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  • Discover The Daytona Beach Ale Trail, A Daytona Beach Craft Beer Adventure
    The craft beer craze has hit Daytona Beach. The only problem is that I only found out about it on my last full day in town. The Daytona Beach craft beer scene has arrived and it has 16 stops on what they are calling the Daytona Beach Ale Trail. Everything from breweries to restaurants and beer halls. Some serve food, some allow you to bring food in from neighbouring restaurants and some even have a food truck parked outside. There is something for everyone and as if you've got a taste for microbreweries then this may be the non-beach adventure for you. It is for me. Full disclosure, the worst day to explore the Daytona Beach Ale Trail is Monday and that is the only day I have to check it out. Most of the breweries are closed for the day so I only have a couple of options to choose from. Hey, even brewmasters deserve a day off right? The spots to visit incorporate all of Greater Daytona Beach from Deland to Port Orange and Ormond Beach. Even though most of the stops are on their day of rest I have found two places that will cover off a lot of craft beer. The first is Tomoka Brewing Company. A brewery with a restaurant. They have a fairly extensive list of brews made on site and cover a variety of styles. To begin my adventure I start with a 4 beer tasting flight. From left to right there is a Hefeweizen, an Irish Red Ale, a Weisse and a Stout. See, there is something for everyone. My personal favourite is the Hazy Sunrise Hefeweizen. My next stop is a Daytona Beach Craft Beer House called The Half Wall. Â This is where you come if you want options. Not only beer style options but brewery options. There is a great selection of local brews but you aren't just limited to Florida beers. There are beers here from around the world and you can choose from a variety of tasting flights. the-half-wall-craft-beer-house I'm skipping the flights and going straight for a couple of pints. Pint number 1 is a Daytona Beach Blonde Ale from Daytona Beach Brewing. Pint number 2 is called The Dude from Ormond Brewing. It is a stout with a hint of peanut butter. Definitely a cool beer and worth trying. daytona-beach-blonde-ale-at-the-half-wall ormond-brewing-the-dude-milk-stout OMG, why did I not find out about these great craft breweries sooner? Next visit to Daytona Beach I am definitely scheduling some exploration time of the Daytona Beach Ale Trail. I may also hire a designated driver so I can beer the afternoon away. Read the full article and more here.
  • New Beachfront Hotel Set For New Smyrna
    Located just north of Cocoa Beach and south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, offers a different experience to the Sunshine State that most people are familiar with. This beach town offers miles of white sand and beach activities, fascinating historical sites, a year-round calendar of cultural events and eclectic shopping and dining experiences. For visitors who haven't ventured this way before, 2017 is the year to discover the New Smyrna Beach area, as the beach beauty beckons with exciting openings and new experiences. Big news for 2017 will be the opening of the Marriott SpringHill Suites in June 2017. The hotel will be located on the beach end of the town's main street, Flagler Avenue. The beachfront hotel is a new-build, but has been designed to blend in with the town's wooden frame architecture. In addition to a new hotel joining the community, new restaurants will be making New Smyrna Beach their home as well. The Ocean Deck family will open the new River Deck New Smyrna Beach this spring in a pristine location on Riverside Drive overlooking the Indian River, which is rich in marine, bird and wildlife. The restaurant will have a tropical theme, with a sandy beach and tiki bar. Also set to open in early 2017, Florida Roadhouse will be a new addition to the restaurant scene in Edgewater. This summer, The Half Wall Beer House will be opening a new brewery on State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach. This will be the second site in the beach town for the small Half Wall Beer House chain, but the new opening will also brew and serve their own craft beer on the premises, alongside up to 100 other beers on tap. Also new for 2017, Paddleboard New Smyrna is now offering a package usually reserved for groups as an option for the public to book too. The 'Paddle and Brunch'- package will be offered on Sunday mornings, starting with around two hours' paddle-boarding past the waterfront houses and out to the island nature reserves, while keeping an eye open for dolphins and manatees joining the group. Read the full article and more here.
  • Jason’s rescue an inspiration to help neglected animals
    Dozens of local animal lovers turned out on the chilly afternoon of Jan. 29 at an event hosted at the Half Wall beer house in Port Orange, to meet Jason, a seriously neglected and abandoned dog who has since recovered and is about to start a new life in a loving forever home. screen-shot-2017-03-14-at-3-32-05-pm Some of you may remember I shared Jason's story when he was first found at the beginning of September 2016. He was chained up and abandoned at a vacated property, in the dirt with no food, water or human contact for weeks until he became a skeleton. Jason was discovered in this terrible state by animal advocate and DeLand Police Lt. Greg McWhorter, who was extremely shocked by Jason's appearance and quickly raised the alarm for help. Lt. McWhorter was also at the event on Sunday to wish Jason well on his new journey and give him a hug goodbye! Fortunately Jason was taken in by the local group, Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue, and went to live with Sophie's Circle volunteer Jen who became his foster mom during his recovery. Jason collected a huge social media following along the way and some people may say, "Why so much attention on just one dog? There are so many more like him out there!" This is absolutely true but some cases are very compelling and just take off, so if people want to follow Jason's journey then sobeit! Jason is a poster dog for all the others like him who also are suffering and his story raises awareness, bringing home the harsh reality that neglect like this is happening in our own backyards right here in Volusia County. His story reinforces the need to support our local animal rescue groups and animal agencies who work so hard every day to relieve these animals from suffering and prepare them for new lives. When Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue was approached about Jason they were told that he had no hope unless they took him and would probably be euthanized. Sophie's Circle was not going to let that happen! Despite best efforts though, there was not enough evidence in the case to link to any particular person to this crime, so nobody will be punished for Jason's suffering which I think is a travesty and tragedy. Regardless of his past, Jason is very trusting and loving. At his meet and greet, he kissed babies, played nice with other dogs who approached him and licked everyone who petted him (he should be a politician). The good news is that although Jason's foster mom loves him very much, she has in fact found him the most amazing forever home where he also has a new 'doggie' sister! He has met his new owner several times and both of them are very excited about starting their new life together this week. Follow Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue on Facebook or visit their website at sophiescircle.org to stay up to date on Jason and all the other animals they help. You also may want to adopt a pet, or even make a donation towards this great charitable cause. "Contact Jane Davis at volusiacountypets@gmail.com"
  • Taste Traditional Florida Magic at New Smyrna Beach

