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New Smyrna Beach

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City
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New Smyrna Beach (United States)
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Practical info — New Smyrna Beach

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • You can drive your car directly onto certain sections of the beach for a small daily fee.
  • Flagler Avenue gets very busy; renting a bicycle is the easiest way to navigate.
  • Always swim near a lifeguard station due to strong surf conditions.
  • Check the tide charts before beach driving to avoid getting stuck in soft sand.

🍽 Food

🍽
Rock Shrimp

A local specialty with a lobster-like texture, try it at a riverside seafood place.

🍽
Mahi-Mahi Sandwich

A popular, fresh fish dish found at many beachside grills.

🍽
Key Lime Pie

The quintessential Florida dessert, found in bakeries and cafes along Flagler Avenue.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Flagler Avenue Boutiques

Great for surf gear, beachwear, and picking up local art.

🛍
Canal Street Historic District

Excellent for antique hunting and browsing welcoming independent shops.

🧘
Smyrna Dunes Park

Walk the extensive boardwalks for pristine dune views. Also dog-friendly.

🧘
Canaveral National Seashore

Head south for miles of completely undeveloped sandy beaches.

🧘
Riverside Park

A peaceful spot by the water, great for a relaxed stroll away from the beach.

New Smyrna Beach is a dynamic coastal city consistently ranked among the world's top surfing destinations. It gives a unique blend of high-energy coastal activity and small-town charm. The city features two distinct historic districts: Flagler Avenue, a bustling street leading to the ocean filled with shops and bars, and Canal Street, which has a more traditional, arts-focused mainland experience. It is a community that prides itself on its local character and bustling creative scene. The eponymous New Smyrna Beach is the star attraction, boasting 13 miles of wide, sandy shores where driving on the beach is permitted in designated areas. The waves near Ponce Inlet are legendary, drawing surfers of all skill levels to its consistent breaks. Beyond surfing, the hard-packed sand is first-rate for beach cruising on bicycles, while the expansive coastline provides ample room for sunbathing and family gatherings. The area is also known for its rich biodiversity, with frequent sightings of sea turtles and shorebirds. Nature lovers can explore the Smyrna Dunes Park, which features over two miles of boardwalks through pristine coastal dunes. The local dining scene is diverse, offering everything from casual beachfront eateries to fine dining options showcasing regional seafood. Conveniently located near major highways, New Smyrna Beach is an easy drive from Central Florida’s major cities, offering a well-suited coastal escape for surfers, artists, and beach lovers alike.

Geography

Population
24,298 (2017)
Coordinates
29.02581, -80.92713

Facts

  • World capital of surfing
  • Drive-on beach access
  • Historic Flagler Avenue
  • Hub for coastal arts
  • Near Ponce Inlet
  • Smyrna Dunes Park
  • Dog-friendly beaches
  • Top Orlando weekend getaway

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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Sights in the town New Smyrna Beach (7)

Mount Morgan🌿 nature

A viewpoint in New Smyrna Beach offering broad views of the surrounding area.

Jonah's Cat's Art Gallery🏛 museum

A local art gallery in New Smyrna Beach showcasing creative works.

Callalisa Creek🌿 nature

A scenic waterway in New Smyrna Beach, handy for nature observation.

Arts on Douglas🏛 museum

A renowned art gallery in New Smyrna Beach presenting contemporary works.

Artist's Workshop Inc🏛 museum

A creative space in New Smyrna Beach supporting local artists and exhibiting works.

New Smyrna Sugar Mill Ruins State Historic Site🏺 historical

Historic ruins of a 19th-century sugar mill located in New Smyrna Beach.

New Smyrna🏺 historical

An archaeological site in New Smyrna Beach preserving traces of early settlements.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive on the beach?
Yes, driving on the beach is permitted in designated sections for a fee.
Is New Smyrna Beach good for surfing?
Yes, it is considered one of the best surfing spots on Florida's east coast, especially near the inlet.
What is Canal Street?
This is the historic downtown area featuring many small shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Are there shark concerns?
The area is known as the "shark capital," but mostly involving small sharks and few serious incidents.
What is the Marine Discovery Center?
A center offering boat tours and educational programs about the ecology of the Indian River Lagoon.
New Smyrna Beach: where is it located?
New Smyrna Beach is located in United States.
New Smyrna Beach: what is there to see?
Highlights include Mount Morgan, Jonah's Cat's Art Gallery, Callalisa Creek.
New Smyrna Beach: why is it worth visiting?
New Smyrna Beach is a dynamic coastal city consistently ranked among the world's top surfing destinations.
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