Showing posts with label Dog Friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog Friendly. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2015

Dog Friendly? Woof!



On our Florida coast the weather invites outside entertainment and dining all year round. If you are a dog owner, you might appreciate being able to bring your pooch along for lunch or dinner, as well as to the beach. However, who really knows where you can take Fido? Better to know ahead of time than to be turned away. 

 
Beaches

If you think you can just take your dog to the beach to frolic in the waves, think again. Beach patrol will quickly inform you that your dog is not welcome. BUT! In Flagler, there is a beach where your dog can feel the sea breeze in her fur as she races along the sand and surf! Well, as long as she’s on a leash. North of Gamble Rogers State park to 13th Street South is the beach area in which dogs are welcome.

Ponce Inlet Dunes Park also welcomes leashed dogs.

Restaurants

In New Smyrna Beach, there are lots of places to bring your dog! Spanish River Grill, Dolphin View Seafood Restaurant, Third Wave Café and Wine Bar, Café Heavenly, Norwood’s Seafood Restaurant, and a few more. Moreover, you can bring your dogs to the NSB Farmers Market on Saturdays, both at Old Fort Park and at Norwood’s Restaurant.

In Port Orange you can enjoy outside dining with Fluffy at Boondocks on the river, at Hidden Treasure on Rose Bay, the popular Aunt Catfish, also on the river, and TGIF on Nova and Dunlawton Avenues.

In Ormond Beach, Lulu’s Oceanside Grill, Lagerhead’s Bar and Grill, the famous Hull’s Seafood, the upscale Vince Carter’s, and Black Sheep Pub are all dog friendly!

In Daytona Beach, the Blue Grotto is open to you bringing your canine friend. In Ponce Inlet you can visit Hidden Treasure Rum Bar and Grill (same owner as the Hidden Treasure in Port Orange) also welcomes dogs.

Your best bet is to call ahead, of course. Also check out Bring Fido for your area, which has fairly up-to-date listings of where dogs are welcome. 



Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Florida Nature at Its Best!



Smyrna Dunes Park


Here is another one of our beautiful nature preserves – the Smyrna Dunes Park. Whether you are visiting, have just relocated, or are a resident, this park on the tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula offers many different options. 

You can arrive at the Dunes Park by land or by sea. It is spread over 73 acres of pristine land and is surrounded by water on three sides. Waters from the Indian River flow through Ponce Inlet and into the Atlantic Ocean providing a variety of fishing or swimming venues for you. The park also provides a unique opportunity for naturalists, ecologists, students, and the general public to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat.


The park consists of five ecosystems (ocean, river, dunes, scrub zone, saltwater marsh). The principal system is vast sand dunes. To protect the sensitive sand dunes from foot traffic, two miles of elevated walkways, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower were built, allowing visitors to travel through the park in a natural environment, while preserving the dunes.




Smyrna Dunes Park is one of a few county parks where you can bring your dog! However, pets must be leashed at all times.


Park features


  •     Dune walkover (1.5 miles long)
  •     Educational programs
  •     Fishing  
  •     Nature trails
  •     Observation tower
  •     Parking
  •     Pavilions
  •     Picnic tables
  •     Restrooms
  •     Swimming



Location: 2995 N. Peninsula Ave., New Smyrna Beach



Open daily: Sunrise to sunset



Admission: $10 per vehicle. Volusia County residents can purchase an annual inlet park pass for $20 <-totally worth it!