    By

    Taste traditional Florida magic at New Smyrna Beach - When it comes to our favourite US destinations Florida usually wins hands down.

    The Sunshine State has an abundance of A-list attractions from Disneyland and the Everglades to the Kennedy Space.

    But there's a whole lot more to explore once you scratch the surface and take a closer look at the mapbook.

    New Smyrna Beach, a relatively under-the radar beach destination on the USA's Atlantic coast, possesses an old town charm rarely found in holiday hot-spot, Florida. Â For visitors who haven't ventured this way before, 2017 is the year to discover New Smyrna, as the beach beauty beckons with exciting openings and new experiences to entice travellers.

    Located north of Cocoa Beach and just south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach offers a different experience to the Florida that Brits are most familiar with. The beach town offers miles of white sand and beach activities, fascinating historical sites, a year-round calendar of cultural events and eclectic shopping and dining experiences. Big news for 2017 will be the opening of 'Marriott Spring Hill Suites, New Smyrna Beach', in May. The hotel will be in an unbeatable location on the beach end of the town's main street and has been designed to blend in with the town's wooden frame architecture. The Ocean Deck family will open the new 'River Deck New Smyrna Beach' in early 2017, in a pristine location on Riverside Drive overlooking the Indian River, which is rich in marine, bird and wildlife. The restaurant will be inspired by the flavours of the Caribbean and offer a stunning 'floorshow' - watching the river dolphins play in the intracoastal waterway. In summer 2017, The Half Wall Beer House will be opening a new brewery on State Road, New Smyrna Beach. This will be the second site in the beach town for the small Half Wall Beer House chain, but the new opening will also brew and serve their own craft beer on the premises, alongside up to 100 other beers on tap. An hour's drive from Orlando, New Smyrna Beach possesses a distinct hometown quality reflected in its cracker architecture, lush tropical landscape and vibrant community of families, artists, surfers and sun lovers. Accommodation options are plentiful with oceanfront hotels, unique bed and breakfasts, holiday homes and hotel brands welcoming guests year-round. A stroll down charming Canal Street and quaint Flagler Avenue is a must, both streets are lined with colourful boutiques, unusual gifts, antique shops and buzzing bars, breweries and restaurants.
    Go to website
  • New Summer Openings Set to Make a Splash in New Smyrna Beach

    Florida Beach Town Gets Ready For Summer 2017 With Exciting New Openings, Launches & Experiences

    MEGAN DEBELLO, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLA (PRWEB) JUNE 04, 2017

    The seaside community of New Smyrna Beach is known as a quaint and quiet beach town with a thriving mixture of attractions, accommodations and dining waiting to be experienced. With many things to see and do, it's no wonder families enjoy visiting the area for their summer vacation. However, in Summer 2017, visitors will be in for a real treat as new openings and exciting new adventures are in store to entice travelers to experience a new side of New Smyrna Beach.

