Side Trips in Daytona Beach
Daytona is actually a superb jumping off point for seeing some of Florida’s most intriguing areas, from a town built around spiritualism, to a surfer paradise, to fishing villages, wildlife refuges and more.
Cassadaga, Florida
If you're in the Daytona Beach/Orlando area, you might have an intuition to make a pit stop in Cassadaga, the tiny 115-year-old community composed of psychics and mediums who will be happy to tell you your fortune or put you in touch with the deceased -- for a price, of course.
Should you find the whole concept of psychics and talking to the dead a bit far-fetched, consider the history of Cassadaga, which is fascinating in its own right.
The story goes that, as a young man from New York, George Colby was told during a séance that he would someday establish a spiritualist community in the South. In 1875, the prophecy came true when Colby was led through the wilderness of Central Florida by his spiritual guide to a 35-acre area that became the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp.
Consisting of about 57 acres and 55 no-nonsense clapboard houses, Cassadaga caters to those who have chosen to share in a community of like-minded people who happen to believe in the otherworldly. Yes, the people are eccentric, to say the least, but they're all friendly. About 25 of the camp's residents are mediums who channel their skills from their homes. Designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, Cassadaga is one of the few remaining "spiritualist" communities, like Lily Dale in upstate New York.
When you get to town, head straight for the information center (see below for directions), where you can find out which psychics and mediums are working that day, and make an appointment for a session, which ranges from $45 to $150 and up. A general store, a restaurant, a hotel (hotelcassadaga.com), and a few shops selling crystals and potions of sorts will keep you occupied while you wait for your appointment. Whether you’re a believer or not, an hour or two in Cassadaga will make for interesting cocktail conversation.From Daytona, take I-4 exit 114. Turn right onto Highway 472 at the end of the exit ramp toward Orange City/Deland. At the traffic light, turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Parkway. Turn right at the first light, which is Cassadaga Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the intersection with Stevens Street. The information center is on the right. For more information call tel. 386/228-3171 or go to www.cassadaga.org.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Just 24 miles south of Daytona Beach on A1A is New Smyrna Beach, a popular surf town known for its 17-mile white sand beach with some of Florida’s finest wave action, and wave breaks that attracts both experts and novices. In January 2024, the tiny town was abuzz with excitement over Brad Pitt, there filming an Apple original movie about a retired Formula One driver. But beyond the brief brush with Hollywood, and beyond the beach, is the Canal Street Historic District, a pedestrian friendly, charming, tree-lined neighborhood filled with shops, boutiques, art galleries, and a history museum, 120 Sams Ave. (tel. 386/478-0052), detailing the area’s heritage since its founding in 1768.The town also has two vibrant art hubs: the 5000 square foot gallery Arts on Douglas (123 Douglas St); and a small museum for changing exhibitions and events (lectures, classes and more) called Atlantic Center for the Arts (1414 Art Center Ave.). Both are free to visit.
A Florida fusion of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Key West, and even Brooklyn, highlights of New Smyrna Beach include breakfast hot spot The Mermaid Café, 113 Flagler Ave. (tel. 386/410-4033)—try the Elvis waffle; Crimson House, 219 N. Orange St. (tel. 386/402-4697), a wine bar and restaurant in a turn of the 20th century house with a tree canopied shaded backyard and live music; Third Wave Café & Wine Bar, 204 Flagler Ave. (tel. 386/402-7864), a funky garden café decked out with 1940s era sofas, lit by Edison bulbs, and featuring a menu of locally sourced seafood, small plates, and pizzas. Stroll five blocks from the river to the ocean along Flagler Avenue to discover independently owned boutiques selling everything from local honey to handmade jewelry and artwork.
Though you are close to Daytona and Cocoa Beach, where larger hotels abound, NSB has some adorable B&Bs. The Black Dolphin Inn, 916 S. Riverside Dr. (tel. 386/410-4868) is a Spanish-style boutique inn overlooking the Indian River, named for the dolphins that can be seen from your balcony or the inn’s docks. The Inn on the Avenue, 309 Flagler Ave. (tel. 386/693-4808) is a pretty old French cottage with six rooms located right in the heart of town. The stellar Anchor Inn Bed and Breakfast, 312 Washington St. (tel. 386/428-3499), has six ocean-themed rooms in a craftsman bungalow just a short walk to boutiques, restaurants, and the Intracoastal. Nearby is the Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast, 512 S. Riverside Dr. (tel. 386/423-4940), a handsome 16-room lodging spread between two historic Victorian-style homes and a guest cottage. Last, but possibly the most grand, the Victoria at 1883 Waterfront Estate, 532 N. Riverside Dr. (tel. 386/478-6009), is a magnificent estate with expansive gardens, themed rooms, water views and a hidden speakeasy.
