Things To Do In New Smyrna Beach

Although you’ll be plenty busy as a flight student at Epic Flight Academy, you will still have some spare time to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Many of our incoming students ask us about recreational things to do in New Smyrna Beach, and we can assure you that you will never be bored! If you’re wondering what to do for fun in Florida and specifically looking for things to do near New Smyrna Beach, we can help suggest everything from outdoor recreation activities to a night on the town. Of course, many tourists stop by Epic to see our local landmark, a decommissioned DC-7, but you’ll have plenty of opportunity to see this on campus.

New Smyrna Beach is historic by United States standards. The town was settled 250 years ago, and its history is reflected in its culture and architecture. But it is also very much modern and up-to-date as a thriving tourist destination and civic center. Many of our students reside in nearby Port Orange, which is just a few miles north of New Smyrna Beach. You will find many fun things to do in your off time when you’re not flying, such as:

The Beach

Fishing at New Smyrna Beach — Visitors enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing and more at New Smyrna Beach.

The Beach: First and foremost, our area is famous for its pristine beaches. You can surf, paddleboard, swim, fish, scuba dive, kayak, or do just about any water sport you can think of here in New Smyrna Beach. Many of our students simply enjoy a restful walk on the beach. Others like to take a drive along the beach, a unique privilege in this area that is not allowed on most beaches elsewhere. Whether you just want a quiet day in the sun or need to engage in some physical activity, the beach is where to go.

Movies

The Movies: New Smyrna Beach boasts a state-of-the-art movie theater: AMC CLASSIC New Smyrna 12 Movie Theatre where they show a wide selection of new release films. There are also theaters nearby in Port Orange, such as Hollywood Theaters and Regal Cinemas Pavilion Stadium 14. There are matinees during the day and multiple showings in the evening, so you’ll always be able to catch a movie if you need a break from studying.

Dining Out

Norwoods is one of many things to do in New Smyrna Beach — Norwood’s is a popular place to dine, and everyone loves the view from the treehouse!

Food and Drink: You will never go hungry or thirsty in New Smyrna Beach. There are restaurants on site at the airport, but if you want to get away from your school setting, you can head over to Flagler Avenue, the tourist district by the beach. Or, make your way to historic Canal Street. Both areas are packed with a wide range of eateries from take-away spots to fine dining. Norwood’s is the only place where you can eat in a treehouse, The Breakers is one of several restaurants overlooking the beach, and Yellow Dog Eats frequently serves up live music with its meals. There are literally dozens of unique restaurants offering delicious cuisine for every taste, many with live entertainment and dancing.

Explore the Great Outdoors

The old fort is one of many things to do in New Smyrna Beach — The remains of the historic fort at Old Fort Park look out over the Indian River.

The Great Outdoors: Besides the beach, the New Smyrna Beach area is home to more than 20 parks and wildlife areas. We are confident you’ll find your own personal favorite, but here are a few examples:

Indian River Lagoon Park: This recreation area is located on Browns Bay and offers wildlife viewing, walking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing dock where you can catch your dinner.

Old Fort Park: At the end of Canal Street overlooking the Indian River, this is one of the area’s most popular parks and the site of numerous outdoor annual festivals. You can explore the ruins of the fort and speculate about its origins, which remain a mystery today.

Smyrna Dunes Park: This beach hot spot sits on 73 acres on the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula. There are over 2 miles of boardwalk with views of the Indian River, Ponce Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sugar Mill Ruins: This 17-acre park includes the remnants of a 19th century coquina sugar mill that was originally part of a plantation. The Seminoles raided the sugar mill during a war between the Seminole Indians and the United States, but you can still enjoy a picnic among the ruins in this peaceful setting.

Seminole Rest and Trail: This 21-acre Canaveral National Seashore historic site is located just a few miles south in Oak Hill on the western shore of Mosquito Lagoon. Here you can enjoy a walk among prehistoric shell mounds dating back to 2,000 B.C. and take a break from the stress of the modern world.

Discover the Arts

The Hub features the work of local artists — The Hub is an interactive art center with something for everyone.

Arts and Culture: New Smyrna Beach is a renowned artists’ colony, and there is no shortage of talent to discover. Atlantic Center for the Arts supports music composition, visual arts, literary arts, and performing arts. Flagler Avenue offers artists’ shops that are tucked away in cozy spots off the beaten path. The Hub on Canal Street is home to working artists specializing in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more. Also, check out Jane’s Art Center on Downing St. Fun fact: Bob Ross, famed television artist, was from NSB. You can even attend a Bob Ross Workshop! Thespians at The Little Theatre have been entertaining audiences since 1947. Catch a live performance of a beloved comedy, drama, or musical. And speaking of music, New Smyrna Beach’s music venues are everywhere – in bars and restaurants, at festivals and parks. If you are craving a little artistic inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

Jane's Art Center — Jane’s Art Center is a must-see in historic New Smyrna Beach.

Family Fun

Manatees in New Smyrna Beach — The manatee is Florida’s friendliest marine mammal. Make time to see these beautiful creatures.

Family Visits: Because our students travel from all around the world to attend flight school, they occasionally receive welcomed visits from home. Wondering what to do when your family comes to visit? As you can already see, there is a lot to do in New Smyrna Beach. But, wait – there’s more! A favorite destination with families is the Marine Discovery Center. This wildlife conservation facility includes a variety of exhibits showcasing local plants and wildlife from the Indian River Lagoon system. They also offer guided eco-tours. Families also enjoy visiting the area’s museums, such as the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum and New Smyrna Beach Museum of History.

New Smyrna Beach Aerial View — Whether you experience New Smyrna Beach from the air or on the ground, you’ll find it is full of beauty and charm and plenty to do.

This is just a short list of suggestions based on feedback from our students and our own friends and family who enjoy the recreational aspects of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. We love our hometown and know that you will, too. We want you to make the most of your time in the Central Florida area, so when you do need some fun time away from school or when family and friends come to visit, you can enjoy historic New Smyrna Beach, world-famous Daytona Beach, and the world’s #1 tourist destination – Orlando!