Sugar Mill Ruins, New Smyrna Beach: Hours, Address, Sugar Mill Ruins Reviews: 4/5
Sugar Mill Ruins
Sugar Mill Ruins
4
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
192 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
92
Average
31
Poor
8
Terrible
1
FLGIRL
The Villages, FL461 contributions
The title should be Cruger-dePeyster Plantation Sugar Mill Ruins. I am sure many people have driven right by the road they are located on and never knew what is down there. The ruins are in fairly good condition and they don’t take long to observe, take pics, read about, etc. There is parking available and you make look around for free. The Donlawton Sugar Mill and gardens in Port Orange actually have a covering over the ruins (or at least most of the ruins) and it much more impressive. Glad we checked both locations out.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hawktraveler8
Davenport, IA187 contributions
Solo
This is small but unique visit. I heard it didn’t take long so I stopped on the way to SFB airport when I was departing. I spent maybe 30 minutes there reading about ruins and checking things out. I would have done the nature trail but wasn’t sure how long that would take and it was a little deserted for a solo walk.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
OmniKaiser
Cincinnati, OH17 contributions
Couples
The nature trial has clever blue plastic stakes with a bar coded url to a website re recently updated about the local flora. The ruins have excellent historical information and well kept property. One way driveway means go slow entering and exiting.
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ssbrandes
Canton, GA256 contributions
Couples
First be aware that there are several sugar mill ruins converted to gardens in this general area. These are NOT the Dunlawton/Bongoland ruins and garden.
That said, these ruins and the natural area surrounding are certainly with the effort to find them and a bit of time to enjoy the peace and beauty. The road signage is VERY small and the entry looks like someone's driveway. We actually slowed, looked and kept on going the first time as we were unsure. We did however turn around and come back and were glad we did. The ruins are both beautiful and interesting - great spot for history or photography buffs. A lovely short nature path is available, and depending upon the time of year, it can get a bit buggy because...well, it's Florida! This time of year, however, we came away unscathed, but I recommend you bring and use your bug spray. Not a big attraction but a cool place to visit and a worth-while historical venture and read (excellent documentation plaques).
Concrete walkways around the ruins. Sand path for the nature trail. Several benches for just sitting and enjoying the natural beauty. Very clean, very nice rustic bathrooms (flush toilets, running water, tissue, clean, clean, clean!) with a wheelchair ramp (though getting to the ramp might be a bit of a challenge across the sandy soil).
That said, these ruins and the natural area surrounding are certainly with the effort to find them and a bit of time to enjoy the peace and beauty. The road signage is VERY small and the entry looks like someone's driveway. We actually slowed, looked and kept on going the first time as we were unsure. We did however turn around and come back and were glad we did. The ruins are both beautiful and interesting - great spot for history or photography buffs. A lovely short nature path is available, and depending upon the time of year, it can get a bit buggy because...well, it's Florida! This time of year, however, we came away unscathed, but I recommend you bring and use your bug spray. Not a big attraction but a cool place to visit and a worth-while historical venture and read (excellent documentation plaques).
Concrete walkways around the ruins. Sand path for the nature trail. Several benches for just sitting and enjoying the natural beauty. Very clean, very nice rustic bathrooms (flush toilets, running water, tissue, clean, clean, clean!) with a wheelchair ramp (though getting to the ramp might be a bit of a challenge across the sandy soil).
Written February 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wbullseye
Windermere, FL1,362 contributions
Solo
I'm not one to just sitting on a beach and instead search out interesting historical finds. The Coquina Sugar Factory ruins is one of those places and would only be of interest for those who like history. The ruins are easy to find from the S. Causeway (HWY 44) on Mission Drive. There are signs that will point you in the right direction. Parking is available along the side of the ruins.
Only a portion of the ruins remain for you to walk through. There are informative signs located around the site explaining different aspects of the history of the sight which provides all of the necessary facts. They have done a good job with the upkeep of the sight. You are able to walk along designated paths through the ruins that provide access for handicapped and those with strollers.
There is also a small nature trail that leads you through a coastal hammock. It takes you in a semi-circle from one end of the ruins to the other. There is not much to see, but it does get you out of the sun for a bit. If you have the time it makes for a nice diversion.
To see the site will only take 15 to thirty minutes at most. Unless you plan on having a picnic there is not much else to do other than looking at the ruins. There are public bathrooms available on site if you need them. If you are in the area I would recommend visiting the ruins. It is free and open from sunrise to sunset.
Only a portion of the ruins remain for you to walk through. There are informative signs located around the site explaining different aspects of the history of the sight which provides all of the necessary facts. They have done a good job with the upkeep of the sight. You are able to walk along designated paths through the ruins that provide access for handicapped and those with strollers.
There is also a small nature trail that leads you through a coastal hammock. It takes you in a semi-circle from one end of the ruins to the other. There is not much to see, but it does get you out of the sun for a bit. If you have the time it makes for a nice diversion.
To see the site will only take 15 to thirty minutes at most. Unless you plan on having a picnic there is not much else to do other than looking at the ruins. There are public bathrooms available on site if you need them. If you are in the area I would recommend visiting the ruins. It is free and open from sunrise to sunset.
Written May 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karlboy
879 contributions
Couples
We went to New Smyrna here specifically to locate this site.
Unfortunately Apple Maps led us to the wrong location.
We thought we were in the general location though.. Where we ended up was a neighborhood so we looked across the street and noticed some wooded areas. We turned around the car and then started again. It was then when we noticed a very tiny brown sign indicating the ruins.
