Introduction to Port Orange, Florida
Port Orange, Florida, in Volusia county, is 5 miles S of Daytona Beach, Florida (center to center) and 91 miles SE of Jacksonville, Florida. The city is located along the Halifax River Lagoon in east central Florida and is part of the Greater Daytona Beach Area. The municipality includes a vast number of distinct neighborhoods. Education, the government and health care are the primary employers. Port Orange is also home to numerous small manufacturing businesses.
Port Orange History
Settlers arrived in 1804. They raised indigo and sugar cane. Citrus and other crops were grown in the area and transported to markets along the Halifax River. The city was incorporated in 1926.
Port Orange Attractions
- Lakeside Jazz Festival is a popular event.
- Kenneth Parker Amphitheater.
- Concerts in the Park.
- Port Orange Family Days offers a carnival, a parade and a variety of entertainment.
- Sugar Mills Garden is a notable botanical garden.
Port Orange Activities
The city includes a large number of attractive parks for outdoor activities. Spruce Creek Park offers scenic nature trails and an observation tower which provides views of the marsh area. Opportunities are available in the region for kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. There are numerous golf courses including Cranes Lake Golf and Country Club and Port Orange Public Golf Course. The nearby Daytona Beach Shores offers scenic beaches.
New Smyrna Beach is close by and provides excellent opportunities for offshore fishing and features unique shops, historical sites and a variety of cultural events. Ponce Inlet is an attractive fishing village and includes the historic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and the Marine Science Center. Daytona Beach is well known for the Daytona International Speedway. Residents and tourists often travel to the Blue Spring which is a seasonal home to the popular manatees.
Port Orange Transportation
The nearest major airport is the Daytona Beach International Airport. Votran provides bus services.
Port Orange Higher Education
The city is home to Palmer College of Chiropractic. Bethune-Cookman College is nearby.