DeLand, FL Road Trips

The city is named for Henry A. DeLand. It was founded in 1876, and incorporated in 1882. In 1883, Henry A. DeLand established DeLand Academy. Later, DeLand entrusted the academy to his friend John B. Stetson, a wealthy hat manufacturer from Philadelphia and a founding trustee. In 1889, it was renamed John B. Stetson University after its new patron. The name was later shortened to Stetson University, and in 1900 it became the first law school in Florida. The university's sports teams are called the Hatters. DeLand grew during the 1920s Florida Land Boom. DeLand has a warm and humid subtropical climate, and there are two major seasons each year. One of those seasons is hot and rainy, lasting from May until October (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season). The other is a cooler season (November through March) that brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation and its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and much of its weather is affected by the movement of the Gulf Stream.

Downtown DeLand includes some restaurants, cafes, and shops south of Stetson University. 1 DeLand House Museum, 137 West Michigan Ave. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Stetson University. This was Florida's first private university and was founded in 1883. It has a beautiful campus with historic buildings. (updated Jun 2018)

Bob Stonewater Bass Fishing Guide Service, ☏ +1 386-736-7120. Captain Bob Stonewater offers fishing guide service on the St. Johns River in the DeLand area. Captain Smith's Black Bass Guide Service, ☏ +1 386 738-1836. Captain Mark Smith offers fishing guide services on the St. Johns River in the DeLand area. Captain Steve's Central Florida Guide Service, ☏ +1 386 846-2861. Captain Steve Niemoeller offers fishing guide services on the St. Johns River in the DeLand area. 1 Victoria Hills Golf Club, 300 Spalding Way, toll-free: +1-866-295-4385. 18 holes, over 6,989 yards with a par of 72 (Public). Skydive DeLand, DeLand Airport, 1600 Flightline Blvd, ☏ +1 386 738-3539. Tandem 14,000 ft/$179.

Belly Busters Restaurant, 930 N Woodland Boulevard, ☏ +1 386 734-1611. Greek cuisine and sandwiches. Cress Restaurant, 103 W. Indiana Ave., ☏ +1 386-734-3740. Daily noon-2PM, 5-10PM. Indian cuisine. From $30. 1 Santorini Restaurant, 136 N Woodland Blvd, ☏ +1 386 736-7726. Tu–F 3–9PM, Sa 11AM–9PM. Greek cuisine. 2 Urban Brick, 112 N Woodland Blvd, ☏ +1 386 337-7040, [email protected]. Italian cuisine. (updated Oct 2021)

1 Artisan Downtown Hotel, 215 S Woodland Blvd (at Howry Ave), ☏ +1 386 873-4675, [email protected]. Includes a Cuban restaurant and a bar. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Comfort Inn De Land, 400 E International Speedway Blvd, ☏ +1 386-736-3100. Offering 24-hour front desk, breakfast, disabled access, non-smoking rooms, a pool, refrigerator, and cable TV. $85+ per night (2021). 3 Courtyard by Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown, 308 N Woodland Blvd, ☏ +1 386 943-9500. (updated Oct 2021) Holiday Inn Express, 180 Fenway Dr, ☏ +1 386 507-2500, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $109+ per night (2021). (updated Oct 2021) 4 The DeLand Hotel, 442 E New York Ave, ☏ +1 386 624-6710. Includes Hemingway's Lounge & Bar, a guest lounge, and salon. (updated Oct 2021)

Nearby international airports include: 1 Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB IATA). (updated Jul 2023) 2 Sanford Orlando International Airport (SFB IATA). (updated Jul 2023) 3 Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA). (updated Jul 2023) DeLand has an Amtrak station that provides service to other destinations such as Miami, but also connects to other points as far north as New York City via the Silver Star and Silver Meteor lines. Journey times are about 23 hours from New York and five hours from Miami. Trains are comfortable and include seating and sleeper options, but delays are common. Also, nearby Sanford is the southern terminus of the Auto Train which carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Orlando to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The train runs daily with no intermediate stops and takes 17½ hours one way. Finally, while SunRail is mainly a commuter rail system in the greater Orlando area, it can be used to travel from Kissimmee to DeBary/Deltona through Orlando. 4 DeLand Railway Station (Amtrak Silver Silvar & Silver Meteor), 2491 Old New York Ave. No SunRail connections. Cross platform transfers with SunRail are only in Winter Park, Orlando Health and Kissimmee. Onward Amtrak Thruway connections to Daytona Beach is operated by Tri-Star Taxi. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Sanford Auto Train Station (Amtrak Auto Train), 600 S Persimmon, Sanford. Separate station for the Auto Train to load and unload vehicles and passengers.

VOTRAN is the name of the local Volusia County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. Service is offered in DeLand roughly M-Sa, 7AM-7PM. A one-day Votran bus pass costs $3.75.