles by touching or disturbing their nests, and we don’t disturb the dunes or sea plants – which should always be protected for all the wildlife that lives there, as well as to help protect our beautiful beaches from erosion. 

New Smyrna’s dedication to threatened and endangered sea turtles is also evidenced by government permitted volunteers – reorganized as the New Smyrna Beach Turtle Conservancy and named New Smyrna Beach Turtle Trackers – who have protected the New Smyrna Beach sea turtle nesting habitat and sea turtle hatchlings from beach driving and other threats since the 1980s. The Marine Science Center, located in neighboring Ponce Inlet, is also wholly committed to sea turtle conservancy and provides sea turtle rehabilitation as well as public education programs.

New Smyrna Beach is also, of course, the preferred nesting spot for humans as well, with The Inlet topping the list! The Inlet at New Smyrna Beach neighbors 24 miles of pristine coastline along Canaveral Seashore Park and is safely nestled within the 65 meticulously maintained acres of the exclusive Minorca community, located at 257 Minorca Way. 

The Inlet guests enjoy resort-style amenities such as a beautiful pool deck for lounging, which includes a heated pool, a large unheated pool and a spa, four Har-Tru tennis courts and an on-site tennis pro, as well as a fitness center, men’s and women’s saunas and, for those who would like extra space to enjoy time with friends or family, a casino clubhouse with a pool table, kitchen, bar, entertainment center, comfortable seating and free wireless Internet access. 

Guests of the gated condos at The Inlet may choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom condo units, each just steps from the beach and offering a spectacular waterfront view and each well-appointed with style and all of the comforts of home, including a fully-equipped kitchen, its own washer and dryer and cable TV.

For more information about The Inlet, in New Smyrna Beach, call 386-409-9212.

Surfers come from miles around to catch great waves, sun worshipers delight in the fact that its majestic coastline is framed by some of the country’s most pristine beaches and everyone who visits is charmed by its rich history and enchanting streets reminiscent of a bygone era; but what you may not know about New Smyrna Beach is that it is also a cultural mecca bursting with art in every variety and full of art enthusiasts, as well as numerous artistic venues for them to enjoy…

The Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery

Let’s start with Bob Ross, the lovable hippie television artist who won the hearts of viewing audiences everywhere. Did you know he was from New Smyrna Beach? New Smyrna Beach is also the location of the Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery, opened by the man himself in 1992. Filled with a large collection of his paintings and offering classes hosted by guest artists from around the world, as well as books and novelty items for purchase; the Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery is also the primary training site for Certified Ross Landscape, Floral and Wildlife Instructors. 

We lost Bob Ross in 1995, when he was only 52 years of age, but he will be forever revered as a New Smyrna Beach treasure.

The Hub on Canal

Here’s a little more art history…In the spring of 2010, a bunch of friends with a fondness for the arts and a vision of building a stronger, more stable community through the sharing of art, music and wellness established The Hub on Canal – a central hub where artists could create, display and teach the arts in a welcoming environment. 

The Hub on Canal fosters healthy expression, discovery and revitalization with art, as well as collaboration and community connection through the arts and cultural education. Hands-on workshops in art, music, writing, reading and language are also offered at The Hub on Canal, as well as interactive classes for children. If you are more of a spectator, you can take in an art exhibition or musical performance at The Hub on Canal.

Atlantic Center for the Arts

The Atlantic Center for the Arts is a non-profit, multidisciplinary art residency organization that was founded in 1977 by internationally renowned painter, sculptor and environmentalist Doris Leeper. With a mentoring program at its core, Atlantic Center for the Arts has served over 3,500 aspiring and active artists including visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians and more. Its community programs include an impressive array of art lectures, exhibitions, events and children’s art camp.

The Atlantic Center for the Arts Community Arts and Wellness Initiative was created to improve the health and wellness of patients, caregivers and artists. The center also provides internships in a variety of specialties for college students and graduates, as well as facility rentals for events, performances and private retreats.

Art Shows, Festivals and Other Art Events in New Smyrna Beach

Plus, annual art shows and festivals held in New Smyrna Beach include the New Smyrna Beach Art Fiesta, which is a two-day event typically held in February. This is a huge event accommodating approximately 200 artisans and crafters from all over the country who compete for cash and prizes, provide demonstrations and sell their art. There are also live musical performances and food vendors, and it can all be found in Old Fort Park and along Sam’s Avenue and Julia and Canal streets.

