Sometimes the best getaway doesn’t require a plane ticket and weeks of planning. Only a few hours from New Port Richey, New Smyrna Beach offers an Atlantic Coast escape filled with beach days, waterfront dining, abundant wildlife and the kind of laid-back charm that makes it easy to forget you’re only a few hours from home.
While New Smyrna Beach is a great escape any time of year, this October, there’s an even better reason to make the trip. Coastal Catch Restaurant Month returns October 1–31, bringing together restaurants throughout the New Smyrna Beach area to celebrate the flavors of the coast. Participating restaurants offer a range of special menus, signature dishes and prix fixe options that highlight everything from locally inspired seafood to creative dishes that showcase the personality of the area’s culinary scene. I recently spent a few days exploring the town and was surprised by how much you can experience without ever feeling rushed.
My home base for the weekend was a beachfront Casago NSB rental, where sweeping ocean views and the sound of waves just beyond the balcony immediately put me into vacation mode. With restaurants, activities and the beach all within easy reach, it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the weekend. Whether enjoying some downtime at the property or heading out for the next adventure, it was wonderful having a comfortable beachfront retreat to come back to.
One of my favorite things about New Smyrna Beach was how easily one part of the day flowed into the next. A morning on the beach can turn into lunch on the water, an afternoon exploring local shops and galleries, and an evening filled with live music, cocktails and fresh coastal flavors.
A great coastal weekend should include plenty of time near the water, and lunch at River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant is a perfect introduction to New Smyrna Beach. Located along the Intracoastal Waterway, River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant offers a laid-back waterfront atmosphere and a menu filled with seafood, burgers and tropical drinks like the Key West Kiss and Pirate’s Punch.
One of the town’s most memorable dining experiences is Norwood’s Treehouse. Wrapped around the branches of a sprawling oak tree, the Treehouse Bar creates a multi-level outdoor setting complete with live music, cocktails and an atmosphere that feels truly one of a kind. It’s the kind of place where the setting becomes just as much a part of the evening as the food. Our meal included Bacon-wrapped Scallops, Shrimp & Grits and a comforting Seafood Pot Pie.
One of the best after-dinner activities is a dolphin tour with Toon Tiki Charters. Seeing dolphins surface beside the boat made New Smyrna Beach feel entirely different from the version we’d experienced on land. It was a chance to slow down, take in the scenery and see the coastal landscape from the water.
Next was lunch at Chases on the Beach. Sitting directly along the Atlantic, Chases delivers the classic beach-town experience, with oceanfront dining and the kind of setting where lunch easily turns into an afternoon. We enjoyed the Ahi Wontons, Gator Tail Bites and some refreshing rum runners while sitting outside watching beachgoers, surfers and families enjoy the shoreline.
When you’re ready to trade flip-flops for a more elevated evening, SoNapa Grille offers a change of pace. Inspired by the food and wine culture of Sonoma and Napa Valley, SoNapa blends coastal Florida with California wine-country influences. It’s a great choice for a date night or a special dinner after a day spent exploring. The meal featured SoNapa’s signature butter flight with Three Cheese Asiago Bread, an excellent espresso martini and a beautifully prepared Cabernet Prime Ribeye.
For those who would rather get a little closer to nature, Marine Discovery Center is a must. The nonprofit organization dedicates itself to protecting Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, conservation, and exploration. Kayaking through the Indian River Lagoon gives visitors an opportunity to slow down, paddle through mangroves and salt marshes, and watch for dolphins, manatees and shorebirds. It reveals a quieter, more natural side of New Smyrna Beach, and one well worth experiencing.
Part of New Smyrna Beach’s appeal is the combination of experiences. Take a stroll along Flagler Avenue and through the Canal Street Historic District, where galleries, independent boutiques and locally owned businesses showcase the town’s creative spirit. Stops like Ring Gallery, LuSea Boutique and Posh Pineapple add even more personality and charm.
And during Coastal Catch, food becomes the thread connecting it all. The experience was a reminder that some of Florida’s best getaways don’t require an elaborate itinerary or a long flight. Sometimes all you need is a beautiful beachfront place to stay, great food, time on the water, a dolphin sighting or two and enough time to slow down and enjoy life. One sunset at a time.
Kayaking through the Indian River Lagoon gives visitors an opportunity to slow down, paddle through mangroves and salt marshes, and watch for dolphins, manatees and shorebirds
Some of Florida’s best getaways don’t require an elaborate itinerary or a long flight.