I’ve Lived in Central Florida for 20 Years—This Is the Most Charming Beach Town Near Orlando

Salty air and the crashing waves of the Atlantic are what originally lured me to Central Florida almost 20 years ago. During that time, I’ve spent countless days lounging in the sand, chasing sunrises, and splashing in the water. Although I live about an hour away from the coast, there are multiple beaches near Orlando that are great for a beach day. However, there is one in particular that seems to keep calling me back again and again—New Smyrna Beach. 

It’s close enough that I can just pop over for a day at the beach any time I want. I’ve also spent my birthday there, and we go there every year for Salty Church’s Easter Sunrise Service. It’s a laid-back beach town with a local feel, and I think it is the most charming beach town near Orlando. I’m happy to share some of my favorite things about this special place. 

If you aren’t staying in beachside accommodations, this is a pretty cool way to enjoy the beach—and it’s not something offered at all Florida beaches. Here, though, you can just drive onto the sand and set up a spot to hang out for the day. It’s so nice to have such easy access to all of your towels, coolers, and beach toys. There is a fee for visitors, though. At the time of writing, it’s $30 per day to drive your car onto the beach.

There is just something mesmerizing about sitting on the beach at night beside a crackling fire, with the ocean lapping the shoreline in the background. Again, this isn’t something you can experience everywhere, but you can legally do this in New Smyrna Beach (at least between Nov. 1 and April 24). There are existing fire rings that you can reserve online for free, but I personally like bringing my own because you have more options of where you can set it up. If you prefer to have someone else do all the work, you can book a New Smyrna Beach Campfire Package with Barefoot Philosophy. 

It’s hard to even talk about New Smyrna Beach and not bring up one of its biggest claims to fame: the surfing scene. This is one of Florida’s best beaches for surfing, and it’s not uncommon to see surfers catching waves there. If you want to try it out for yourself, you can book a surf lesson with Nichols Surf Shop, Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy, or Surfin’ NSB. It’s also pretty fun to just watch from the sidelines, and one of the best times to do that is during the annual Mike Martin Pro/Am Surf Festival.    

Pro Tip: Before you go to New Smyrna Beach, download the free Volusia County Beaches app in the App Store or Google Play. It has great information such as: 

Flagler Avenue is the main thoroughfare that leads down to the beach and it is lined with charming boutiques. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to take home, this is the place to find it. There’s also a shuffleboard court and several great places to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

Canal Street is the historic district in New Smyrna Beach, but it’s also where you can get a taste of the local art scene. The Hub on Canal and Jane’s Art Center are two of my favorite spots there, and if you want to get creative, they offer various art classes as well. 

Sugar Works is a family-owned distillery that has several local creations including bourbon, vodka, rum, agave spirit, moonshine, and cinnamon-flavored whiskey. Many are made with locally-sourced ingredients. You can book a tour to see how they’re made, or just go to sample their spirits and try some of the creative cocktails. 

It’s free to visit the welcome center at Marine Discovery Center and check out the aquariums and educational exhibits, but they also offer the chance to get out on the water and see dolphins in the wild. It’s so much fun to see them playing alongside the boat. 

You can bring along your own fishing gear and drop a line in the water if you like, but if you want to leave all of that at home and fish with a local expert, you can book a surf fishing trip with Reel Healing Outdoors or head to deeper waters offshore with New Smyrna Fishing Charters. 

If you’re looking for a hotel:

I love that every room in this hotel comes with ocean views, and I’ve marveled at the rising sun from the comfort of my own bed. The suites are pretty spacious and have a separate living room. One of my favorite things about this hotel, though, is that it’s pet-friendly. I’ve traveled there with my fur baby, Smokey, and she gives it two paws up, too. 

If you prefer a condo:

If you’re looking for more room to spread out, you may enjoy staying in a vacation rental. The last time I stayed in a condo at New Smyrna Beach, it was in one of Casago’s properties at the Oceania Beach Club and I really enjoyed it. It had a nice patio overlooking the beach, and there were beach chairs and boogie boards that were there for us to use. 

I’m a big breakfast fan, and this is my favorite restaurant in New Smyrna Beach. It’s not fancy at all, but has the best breakfast in town. There are lunch options also, but they’re most well known for their elaborate waffle bar that includes so many toppings. My go-to is the Blueberry Pie Waffle—it is so scrumptious! 

The name may make it sound like this is just a place to grab quick bar food, but don’t let the name fool you – Flagler Tavern has an extensive menu that includes wings, oysters, tacos, seafood, steaks, and more. It’s within walking distance of the beach, and is a great place to stop in if you’re making your way down Flagler Avenue.   

This is also located on Flagler Avenue, but is positioned at the far end that is closest to the beach. If you want to dine with perfect ocean views, this is your spot. If you’re lounging on the beach and just want to grab a bite, this is a place that will gladly welcome you with your sandy feet and windblown hair. 

We had our New Year’s Eve dinner here last year, and the food is delicious. I’m still dreaming about their whipped boursin potatoes. They have a diverse menu that offers a little something for everyone, and if you’re looking for a good place for Sunday Brunch, this is a good option as well. 

This foodie hotspot has a unique, eclectic ambience that I love. If you go, expect a wait though. This popular Italian restaurant doesn’t take reservations, and you’ll have to put your name on the list when you arrive. You aren’t required to wait on-site, but if you do, you can just grab a drink (I suggest the Almond Joy Martini) and await your dining experience. 

This is another place with cool vibes, as it gives you the chance to have your meal within the outstretched limbs of a giant tree. The other areas in the restaurant are fun too, but who doesn’t want to hang out in the treetops? Just make sure to make reservations if you want to guarantee a seat in the treehouse area. 

I personally like Voo La Voo for breakfast, as I’m a big fan of their homemade crepes paired with a Cafe au Lait, but they also offer a nice, French-inspired dinner menu. I also really love their outdoor courtyard. You can often find live music there on the weekends, so even if you just grab a glass of wine and a charcuterie board, it can make a fun night out. 

I was first introduced to this spot when my mom ordered my birthday cake from there. The homemade cake was perfect, and I highly recommend this spot if you’re celebrating a special occasion while you’re in town and need a sweet treat. Even if you’re not, stop in and try their pastries.  

Home to two-time James Beard semi-finalist, Chef Henry Salgado, Spanish River Grill offers an eclectic array of tapas, with local ingredients incorporated into their menu items.  If you go, make sure you try the Whipped Feta that’s made with fermented honey. I really like their artichoke hearts, too. Reservations are recommended. 

New Smyrna Beach is located on Florida’s east coast, and is about an hour away from Orlando. It’s about 30 minutes south of Daytona Beach, which makes it easy to visit another one of Florida’s best beaches on the east coast. 

If you’re flying in for a visit, you have a few options.