Best Things to Do in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
From world-class surf breaks and Gulf-to-table dining to hidden art galleries and quiet nature preserves — your complete guide to New Smyrna Beach.
New Smyrna Beach doesn't try to be Daytona. It doesn't need to. This small barrier island city on Florida's East Coast has quietly built a reputation as one of the best beach towns in the entire state — beloved by surfers, artists, foodies, and families who've discovered that the best Florida experiences happen away from the neon and the noise. Here's what to do when you're here.
Hit the Beach (Obviously)
NSB's beaches are a different breed. The sand is soft, the Atlantic runs warm from May through October, and the stretch between the rock jetty and Smyrna Dunes Park draws waves that have made New Smyrna one of the most consistent surf destinations on the East Coast.
- Flagler Avenue Beach — the social hub. Metered parking, beach ramp, restaurants steps away.
- Smyrna Dunes Park — a 73-acre park at the north inlet. Walk the boardwalk, spot dolphins at the jetty, and swim in cleaner water away from the crowds.
- The Rock Pile — local surf spot near the Coronado bridge. Not posted anywhere, just go at dawn.
Surfing
NSB has been called the shark bite capital of the world — mostly because so many surfers are in the water so often. The surf is real here. If you've never tried it, East Coast Surf School operates out of the beach and will have first-timers standing up on their first morning. If you already surf, the break at the south end of the island gets hollow in the right swell.
🏄 Best conditions: September through November, when Atlantic swells push north and offshore winds hold the face. Summer is fun but smaller. Check Surfline for NSB-specific forecasts.
Where to Eat
NSB has a legitimate food scene for a town this size. Here's the local shortlist.
- The Garlic — no reservations, ever. Get there before 4 PM or plan to wait. Worth it. String lights everywhere, crawling vines, roasted garlic bulb at every table before you even order. Get the Seafood Cannelloni or the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi.
- Third Wave Café & Wine Bar — garden courtyard in a 90-year-old cottage, resident rooster, shrimp and grits with chorizo. Happy hour 3–5 PM is half off wine. Closed Tuesdays.
- Third Wave Smokehouse — the BBQ sibling. Brisket, pulled pork, smoked wings. More casual, just as good.
- Prima — housemade pasta, intimate room, worth the splurge for a nice dinner.
- Spanish River Grill — fresh local seafood on the water. Always packed for a reason.
- Merk's — come for the wings. Order the Frankenstein: tossed, grilled, then retossed. That's the move.
- Corkscrew Bar & Grill — solid food, good cocktails, always a good crowd.
- Sugar Works Distillery — best craft cocktails in town, made with their own small-batch spirits. If you like a good drink, stop here.
- Big Mike's Burgers — walk-up smash burger window. Pretzel bun, Pimento Bacon Jam Burger, huge waffle fries. Perfect after the beach.
- JB's Fish Camp — on the Indian River Lagoon. Smoked fish dip, boil pots, cold beer. Cash only.
- Norwood's — been here since 1946. Seafood classics and a wine shop under one roof.
Canal Street Arts District
Cross the bridge off the island and you're on Canal Street — a genuine arts district that's been growing for two decades. Independent galleries, local boutiques, coffee shops, and craft beer bars line several blocks of the old downtown.
- Atlantic Center for the Arts — nationally recognized residency program. Gallery shows are open to the public.
- NSB Art Fiesta — held each March, one of the oldest juried arts festivals in Florida.
- Corks Wine & Craft Beer — small bar with rotating local taps and an excellent cheese board.
- The Rustic Pelican — boutique shopping, home goods, and gifts that don't look like souvenir junk.
Nature & Wildlife
NSB sits inside a genuine natural ecosystem. The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, and the Canaveral National Seashore protects over 57,000 acres of undeveloped coast.
- Kayaking the Indian River Lagoon — rent from NSB Paddleboard & Kayak and paddle through mangroves. Manatees are common from November through March.
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge — 30 minutes south, over 1,500 species of plants and animals. More species of threatened wildlife than any other refuge in the continental US.
- Blue Spring State Park — 45 minutes west, a first-magnitude spring that stays 68°F year-round. West Indian manatees gather here by the hundreds in winter.
Day Trips Worth Making
- Kennedy Space Center (45 min south) — not a tourist trap. The actual Cape Canaveral launch facilities are sobering and impressive. Schedule around a launch if you can — it's free to watch from Titusville.
- DeLand (30 min west) — charming Victorian downtown, Stetson University campus, excellent restaurants on Woodland Blvd. Significantly less traffic than any beach town.
- St. Augustine (1 hr north) — oldest city in the US. Worth the drive for the Castillo de San Marcos and the old city architecture. Go on a weekday.
- Orlando (1 hr west) — theme parks if you must, but the real draw is the restaurant scene on Mills 50 and in Winter Park.
Best Time to Visit
- March–May: Spring. Warm but not hot, crowds thin out after spring break, water warming up. Best overall.
- June–August: Summer. Hot, humid, afternoon thunderstorms daily. But the water is warm, the beach is alive, and kids are out of school.
- September–November: Fall. Secret season. Fewer crowds, lower rates, water still warm, best surf. October is perfect.
- December–February: Mild winter. Highs in the 70s most days. Quiet. Great for manatee watching and enjoying the town without crowds.
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