New Smyrna Beach, Florida
A short preview to the City of New Smyrna Beach
The seaside community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida holds a special place in the southern part of Volusia County. With city areas both beachside and on the mainland, the 21,000 residents of New Smyrna Beach have a wonderful variety of neighborhoods, businesses and activity centers available.
Beautiful, sandy beaches stretch from Ponce Inlet on the north to the natural dunes of Canaveral National Seashore on the southern tip of New Smyrna Beach. The peninsula is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, also known as the Indian River.
New Smyrna Beach has a charming downtown area, located on Canal Street, is the heart of the community. There are a variety of independent businesses in New Smyrna Beach sharing space on the palm tree lined street including antique shops, small boutiques and restaurants. Canal Street is the place to be for classic car events, city parades, and art festivals that rotate throughout the year.
New Smyrna Beach City Hall and other local government offices are located near Old Fort Park, and across from the newly revitalized marina. The historic district of New Smyrna Beach encompasses several blocks and has several good examples of homes in the Florida bungalow and Mediterranean rival styles.
New Smyrna Beach has two bridges that connect the mainland to the peninsula. The north causeway takes residents and visitors to Flagler Avenue and its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants stretching from the Indian River to the sands of the Atlantic Ocean. The mood in New Smyrna Beach is casual and laid-back in the surrounding beachside neighborhoods.
The southern causeway bridge leads to convenient shopping and dining establishments. Oceanfront homes and condominiums share the peninsula with smaller neighborhoods in-between the ocean and the river. At the very southern end is Canaveral National Seashore, one of the last protected seaside landscapes along the east coast of Florida. Miles of sand dunes line the coastline, while lagoons and estuaries for fishing and kayaking dot the western edge of the park.
On the western side of New Smyrna Beach is the new community of Venetian Bay, a planned community of Mediterranean style homes, townhomes and condominiums surrounding a beautiful new world class golf course and commercial town center.
History is well-preserved in New Smyrna Beach, which was established in 1768, by Dr. Andrew Turnball, as the largest single attempt at a colonial settlement. The New Smyrna Historical Museum is a good starting place for acquiring information regarding the town’s past. Archeological digs continue in the area of New Smyrna Beach as a way to document events from the past.
Art is actively embraced in this town in several ways. Home to the internationally acclaimed Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach provides venues for art festivals, art walks and art classes throughout the year. The town is listed as one of the 100 best small art towns according to the book, “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America: Where to Discover Creative Communities, Fresh Air and Affordable Living,” by author John Villani.
Living near the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway provides residents and visitors to New Smyrna Beach an unlimited source of adventures to discover. Beautiful mangrove islands interspersed throughout the river and estuary areas offer sanctuary for an abundance of migratory birds, water fowl and sea life. The Marine Discovery Center gives waterway tours and a water taxi service shuttles residents and visitors across the Ponce Inlet waterway.
Along the Atlantic coastline surfing is a favored pastime, as is fishing, kayaking and just relaxing at the beach. Several top ranked golf courses and tennis clubs throughout the area offer sports enthusiasts another great way to spend the day.
Come and visit us here in New Smyrna Beach, Florida you may not want to leave!