Held for years as part of the New Smyrna Beach Art Fiesta and in collaboration with The Hub on Canal, the City of New Smyrna Beach and Canal Street Historic District, Chalk It Up is a sidewalk chalk art competition for kids and adults, judged in various categories for cash prizes.

IMAGES Art Show, which was ranked one of the Top Fine Arts Festivals in the entire nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, is a family-friendly event which is free to the public, takes place in January and attracts over 50,000 art enthusiasts and over 230 exhibitors. Visitors can also enjoy art demonstrations, food trucks and live music there, as well as a spirit garden, student art exhibits and a hands-on project tent.

Don’t forget the New Smyrna Beach Plein Air Paint Out in October! This amazing art event was created for the purpose of enhancing environmental awareness and promoting art education. During this event, you may see artists set up throughout our picturesque town. They are all using the majestic scenery of New Smyrna Beach for inspiration to paint beautiful pieces of art. The finished works of art are also displayed in an art gallery at the end of each day for public viewing.

New Smyrna Art Galleries 

Of course, as you meander through the quaint and welcoming town of New Smyrna Beach, you will also be able to enjoy its numerous art galleries and studios. The Bob Ross Art Workshop and Studio, The Hub on Canal and Atlantic Center for the Arts all have works of art on display, but there is also a wide array of unique art galleries in New Smyrna Beach including (but certainly not limited to) Jonah’s Cat’s Art Gallery with colorful acrylics, watercolors and sculptures – all with the purpose of “raising the consciousness of our planet by bringing life to art and art to life”; Jane’s Art Center, a working paint and pottery studio offering ongoing ceramic workshops and classes for all skill levels; Fernandez Photography & Art Gallery with art, photography and other creations from South and Central Columbia; and Galleria di Vetro offers one-of-a-kind glass gifts and collections.

Yes, of course New Smyrna Beach is a coastal gem brimming with rich history, laid-back surfer vibes and charming streets for strolling, dining and shopping, but is also simply bursting with seasonal festivities, entertaining festivals, tasty cookoffs, lively block parties and tons of other fun, unique and engaging events all year long. The following is a sampling of some of the annual (and other) events in New Smyrna Beach you surely won’t want to miss!

Ranked one of the top Fine Arts Festivals in the entire nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, IMAGES Festival in New Smyrna Beach is a free family event which takes place every January and attracts over 50,000 art enthusiasts and over 230 exhibitors. It is an event that promises a festive environment in which visitors can enjoy art demonstrations, food trucks, live music, a spirit garden, student art exhibits and a hands-on project tent.

There’s also a Chowder Challenge in January on Flagler Avenue where you can sample the chowders competing for Best at the Beach; or get cheesy at the end of the year when you can vote for the Best on the Beach grilled cheese at host locations for the Grilled Cheese Challenge.

Mardi Gras comes early in February when you can listen to music at 20 free shows over the course of five melodious days during the New Smyrna Beach Voodoo Music Fest.

The New Smyrna Beach Art Fiesta is a two-day event in February with over 200 artisans and crafters who hail from all corners of the country to hold demonstrations, sell their wares and compete for cash and prizes. There’s also live music, street food and all that fun can be found at Old Fort Park, along Sam’s Avenue, Julia and Canal streets.

Soulful sounds fill the air for three days in May during the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Fest. It is one of Central Florida’s premier music events and full of great jazz, food and fun.

August is the time we pay homage to fresh catches with the New Smyrna Beach Shrimp and Seafood Festival, where the best local restaurants compete and attendees can sample amazing local cuisine and enjoy music and all types of fun seafood-themed activities.

For the purpose of enhancing environmental awareness and promoting art education, artists from throughout the country use the majestic scenery in New Smyrna Beach to paint beautiful pieces of art. The finished works of art are displayed in an art gallery at the end of each day for public viewing during the New Smyrna Beach Plein Air Paint Out in October.

New Smyrna Beach’s Flagler Avenue closes down to accommodate the Flamingo Follies Holiday Art Show in November. With over 120 artisans and crafters, it is a great place to find gifts for the holiday season and it is free to the public.

