Calling All
Chill Seekers
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, New Smyrna Beach
exists in the place where art and Mother Nature meet
At the southern edge of New Smyrna Beach, when you dig your toes into the soft sand along Florida’s Canaveral National Seashore as dawn breaks and the sun peeks above the horizon to paint the water and sky brilliant shades of lavender, indigo, and gold, it’s easy to imagine travelers centuries ago stopping to marvel at the same untamed beauty. Here, on the state’s longest stretch of wild Atlantic coastline, the opening bars of Mother Nature’s daily symphony are the only sounds at this hour: the soothing crash of waves against the sand, the quiet rustle of the morning breeze amid the sea oats that anchor Canaveral’s twenty-foot-tall dunes, the warble and cry of the bounty of shorebirds that nest here.
Take some you time to discover this unique coastal park, which is wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida’s Indian River and encompasses fifty-eight thousand acres of barrier island (twenty-four miles of undeveloped beach) as well as large tracts of open lagoon, coastal hammock forest, and pine flatwoods. Though it’s New Smyrna Beach’s largest slice of protected wilderness, it has plenty of company. Other ideal places to pause and take a deep breath include the Canaveral National Seashore as well as Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve and the Atlantic Center for the Arts and its surrounding acreage, all sites available thanks to the passion and tireless work ethic of the local artist and conservationist Doris Leeper. The lifelong resident helped to ensure the continued unspoiled access to wild places and founded the Atlantic Center for the Arts, a sixty-nine-acre utopia for artists that has hosted the work of fifty-plus painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, and jewelers and holds as many as eighteen exhibitions in a calendar year.
Whether you’re an avid art collector or someone who simply appreciates beauty where you find it, Arts on Douglas is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring New Smyrna Beach’s historic Canal Street Arts District at your own pace. Here, shaded, pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with charming galleries and inspiring art studios. A pair of standout sister organizations—Jane’s Art Center and The Hub on Canal—offer the opportunity to witness creativity in motion, featuring exhibition space and educational facilities. Jane’s, founded to honor the life and passions of the local artist and environmentalist Jane Smith, specializes in ceramics and showcases the impressive clay work of local, regional, and national artists. If you’ve always wanted to sit behind the potter’s wheel, Jane’s is just the place to get your hands dirty, hosting regular classes for experienced and first-time ceramists. Nearby, The Hub showcases a broader artistic scope, serving as an incubator for more than seventy artists, many of whom staff community classes and workshops, including Watercolor 101, figure drawing, and the basics of oil (or acrylic) painting. For a big-picture look at the area’s burgeoning arts scene, check out the New Smyrna Beach Arts Trail or simply wander the bustling streets around Canal, finding your own avenues of inspiration at your leisure, and perhaps a painting or piece of pottery to take home with you—a daily reminder to return to this creative coastline.
To end the day as New Smyrna Beach arts scene matriarch Doris Leeper might have, you can reconnect with the natural world and take in the sunset along the meandering boardwalks at Smyrna Dunes Park with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Ponce de Leon Inlet, and the Indian River. Savor your newfound peace of mind as you watch the sun dip below the marshy wetlands, turning the sky neon once more.
To end the day as New Smyrna Beach arts scene matriarch Doris Leeper might have, you can reconnect with the natural world and take in the sunset along the meandering boardwalks at Smyrna Dunes Park with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Ponce de Leon Inlet, and the Indian River. Savor your newfound peace of mind as you watch the sun dip below the marshy wetlands, turning the sky neon once more.
Set your own agenda at VisitNSBFL.com
SAVOR
SLEEP
SAVE THE DATE
City Market Bistro
Located on Canal Street, this seafood-focused spot is helmed by local chef Scott Krause. City Market is walk-in only, so explore the surrounding historic district while you wait.
Third Wave Café
While this globally influenced café and wine bar draws inspiration from coastal Mediterranean cuisine, the tapas-style menu is built on local, sustainable ingredients.
Victoria 1883
This riverfront bed-and-breakfast, a stunning bastion of Old Florida architecture, has been reimagined and refreshed by new owners with a chic, updated look that combines modern amenities and vintage appeal.
The Riverview Hotel
The location of this historic eighteen-room inn and spa is hard to beat. Overlooking the Indian River, the Victorian landmark is just a breezy
ten-minute walk to the beach.
Plein Air Paint Out
The annual Plein Air Paint Out is a joint celebration of art and nature, benefiting local nonprofits Artists’ Workshop and Marine Discovery Center. This year, the live-painting event is slated for October 15–19.
G&G Art Affair
As part of the Plein Air Paint Out finale, join G&G for an intimate dinner and creative excursion spotlighting the incredible artists who call this slice of Florida paradise home.
Tickets go on sale in May at gardenandgun.com/events.
Sea It All
Make time for these laid-back spots
Calling All
Chill Seekers
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, New Smyrna Beach
exists in the place where art and Mother Nature meet