Need a charming small-town escape in Central Florida? Head to DeLand! With historic architecture, a vibrant downtown, natural springs, and artistic flair, DeLand offers an unexpected blend of culture and outdoor adventure. Whether you're into skydiving, scenic strolls, or café hopping, this college town charms at every turn.
DeLand, FL Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Go skydiving at Skydive DeLand – One of the world’s top drop zones for first-timers and pros alike.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Stetson Mansion – Explore Florida’s first luxury estate, filled with intricate woodwork and history.
- For Shoppers: Browse boutiques on Woodland Boulevard – Discover local art, gifts, antiques, and cozy bookstores.
- For Couples: Enjoy drinks and live music in Downtown DeLand – Craft cocktails and a thriving arts scene create perfect date-night vibes.
- For Families: Explore De Leon Springs State Park – Swim, hike, and cook pancakes at the legendary Old Sugar Mill restaurant.
Best Time to Visit DeLand, FL
The best time to visit DeLand is during fall and winter (October to April), when the weather is pleasant for walking tours, festivals, and outdoor recreation. Spring is also great for wildflowers and lighter crowds.
How to Get to DeLand, FL
- If you are traveling by car: DeLand is located along US-17 and near I-4, about 40 minutes from Daytona Beach and 1 hour from Orlando.
- By Plane: Fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), both within an hour’s drive.
- By Train: Amtrak’s DeLand station connects to major Florida cities via the Silver Service route.
Where to Stay in DeLand, FL
- Recommended for Families: Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand – Comfortable, clean, and close to downtown and parks.
- For Couples: The DeLand Hotel – A beautifully restored boutique hotel near restaurants, with historic charm and modern comforts.
- For a Bed & Breakfast Experience: Artisan Downtown – An artsy stay featuring contemporary suites and on-site dining.
Best Things to Do in DeLand, FL
1. Admire intricate architecture at Stetson Mansion
Just 40 minutes from Orlando, DeLand is a nice place I enjoyed visiting. Start at Stetson Mansion, originally constructed circa 1886 by John and Elizabeth Stetson.
I was interested in learning that as Florida's first luxury estate, the home once entertained the likes of King Edward VII, Thomas Edison, President Grover Cleveland, and members of the prestigious Vanderbilt and Carnegie families.
Today, the three-story Victorian-style home is owned and operated as a living history museum. You can join one of of 60- or 90-minute guided tours.
I got to admire exquisite design elements, including Tiffany stained-glass windows, 3D-patterned parquet floors, a Dali lithograph, and an original Edison light fixture.
During the winter holidays, you will find the home lavishly decorated as part of an annual public Christmas celebration.
Find it at this Address: 1031 Camphor Ln, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-873-0167
2. Walk through the scenic campus at Stetson University
I find that university campuses are lovely to visit. Stetson University was originally founded in 1883 as DeLand Academy, named in honor of its founder, New York-based philanthropist Henry Addison DeLand.
You can explore the university's beautiful historic buildings, which have been designated as the Stetson University Campus Historic District and preserve the state's oldest collection of higher educational buildings.
Museums such as the Hand Art Center and the earth and environmental sciences-focused Gillespie Museum offer rotating public exhibits, while campus organizations and ensembles such as the Sandhill Symphony frequently present live performances.
Find it at this Address: 421 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723, Phone: 386-822-7000
3. Enjoy a relaxing walk in Bill Dreggors Park
Bill Dreggors Park is a National Register of Historic Places-listed park in DeLand, named in honor of preservationist and historian William J. "Bill" Dreggors, Jr.
The park is home to a lush sensory butterfly garden, overseen by the DeLand Garden Club, which showcases sensory-focused plantings of native and exotic flora as exhibits for visitors with neurological and physical disabilities.
A 7/16-mile paved loop path offers a route for walkers and joggers, while a Freedom Playground serves as a great spot for young ones to play throughout the day.
Four picnic pavilions can be rented for private special events, including birthday party packages offered by the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
Inside the park's 1920 Memorial Hospital Building, a number of museum exhibits highlight the region's cultural and economic history, including an historic toy exhibit.
Find it at this Address: 230 N Stone St, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-740-5800
Recommended Activities for Families
4. See live snake shows at The Reptile Discovery Center
The Reptile Discovery Center is one of DeLand's most unique interactive nature experiences, giving guests an up-close look at some of Florida's most dangerous reptile species.
The facility's acclaimed Serpentarium is home to dozens of exotic and deadly snake species, including massive Burmese pythons, mambas, and king cobras.
Outside along the center's nature trail, you can view alligators and lizards in their natural habitats from a safe distance within enclosures.
Each Thursday through Sunday, live venom extraction demonstration are showcased throughout the afternoon hours within the center's Medtoxin Venom Laboratories facility, which produces commercially-harvested venom for anti-toxin companies around the world.