    In late August/early September, the brand new SpringHill Suites by Marriott will be open for business. The hotel will be in an unbeatable location on the beach end of the town's main street, Flagler Avenue. The beachfront hotel is a new-build, but has been designed to blend in with the town's wooden frame architecture. There will be an outdoor pool and patio area, spacious suites, comfortable lobby, on-site dining and a bar, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, free breakfast and covered parking.

    In addition to a new hotel joining the community, new restaurants will be making New Smyrna Beach their home as well. Canal Street is adding a new restaurant to its downtown charm. The French Quarter Grille on Canal is a new restaurant that will be open in a few weeks! The French Quarter Grille on Canal will offer authentic New Orleans style cuisine using only the freshest ingredients and seafood and will have an exquisite beverage menu to satisfy Cajun cravings. For beer lovers, the Half Wall Beer House will be expanding its brand to open a new brewery located off SR 44, New Smyrna Beach's main traffic route. The brand-new brewery will brew and serve their own craft beer on the premises and will be opening in July 2017.

    As these restaurants get ready for their grand openings, some restaurants have already opened their doors and have been rocking the taste buds of locals and visitors alike. Florida Roadhouse is a new addition to the restaurant scene in Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach's neighboring community. Roadhouse's signature steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, sandwiches and salads are served in an old Florida atmosphere with friendly staff. Riverpark Terrace is another great new restaurant that recently opened in April. Tucked away on Riverside Drive, Riverpark Terrace is a one-of-a-kind bar and restaurant that offers a beautiful, quaint atmosphere with fresh dining choices. The unique thing about Riverpark Terrace is that it has a fresh seasonal menu with locally sourced fresh produce also known as 'farm-to-table.'

    What would a destination be without some awesome adventures to experience and explore? A semi-new business called Pure Island Tours offers one-of-a-kind paddleboarding tours by equipping their custom-made Pure Island paddleboard with a state-of-the-art fully integrated LED lighting system! Light up the night as you glide across the Indian River Lagoon on a multi-colored, multi-function LED paddleboard with 16 color options that you control with the click of a button on your personal remote. It's a unique experience that many outdoor enthusiasts should definitely try! If standing on the water isn't your style, then try riding an electric bike from FLAUNT Electric Vehicles. FLAUNT Electric Vehicles is a new business that launched in New Smyrna Beach with the idea that eco-friendly transportation could be stylish, affordable, and created with the highest quality standards. Starting in a few weeks, visitors will be able to rent FLAUNT Electric Bicycles to tour around the city or take a joy ride. There will also be tours available to catch the scenery of the New Smyrna Beach area in an eco-friendly way.

    Finally, the City of New Smyrna Beach just celebrated the grand opening of a brand new riverside fishing pier at Smyrna Dunes Park! The pier is on the east shore of the Intracoastal Waterway and is 350 feet long and 10 feet wide. It features concrete pilings, two large shade structures, multiple benches, and a handrail designed for handicap accessible fishing. The pier decking and handrail cap are constructed with composite lumber and made up of recycled plastic materials. This is a great pier for fishing enthusiasts who are looking to get a great catch in the Red Fish Capital of the World.

    With many new restaurants, attractions and a hotel coming on board, New Smyrna Beach is definitely a destination that travelers will want to visit for their summer vacation.

    About New Smyrna Beach

    New Smyrna Beach possesses a hometown quality reflected in its architecture, 13 miles of pristine beach, recreational inland waterways, eclectic restaurant scenes and friendly community of residents. Accommodations here range from charming bed and breakfast inns to family-size condominium units and oceanfront hotels. Visitors and locals constantly enjoy frequent art shows, annual festivals, historical and cultural sites filled with rich history and many unique boutiques, galleries and sidewalk cafes scattered throughout Canal Street and Flagler Avenue. The New Smyrna Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a variety of informational resources readily available for both local residents and out-of-town business and leisure travelers. Residents and visitors can learn about the area's many options for fun, dining, shopping, overnight accommodations, attractions, recreation and more.