Speaking of the holidays, New Smyrna Beach is host to Christmas parades by land and by sea, a Coastal Christmas Market, a tree lighting ceremony and a family-friendly countdown to a 9 p.m. fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, followed by parties on Flagler. Then you can start the New Year off right with the New Smyrna Beach New Year’s Day 5K Run.

There is also an incredible array of New Smyrna Beach events held each and every month:

Take a leisurely walk through the New Smyrna Beach Historic District sampling craft beers during the New Smyrna Beach Canal Street Sip & Stroll which takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

Classic Cars on Canal, held for 26 years on the second Saturday of each month. Canal Street is blocked off from 3-6 p.m. for the custom cars, trucks and motorcycles on display and DJ music is added to the mix for more family fun.

Stroll, shop and fall in love with downtown historic New Smyrna Beach the third Thursday of every month for Canal Street Nights which plays host to plenty of vendors and talented musicians.

The 4th Saturday of each month is reserved for New Smyrna Beach’s Flagler Avenue Wine Walk, where you can sample wines from host locations with the purchase of a tasting passport.

It’s a sure bet that whatever you choose to do in New Smyrna Beach, you can do it in a welcoming atmosphere, in a place where everyone waves and has a smile.

The Perfect Home Base for Your New Smyrna Beach Excursions

Then, imagine, after you have attended your event of choice, that you are able to retire to the most prestigious address along the most pristine beach in New Smyrna, surrounded by breathtaking waterfront views and five-star amenities. 

You can. Nestled within the exclusive gated community of Minorca, The Inlet offers the perfect homebase for your excursions. You’ll find it at 257 Minorca Beach Way.

Each one-, two- or three-bedroom condo unit at The Inlet offers a spectacular ocean view, stylish comfort and comes fully equipped with a kitchen, spacious living area with cable TV and its own washer and dryer. Just steps from their door, guests have access to over 13 miles of beautiful beach. There are two, large, heated oceanfront pools, two, heated spas on the private main pool deck, an upscale clubhouse, a fitness center, his and her saunas, four Har-Tru tennis courts, an onsite tennis pro, an oceanfront pavilion, barbeque grills, riverside decks, two covered parking garages and security.

Stay at The Inlet for four nights, a week, a few weeks or months…whatever your events require. For more information or to book your vacation at The Inlet Condominiums in charming, historic New Smyrna Beach, call 386-409-9212. 

There’s nothing like an oceanfront locale, with sea breezes, crystal clear waters and waves gently lapping its shores, to rejuvenate and lift your spirits; but if you want to take that peaceful calm sensation and relaxation to the next level, toss in a spa day.

Without a doubt, New Smyrna Beach visitors will thoroughly enjoy beach days, dining waterside and strolling our historic streets, but it is also a place where you can indulge in a soothing warm oil massage, a healing soak in mineral waters and/or a seemingly endless, luxurious foot rub.

A Deluge of Earthly Pleasures!

A beachside town exuding unsurpassed charm, New Smyrna Beach is full of earthly pleasures including a delightful array of day spas – from high-end wellness retreats to boutique experiences. For instance, the following is just a sampling of some of the spa options available in New Smyrna Beach…

At the height of luxury and at 103 Flagler Avenue, you will find the Riverview Hotel and Spa. The upscale spa services here range from couples treatments such as a champagne and berry pedicure for two, to a coconut and pineapple hair treatment and scalp massage, to body treatments including a sea and salt glow. You can even add a posh breakfast or lunch, which might be something along the lines of a blueberry beignet with green tea or a strawberry and feta salad with sparkling wine.

The Spa at Venetian Bay, which is located at 424 Luna Bella Lane in New Smyrna Beach also provides an amazing array of indulgent spa services. Treat yourself to a soak in a salt water pool in the shape of a nautilus shell; dip your tired tootsies in a copper foot bath; spoil yourself with a Himalayan body ritual which starts with a grapefruit and rosemary oil-infused Himalayan salt scrub, followed by a 30-minute Himalayan stone massage and a relaxing hydrotherapy treatment; or make an entire day of it with a 50-minute massage, a revitalizing facial and a signature spa pedicure.

There’s also The Med Spa New Smyrna Beach which, under the oversight of a medical doctor, provides luxury medical spa services, including facial treatments, skin rejuvenation, laser treatments, injectables and weight loss plans and coaching. That one can be found in two convenient sites: either on Beachside at 716 E. 3rd Avenue or at 115 N. Orange in New Smyrna.

