Known worldwide as a family-friendly locale, the New Smyrna Beach (NSB) area has attractions to suit every interest. From the pristine beach, to unique shops and restaurants, annual street festivals, hands-on activities, and much more, there’s a good reason people keep coming back to NSB.
The region was first settled in 1768 by Scottish physician Dr. Andrew Turnbull, who named it New Smyrna Beach in honor of his wife’s Greek heritage and birthplace. NSB was incorporated in 1887. Five years later, railroad magnate Henry Flager made it a featured stop on his Florida East Coast Railway.
Today, New Smyrna Beach remains a favorite destination for fun-loving people from around the globe. In this article, you’ll learn more interesting tidbits about what makes NSB such a great place to visit and live.
1) Oceanside Paradise
Despite being known in some circles as the “shark bite capital of the world,” the fact is that humans and sea creatures enjoy a largely peaceful co-existence in New Smyrna Beach.
The spacious and clean beaches have been consistently lauded by visitors and tourism experts. In addition, surfers love the ideal waves present most days in the area. More than eight world-class competitive surfers come from New Smyrna Beach.
While driving is allowed on the beach, there are restricted areas where vehicles are prohibited. That means you can get the best of both worlds and satisfy every member of your entourage.
2) Hub of Arts and Culture
Named as one of “America’s Top Small Cities for the Arts” by the non-profit group Americans for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach is home to many spots of historical significance and cultural interest.
That includes the Atlantic Center for the Arts. This facility features resident artists as well community art education resources. Other notable centers include the Harris House, the Little Theatre, and Arts on Douglas fine art gallery. In addition, several arts-centric festivals are hosted in the city throughout the year.
Locals are also proud of the fact that famous artist Bob Ross called New Smyrna Beach home at one time during his prosperous career. There is still an art studio bearing his name in town.
3) Accessible Downtown Area
A favorite pastime for visitors to New Smyrna Beach is wandering through the quiet downtown streets. Unlike big cities such as Orlando and Jacksonville, this pedestrian-friendly beach retreat is full of diverse local shops and restaurants.
In fact, chain restaurants can’t be seen on the city’s beachside. Instead, you’ll enjoy the quaint and relaxed vibe of locally-owned establishments staffed by friendly and outgoing professionals.
4) Award-Winning Amenities
Through the years, the New Smyrna Beach area has been lauded with many awards and distinctions. That includes ranking as one of “Florida’s Top 10 Beach Towns” (USA Today) and one of the best beach communities in the United States (Coastal Living Magazine).
In addition, NSB has been recognized by other well-known national publications such as:
- National Geographic
- Huffington Post
- CNN Travel
- and more
New Smyrna Beach was the cover feature of Southern Living’s June 2017 issue. The city has also been consistently ranked as a “best beach” by readers of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
5) Nature Lover’s Paradise
Wildlife abounds in the area. Along with marine life such as dolphins and manatees, NSB is home to a wide variety of other creatures, including alligators, turtles, and more than 400 species of birds. In addition, anglers know New Smyrna Beach as the “redfish capital of the world.” Top-notch fishing opportunities are available at several spots in and around the city.
Many of this wildlife (along with striking native Florida vegetation) can be seen on our relaxing two-hour tour. Offering three affordable cruise options from which to choose, it’s easy to unwind and create long-lasting memories with friends and loved ones.
Browse the ‘gallery’ section of our website to witness some of the sights you could see while on board. Then, contact us today to book an exciting boat tour of your own.
