New Smyrna Beach

Of all the towns along the Space Coast [1], New Smyrna Beach is the one that feels considerably less beholden to the presence of NASA. Still, the area’s preeminent natural site—the Canaveral National Seashore [2]—would unlikely be in such a great state of pastoral preservation were it not for its role as a buffer zone for the activities farther south at Cape Canaveral.

The city of New Smyrna Beach—pronounced “New Suh-murna”—combines beach-town mellow with occasional flashes of classy savoir-faire, making it one of the most attractive towns on Florida [3]’s mid-Atlantic coast.

Getting to New Smyrna Beach

The coastal area of the town of New Smyrna Beach is located about seven miles (15 minutes’ drive) east of I-95 on State Road 44. Daytona Beach [4] is about 24 miles (30 minutes) north of New Smyrna. Public transportation exists in the form of the VOTRAN system, but visitors may find it somewhat inscrutable; this being Florida [3], it’s far more optimal to rent a car and make your way to all the nearby sights.