PLACES TO VISIT
Visit the Beach
New Smyrna Beach is a Florida city south of Daytona Beach. It’s a surf hub known for its beaches, including nearby Canaveral National Seashore. The coastal Smyrna Dunes Park has views of Ponce Inlet and its lighthouse. Downtown’s palm-lined Canal Street Historic District has art galleries, shops an the New Smyrna Museum of History. The Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum displays memorabilia in an 1899 church. There's laid-back adventures like strolling on miles of seaside boardwalks, and seventeen miles of beautiful beach is just steps away - you can even drive on it. Voted one of America's best small arts towns, meet and talk to artists in their studios while they're creating beautiful pieces. Also, take in the latest exhibit at one of our many galleries and festivals where nationally-acclaimed artists show their work. Or, fill your days discovering intriguing history, unique boutiques and eateries. Let our laid-back beach town vibe get inside of you.
New Smyrna Museum of History
The New Smyrna Museum of History is located at 120 Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in the New Smyrna Beach Historic District. It contains exhibits depicting the history of New Smyrna Beach. The building itself was constructed in 1923 as the local post office. It later housed the administrative office of New Smyrna Beach Utilities. The city gave the building to the Southeast Volusia Historical Society in 2002, and it opened as a museum the following year.
Marine Science Center
The Marine Science Center is a marine science and natural history museum in Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, Florida. The museum's exhibits includes a humpback whale skull, reef aquarium, freshwater turtles, turtle rehabilitation area, a 5,000 gallon hexagonal artificial reef aquarium and stingray touch pool with cownose rays. The Center also works to rehabilitate injured seabirds and sea turtles. Visitors can view many of these animals from an outdoor boardwalk. There is also a bird observation tower.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is a lighthouse and museum located at Ponce de León Inlet in Central Florida. At 175 feet in height, it is the tallest lighthouse in the state and one of the tallest in the United States. It is located between St. Augustine Light and Cape Canaveral Light. Restored by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, the lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark in 1998.
Retail and Shopping
Shop along historic Canal Street and find a unique gift for that hard-to-please friend. Get all the necessities or the latest in Florida fashions at local department and drugstores. Stroll the five blocks from the river to the ocean along charming and historic Flagler Avenue to shop the unique galleries and boutiques.
Blue Springs Theme Park
Blue Springs State Park covers over 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns river. It's a designated manatee refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During manatee season, which approximately runs from mid-November through March, several hundred manatee can be viewed atop the spring's overlooks on cold days. The spring and spring run are closed to all winter activity from mid-November to at least mid-March. Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted; this rule is strictly enforced. The spring's crystal clear, 73-degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers and certified scuba divers, with a partner during our designated swimming season. Fishing, canoeing and boating are also enjoyed along the St. Johns River.
Manatee Scenic Cruise
While cruising along the protected wetland and scenic mangrove shores of the Indian River, you'll see manatees, dolphins, birds, waterfront homes, and the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse. All tours narrated by professional directors. Join our great escape and run with the dolphins. Equipped with a sundeck and restrooms. Snacks and beverages are available onboard. Departures at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. year round from Down the Hatch restaurant. Departure for the summer sunset cruise at 7 p.m. June through September.
Daytona International Speedway
Built in 1958 by NASCAR founder to host racing. His banked design permitted higher speeds and gave fans a better view of the cars. Today it’s the third largest single-lit outdoor sports facility and is home to the Country 500, the Richard Petty Driving Experience and the Daytona Supercross in addition to the Daytona 500. The Daytona International Speedway also offers a variety of tours to get an up-close look of the speedway. Please visit the Daytona International Speedway website to choose a tour time that works for you.
Cracker Creek
Several historic buildings on site have been renovated over the past decades, while still preserving their original character and appearance. Cracker Creek is located on the original 20-acre homestead of Roland "Rollie" F. Johnson, caretaker for the James Gamble Estate (of Procter & Gamble). Spend the day experiencing one of the areas greatest, yet largely undiscovered, historical and ecological treasures. Cracker Creek is a unique, natural back water stream and is one of only a few left undisturbed in Florida. Cracker Creek offers several types of personal boating options including tandem kayaks, single kayaks and canoes, which allow an up-close view of the landscape and wildlife. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cracker Creek also offers a variety of boat tours. In our smaller 23-foot tour boat, the Spruce Creek Maiden, we can carry a minimum of six up to 12 passengers and for a longer range down Spruce Creek. In our larger 40-foot tour boat, the Spruce Creek Key Largo, we can carry a minimum of 12 up to 42 passengers and travels down a two-mile section of Spruce Creek. And to top off a busy day, come relax with us for a sunset cruise, customized to meet your desires with some wine and freshly prepared dining extravaganza.
Turtle Mound River Tours
Come join our informative, friendly (and witty!) captains and crew on a fun two hour daily public, narrated eco-tour of the Indian River and Canaveral National Seashore that you will remember for a lifetime. Relax on our 40' pontoon boat and tour pristine waters full of dolphins, manatees*, shorebirds and fish. Terrific tour for all ages! Private charters also available to celebrate special occasions or just for a fun trip with your friends. Reasonable rates!
DeBary Historic Site
History is alive at DeBary Hall Historic Site, a magnificent 19th century hunting estate overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary, FL. The site is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and includes DeBary Hall, the oldest intact building in southwest Volusia County. Built in 1871, DeBary Hall was the winter retreat of a European-born wine merchant who chose the St. Johns River country for his hunting estate. Frederick DeBary tried his hand at orange growing and commercial steamboating, but his Florida estate became a center of sport hunting and hospitality. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, some of the country's wealthiest people visited DeBary Hall to spend winters hunting, fishing, and swimming in the cool springs nearby, then relaxing in the shade of the veranda enjoying a cool drink and the news of the day.
DeBary reportedly entertained Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland; the Astors, Goulds and Vanderbilts; and the Prince of Wales, who went on to become King Edward VII. Today's historic site covers 10 acres and includes the 8,000-square-foot hunting lodge, stables and other structures. We invite you to explore history at DeBary Hall Historic Site. You'll find remarkable buildings, a treasure trove of historical images, and many good stories. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.