There are places in Florida that don’t require a complicated trip to enjoy. New Smyrna Beach is one of those places for us. It’s less than an hour from home, which makes it perfect for a quick day trip whenever we want to see the ocean, walk around, grab something good to eat, and simply enjoy a change of scenery.
And although many people know New Smyrna Beach mainly for its beaches and surf culture, to me it’s so much more than that. Between natural parks, local shops, restaurants, bars, and the relaxed atmosphere around Flagler Avenue, we always seem to find another reason to come back.
Smyrna Dunes Park: Nature, Beach and Dogs
One of our favorite stops is Smyrna Dunes Park, especially when we’re traveling with our dogs.
The park sits at the northern end of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula and is surrounded by water on three sides. There are trails and a boardwalk through several natural habitats that eventually lead toward the beach.
And here’s one of the reasons we love it when we bring Chewie and Ramona: it’s one of the designated dog-friendly beach areas in Volusia County. Dogs are allowed there as long as they remain leashed.
Sometimes I prefer visiting without the dogs so I can spend more time enjoying the ocean, but when they’re with us, we usually stay longer and explore more of the park.
Smyrna Dunes currently charges $10 per vehicle, and there is also a $20 annual pass for the inlet parks.
If you’re visiting the beach with your dog, always check the current rules before you go. Pets aren’t allowed on most Volusia County beaches, so Smyrna Dunes is a particularly convenient option for pet owners.
Flagler Avenue: Walk, Eat and Take Your Time
After the beach, one of our favorite things to do is head over to Flagler Avenue.
This area has exactly the kind of atmosphere we enjoy. We park the car and, for a while, forget about it. We walk around, browse a few shops, find somewhere to eat, or simply sit down and enjoy a drink.
Flagler Avenue leads directly to the beach and is lined with restaurants, bars, and small local shops. It’s one of the livelier areas of New Smyrna Beach while still keeping that relaxed coastal-town feeling.
And if you’re like me and enjoy bringing home a little souvenir from your travels, there are plenty of small shops with beach-inspired items that make it hard to leave empty-handed.
Visiting With Dogs
During our most recent visit, we decided to spend the night in New Smyrna Beach with the dogs.
After spending some time at Smyrna Dunes Park and checking into our hotel, we showered and headed back out to explore Flagler Avenue.
Since we had the dogs with us, we looked for places with outdoor seating and ended up at Tayton O’Brians, an Irish pub right on Flagler Avenue. We sat outside, enjoyed a couple of drinks and some food, and simply relaxed.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about NSB. You can spend the day at the beach and then easily transition into an evening of walking around, finding a patio, grabbing a drink, and enjoying the area without having every minute planned.
Sunset by the Ocean
After that, we headed to Toni & Joe’s Patio, where we enjoyed one of those simple travel moments that makes you think, “Yep, this was worth the trip.”
We sat with a view of the ocean while the sun was going down and watched a few windsurfers enjoying the water.
Sometimes you don’t need a big attraction or a packed itinerary. A good view, something to drink, and a beautiful sunset are enough.
Other Restaurants?
We finished the evening at Ocean Breeze Tiki Bar and Grill.
Normally, we like sitting upstairs because the views are even better, but since we had the dogs with us, we stayed downstairs and had a small dinner.
When we’re not traveling with the dogs, another favorite is Flagler Tavern, especially when we’re in the mood for a good dinner and, depending on the night, some live music.
What If You Don’t Want to Stay Overnight?
We’ve also visited New Smyrna Beach as a simple day trip from the Orlando area.
Sometimes we spend a few hours at the beach and then head home after dinner at The Garlic.
Other times, we’ve made the drive almost entirely for a little date night there. Because yes… some restaurants are worth the drive.
More Than Just the Beach
Although our visits often revolve around the beach, New Smyrna Beach has plenty of other things to do.
You can explore historic Canal Street, browse local shops and galleries, walk nature trails, go surfing, or simply spend a few hours wandering around without a strict plan.
The New Smyrna Beach area has approximately 17 miles of beaches and has long been known for its surf culture.
Beach driving is also available in several areas. Current daily vehicle access is $20, while the annual non-resident beach pass is $100.
One Day or an Overnight?
It really depends on what you want to do.
For a quick getaway from Orlando, one day is enough to enjoy the beach, walk around Flagler Avenue, and grab a good meal.
But if you have the opportunity to stay overnight, I think it’s even better.
You can spend the day at the beach, return to your hotel to relax and shower, then head back out in the afternoon to walk around Flagler Avenue, enjoy a drink, have dinner, and experience the evening atmosphere.
That’s exactly what we did on our most recent visit, and it made the whole experience feel much more relaxed.
When Is the Best Time to Visit New Smyrna Beach?
One of the great things about New Smyrna Beach is that you can visit throughout the year.
The warmer months are great for enjoying the beach and getting in the water, although they can also be busier. During the cooler months, you can have beautiful days for walking, exploring, shopping, and enjoying restaurants without making the entire trip about swimming.
And, as always in Florida, check the forecast before heading out. Weather can change quickly, especially if your main plan is spending several hours outdoors.
Our Favorite Way to Spend the Day
If you want a simple itinerary, this would be one of our favorite ways to do it:
Morning:
Smyrna Dunes Park and beach
Midday:
Lunch and a little downtime
Afternoon:
Flagler Avenue, local shops and a walk around the area
Sunset:
Toni & Joe’s Patio or another oceanfront spot
Evening:
Dinner and drinks around Flagler Avenue
And if you’re traveling with dogs, simply adjust your stops around pet-friendly patios and outdoor spaces.
New Smyrna Beach Is a Place We Keep Coming Back To
Maybe that’s exactly what we love about New Smyrna Beach: we never feel like we have to do too much.
It’s close to home, we can visit for a few hours or stay overnight, bring the dogs or make it a date night, spend the day at the beach or simply walk around Flagler Avenue and enjoy a good meal.
And somehow, every visit feels a little different. For us, New Smyrna Beach is much more than a beach. It’s one of those easy Florida escapes that can quickly turn into a full day of vacation.
Want to see a little more of our most recent visit? Join us on YouTube for “NSB: Much More Than a Beach.”
And if you’re looking for more easy getaways from Orlando, check out the other Florida destinations and day-trip ideas here on the blog.
