Chances are you’ll book clients to Florida on a regular basis whether it’s to the parks in Orlando, the buzzy nightlife of Miami or the tropical beach scene of the Keys, but one destination you may have overlooked in the past offers a very different experience in the popular state.
New Smyrna Beach is a laid back seaside surf town north-east of Orlando where, instead of chain restaurants and rollercoaster rides, clients will find 17 miles of white sand beaches, colourful architecture, independent restaurants and a friendly, vibrant community. Whether they are keen to wind down from the high-octane thrills of Orlando, find a contrast to their Miami city beach experience or simply want a more boutique Florida getaway, New Smyrna Beach offers a warm welcome to them all.
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Life’s a beach
Beaches have to be one of the top draws for Brits travelling to Florida, and New Smyrna Beach’s 17-mile stretch of golden sand, from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Canaveral National Seashore, is one of the best on the Atlantic Coast. As well as a relaxed beach vibe, visitors here can also expect to find a surfer’s paradise with offshore rock ledges creating plentiful wave breaks.
The beach isn’t the only water-based fun to be had here though. The Intracoastal Waterway or Indian River Lagoon, North America’s most diverse estuary system – home to more than 4,000 species of plants, animals, birds and marine life – runs through New Smyrna Beach. Here visitors can try activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, fishing, boating and eco-guided river tours.
There are plenty of sports to try on land too. With nine golf courses, tennis courts, yoga classes and an abundance of biking trails, there is something to suit a variety of interests. Visitors can also cycle directly on the beach thanks to the hard-packed white sand and enjoy the thrill of pedalling by the ocean with the salty breeze in their hair.
A fascinating history
The second oldest city in Florida, New Smyrna Beach is the site of the largest single attempt at British colonisation in the New World, but it was inhabited by Timucuan Native Americans as early as 2000 BC. The Timucuan population had almost vanished by the time Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scottish physician and entrepreneur, settled in 1768 naming the area in honour of his wife, who was born in Smyrna, Asia Minor (now Izmir, Turkey). Visitors can learn more about the area’s intriguing past at the New Smyrna Museum of History.
Modern day New Smyrna Beach has a vibrant artistic spirit and visitors can immerse themselves in this during annual art and music festivals. There are also artist workshops, plentiful studios and local galleries to explore. Enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting the Atlantic Center for the Arts, which attracts artists in many disciplines.
Shopping in New Smyrna Beach is another artisan experience, with a stroll down Canal Street and Flagler Avenue introducing visitors to independent boutiques, antique shops and stores selling unique gifts.
Boutique bites
Home to an eclectic restaurant scene, New Smyrna Beach serves up independent eateries, artisanal coffee shops, buzzing bars and inventive breweries. Visitors can take their pick from fresh seafood on the waterfront, steaks and American favourites at destination restaurants or light bites under an umbrella at a pavement cafe.
While clients will likely be busy exploring all that New Smyrna Beach has to offer, there are also plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. As well as popular hotel brands, visitors can choose from oceanfront hotels, boutique B&Bs, luxury guesthouses, colourful motels, vacation apartments and full homes to rent.
So next time you are booking a Florida break, consider this seaside town with its artistic culture, boutique shops and eateries, plentiful activities and laid back beach vibe. It might just be the unexpected highlight of your client’s trip.