If you prefer a menu of spa services including body wraps, chemical peels, eyebrow tattoos, eyelash extensions and tinting, professional make-up, reiki, facials, waxing, massage therapy, manicures, pedicures and more, you may want to consider Abundant Health and Float Day Spa – an award-winning day spa specializing in float therapy (floating in water to calm the mind, body and spirit) and healing services – located at 1852 Renzulli Road in New Smyrna.

Also right here in New Smyrna Beach, at 306 Washington Street, is Angie’s Serenity Day Spa offering pedicures, manicures, facials, massage, microblading, lashes and more.

At Salty Miss Spa, 119 Faulkner Street in New Smyrna Beach, you’ll find anti-aging products and services, spa manicures and pedicures, as well as eyelash and eyebrow tinting, eyelash lifts and eyelash extensions provided by a certified extensionist.

How about some organic pampering with everything from hydro-wraps, to exfoliating scrubs, to a berries and bubbly mani-pedi, or a honeybee nectar or citrus grass and vitamin E-infused rice oil massage? Try Levels Casa Bella Med Spa and Organics at 206 Live Oak Street, which is a boutique spa offering nail, lash, body and aesthetics services. 

AA Nails & Spa at 626 3rd Avenue, voted News Journal’s Star of the South Best Nail Salon, offers spray tans, manicures, pedicures, facials, body massages, lash extension and nail enhancements.

Visit Craft Salon & Spa at 751 3rd Avenue for dermaplaning, waxing, hair, nails, eyelashes and massage.

Contour Spa New Smyrna Beach at 202 Julia Street offers a wide range of body contouring treatments from cryofacials, to infrared and LED treatments, innovative therapies and more.

Or maybe you would prefer Mermaid Dreams, the signature spa treatment at Angelic Beach Massage Therapy, located on the North Causeway (261). This therapeutic ritual begins with a Swedish and deep tissue massage with warm Polynesian oils and healing hot stones and ends with a mango coconut restorative hand and foot scrub to leave you feeling refreshed from head to toe. Count me in!

Don’t Let Your Pampering End There…

Once you have been adequately pampered, if you are staying at The Inlet in New Smyrna Beach, you can pamper yourself some more. The Inlet, a waterfront oasis which is easily accessible to everything the enchanting town of New Smyrna Beach has to offer, is New Smyrna’s most prestigious address. 

Each condo within this exclusive, gated community is well-appointed and ocean view. Two, large, heated, oceanfront pools as well as two heated spas adorn the private main pool deck; and other resort-style amenities of The Inlet include four Har-Tru tennis courts, an onsite tennis pro, riverside decks, an oceanfront pavilion and covered parking garages. 

Guests of the Inlet also enjoy access to over 13 miles of beautiful beaches, an additional 24 miles of the neighboring unspoiled Canaveral Seashore Park Canaveral coastline and the 220-acre Smyrna Dunes Park, with over four miles of scenic paths, wooden walkways and beach trails with panoramic views.

To learn more about The Inlet, feel free to call 386-409-9219 at your convenience.

If you are a lover of nature, New Smyrna Beach is the crème de la crème when it comes to exploring…

New Smyrna Beach may be famous for its miles of beautiful beaches, but you may be surprised to learn that it is also brimming with nature parks and hiking trails…some of which are, of course, in and around our most spectacular bodies of water and others can be found on the mainland, lush with vegetation, scenic views and wildlife in abundance.

Nature Parks in New Smyrna Beach

Canaveral National Park – the national seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Florida and a sanctuary that is home to thousands of species of plants and animals – may be the most impressive.

However, New Smyrna Beach is also home to numerous smaller and just as beloved parks, one of which neighbors The Inlet at Minorca and is listed as Trip Advisor’s top choice – Smyrna Dunes Park. It’s over two miles of boardwalk along the jetty and ocean with spectacular views of the water, beaches and lighthouse is perfect for undisturbed morning walks. It also offers an approximately half-mile-long dog beach trail for those with furry friends. Another park that is popular with the pups (and their owners) is the New Smyrna Beach Dog Park located at 2641 Paige Avenue.

Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park at 6656 South Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach is a quiet setting with a boardwalk providing an excellent perch for manatee and dolphin watching. You’ll also find plenty of parking, clean restrooms and picnic pavilions there.

