Penny’s guidebook
City/town information
Longwood
Longwood is a quaint town that is centrally located between attractions.
Food scene
Best pizza ever - not a chain. Authentic Italian owners! Small, casual and nearby. Delivers for a fee.
Papa Joe's Pizza & Italian Restaurant
4205 W Lake Mary BlvdBest pizza ever - not a chain. Authentic Italian owners! Small, casual and nearby. Delivers for a fee.
Great breakfast menu and the food is always delicious. Outdoor seating has a laid back, peaceful atmosphere.
10 locals recommend
Peach Valley Café
1210 International PkwyGreat breakfast menu and the food is always delicious. Outdoor seating has a laid back, peaceful atmosphere.
Food is good but you go here for the view from the screened, back patio that overlooks Lake Monroe. They have some fun, frozen beverages. Lunch or dinner.
35 locals recommend
St Johns Rivership Co
433 N Palmetto AveFood is good but you go here for the view from the screened, back patio that overlooks Lake Monroe. They have some fun, frozen beverages. Lunch or dinner.
If you are visiting New Smyrna Beach, be sure to stop for some authentic Parisian pastries or order sub sandwiches on French baguettes for a picnic lunch on the beach. Fantastic!
34 locals recommend
Mon Delice
557 East 3rd AvenueIf you are visiting New Smyrna Beach, be sure to stop for some authentic Parisian pastries or order sub sandwiches on French baguettes for a picnic lunch on the beach. Fantastic!
Great seafood in New Smyrna! Choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Casual. Live music on weekends. Jimmy Buffet feel!
144 locals recommend
JB's Fish Camp
859 Pompano AveGreat seafood in New Smyrna! Choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Casual. Live music on weekends. Jimmy Buffet feel!
Fine dining in a casual environment. Award winning chefs. Amazing food and wine. $$ - $$$ but worth it! The most eclectic ambiance you have ever experienced. Only open for dinner and does NOT accept reservations. Arrive before opening and you may still encounter a line of people waiting - it’s that good!
240 locals recommend
The Garlic
556 E 3rd AveFine dining in a casual environment. Award winning chefs. Amazing food and wine. $$ - $$$ but worth it! The most eclectic ambiance you have ever experienced. Only open for dinner and does NOT accept reservations. Arrive before opening and you may still encounter a line of people waiting - it’s that good!
Sightseeing
This is a drive-thru wildlife reserve that skirts Lake Apopa. Plan on 1-2 hours depending on how often you stop to watch the alligators or any of hundreds of species of Florida birds. On a day where the gators are shy, I have counted at least 12. On a ‘gator-if-ic day, I’ve counted more than 60!
39 locals recommend
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
2850 Lust RdThis is a drive-thru wildlife reserve that skirts Lake Apopa. Plan on 1-2 hours depending on how often you stop to watch the alligators or any of hundreds of species of Florida birds. On a day where the gators are shy, I have counted at least 12. On a ‘gator-if-ic day, I’ve counted more than 60!
Walt Disney World Resort
Get your Disney fix! 28 miles from property
Universal studios for your ‘ride the movies’ adventure or just visit City Walk for evening dining and entertainment.
1423 locals recommend
Universal Studios Florida
6000 Universal BlvdUniversal studios for your ‘ride the movies’ adventure or just visit City Walk for evening dining and entertainment.
Up close and personal with marine life. Always a favorite way to spend the day!
2110 locals recommend
SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World DrUp close and personal with marine life. Always a favorite way to spend the day!
Our springs are a constant 72 degrees, crystal clear and refreshing. Nearby Wekiva island offers a restaurant, picnic areas and kayak/canoe rentals.
229 locals recommend
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa CirOur springs are a constant 72 degrees, crystal clear and refreshing. Nearby Wekiva island offers a restaurant, picnic areas and kayak/canoe rentals.