It's a one lane dirt road, not very long so no need to worry about someone coming down the road at the same time you do.
They have done a very decent job in trying to preserve this particular site, and it would not be out of place if it was located in St. Augustine Fl. I would presume if this was in St Augustine it would be better visited. There are even several markers providing some history of the ruins.
There is a trail to walk and while we were there several locals had bright their dogs to enjoy the afternoon. They have even constructed a very nice bathroom facility.
It's a shame New Smyrna has two great ruins for history buffs to check out and neither one is well marked. We wanted to see both the "sugar mill" and the Old Fort Park sites and after some searching we did manage to find them both.
It's a sleepy little town, and granted they probably don't have the funds to erect great signs and location markers. But you would think the state would help in that area. The town would be better served getting this corrected and encouraging tourists to come check the sites out.
Unfortunately Apple Maps led us to the wrong location.
We thought we were in the general location though.. Where we ended up was a neighborhood so we looked across the street and noticed some wooded areas. We turned around the car and then started again. It was then when we noticed a very tiny brown sign indicating the ruins.
It's a one lane dirt road, not very long so no need to worry about someone coming down the road at the same time you do.
They have done a very decent job in trying to preserve this particular site, and it would not be out of place if it was located in St. Augustine Fl. I would presume if this was in St Augustine it would be better visited. There are even several markers providing some history of the ruins.
There is a trail to walk and while we were there several locals had bright their dogs to enjoy the afternoon. They have even constructed a very nice bathroom facility.
It's a shame New Smyrna has two great ruins for history buffs to check out and neither one is well marked. We wanted to see both the "sugar mill" and the Old Fort Park sites and after some searching we did manage to find them both.
It's a sleepy little town, and granted they probably don't have the funds to erect great signs and location markers. But you would think the state would help in that area. The town would be better served getting this corrected and encouraging tourists to come check the sites out.
Written February 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda C
Longwood, FL3,974 contributions
Friends
This is a small park off of 44 just west of NSB. It's not that easy to find. You turn right on Mission Road (it was at one time thought to be a Spanish mission) and then watch carefully for a small sign (and a one lane dirt road that goes into a thicket of trees) on your right. Once you get into the area proper there's a small mill ruins with some of the rusted parts from the original mill as well as the rendering kettles used to make the sugar. Also a well and several informative signs explaining what everything is and the history of the mill and the colony. Take the kids they'll like it.
Written July 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Viajera048
Winter Park, FL512 contributions
Couples
Thanks to a weekend trip to New Smyrna Beach, we decided to visit the Sugar Mill Ruins since it showed on the visitors page and we had no idea there was such a ruin in the area. Our GPS wanted my husband to turn left and I told him that there was a review stating that the entrance was very small and it was correct. Hard to notice and the number 600 is scribbled in white paint. But it is a jewel hiding in plain sight. Just a few vehicles there, and you walk leisurely around the remains of a 1830s sugar mill. Take a few minutes and read the information regarding the Coquina stones used for construction as well as the history of the mill and its destruction. It is indeed a small place but offers photo opportunities for people like us who enjoy documenting worthy places. The restroom was rustic but impecable, with a skylight above, so do not hesitate to answer the call of nature if you need to!
Written May 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael B
Alachua, FL11 contributions
Couples
Looking to kill a half hour in New Smyrna, we stopped at this park. The ruins of a 1830s sugar mill in a beautiful "old oak" Florida setting. The ruins themselves have been a tourist destination since their destruction in 1835 by Seminole Indians and they still hold up today as worthy stop. A small park with the ruins and a short nature walk. Some signage describing the sugar refining process and the history of the site.
Written December 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
flathead62
Savannah, GA37 contributions
Family
It is hard to believe that anything in Florida is over 37 minutes old and quite surprising to walk the ruins and see things that are hundreds of years old. On these grounds, hundreds of years ago, there were hundreds of people involved in extracting sugar; a huge interconnected series of canals to bring the crops to the 'mill'; native uprisings and the Seminole wars; successes and failures; births and deaths. And all of it when there wasn't a single shopping mall in sight!! The grounds are open to everyone for FREE!!! If you need a break from the rides, the traffic, the restaurants, the beaches, visit the Sugar Mill Ruins and recharge. And did I mention that it is FREE!!!!?
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Velvet0
Chattanooga, TN9 contributions
Are the Sugar Mill Ruins dog friendly?
purpleiris2018
New Smyrna Beach, FL68 contributions
Of course. Dogs are required to be on a leash and ground can be a bit tricky for their feet!
TallahasseeDan
Tallahassee, FL30 contributions
Is the Sugar Mill Ruin accessible to someone in a wheelchair? Are the paths paved or just dirt?
Karen S
30 contributions
Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sugar Mill Ruins
- Sugar Mill Ruins is open:
- Sun - Sun 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Sugar Mill Ruins:
- (0.01 mi) Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park
- (0.33 mi) New Smyrna RV Park and Campground
- (1.80 mi) Black Dolphin Inn
- (1.92 mi) Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast
- (1.97 mi) Anchor Inn NSB B&B
- Restaurants near Sugar Mill Ruins:
- (1.44 mi) McKenna's Place
- (2.01 mi) Uncle Chicken's
- (1.84 mi) Panheads Pizzeria
- (2.00 mi) Riverpark Terrace
- (1.65 mi) Chill-E-Dogs