Welcome to New Smyrna Beach page 2
Attractions:
Riverside Park
Mainland
105 Riverside Drive
A scenic dog park and fishing pier located on the Indian River. The perfect spot for fishing, dog walking and festivities, home to the annual New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival, and annual art festivals. Visiting and local jazz musicians come to Riverside Park to perform free concerts from the gazebo area. Bring your own lawn chairs, or sit on the grass and enjoy the music. The shops on nearby Canal Street stay open late during festivities. There are also monthly car shows on Canal Street. The Jazz Festival is held in September. For fishing enthusiasts, there is Fish Stock, sponsored by Sports Fishing Magazine. This is one of the biggest sporting events in New Smyrna Beach, which takes place in May. The festival includes displays of boats at the park, fishing contests, including major angler competitions, fishing demonstrations and kid friendly activities.
Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park & Campgrounds
1050 Old Mission Road
(386) 427-2284
This is a complete Campground Resort with facilities for the vacationer to the weary traveler, as they provide accommodations to visitors who stay for a single day and even up to a week or more. They also have the capacity to meet the needs of those who wish to host a group party, birthday, work or other social event.
Old Fort Park, Turnbull Ruins
Off Canal Street and Riverside Park
This is an area of New Smyrna Beach steeped in local history. The location of the annual Art Fiesta, and the famed Turnbull Ruins, the park is also a state historic site. The park consists of small walking trails, the New Smyrna Beach Free Library and Turnbull Ruins, thick coquina shell wall remnants dating from the eighteenth century. These ruins are clearly visible atop the small grassy hill, and one can look directly down into the infrastructure of the architecture. The park area is shaded with giant majestic oak trees, which line the trail before the mound, making the park the ideal place to walk during hot summer months. The whole area has a uniquely old Florida charm.
Marine Discovery Center
162 North Causeway
(386)428-4828
The center is located just before the boat ramp and Buena Vista Park, heading in the direction from Canal Street to Flagler Avenue and beachside. Vast educational programs exist for all ages, and there are popular narrated eco-system pontoon boat tours down the Indian River Lagoon, with delightful dolphin and bird sightings. Recreational activity abounds as well, including kayak eco-adventure tours for both adults and children.
Buena Vista Park
North Causeway, before beachside
The last mainland park before beachside, located directly on the Indian River.
This park has a fishing pier that stretches out underneath the causeway bridge, one of the only draw bridges in the area that open to let sailboats pass. This is one of the most scenic of the N.S.B. fishing parks. Views consist of passing yachts, sailboats, soaring pelicans, and colorful waterfront residencies across the River. Journey from the park over the bridge to Flagler Avenue, with direct access to the New Smyrna Beach pier and the Atlantic Ocean.
Smyrna Dunes State Park
Beachside
2995 North Peninsula Avenue
(386) 424-2935
This park is a nature lover's dream, highly regarded as one of Florida's most naturally pristine and protected environments. The Smyrna Dunes Park has varied plant life, that both thrive in salt water, plus a sandy environment. Various eco-systems flourish, consisting within both the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The park is one of the most environmentally diverse spots in all of New Smyrna Beach. Panoramic views include glimpses of the red Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Admission is $3.50 per vehicle.
Beachside
At the end of Flagler Avenue, is the Atlantic Ocean and direct access to New Smyrna Beach, surf and shark capitol of the world! New Smyrna Beach allows driving, though drivers generally park and people stretch out in the sand near their vehicles. There are ample waves for surfers to hone their skills.
Swimming is encouraged, for shark bites usually are relegated to little nibbles on the ankles for mistaken bait, mostly down by the Ponce Inlet direction, heading further down near the jetty and baitfish areas. When swimming in the ocean, simply stay close to lifeguard stations, and swim away from where the pelicans and other birds are diving, where there are more likely to be the elusive, small black-tip shark or two!
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park
6656 S. Atlantic Ave.
The Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park is one of the three historically black beaches known in Florida. The beach and park are big parts of Florida's black history. The beach is also considered a surfer's paradise. This is one of the main areas where the surfers go to ride the waves.
There is a lovely park, including picnic facilities, bathrooms, tennis courts, basketball courts, a boardwalk and a fishing dock. This is an un-crowded spot as well, away from the touristy areas. Head south on A1A.
Canaveral National Seashore
Southernmost tip of A1A
(321) 267-1110
Located at the southern-most end of A1A, past Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, this is a national treasure, complete with nature-park, tours, junior ranger programs, and protected beach and environmental areas, including twenty-four miles of undeveloped beach. Admission is five dollars for a day pass.
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