NEW SMYRNA FAMILY FUN
So much to do for all types of families!
From the proximity of the Orlando parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld (among others), to the many outdoor adventures available, there is always something fun to do with kids in New Smyrna Beach.
The obvious number one thing to do in New Smyrna Beach with kids is THE BEACH! New Smyrna Beach has 13 miles of pristine coastline that ranges from busy areas with restaurants near-by, to county parks with playgrounds available to the Canaveral National Seashore where you might be the only people in view. You can swim, snorkel or build sandcastles!
The New Smyrna Town Beach is at the end of Flagler Avenue and is a hub of activity from sunrise and into the night. It has an incredible location, close to the many restaurants, bars and shops that line historic Flagler Avenue. It also hosts one of the busiest beach access ramps in Volusia County. That makes the relative lack of parking for such a busy beach less of an issue. By noon, the cars span a mile down the beach, with the owners and their families enjoying one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.
Another option for families is the 27th Avenue Beachfront Park is which is located south of the New Smyrna Town Beach, almost near the Canaveral National Seashore. It is still near the drive-on section of the beach but is in a section that is a little quieter than the part near Flagler Avenue with all of the bars, shops, and restaurants.
The 3.4-acre park has a ton of amenities for visitors. There is a boardwalk above the beach that is great to sightsee. The kids have basketball courts, racquetball courts, and a nice playground for them to enjoy. There is a picnic area with sail shade coverings and a firepit/bonfire spot you can reserve as well. The park has plenty of clean restrooms and an outdoor shower to clean off after a day at the beach. The park also has lifeguards on duty so it is a safe destination for families to visit.
If you are looking for a quiet and natural beach, consider visiting Apollo Beach, which is part of the Canaveral National Seashore. The Canaveral National Seashore is a national park and is the longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the state of Florida at 24 miles long.
The park is open from 6 AM to 8 PM and entry is $20 per vehicle or $10 per person if you are on a bike. These entry tickets are good for 7 days. If you’re a resident or planning to visit multiple times over the course of a few weeks, the $40 Annual Pass would be a better option for you.
Due to the sheer size of the park, there are a ton of places to explore and recreational options for your visit. There are hiking trails, campgrounds, fishing spots, kayaking/boating places and rocket launch viewing opportunities. Because it is so close to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, it is a great idea to check out the rocket launch schedule because they are amazing to watch.
The Apollo Beach area is very rural so be sure to bring in everything you need. There are no stores or restaurants at all. It is extremely wild and pristine. Most visitors love experiencing a natural beach with no hotels or condos in sight.
Another popular place to visit with a family in New Smyrna Beach is the Marine Discovery Center. This center is focused on education and conservation of the Indian River Lagoon Estuary, which is a 156 mile lagoon home to over 4,000 species. The grounds are free to walk around, and they have both indoor displays to see and outdoor eco-tours that you can purchase admission to. In particular, guests rave about the kayak tours. They are not too strenuous, the tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable and you may get to see wildlife like dolphins swim by. There are also hiking opportunities, several pontoon boat tours to choose from if your kids are too young to kayak and a gift shop of course. The Marine Discovery Center always has a lot of special events scheduled, so be sure to check their website for the most up to date information.
Many people enjoy salt water fishing while they visit Florida. My son and I have a ton of great memories from drift fishing and deep-sea fishing while on vacation. For their first time out on the ocean, a drift fishing boat like Sea Spirit Fishing is great for kids. They do half day charters in the morning or afternoon, plus they take care of licenses, tackle, etc. You just show up and fish. They are out of the Ponce Inlet and are accustomed to having guests of all ages and abilities on the water with them.
One unique “bucket list” item that you or your child can do in New Smyrna Beach is to learn to surf by taking a lesson with a professional instructor. The Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy has been providing lessons since 1985. Over the years, they have helped thousands of people get their start surfing. The instructors are nice, the prices are reasonable and it is a unique activity that you can’t try everywhere!
I know that my daughters are always looking for shopping opportunities while on vacation. New Smyrna Beach has a few unique shopping areas to visit. Flagler Avenue has a bevy of locally owned shops that have both standard tourist fare but also items created and marketed by New Smyrna Beach and/or Florida locals. New Smyrna Beach has quite a population of active artists and visitors can easily find their wares to purchase as a keepsake of their NSB travels. There are also some great shops in and around the Canal Street Historic District area downtown that are fun to visit. We visited both areas the last time we were in town. If you are looking for an outlet mall, both Daytona Beach and Orlando have them to visit just a short distance away.
Speaking of Orlando, Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld are a little over an hour away from New Smyrna Beach, making NSB a great base camp if you want to visit the parks AND enjoy the beach. Plus, after a long day at the parks, you might be ready for a break from the traffic and crowds of Orlando. Sometimes people split their trips as well, starting in Orlando with the parks and then winding down their vacation in New Smyrna Beach.
This is just a small sample of things to do with families in New Smyrna Beach Florida. Each month, there are a ton of special events happening as well. Feel free to keep an eye on our Events Calendar and also be sure to check other local websites as well to keep aware of all the activities in New Smyrna Beach!