There’s Lake Ashby Park at 4150 Boy Scout Camp Road, with a boardwalk extending out over the large, beautiful lake, scenic walking path and gazebo with benches for those who prefer to take in their scenery while relaxing. 

If you’re looking for great beach access on the parking portion of the beach, 27th Avenue Park, located at 3701 S. Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, may be more to your liking. There’s also Riverside Park at 105 S. Riverside Drive, offering walking paths with views of the waterway; and Indian River Lagoon Park, a 90-acre off the beaten trail alternative at 700 Sandpiper Avenue where you will discover old, moss-covered trees, mangroves and a paved trail lined with benches along its loop.

Explore Along the Many Scenic Nature Trails in New Smyrna Beach

Or, take another road less traveled, as the nature trails in New Smyrna Beach are pretty amazing too! The Spruce Creek Preserve provides some nice walking and hiking nature trail options, including Spruce Creek Trail, a 3.2 mile loop for hiking and biking. Wooden pathways with great views of Spruce Creek are covered in a canopy of greenery. The Spruce Creek Westside trail is 5.7 miles for those who enjoy a longer hike and Dons Leeper Trail is a sandy 3.9 nature path.

If nature hikes are your thing, you also might want to give Deep Creek Preserve, with over 8,000 acres of extended and short loops, a try. Or weave a little history into your nature excursion on the Turtle Mound Trail, an easy hike up and around the historic midden.

Sea Life in its Natural Habitat in New Smyrna Beach

With Canaveral National Seashore to the south, the Atlantic Ocean serving as its eastern border, the Intracoastal Waterway flowing between the mainland and the coastal barrier island and its downtown nestled along the Indian River, New Smyrna Beach is virtually surrounded by water. From the miles of pristine white sand beaches, to tranquil back bays and riverside settings, our waters are definitely a focal point within the charming beachside town of New Smyrna Beach. So, whatever you do, don’t miss out on experiencing nature’s splendor via New Smyrna Beach by water.

The ocean, unleashing a potent brew of refreshment and renewal, or soothing our spirits and healing our souls with its calm waters, is home to inhabitants just as magnificent. Consider the manatees, our gentle giants of the sea, who respite within Florida’s warmer interior bodies of water from approximately November through April. One fun way to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures is to rent a kayak at JB’s Fish Camp, located at 859 Pompano Avenue, where you’ll have access to Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park and the cove where they are prevalent. 

Playful porpoises can also be spotted there or on a boat tour along the Cape Canaveral Shoreline, which can also be scheduled at JB’s (along with yummy lunch or dinner with a waterfront view when you are done!)

What you may have heard if you have spent any measure of time here in New Smyrna Beach is that we also treasure our sea turtles who choose this area as a safe haven for their nesting grounds. Sea turtle nesting season – when hundreds of sea turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs on our beautiful beaches and sea turtle hatchlings break free of their shells to begin their arduous trek to their new ocean home – starts May 1st and runs through October 31st in New Smyrna Beach.

The centerpiece of a 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway system and 35 miles of panoramic shoreline, New Smyrna Beach provides deep water access attracting an amazing amount of sea life and housing a diverse aquatic ecosystem. Another lovely way to take it all in is along the Wilbur Rose Blueway, a paddling trail along the Intracoastal Waterway and tributaries – just perfect for kayakers, paddle boarders and canoers. It begins and ends at Wilbur Boathouse and you will find it, with parking and a boat launch at 4200 S. Peninsula Drive.

The moral of this story is that whether you choose to commune with nature by paddle board, motorboat, or by walking along its tranquil trails or beaches, the experience may be slightly different, but the result is always the same – natural splendor without rival. It’s simply the nature of New Smyrna Beach.

When nature’s majesty is encapsulated so masterfully in one place, it is simply too tantalizing for a person in possession of an eye for beauty to resist…and that is what you will find in New Smyrna Beach. The sun glistening atop crystal clear waters, lush greenery, vibrant blooms, amazing and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat may top the list, but a photographer in search of a flawless shot will also discover it along New Smyrna’s enchanting historical streets brimming with architecture from days gone by.

What many people notice first about New Smyrna Beach is its beachy vibe, and from the river beds draped in Spanish moss to the unparalleled beauty of our sugary sand beaches, New Smyrna Beach visitors will find themselves flooded with spectacular photographic opportunities any time of day.

