New Smyrna Beach is more than a touristy stopover on Florida’s Fun Coast. Located a stone-skip away from the hubbub of Dayton Beach, this popular beach town is just as famous for its 17 miles of white, sandy shoreline as its thriving arts scene, which boasts the renowned Atlantic Center for the Arts and its Harris House artists’ residency, theaters, and performing arts venues. Besides being a surfer’s paradise, beloved for its consistent break and uncrowded waters, the town rolls out an eclectic array of museums and galleries, including the Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery, named after the town’s most famous resident. With so many reasons to visit packed into such a beautiful destination, New Smyrna Beach has a lot to offer visitors of all persuasions.

Like the rest of northeastern Florida, New Smyrna Beach experiences a predictably subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild and fairly dry. Due to the subtropical climate, there’s a long rainy season, from May through October. During those months, frequent thunderstorms break up the heat (averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit) and keep New Smyrna Beach’s gloriously green plant and tree species hydrated. Winters are much drier and more predictably sunny. Temperatures typically hover in the 60s and 70s, though drop to the 50s after sunset. Hurricanes are common in the region, the season lasting from June through November. Direct hits are rare, but if you plan to visit during that time, pay close attention to local weather reports.

Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park

Anchoring downtown New Smyrna Beach to the Atlantic Ocean, Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park is a popular spot for people watching, or strolling the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk. To take in the colorful local culture, head west down Flagler Avenue, which is lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants and serves as the town’s Main Street.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Just north of town across the Ponce Inlet Jetty is the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. Built of red brick in 1887 and standing 175 feet high, it’s the tallest lighthouse in the state, and one of the best preserved in the country.

Old Fort Park Archeological Site

On the mainland overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway sits one of New Smyrna Beach’s great mysteries: the Old Fort Park Archeological Site. A foundation of coquina (shell rock) seemingly outlines a fort-like structure, an abandoned mansion, or a colonial church. Speculation abounds, which makes it well worth a visit.