    New Smyrna Beach was voted BEST BEACH for ten consecutive years by readers of Orlando Sentinel! More information about New Smyrna Beach is available online at visitnsbfl.com or by calling 386-428-1600. Follow @NewSmyrnaBeach1 on Twitter, Visit New Smyrna Beach on Facebook, @visitnewsmyrnabeach on Instagram, visitnewsmyrna on Pinterest or Visit New Smyrna Beach on YouTube for updates about events, tourist and local activity or other information about local attractions. Download the free NSB Mobile App for iPhone and Android to receive this information on the go.

  • Orlandoans’ Favorite Weekend Getaway, New Smyrna Beach, Serves Up Plenty to do 
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    Photo by Aldrin Capulong
    By of Orlando Weekly

    Located a little less than an hour's drive from the heart of Orlando, New Smyrna Beach is a favorite day- or weekend-long excursion for Central Floridians. The sleepy seaside town offers plenty of options whether you're a foodie, drinkie, or just want to relax and enjoy some sand, surf and sun.

    NSB is known as one of the best small towns in the country for artists, so if you find yourself over there, think about stopping in to the Atlantic Center for the Arts (1414 Art Center Ave., atlanticcenterforthearts.org), a nonprofit residency community for artists from across the world with several galleries open to viewing. Over in the town's historic downtown area, you'll find Arts on Douglas (123 Douglas St., artsondouglas.net), a complex of connected galleries showing visual art by both locals and visiting artists. And if you're an aspiring artist yourself, harness a little of the magic of New Smyrna's most famous artist, Bob Ross, at the Bob Ross Art Workshop (757 E. Third Ave., bobrossartworkshop.com). The workshop displays a large collection of original oil paintings, and you might even be able to take a morning class and create some happy little trees yourself. Finding a good meal in New Smyrna isn't hard; it's deciding where to go that's the problem. The resort town has drawn the attention of some serious culinary talent, resulting in some delectable options for foodies of all tastes and bank account sizes. Obviously, seafood is a specialty here, but it's hard to find it fresher than at JB's Fish Camp (859 Pompano Ave., jbsfishcamp.com), where you can dig into a platter of fresh crab or a fried grouper sandwich, then work off the calories by renting a kayak for a scenic trip on the Indian River. Diners who want to indulge will find more gourmet options at Norwood's Eatery & Treehouse Bar (400 Second Ave., norwoods.com), a local institution offering up gourmet seafood alongside steaks, burgers and pasta dishes. Popular Gotha barbecue-and-sandwich spot Yellow Dog Eats also has a successful New Smyrna location with plenty of veg-friendly options (147 Canal St., yellowdogeats.com).
    Third Wave - PHOTO BY ALDRIN CAPULONGPhoto by Aldrin Capulong, Third Wave
    For scenic dining, it's hard to go wrong with the Garlic (556 E. Third Ave., thethegarlic.net), a homestyle Italian restaurant with a lush garden patio with enough canopy cover to blur the lines of indoor and outdoor dining. If you prefer your Italian a little lighter, check out the brick oven-fired Neapolitan pizzas at Third Wave (204 Flagler Ave., thirdwavensb.com). For casual Floribbean cuisine, dig into the gator bites or conch fritters at Corkscrew Bar and Grille (235 Canal St., corkscrewbarandgrille.com), or head over to Outriggers at the New Smyrna Marina (200 Boatyard St., newsmyrnamarina.com/outriggers) for fish & waffles and extra-strength cocktails so strong that guests are limited to two each (though we've never actually seen anyone get cut off). East Volusia County hasn't quite reached peak craft beer yet, but brew fans will want to check out New Smyrna Brewing Co. (112 Sams Ave., newsmyrnabrewing.com), a microbrewery that serves up varieties like the Shark Attack IPA and Disappearing Island Apricot ale along with seasonal varieties. The big news for NSB beer fans, though, is the imminent opening of the Half Wall Brewery (1887 State Road 44, halfwallbrewery.com), slated to open this summer and sporting enough space to handle several brew kettles along with a lakeside patio bar perfect for relaxing and crushing a few pints.