Volusia County is more than Daytona International Speedway and miles of beach.
With nearly 1,500 square miles of land and a history that can be traced back to at least 1000 A.D., the choices for day trips are as eclectic as the county itself. Each of the points of the compass represents the distinctive characteristics of Volusia.
West Volusia is typically seen as a bedroom community to Orlando, while east Volusia is the home to all things beach and NASCAR. Southeast Volusia has the (unfortunate) reputation as the Shark Bite Capital of the World, and north Volusia enjoys the title of Fern Capital of the World.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp
Stevens Street and Cassadaga Road, Lake Helen
This 120-year old, 55-acre community has been called the Psychic Capital of the World. It should only take a couple of hours to tour the small community and take in the interesting atmosphere. With dozens of mediums living in town, it’s easy to get a quick psychic reading. In addition to the historic homes that date back to the 1800s, there’s a bookstore, several small parks and Colby Memorial Temple for church and healing services. For those looking for a ghostly encounter, the Cassadaga Hotel is said to be haunted, and the Devil’s Chair in a nearby cemetery is rumored to be a meeting place for Satan himself.
386-228-3171; cassadaga.org
Stetson University
421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand
Stetson University welcomes visitors of all ages to tour the campus. The campus focal point is Elizabeth Hall, where there’s a 786-seat chapel and a German-made Beckerath 2,700-pipe organ. The art-deco-style Holler Fountain is a great place to take a snack break and soak in the surroundings. Nearby Stetson Mansion is rumored to have hosted Thomas Edison and President Grover Cleveland. Tours of the private residence are available for a fee and with a reservation. A short walking distance away, the Museum of Art — DeLand (600 N. Woodland Blvd.) has free Family Fun Saturdays.
386-822-7000; stetson.edu
Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand
This 1,650-acre park is only accessible by private boat or the free park ferry. Throughout the grounds, there’s evidence of Native American habitation dating back thousands of years, including a shell mound along the 3-mile hiking loop. You can walk the trails or rent a bicycle, kayak or canoe for a fee. If you want someone else to do the driving, there are several fee-based river tours in the area. A playground for the little ones, plenty of picnic tables for lunch and barbecue add to the charm. The visitor’s center and museum offer a glimpse into the island’s history, and a small store has various sundries. Rustic cabins are also available.
386-736-5309; floridastateparks.org/park/Hontoon-Island
Spring Garden Ranch
900 Spring Garden Ranch Road,
DeLeon Springs
This horse-training facility is a great place to take in some sun and fun. Originally a dairy farm, the 148-acre ranch grew into a winter training facility in 1949 and has seen several equine champions. There’s a restaurant on the grounds, but it’s not open this season. Instead, visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, some chairs and watch the races on the clay track or wander the property and peek into the some 500 horse stalls. Owned by cruise tycoon Wayne Heller, the property is currently for sale, so there’s no telling what’s next for this piece of Florida history.
877-985-5654; springgardenranch.com
New Smyrna Speedway
3939 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach
If you need a racing fix on a smaller scale, New Smyrna Speedway has a half-mile asphalt track that hosts cars from across the country. The speedway has grandstands that hold up to 8,000 spectators and a snack bar with the typical racetrack fare, including nachos and hot dogs. As an added bonus, it’s not uncommon to see some of the big-name racers hanging out during Speedweeks. Ticket prices vary by event. For a change of pace, take a look at the NSB Kart Club go-kart track north of the speedway.
386-427-4129, newsmyrnaspeedway.org; 386-299-5040, nsbkart.com