Not only do you have the springs for swimming, but there is an amazing breakfast opportunity. The sugar Mill Restaurant boasts inlaid griddles at every table where you cook your own pancakes choosing from the regular or buckwheat pancake batter. So fun for the kids!
70 locals recommend
De León Springs State Park
601 Ponce Deleon BlvdNot only do you have the springs for swimming, but there is an amazing breakfast opportunity. The sugar Mill Restaurant boasts inlaid griddles at every table where you cook your own pancakes choosing from the regular or buckwheat pancake batter. So fun for the kids!
I recommend the 27th street access. You can drive on the beach for a fee (be aware you can easily get your car stuck in soft sand) or park in the parking lot (fee also). The parking is adjacent to bathrooms, showers, a play area and covered picnic tables. This a very popular spot and can get very busy. Recommend that you get there early. Lifeguards on duty.
345 locals recommend
New Smyrna Beach
North Atlantic AvenueI recommend the 27th street access. You can drive on the beach for a fee (be aware you can easily get your car stuck in soft sand) or park in the parking lot (fee also). The parking is adjacent to bathrooms, showers, a play area and covered picnic tables. This a very popular spot and can get very busy. Recommend that you get there early. Lifeguards on duty.
Here is what’s special about Sebastian Inlet… By law, here is only one place in Florida that you can legally swim with manatees; that would be Homosassa, Florida. It is a bit of a drive and then you have to get reservations and pay to go on a tour before jumping in (fingers crossed) to see manatees. Instead, head to Sebastian Inlet State Park. It is in a protected inlet just shy of the Atlantic Ocean. Because it is an inlet and affected by tidal currents, the water is not usually more than 4-5 feet deep, without crashing waves, which makes it the perfect swimming area for youngsters. But the best part is that I have NEVER once gone and not encountered a manatee swimming within feet of me. They visit the inlet all day long! There is a small store with minimal food and drinks and bathrooms with showers a short walk. As with other Florida activities- get there early for a good beach spot and parking. Just a few dollars to enter the park. A great day activity.
170 locals recommend
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State ParkHere is what’s special about Sebastian Inlet… By law, here is only one place in Florida that you can legally swim with manatees; that would be Homosassa, Florida. It is a bit of a drive and then you have to get reservations and pay to go on a tour before jumping in (fingers crossed) to see manatees. Instead, head to Sebastian Inlet State Park. It is in a protected inlet just shy of the Atlantic Ocean. Because it is an inlet and affected by tidal currents, the water is not usually more than 4-5 feet deep, without crashing waves, which makes it the perfect swimming area for youngsters. But the best part is that I have NEVER once gone and not encountered a manatee swimming within feet of me. They visit the inlet all day long! There is a small store with minimal food and drinks and bathrooms with showers a short walk. As with other Florida activities- get there early for a good beach spot and parking. Just a few dollars to enter the park. A great day activity.
If you have never visited Kennedy space Center, it is something to check out. Interesting exhibits. Space shuttle Atlantis experience is so much fun. Be sure to take the bus tour and visit the launch pads while learning lots of great information about NASA. You might even meet an astronaut. One of my favorites.
361 locals recommend
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce WayIf you have never visited Kennedy space Center, it is something to check out. Interesting exhibits. Space shuttle Atlantis experience is so much fun. Be sure to take the bus tour and visit the launch pads while learning lots of great information about NASA. You might even meet an astronaut. One of my favorites.
Nothing like a peaceful day of hiking in the Ocala National Forest. You will see different species of plant, trees and wildlife than anywhere else in the U.S.
95 locals recommend
Ocala National Forest
Florida 40Nothing like a peaceful day of hiking in the Ocala National Forest. You will see different species of plant, trees and wildlife than anywhere else in the U.S.
So much fun for the younger kiddos. Large dinosaur models, information and even a dig area. Activities and gift shop.
99 locals recommend
Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew RdSo much fun for the younger kiddos. Large dinosaur models, information and even a dig area. Activities and gift shop.