Known for its beautiful 17-mile beach, authentic charm, creative arts district and independent eateries, New Smyrna Beach sits on Florida’s Atlantic coast, just an hour’s drive from Orlando. To make exploring the amazing things the local area has to offer, New Smyrna Beach has launched a fantastic Trails Guide that features 29 illuminating ways to discover its history and hidden gems.
Discovering the area has never been easier, thanks to the launch of the ‘NSB Trails’ guide, which features 29 different ways to explore the destination. Some trails can be completed in a day, whilst others should be split over a few days while based in New Smyrna Beach.
The NSB Trails guide visitors around New Smyrna Beach, as well as the neighbouring communities of Port Orange, Edgewater, Osteen & Oak Hill. Some of the trails also venture into the nearby cities of Deland and Daytona.
Tailored to a variety of themes and activities, holidaymakers can choose the trail that suits them best, whether that’s taking a trip down memory lane, discovering the great outdoors, pampering the mind and body, plunging into watersports activities, tasting local culinary delights or sampling craft beers.
Active & Adventurous
The ‘NSB Outdoor Trail’ (eight stops, 50 miles) allows visitors to enjoy fresh air and sunshine, from hiking nature trails to scenic parks and electric bike hire.
The ‘NSB Outdoor Watersports Trail’ (nine stops, 15 miles) showcases kayaking, paddleboarding and exploring NSB’s blue-water trails, where dolphins, manatees and birdlife can be spotted along the way. Jet ski tours, boat rental, surf lessons and diving sessions can also be booked.
The ‘NSB Sports Trail’ (six stops, 22 miles) includes local golf courses, a disc golf course, a soccer complex, a shuffleboard court and the 68-acre NSB Sports Complex. The ‘NSB Pet-friendly Trail’ (122 suggestions) is the trail for animal lovers, detailing where locals walk their dogs, pet-friendly restaurants and hotels, and stores to buy toys and treats to take home.
Arts, Culture & Wellness
The ‘NSB Arts Trail’ (seven stops, seven miles) visits artist workshops, galleries, museums and studios. The ‘NSB Music Trail’ (eight stops, five miles) journeys from beachside bars to taverns and restaurants, all renowned for their programme of live music and visiting musicians.
The ‘NSB Keep It Local Trail’ (four stops, 14 miles) highlights the areas with the best independent stores, boutiques, galleries and markets, which support local businesses, crafters, makers & merchants.
The ‘NSB Spa and Wellness Trail’ (seven stops, six miles) features rejuvenating activities, including a glorious sunrise yoga class, a morning walk over the sand dunes and a spa session at a hotel spa garden with a therapeutic waterfall and mineral pools.
History & Heritage
New Smyrna Beach occupies a notable place in history as the second oldest city in Florida, the site of the largest single attempt at British colonisation in the new world. The ‘NSB History Trail’ (six stops, 23 miles) includes visits to Old Fort Park, Sugar Mill Ruins and the New Smyrna Museum of History.
The ‘NSB African American History Trail’ (six stops, 51 miles) tells an important story, with stops including the Mary S. Harrel Black Heritage Museum, Freemanville’s Mount Moriah Baptist Church and the West Volusia Black Medical Gallery.
The ‘NSB Women’s Heritage Trail’ (six stops, 35 miles) visits Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve and the Atlantic Center for the Arts, both founded by trailblazer Doris “Doc” Leeper, as well as the early-1900s home to Mary McLeod Bethune, a prominent African-American educator and civil rights leader.
When the sun doesn’t shine in the Sunshine State
The ‘NSB Rainy Day Trail’ is home to a myriad of suggestions for days when the sun doesn’t come out to play. ‘NSB Visit a Local Art Gallery’ (10 stops, 40 miles) features the best places to watch creators at work in their studios, browse artwork and buy locally made mementoes.
‘NSB Get Creative’ (eight stops, 29 miles) visits arts studios and workshops where visitors can create, paint and sculpt. ‘NSB Explore Local Museums’ (nine stops, 61 miles) tells the history of the area, from surfing legends to auto-racing, and also visits a historic lighthouse.
‘NSB Get Active Indoors’ (13 stops, 90 miles) is an action-packed adventure including indoor playgrounds, soft-play centres, indoor climbing, ice-skating, bowling, speedway, trampolining and more! ‘NSB See A Show’ (eight stops, 59 miles) is a kaleidoscope of culture, visiting theatres, comedy clubs, galleries and cinemas. ‘NSB Shop ’til you Drop’ (seven stops, 27 miles) features shopping districts, malls, boutiques and outlet centres.
‘NSB Cheers!’ (15 stops, 46 miles) is a gallivant around the best places to wait out the weather while sipping a favourite refreshment at varying venues, including beachside bars, tavernas, a speakeasy, a treehouse and breweries.
‘NSB Unwind with a Spa Day’ (12 stops, 63 miles) is a haven of spas and salons for a truly epic pampering holiday. And ‘NSB Play a Game’ (10 stops, 61 miles) is fun for all the family, with stops at an escape room, blacklight indoor mini-golf, virtual reality gaming centre, bowling, arcades, go-karts, batting cages & more!
Dining & Drinking
The ‘NSB Barbecue Trail’ (six stops, 14 miles) is a smokin’ hot, finger-licking culinary adventure. The ‘NSB Taco Trail’ (10 stops, 36 miles) explores the area one taco trio at a time, with flavours from traditional fillings to fried alligator. The ‘NSB Burger Trail’ (nine stops, 25 miles) is a mouth-watering journey of cheeseburgers, sliders and 8-ounce burgers.
The ‘NSB Craft Beer Trail’ (eight stops, three miles) focuses on locally produced beers and breweries. The ‘NSB Spirits Trail’ (eight stops, three miles) has stops including a distillery, tiki bar, treehouse bar and a magical grotto-esque bar.
The ‘NSB Waterfront Dining Trail’ (nine stops, 41 miles) is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, dining from oceanfront to riverfront, from marina view to lagoon view. The ‘NSB Farmers Market Trail’ (six stops, 46 miles) showcases the bounty from local farmers, growers, bakers and makers.
To end on a sugar high, the ‘NSB Sweet Treat Trail’ (11 stops, 50 miles) features everything to satisfy a sweet tooth, with goodies from bakeries to ice-cream parlours, frozen custard shops and a “cheesecakery”.
For more information on New Smyrna Beach and all of the above trails, please go to www.visitnsbfl.com.
Read more travel guides, features and destination reviews here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.