I am a beach girl. Growing up in Michigan, I experienced lakes, fishing, and hunting for Petoskey stones (IFYKYK, right?). But when I moved to Florida at 20, I had never been to the beach. When my new Disney co-workers asked if I wanted to "go to the beach," I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was magical—listening to the waves, feeling the sun and sand on my skin. Now, you’ll find me here listening to JJ Grey and watching for dolphins.
So when Benjamin and I were invited to spend a weekend in New Smyrna Beach to share our experience with you, of course, I said YES! We stayed the last weekend of the month so we could also attend the wine walk. Our two-bedroom condo on the sixth floor of the Oceania Beach Club had spectacular views—both of the ocean and the people-watching below.
Friday Night: A Farm-to-Table Welcome
We kicked off our adventure with dinner at General Public House. Nestled on Canal Street, the restaurant’s Southern-inspired dishes, made with fresh Florida ingredients, set the tone for the weekend. We savored every bite, appreciating the blend of comfort food and local flavors. Full and happy, we headed back to our room and enjoyed the view from the balcony.
Saturday: Art, Exploration, and the Wine Walk
The next morning started with the best pastries from Mon Delice, an authentic French bakery. I couldn’t resist a buttery croissant, while Benjamin enjoyed their mini quiche—a perfect start to the day. After breakfast, I wandered Canal Street, exploring colorful galleries and studios at The Hub on Canal and Jane’s Art Center. I spent some time with Richard England, Executive Director of The Hub, who shared insights about the amazing talent exhibited by Florida artists across various media.
After soaking up the art, we made our way to lunch at The Bounty, a speakeasy above Flagler Tavern, with views overlooking bustling Flagler Avenue below.
We couldn’t resist joining the Flagler Avenue Wine Walk—a delightful way to explore shops while sampling wine. We browsed boutiques like Friki Tiki and indulged in sweet treats at Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweet Shop.
Later that afternoon, we toured SugarWorks Distillery, where we learned about the owner Michael Scorsone and his passion for crafting small-batch spirits. The intimate tour was a highlight, and I’m pretty sure the old-fashioned I had was the best I’ve ever tasted.
We wrapped up the day with dinner at Norwood’s Treehouse Restaurant, a unique dining experience set among the treetops. Under a canopy of leaves, we feasted on the largest king crab leg we’ve ever seen, along with a perfectly cooked ribeye. Dessert was cheesecake topped with Fruity Pebbles—and trust me, you won’t regret trying it!
Live music also thrives in New Smyrna Beach, one of my favorite things! A Saturday night on Flagler Avenue offers the perfect chance for a bar crawl, from Peanuts to Flagler Tavern, dancing the night away.
Sunday Morning: Brunch at The Baker’s Table
Before heading back to Orlando, we visited The Baker’s Table, where chefs Jaime and Jeanette Quintana serve up a wonderful brunch. It was the perfect end to our weekend staycation.
I’ve been to New Smyrna Beach more times than I can count, but this visit felt special. Benjamin, who’s only lived in Orlando for a few years, loves discovering new towns with me. Exploring as locals always adds a fun twist, and even I found places I never knew about.
This weekend in New Smyrna Beach was the perfect getaway. Between the art, delicious meals, and a few shared laughs, we couldn’t have asked for more.
As the holiday season approaches, New Smyrna Beach transforms into a festive wonderland. From parades to seasonal markets and community celebrations, there are endless ways to enjoy the holidays. Check out the next page for a full lineup of events and photos that capture the magic of the holidays by the sea.
Family-Friendly Festivities for the Holidays in New Smyrna Beach
- Spark the Spirit Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 29, 5-7:30 p.m.
- Kick off the holiday season with live entertainment, a Winter Wonderland, and Santa’s grand entrance at Christmas Park on Canal Street.
- Coastal Christmas Market: November 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Shop local artisans and Canal Street merchants for unique gifts and holiday treasures.
- Girls’ Night Out: December 5, 5-8:30 p.m.
- The ultimate holiday shopping spree, complete with live music, refreshments and special deals on Canal Street.
- 37th Annual Light Up Flagler: December 6, 5-8 p.m.
- Enjoy merchant open houses, a homemade cookie challenge and two festive parades.
- Santa Paws Pooch Parade: December 6, 6:15 p.m.
- Pets are the star in this holiday dog parade along Flagler Avenue.
- Christmas Crazy Cart Parade: December 6, 7 p.m.
- Decked-out golf carts take a jolly ride down Flagler Avenue.
- Christmas Parade on Canal: December 7, 4:30 p.m.
- Watch the festive holiday parade as it travels down Canal Street, showcasing holiday floats and performances.
- Holiday Boat Parade: December 9, 6-8 p.m.
- Admire beautifully decorated boats as they float down the Indian River in a dazzling light show.
- Festive Fridays on Flagler Avenue: December 13 & 20, 4-8 p.m.
- Enjoy holiday shopping with special promotions, live entertainment and swag bag giveaways at participating Flagler Avenue merchants.
Exploring as locals always adds a fun twist, and even I found places I never knew about.
New Smyrna Beach always surprises us—perfect getaways, hidden gems, and now holiday magic awaits. See what’s next!