Find it at this Address: 2710 Big John Drive, Deland, FL 32724, Phone: 386-740-9143
5. Paddle through lush waterways at Hontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park spans more than 1,600 acres throughout Volusia County's Hontoon Island, which was originally inhabited in pre-Columbian times by the Timucuan indigenous tribe.
The park, which is located six miles west of DeLand, is accessible via ferry service or private boat launch and is home to beautiful natural oak and palm hammock, pine flatwood, and bald cypress swamp habitats.
Outdoor recreational opportunities offered along the park's waterfront include canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, though you should note that swimming is not permitted. On land, you can enjoy opportunities for hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, and nature photography.
You can book one of the tent campsites and rental cabins for an overnight stay. Day-use picnic sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find it at this Address: 2309 River Ridge Rd, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-736-5309
Attractions for Couples
6. Catch a live show at The Athens Theatre
The Athens Theatre is one of Central Florida's most spectacular preserved historic buildings, originally designed by architect Murray S. King in 1921.
The Italian Renaissance-style theater is named in honor of the original city planning vision of town founder and namesake Henry DeLand, who envisioned the city as the "Athens of Florida."
Throughout the 20th century, the gorgeous theater hosted vaudeville performances, film showings, and community events such as school dances and teen hangout nights.
Today, you can enjoy showings of classic and independent films throughout the year, along with live musical and theatrical performances by local troupes.
Find it at this Address: 124 N Florida Ave, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-736-1500
7. Savor local brews at Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company
Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company was the vision of homebrewers Andy Sistrunk and Robbie Carelli, originally opened in 2014 within DeLand's SoNY neighborhood near the hip Artisan Alley corridor.
The brewery, which revolves around a motto of "Drink Sensibly, But Get Weird," crafts unique and experimental American and Belgian-style beers, which are available on draft at the company's tap room or at a number of restaurants and distributors throughout the Orlando and Daytona Beach regions.
Rotating brews throughout the year include the company's Daytona Dirty Blonde Ale, Lake Time Lager, Three Guys Wise Coffee Porter, and Beach Hippie IPA. Wines are also served up at the company's pet-friendly tap room, which is open to the public seven days a week.
Though no food is offered on site, you are welcome to bring in food from nearby restaurants, including adjacent partner Artisan Taqueria.
Find it at this Address: 111 W Georgia Ave, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-873-7350
8. Bike on shady trails in Lake Beresford Park
Lake Beresford Park is a charming 211-acre public park located along the Lake Beresford Greenway, which was originally developed by the Florida Communities Trust in 1991.
Walkers, runners, and cyclists can make use of the park's 1.8-mile multipurpose trail, which follows the perimeter of the park and connects it to the nearby Spring-to-Spring Trail and ends at Blue Spring State Park.
Two nature trails are also open to hikers within the park's northern section, showcasing gorgeous natural habitats and native wildlife.
Two children's playgrounds provide safe play experiences for your kids. Two day-use picnic pavilions are available for day use or special event rental.
Find it at this Address: 2100 Fatio Rd, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-736-5953
If you like meat, you have to try the half-chorizo, half-burger called The Left Hander at BakeChop in Deland (Video).
9. Cast a line at Highland Park Fish Camp
Highland Park Fish Camp is an authentic Old Florida-style fish camp located along the banks of the scenic Norris Dead River, spanning more than 23,000 acres near the borders of Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
The historic fish camp has been preserved in its original condition and converted into a fishing site and unique overnight accommodation venue.
You can rent boats and purchase bait and tackle for angling for largemouth bass on the river's waters, with expert fishing guides on hand to aid with catches and technique.
50 RV and six tent camping sites are available for walk-up use, while seven modernized cedar cabins offer amenities such as full kitchenettes, charcoal grills, and screened-in porches.
Find it at this Address: 2640 W Highland Park Rd, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-734-2334
10. Discover modern exhibits at Museum of Art - Deland
Museum of Art - Deland is a nonprofit community visual arts museum in DeLand, originally established in 1951 by the American Association of University Women.
The museum, which is a partner organization with the American Alliance of Museums, strives to preserve and promote the fine arts throughout Central Florida, holding a permanent collection of more than 750 pieces and showcasing rotating special exhibitions by artists such as Stephen Althouse, Sandro Chia, and Fernando Botero.
Its Evans C. and Betty Drees Johnson Children's Art Center, opened in 2010, offers educational programming and workshops for young visitors. Public special events offered throughout the year include gallery talks, receptions, and master artist workshops.
Find it at this Address: 600 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720, Phone: 386-734-4371
I enjoy exploring the area around Orlando. If you have more time to explore, I recommend a day trip to New Smyrna Beach on the coast just 30 minutes from DeLand.
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