As the sun begins to rise, you can almost hear the echo of silence. Then, gentle waves begin to shepherd exquisite seashells and tiny sea creatures to the pristine shoreline that leisurely awakes. The dunes, covered in softly swaying grasses, are just as captivating and, more often than not, spectators may catch a glimpse of porpoises playfully dancing along the surf. 

When evening arrives, a soft blush ascends and melds into vibrant hues that stretch across the ocean’s vast surface, and the beach’s inhabitants (most of them, anyway) return to their unhurried state of slumber. New Smyrna’s beaches furnish a beautiful natural backdrop that has no equal.

Here is a valuable tip for those longing to capture the pristine rhapsody of New Smyrna’s beach…The luxurious accommodations of The Inlet Condos at Minorca are inspirational, just steps from the aforementioned beaches and offering stunning panoramic ocean views of their own. The Inlet, which is one of the most prestigious addresses in New Smyrna Beach, is nestled along Cape Canaveral Shoreline and neighbors Smyrna Dunes Park.

Speaking of parks – specifically those which are the serene natural habitat of thousands of species and offer gorgeous nature trails with lovely flora and fauna your viewfinder only dreams of – New Smyrna Beach has many from which to choose. 

Traversing our waterways is also an exceptional way of immersing yourself within the beauty of New Smyrna Beach. Absorb unrivaled views on a cruise down the resplendent Intracoastal Waterway, on a guided Canaveral Seashore ecotour by boat or while quietly getting a little more up close and personal on a paddleboard. Don’t be surprised if you happen upon a majestic bald eagle, a lumbering manatee or one of our treasured sea turtles. The extraordinary wildlife spotting opportunities are endless in New Smyrna Beach.

Maybe you prefer your perspective from above. Grab a stool Norwood’s Treehouse and get your fill of New Smyrna’s beauty from your lunchtime perch while you nosh on colossal shrimp and sip your margarita. Or climb to the top of Florida’s tallest lighthouse – Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, a national historic landmark erected in 1887.

New Smyrna Beach’s enchanting streets lined with stately oaks and historic architecture will have your shutter finger itching too. This welcoming locale is brimming with antique shops, charming boutiques, art galleries and outdoor cafes from which you can people-watch bistro-style. There is even a real, old fashioned creamery and a one-of-a-kind pet shop where you can take a photo of your pub in front of its angel wings mural before you duck inside for a well-deserved treat. Not for you, but if you are into food shots, the cuisine in New Smyrna Beach is to die for. 

There’s fresh shellfish dripping in butter at Off the Hook waterside restaurant where you can watch fishermen haul in their catch of the day. There’s The Garlic Italian restaurant offering courtyard dining amidst fairy lights and rustic pizza ovens. Or go casual and photograph a delicious crab cake as big as your head (no offense) from the – believe it or not – food truck at the Farmer’s Market. While you are there, you might want to snap the crates overflowing with vibrant red and bright green peppers and so much more!

If you prefer action shots, New Smyrna Beach is loaded with those too. There are engaging events and extravagant festivals scheduled throughout the year in New Smyrna Beach, from art exhibitions, to muscle car shows, to cook-offs, to Bike Week, when everyone gears up for a good time. Take in the sights of a live Broadway-style performance at The Little Theatre or some haunting acoustics strummed by the area’s most talented musicians. The engaging activities in New Smyrna Beach will definitely have you reaching for your back-up memory card!

Don’t forget the tapestry of richly woven history in New Smyrna Beach. Step into the past with a visit to Old Fort Park, which may just be the remnants of the home of New Smyrna’s founder; meander the botanical gardens at Sugar Mills Ruins, which withstood two Seminole Indian Wars; or take a boat ride by Turtle Mound – a 50-foot shell midden and prehistoric proof of the ancient Timucuan Indian tribe.

From tranquil beach scenes, to interesting sea creatures, to gala festivals, lively celebrations and artful exhibitions, no matter what you decide to photograph in New Smyrna Beach, it is sure to be picture-perfect.

