A day at New Smyrna Beach
 

We decided to give ourselves a break from our daily routine and drive to New Smyrna Beach. What a nice drive and the beach was wonderful. The ocean is just one of the reasons we moved to Florida. We feel so lucky to be here. We did run into about an hour of pounding rain and high winds which made the drive a bit difficult but when we approached TV....no rain. If anyone is looking for a day get a way, this would be a nice place to visit.

New Smyrna Beach is a very nice place to visit. It has some good restaurants and the beach is great to sit on for that Florida experience. I have been there when there have been rip currents and the water was very rough as well as times when it has been great for just being in the water.

Did you know that New Smyrna Beach is actually called the Shark Bite Capitol of the US? Usually, any shark bites are at dusk or early in the morning.

How long does it take to drive from TV to New Smyrna Beach? And from TV to Daytona Beach?

Both about a two hour drive.

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Sort of like no-see-ums.


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did you stay over or just a day trip

My wife and I do a lot of "beach days" either on the Atlantic side or the Gulf side just for the day. It is about a 90 minute to 2 hour drive either way depending on which beach we go to. Leave The Villages around 9 am and return about 6 pm. Plenty of time at the beach, late lunch, and still back in time for a Happy Hour somewhere.

day trip but will stay over night next time
 

Just a day trip. We think next time we will stay overnight. Any hotel recommendations???

On the West Coast, which beaches/Hotels are nice? Never been to the West Coast.

Our two favorites on the Gulf side are Fred Howard Park beach in Tarpon Springs, and Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota. Fred Howard has great parking, Siesta is a little more dicey. Can't help you on Hotels, but I am sure someone can. BTW, New Smyrna is our favorite on the Atlantic side, though we like St. Augustine Beach, with the history of St. Augustine itself AND a wonderful beach. My avitar pic was taken at Siesta Key.

On the Gulf Coast, we like the Clearwater Beach area and a bit further south like Madiera Beach, Passa-Grill, Treasure Island. Lots of public beach all along the area with public parking lots or street parking. Bring quarters for the parking. Lots of hotels in the area, too, if you would decide to stay overnight but it is an easy day trip.

Try:

Buena Vista Intracoastal Inn - Vacation Lodging in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

or

New Smyrna Beach Bed and Breakfast, New Smyrna Beach FL Lodging