Ocala: Florida's Horse Country
Just 78 miles west of Daytona Beach is Ocala, a different world that is more Kentucky than Central Florida. Known for its rolling hills, cow pastures, and Derby-caliber horse farms, Ocala is a nature lover's paradise and home to the stunning Ocala National Forest, with 600 lakes, 23 spring-fed streams, and two rivers and lakes, including Lake George, the second-largest lake in Florida, whose west side is encompassed within the forest and features springs and an impressive variety of wildlife and fish, including Atlantic stingray, mullet, striped bass, and blue crab. In fact, there's so much blue crab in Lake George that it supports a local fishery, making it one of the few freshwater blue crab fisheries in the world. Designated a National Scenic Trail in 1983, the forest's Florida Trail features the remains of homesteads made famous by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings's classic The Yearling.
Ocala also has a quaint, historic downtown district, with renovated Victorian homes and buildings, boutiques, antiques shops, restaurants, and cafes. While Ocala isn’t necessarily somewhere to spend a week, it is worth exploring the 72.3-mile Florida Trail which includes the college town of Gainesville, the horse country of Ocala, Old Florida towns including the very Victorian McIntosh and Micanopy, and the scenic Rainbow River. For more info, contact the Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau (tel. 352/438-2800).
Those looking to overnight in Ocala should consider The Equestrian Hotel, World Equestrian Center, 8510 NW 17th Lane, (tel. 352/414-7900), a swanky, sprawling stay drenched in mahogany and Italian porcelain, with 248 luxe rooms, outdoor pool, eight dining and drinking spots, and access to premiere equestrian events.
Just outside of Ocala is Silver Springs, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., a 350-acre natural theme park whose main attraction is the country's largest collection of artisan springs. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and features wild animal displays, glass-bottom boat rides, a jungle cruise, and a jeep safari. Ocala, in Marion County, which has been called the "Horse Capital of the World," also has a quaint, historic downtown district, with renovated Victorian homes and buildings, boutiques, antiques shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Cedar Key, Florida
Just 70 miles from Ocala along the northeastern coast, Cedar Key is a small fishing village with a wildlife refuge that consists of 13 islands originally home to fish camps used by indigenous Floridians. Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge (tel. 352/493-0238), is home to some 20,000 birds including egret, night heron, white ibis, and roseate spoonbill. Here’s the rub: the refuge is only accessible by boat. Tidewater Tours, 302 Dock St., Cedar Key, (tel. 352/543-9523), offers a daily, 2-hour tour to the refuge for $35 per person.
The small town of Cedar Key is worthy of an afternoon; the town has old Florida architecture, and for those who want to learn about the island’s history and expansive salt marshes, Cedar Key Museum & State Park, 12231 SW 166th Court, Cedar Key, (tel. 352/543-5350), is open from Friday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Be sure to check out the 1920s Whitman Home, commemorating the life of St. Clair Whitman, whose collection of seashells and native American artifacts are featured in the museum. Admission is $2 per person. Cute, colorful restaurants like the Prickly Palm, 8030 D. St., and Steamers Clam Bar & Grill, 420 Dock St., (tel. 352/543-5142), are popular with daytrippers—and day drinkers.
For those who want to stay overnight, the 21-and-over Low Key Hideaway, is a kitschy, funky, waterfront motel, RV campground, and tiki bar with rates from $145 to $185 a night. After a few drinks at their fabulous tiki bar, you will need a room! Other charming, old Florida stays include the picturesque, retro, 1950s-era Pirate’s Cove Coastal Cottages (tel. 352/543-5141), with rates ranging from $109 to $159, and the Victorian-style Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast (tel. 352/543-9000) a block from the waterfront and known for its bottomless cookie jar and ancient Florida oaks. Rates range from $135 to $205.
Paynes Prairie Preserve
Just 40 minutes north from Ocala is Micanopy, Florida's oldest inland settlement and home to the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 100 Savannah Blvd. (tel. 352/466-3397), a bird- watcher's dream, featuring more than 270 species, as well as alligators and bison. Exhibits and an audiovisual program at the visitor center explain the area's natural and cultural history. A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center provides a panoramic view of the preserve. Eight trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Ranger-led activities are offered on weekends, November through April. Admission is $6 per vehicle with up to eight people, $4 single-occupant vehicle, and $2 pedestrians. From I-75 South, take exit 374, the Micanopy exit, and turn right at the end of the exit ramp. You will then be traveling east on C.R. 234. Stay on this road 1 1/4 miles until it intersects with U.S. 441. Turn left onto 441 and go about 2/3 mile to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
