When travelling through northeast Florida, it would be a mistake to skip through the town of New Smyrna Beach simply because it is on the smaller side. The waves are the primary attraction in this beach community, which Surfer magazine ranked in 2017 as one of the top five greatest surf towns in the United States. However, surfing is only one of several activities available here. New Smyrna has a little bit for everyone, whether you're an art enthusiast searching for your next buy, a foodie seeking for somewhere enjoyable to eat, or a history buff wishing to visit one of Florida's oldest cities. During your visit to this old town, these are the activities that you shouldn't miss out on doing.

On a boat tour offered by the Marine Discovery Center, you might see a dolphin.

Visit The Marine Discovery Center to become acquainted with the native flora and fauna of Florida. The primary objective of the centre is to educate visitors about "hands-on, feet-wet education" so that the Indian River Lagoon in Florida can be preserved for future generations. The centre provides access to a wide variety of different educational opportunities. They have indoor saltwater marine exhibits inside their building, and visitors are welcome to come in and learn about the variety of organisms that make their home in the lagoon at no cost. In addition, the grounds of the property, which feature wildflower and butterfly gardens as well as a nature playscape for children, are available to guests free of charge.

They provide a variety of ecotours, ranging from tours via boat and kayak to excursions via foot and other modes of transportation. On their Dolphin Discovery boat tour, you may paddle around the lagoon while hunting for dolphins, and on their Garbage Gurus kayak tour, you can assist clear up debris while paddling around the lagoon. The tours start at thirty dollars, and each one has its own predetermined starting time; therefore, it is imperative that you register in advance.

Arts at Canal Hub

The Hub on Canal is the place to go to if you have an appreciation for the performing or visual arts. The Hub, which can be found on Canal Street, displays the work of over seventy local artists. All of these artists are active in the community. At The Hub, artworks are displayed in a wide variety of mediums, including but not limited to paintings, photographs, handmade shoe design, and jewellery.

Not only can you go there to appreciate the local art, but The Hub also offers programmes for people of all ages, including everything from language instruction to training on how to make jewellery. They also host events at various times throughout the year, the most notable of which being the receptions that they hold on the first Saturday of every month for new gallery exhibits.

Visit the Ruins of the Sugar Mill for a Trip Through Time

This sugar mill was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century with the purpose of producing and distributing sugar throughout New Smyrna Beach and the rest of Florida. During the conflict that took place between the United States and the Seminole Native Americans, both the mill and the sugar plantations were completely obliterated, leaving nothing but ruins in their place. The length of this historic monument is around 17 acres, and visitors can enjoy this little piece of history from many different views, despite the fact that the ruins are roped off from public access. There is informative signage in every direction that can provide you with a deeper understanding of the background of the site. In addition, there is a nature walk that extends from one end of the ruins to the other. Along the route, there are scannable markers that provide information about the area flora and wildlife. This location is accessible every day from sunrise to sunset, and there are two bathrooms that may be used while you're here. Take caution, as both Apple and Google Maps present this place as difficult to locate. Pay attention to the signs that are posted along the highway since they will put you in the appropriate route.

Discover the history of the Canal Street Historic District.

Canal Street is the place to go if you want to see Old Florida in all of its quaint, small-town glory. Canal Street, which runs through the middle of New Smyrna, has emerged as the arts and culture district of the surrounding area. It is lined with one-of-a-kind shops, enterprises, and dining establishments. Stop by the Corkscrew Bar & Grill for a bite to eat, where they serve up American standards with a distinct Southern flavour (the conch fritters and house guacamole and chips make for the perfect appetisers and the NSB Cuban is mouth-watering as an entree). After you've gotten your fill, you can stop by Bikini Co. to pick up some cute new beachwear or head over to The Gallery to try out some interesting new combinations of oil and vinegar. In the event that you have an interest in art, The Hub on Canal is not the only location that you will want to check out. Stop by the Artists' Workshop and the Ring Gallery to see further works by New Smyrna and surrounding area artists as well as those from further afield.

Surf Smyrna Dunes Park's Boardwalk.

