Located on the east coast of Florida, just south of Daytona Beach is where you can find our favorite beach in Florida, New Smyrna Beach.
Not only does New Smyrna have a beautiful white sand beach; it also offers so many other things to do, such as historical sites, hiking, car shows, art festivals, and much much more! New Smyrna has a little something for everyone.
Here are 5 things to do in New Smyrna Beach, Florida:
1. Paddle-board or Kayak
Paddle Boarding and kayaking is one of our favorite things to do in New Smyrna Beach. You’re guaranteed to almost always see dolphins or manatees swimming alongside you if you’re in the Indian River.
One of our favorite spots to Kayak or Paddle board is behind, ‘Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach’. From behind this rental shop, you can paddle straight out into the Indian River. And if you’re like us, bring a snack with you and park your kayak on a sandbar during low tide to watch the boats and wildlife float on by.
Another place to kayak or Paddleboard is JB’s Fishcamp. They rent both paddle boards and kayaks, and if you’re there between the months of November and April, there’s a good chance you can paddle North of JB’s and see some manatees relaxing in the coves.
For more information on JB’s Fishcamp and Kayak/Paddleboard rentals, check out our article here: https://indefinitetravel.com/favorite-stop-jbs-fish-camp/
2. Walk Down Canal Street
Canal Street has always been a great street to walk or drive down, however, it’s really become one of my favorite places to hang out at in the last few years as new restaurants have opened and the city hosts some really fun events.
If you’re hungry you have plenty of options! Here’s a few of our favorite lunch and dinner spots:
Jason’s Corner: http://www.jasonscorner.com/
Corkscrew Bar and Grille: https://www.corkscrewbarandgrille.com/
Yellow Dog Eats Kitchen and Bar: http://yellowdogeats.com/yde-kitchen-bar-menu/
City Market Bistro: https://citymarketbistronsb.com/
For upcoming events such as Art Walks, Holiday Celebrations, and Sip & Stroll dates, checkout the Canal Street Calendar: https://www.canalstreetnsb.com/calendar/
Something that you may not see on the calendar is the “New Smyrna Cruise Night”. If you’re a fan of classic cars, then you don’t want to miss this! The East Coast Cruiser Car Club gets together at least once a month in New Smyrna. Canal Steet closes to through traffic while classic cars park along the sides.
3. Hang Out On Flagler Avenue
Flagler Avenue is where you can find the party. And no, I’m not just talking about the Wine Walks that occur every 4th Saturday of the month. There is always something to do on Flagler Avenue, whether it’s shopping, eating, drinking, or simply people watching.
If you’re a fan of live music, you’ll also find that in some of the restaurants and bars. LIke I said, there’s a little something for everyone on Flagler Avenue. You’ll have to go experience it for yourself and let us know what you like most.
4. Canaveral National SeaShore
When you follow South Atlantic Ave, to the very end, past JB’s Fish Camp, you’ll end up at one of the most diverse estuaries in North America. Through its gates you’ll find 24 miles of untouched Florida beach.
There’s not only beach access, there’s also trails and pathways that wind through the sand dunes and plant life. If you’re a nature lover like us, you’ll definitely enjoy seeing a part of Florida that has been relatively untouched.
And just a heads up, there are normally some nude sunbathers towards the last parking area. So do what you will with that information.
Also, last I checked it’s $20 for a 7 day pass, or $40 for an annual pass. Senior citizens get special rates, which you can ask about at the gate.
5. Drive on the beach
Everytime I take a picture or a video, I always get asked, “Where are you able to drive on the beach?”
And the answer is…. New Smyrna Beach, Florida! The drive beach spans 5 miles and runs North all the way to Ponce Inlet. At the North end of the drive beach is where you’ll find the jetty, a dog beach, plenty of people fishing, and most of the seasoned surfers.
You also might see a shark or two down there, which is a normal daily occurrence, which is partly why New Smyrna Beach, Florida, has earned its nickname, “Shark bite capital of the world”. So while swimming in the ocean be aware of your surroundings.
In order to drive on the beach, you can purchase a daily pass for $20, or an annual pass for $100. If you’re a Volusia County resident, the annual pass as of now, is only $25. This daily price might seem steep, however, if you’ve never driven on the beach, I think it’s definitely worth doing once. Plus most of the parking lots near Flagler require payment anyways, so if you’re going to pay, you might as well be on the beach.
These are just a few of our favorite things to do in New Smyrna Beach, however, NSB offers a lot more! You can check out our latest New Smyrna Beach Travel Episode here, where we check a few more things off, plus claim an island!
And of course, let us know what your favorite place or activity in New Smyrna Beach is in the comments below!
