New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach combines all the usual attractions of Florida with a great deal of history. Located on the central east coast of Florida, this lovely beach town is surrounded by water, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and Mosquito Lagoon in between. A short drive from Central Florida’s famous theme parks, New Smyrna Beach combines 13 miles of white sand with secluded, unpolluted surroundings with art and sports.
About The Community
New Smyrna has evidence of human habitation encompassing thousands of years. Turtle Mound is a Florida State Historic Memorial, covering two acres and being 50 feet high. Some unidentified relics of Old New Smyrna include “Old Fort” Park and the coquina ruins at the Old Sugar Mill, once called “The Old Mission.” One of many sugar mills that thrived in the 1800’s, it was destroyed in an 1835 Seminole Indian raid. Ponce de Leon, the Spanish adventurer landed at New Smyrna’s Ponce de Leon Inlet in 1513 seeking land, gold, fame and the “Fountain of Youth.” The Spanish first named the inlet Mosquito Inlet, for obvious reasons. It was renamed Ponce de Leon Inlet in 1927.
Founded in 1768 by Dr. Andrew Turnbull, New Smyrna is one of the oldest European settled communities in Florida. Turnbull, a physician and entrepreneur built a system of canals inspired by the Egyptian irrigation system. Three are still evident today; one runs under a current main street, appropriately called Canal Street. It was covered over in 1924 for widening the street and side walks. One canal runs through the Myrtle Avenue Park and one separates New Smyrna Beach from Edgewater.
Important Links (Suggest / Report)
Vicinity of New Smyrna Beach
Additional Details
New Smyrna Beach is well known as an art town with many artist’s workshops and galleries. The Atlantic Center for the Arts, a world-renowned artists community and arts education facility dedicated to promoting artistic excellence has renowned professional artists of music, literary, performing and visual arts. New Smyrna Beach hosts an annual Black Heritage Festival with storytellers, jazz and blues, dance, Black heritage museum, African dancers and craft demonstrations.
You cannot find a better place for surfing in Florida than the New Smyrna Beach coast. It is the venue for national surfing championships. Beachcombers will be rewarded with beautiful, unscathed shells on the sands. The crystal waters and pristine wetlands of Blue Spring State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. New Smyrna Beach is a birder’s haven with the Canaveral National Seashore, a protected bird sanctuary, and the birds on the waters of both the Atlantic and the Indian River. These waters and local lakes and lagoons offer diverse fishing opportunities with redfish, cobia, wahoo, mackerel and billfish. Golfers have a wide choice of courses in New Smyrna Beach.
Barnyard Friends Animal Farm is one of the few farming communities left in Volusia County to learn about farm animals, a perfect opportunity for touching, petting, and hugging animals. Choose from a range of hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, or campgrounds when you visit New Smyrna Beach. Night Swan on the Intracoastal Waterway under a canopy of live oaks, magnolia trees, and palms offers old Florida ambience. The turn-of-the-century home features antique-filled interiors and sweeping sunny porches with private bathrooms. The Riverview Hotel is a Victorian property with cozy rooms, delicious food, and superb entertainment.
