New Smyrna Beach

One of America’s earliest colonies, New Smyrna Beach was settled by Andrew Turnbull in 1607, who brought more than 1,500 colonists from Greece and Minorca to carve out a rice plantation along the Indian River in an area now known as the Mosquito Lagoon. New Smyrna Beach has two distinct commercial historic districts – along Canal Street on the west side of the river and along Flagler Avenue at the beach. Each of these very walkable shopping districts offers a bounty of local artists and their galleries, eclectic and trippy shops, authentic seafood restaurants, and historic accommodations. US 1 brought the first tourists to the region, and ...

One of America’s earliest colonies, New Smyrna Beach was settled by Andrew Turnbull in 1607, who brought more than 1,500 colonists from Greece and Minorca to carve out a rice plantation along the Indian River in an area now known as the Mosquito Lagoon. New Smyrna Beach has two distinct commercial historic districts – along Canal Street on the west side of the river and along Flagler Avenue at the beach. Each of these very walkable shopping districts offers a bounty of local artists and their galleries, eclectic and trippy shops, authentic seafood restaurants, and historic accommodations. US 1 brought the first tourists to the region, and stil has that retro road trip feel, with drive-in diners to eat at and a host of tiny locally owned motels. Just to the south of this happening area along the same peninsula is Canaveral National Seashore, a popular getaway for surfing, ocean kayaking, and camping on the beach. To the north of Flagler Avenue, Smyrna Dunes Park offers a birds-eye view of Ponce Inlet and the Ponce Lighthouse from its observation tower and mile-long boardwalk over the dunes.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.