Smyrna Dunes Park is the location that you should go to if you are interested in going to the beach and riding some waves. On the most northern point of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula is where you'll find the inlet park that spans 184 acres. Elevated boardwalks with a total length of two miles can be found all the way around the park's perimeter. It is home to five distinct habitats, including those of the ocean, river, scrub zone, and saltwater marsh, but it gets its name from the huge dunes that can be seen there. The park provides a wide variety of exciting activities, such as swimming, boating, and surfing. Bring your canine companion and go for a jog along the shore of the inlet, or bring your friends and enjoy lunch in one of the beautiful pavilions that are placed along the boardwalk. The parking cost is $10 per vehicle, and admittance to the boardwalks is free for people who use wheelchairs. Visit the page for Smyrna Dunes Park in Volusia County to learn about the park's operating hours and other regulations.

Norwood's Treehouse Dinner

It is the goal of every child to have their very own treehouse, and it should also be the dream of every adult to eat dinner in a treehouse. Earl Norwood purchased Norwood's in 1946, and after years of operating as a variety of businesses (including a gas station, general store, mosquito control centre, and more), he transformed it into the establishment that it had always been destined to be: a seafood restaurant. It has evolved into one of the restaurants in New Smyrna Beach that offers the most distinctive dining experiences. Norwood's has a selection of goods and services that cater to the needs of all customers. If you are searching for some great seafood, you can try the seafood puttanesca. This dish consists of scallops, shrimp, and mussels that have been cooked in a tomato sauce along with olives, capers, and sausage that has been prepared in-house. If you aren't interested in the food that originates from the depths of the ocean, you can try Norwood's Filet instead. It consists of a charbroiled fillet medallion, a Yukon gold potato cake, a cabernet demi, chive oil, and red onions. They even have options for people who are gluten-free and vegetarian. If you want to enjoy live music with your meal, your best bet is to arrive around 6 o'clock.

Sugar Works Distillery Tours

Attention, all those who enjoy drinking cocktails: New Smyrna Beach is the place to go for you. This distillery, which is owned and operated by a local family, is known for producing award-winning spirits, many of which are influenced by the allure of New Smyrna Beach. If you enjoy black liquor, you should try their Shark Bite Cinnamon Whiskey, which is manufactured from corn whisky and contains natural cinnamon, raw honey, and red pepper in addition to the raw honey. Or, if you like something more transparent, you can sample their Turnbull Bay Silver Rum, which was awarded a bronze medal in the Craft Spirits Awards hosted by the American Distilling Institute in the year 2020. Sign up for one of their free tours if you are curious about how everything is manufactured. During the tour, they will take you through every step of the production process. You should definitely give the New Smyrna Beach Rum Runner a shot; it has a fruity flavour that makes it not only tasty but also quite easy to drink.

New Smyrna Museum of History: Town History

Because the history of this city is just too intriguing to pass up, you won't want to miss the opportunity to check out the New Smyrna Museum of History while you're here. This museum houses all of the artefacts necessary to prove that New Smyrna Beach is the second-oldest city in Florida, and it is the case that it is named for that reason. The museum is designed in a way that is both entertaining and educational for visitors. The gallery that runs around the outside of the building is known as The Perimeter Gallery, and it depicts the history of New Smyrna in chronological order, beginning with the earliest artefacts and history from the Native Americans and concluding with a unique tribute to the locals who served in the Vietnam War. The "Smyrnea Settlement," which was established in 1768 and had its own terrible history, is the primary focus of the centre of the gallery. At addition, visitors can observe archaeologists at work in the museum's archaeological lab, which is located in the museum's North Room, which houses temporary and special displays. The museum also features a research library. On your way out, make a pit stop at the gift shop and pick up some locally produced items, such as seeds to grow an indigo plant or board games that were developed in the area.

Explore the Unexplained Structures in Old Fort Park.

At the archaeological site in New Smyrna known as Old Fort Park, there is a rock foundation that is shrouded in mystery. These coquina remains, which can be found in the middle of downtown New Smyrna, are a popular destination for people who are interested in history. Even with thorough examination of the remains, no one knows exactly what this stone foundation is. The remnants of an old Spanish fort, the residence of the town's founder Andrew Turnbull, and even the first Castillo de San Marcos have all been proposed as possible locations for the mystery structure (the oldest masonry fort in the U.S.). The purpose of the remains that measure 40 by 80 feet is probably going to stay a mystery for the rest of time, but it is a magnificent piece of history and it causes fun discussion. In 2008, the location was included on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States of America. The New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agen

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cy is located in the historic New Smyrna Beach Free Library, which is also located in the park. There are plenty of benches and pathways surrounding the area for those who wish to spend a little more time outside. The park, which is located directly across from City Hall, is frequently used as the venue for a variety of different kinds of events, including summer concerts.