Let’s start our story with the famous Turtle Mound along the coast of New Smyrna Beach, which is a centuries-old structure comprised of two acres over fifty feet high of oyster shells – thought to serve as a lookout for early detection of danger, protection against the elements and proven scientific evidence of Timucuan Indian habitation in New Smyrna Beach thousands of years BC. That is where we believe it all began and this is how the rest of the story goes…

Scottish physician, Dr. Andrew Turnbull, was commissioned by the British to colonize the area. So, he set sail in 1768 – with approximately 1,500 settlers he “recruited” largely from Minorca, of the Mediterranean Islands off the coast of Spain – with the goal to create the largest colony in North America at that time. At first, everything progressed famously. He named New Smyrna in honor of his wife’s homeland in Greece and the colony produced impressive amounts of indigo and sugar cane over the first few years. However, the colony’s good fortune was not destined to last for Dr. Turnbull and his newly established colony of New Smyrna. Certain crops didn’t fare well in the sandy soil and the colony was ravaged by disease and Indian raids. The colony was all but abandoned in 1777, its survivors fleeing to St. Augustine. In fact, there is a shrine dedicated to them at the St. Augustine Greek Orthodox Church on St. George Street.

After British rule from 1763 to 1783, the Spanish regained control of Florida. The first Seminole War took place from 1817 to 1818. Spain, then deciding Florida had become more of a burden than a boon, sold Florida to the United States for $5 million. The United States took possession of Florida in 1821 and the second Seminole War began in 1835. Sugar Mill Ruins, built on the 600 acres originally gifted to Andrew Turnbull by the British Crown, withstood both Seminole Wars and the remnants are now a historical site listed on the National Historic Register.

That takes us to Henry Flagler, an American industrialist and founder of Standard Oil and the Florida East Coast Railway which promoted the effective distribution of goods and services and, subsequently, more settlement and tourism. Flagler expanded his railway from Miami to Key West and 1912 marks the date that Flagler arrived on the first train to Key West as well as the completion of his railway.

Then came the prosperous 1920s, followed by Prohibition from 1928 to 1932. The stock market crashed in 1929 and this area was kept afloat with its citrus crops and the fact that it became a haven for rum running and speakeasies. Another interesting historical fact is that the tradition of spring break began as early as 1930 in the Daytona area. The first theme parks in the area – Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven and Marineland in St. Augustine – also emerged in the 1930s. Disney World followed suit in 1971, further facilitating growth and prosperity in the region.

The result is the remarkable culmination of architectural, educational and cultural historical nuances we enjoy here in modern day New Smyrna Beach. Today, our pristine New Smyrna Beach coastline is peppered with gorgeous properties, the most prestigious of which is The Inlet, offering scenic ocean views and neighboring lovely Smyrna Dunes Park. Loaded with luxurious amenities and safely tucked within the gated, beachside community of Minorca, The Inlet is also nearby all of the rich culture and history of New Smyrna Beach.

Visitors can delve into New Smyrna’s colorful past at its many historic sites, one of which is the mysterious grave marker in the middle of an intersection right off of Flagler Avenue! Earning its place on the “Curious Coast” list and listing on the National Historic Register, it happens to be where Douglas Dummett honored the death of his 15-year-old son Charles. Douglas Dummett was a sugar plantation owner who served as a Captain in a Florida militia to protect the area against Indian raids. He is also known for introducing the grafting of citrus trees to this area. Accounts of Charles’ death – from taking his own life after facing the hardships of being the mixed-race child of a slave owner and his slave, to being accidentally shot by his hunting partner – are all unproven. 

Another mysterious New Smyrna Beach historic site is the Old Fort Park which overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway on Riverside Drive in New Smyrna Beach. Remains of Dr. Turnbull’s mansion? The start of an 18th Century Spanish fort that was abandoned for a new location in St. Augustine? You tell me.

Or enjoy a cocktail upstairs at New Smyrna’s historic Flagler Tavern which served as a speakeasy back in the days of Prohibition.

You can also visit the New Smyrna Beach Historical Museum downtown – which pays homage to it all – for a walking tour or to peruse one of its interesting exhibits, including Native American Artifacts, Railroad Era, Turnbull Settlement and East Coast Surfing, as New Smyrna Beach also has a distinguished 200-year history in the development of international competitive surfing.

Canal Street, the epicenter of New Smyrna’s Historic District, is also a great place to take a stroll. A vibrant blend of specialty shops, art galleries and restaurants, this pedestrian-friendly street, as well as lively Flagler Avenue, are host to the many events held within New Smyrna Beach throughout the year.