We just spent a few days in Celebration, Florida and I now know that"perfect" destination spots are not for me. We stayed here because it's beautiful and was close to a conference my husband was attending. I thought I would love being in Disney's planned community but it was just a little too fake for me.
Ok, I admit the hotel muffins were amazing!
Besides the walking trails in the area, these were the best thing about the hotel. It was beautiful but lacked personality. I wasn't comfortable there. I wasn't really comfortable in the town at all. Not a lot of shops - just restaurants. Maybe it is the best thing ever for some, but not for me.
New Smyrna Beach, however, is a different story. On a whim I got my husband to drive over there for the afternoon. It was a little over an hour away. I did a little internet research and found out about a few things I thought we'd like. I found some good shopping on Canal Street and enjoyed
The Hub.
From there we walked a block and ate at Dolphin View restaurant, right on the water. In fact, they were cleaning the fish right there beside the restaurant and the pelicans were lined up to get a bite!
We didn't see any dolphins but it was still a pretty view!
This was in the back of the restaurant by the restrooms - loved it - reminded me of the 70's!
Then as we were walking back to our car, I saw this on the bench. I had to take a picture and message it to my son because when he was little he thought it was funny to take one of his sister's Barbie dolls, take the clothes off and wrap it and give it to her for her birthday - his original gag gift!
Finally, we drove over the bridge and took a little walk on the beach. I loved it even though it was cold! Lots of old hotels here in New Smyrna Beach. The ice cream shop was stuck in time too - it was called Frozen Gold. Everything just reminded me of when I was growing up in the 1970's!
So for me, give me an interesting town any day over a practically perfect town.
