Mold Remediation in Deland, FL

When most people plan a trip to Florida, they usually stick to well-known tourist spots like Miami and Orlando. However, this has started to change in recent years. Located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, DeLand has quickly become the state's coolest city.

DeLand's nickname, the "Athens of Florida," dates back to the late 1800s, when its founder, Henry DeLand, dreamed of a day when the city would become a cultural hub like its counterpart in Greece. After over a century, the city remains home to one of Florida's oldest universities and a community that values the arts and education.

With just over 45,000 residents, DeLand is slower-paced but full of interesting things to see and do. From colorful murals and independent shops to nature trails just a few miles from the city center, it stands out without competing with the state’s better-known destinations. Here's why visitors like DeLand, Florida.

Downtown DeLand is one of the most well-preserved historic areas in Central Florida. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features buildings that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of these buildings now house small businesses, including shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés.

In 1985, DeLand's downtown district received the first Main Street designation in Florida. Then, in 1997 and 2017, the city won the Great American Main Street Award and the America's Main Streets contests for its downtown revitalization efforts. Visitors to DeLand have also praised its walkable layout, which makes it easy to explore on foot.

While exploring downtown, visitors will notice the large number of murals. These murals are part of the DeLand Mural Walk, a project that began in 1996 with help from the West Volusia Tourism Authority. Currently, there is a collection of 15 murals throughout the downtown area that visitors can view on their own within an hour. There are also a variety of local shops to browse along the mural walk, including antique stores, bookstores, gift boutiques, and vintage clothing stores that won't disappoint.

In addition to a thriving downtown area focused on the arts, DeLand is one of the few small cities in Florida with an Amtrak station. DeLand station, located just west of downtown, is served by Amtrak's Silver Meteor route and the Floridian, a limited-time route offering a first-class experience. While both routes end up in Tampa/Miami, the Silver Meteor service starts in New York, while the Floridian begins in Chicago. Located just west of downtown, DeLand's Amtrak station improves accessibility and makes it easy for travelers from larger cities to visit the area without driving.

DeLand, Florida, Is Home To Florida's Oldest Private University

Stetson University is located just a few blocks from downtown DeLand and plays an important role in the city's atmosphere. Inaugurated in 1883 by Henry A. DeLand, businessman and city founder, the university was originally named DeLand Academy before being renamed in 1889 after John B. Stetson, the famous hat manufacturer. It became the first private university in Florida to grant degrees and was also home to the state's first law school. Today, Stetson has about 4,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The university's central location, blocks away from downtown DeLand, contributes to the city's year-round energy, but the college-town vibe is especially noticeable during football season. Each fall, Spec Martin Memorial Stadium becomes lively after a long off-season as Stetson's football team, the Hatters, takes the field. Fans gather on game days to support the team, bringing excitement to the campus and the neighborhoods surrounding it. Stetson's football games are also family-friendly, making them a great weekend activity for residents and visitors of all ages. Plus, while DeLand is known as an all-around college town, it has even more to offer in terms of outdoor activities for nature lovers.

DeLand Has Access To A Variety Of Outdoor Activities For Nature Lovers

DeLand is among the many great scenic stops for a road trip across Florida since it is surrounded by several natural attractions that are easily accessible from the city center. Blue Spring State Park, located about 15 minutes south of the city center by car, is one of the most popular spots in the area for kayaking, swimming, and manatee viewing during the winter months.

There are also several hiking and biking trails nearby. The Spring-to-Spring Trail passes through DeLand and connects various parks and conservation areas in Volusia County. The trail stretches 26 miles between Gemini Springs Park and DeLeon Springs State Park and is commonly used by walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

Another outdoor destination close to DeLand is Hontoon Island State Park. The park is located about seven miles from downtown on an island in the St. Johns River and can only be reached by boat or ferry. It features trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for wildlife observation. Visitors can also rent kayaks on-site.

For those interested in birdwatching or photography, the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is just north of DeLand. This protected area spans over 20,000 acres and was founded in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge. The refuge features a wide range of habitats, including marshes, swamps, creeks, hammocks, and uplands. There are also over 300 native and migratory bird species, as well as the Florida manatee.

As more people travel outside the most popular Florida cities, affordable, less densely populated destinations like DeLand will come to the forefront. With an award-winning downtown, walkable neighborhoods, and a balance of culture and nature, DeLand offers a different kind of Florida experience that travelers are beginning to appreciate.

WATER MANAGEMENT

DELAND, Fla. — With the start of hurricane season less than two weeks away, Volusia County leaders are talking about a number of drainage analysis projects in DeLand.

What You Need To Know

Officials say the goal of the projects is to develop construction plans to prevent future flooding, which is what residents in some areas experienced in recent years.

Those areas include Northwest DeLand and Heritage Place, Gleneagles and Orange Camp Road, Saddlebrook subdivision, and near DeLand Middle School.

The county wants to hire Halff Associates, Inc., to conduct area drainage alternative analysis, drainage improvements, and a water reclamation study.

The total cost of these four studies is projected to be $828,010.

It will be paid for by the community development block grant disaster recovery funds from Hurricane Ian.

Residents Spectrum News 13 spoke with are hopeful for a solution to the flooding issues.

Jim Fourtin has been living in the DeLand area for 10 years and said his property lies in the project area. It hasn’t flooded yet and he said he hopes it stays that way.

He’s glad the county council is talking about this.

“It’s called preventative maintenance to check on, to make sure the problem doesn’t exist in the future, that they can keep doing what they’re doing,” Fourtin said.

Carlos Martoral's property hasn’t flooded either, but he knows after living in the Sunshine State for quite some time, that could change.

He lives in the project area close to Orange Camp Road and looks forward to the county’s discussion.

“Hey, we live in Florida, we’re worried about hurricane season all the time," Martoral said. "The more you build, the more you cause flooding around the local communities. So, it’s going to be a hard fix trying to find a solution."

JC Figueredo has flooding on his mind.

Spectrum News spoke with him in January 2025, when he said runoff from neighboring developments was aggravating the issue of water seeping onto this property.

His message for people in the area: Prepare now for hurricane season.

“We appreciate them doing the work, trying to make some progress in it," Figueredo said. "Check your topography, check where the water has been, and check if you have flood insurance. It’s a cheap guarantee you don’t lose everything you worked for."

And for the city of DeLand, officials there say they are looking forward to working with the County Council.

“Instead of waiting for the next storm, we wanted to proactively go after this and see what could be done to mitigate the flooding in those areas,” said DeLand community information manager Chris Graham.

After the studies are done, the city and county officials will make a decision on what to do.

Looking to visit the Sunshine State but want to avoid Orlando's crowded streets? Then the charming city of DeLand is the perfect pick for you. Located just 45 minutes north of Orlando and 35 minutes from Daytona Beach, DeLand offers visitors a vast array of shops, museums, and many more outdoor recreation activities to enjoy. The best part? Almost everything here is a short walking distance away, with no cars needed to enjoy this fun Florida getaway.

Known as "The Athens of Florida," DeLand sits in Volusia County, which is also home to the . The city was founded by Henry Addison DeLand as a town celebrating culture, art, and education, similar to Athens, Greece. Nowadays, the city still maintains a rich historical heritage. Its award-winning walkable downtown and main street take center stage, though, offering visitors many unique art experiences — like the African American Museum of the Arts featuring the works of many African-American artists — and many cafes, bakeries, and locally owned vintage shops to explore. DeLand really has something to offer anyone (like manatee sightings perfect for animal lovers) despite remaining an ulmost-under-the-radar destination.

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What To See And Do When Walking Around DeLand

Unlike Orlando, , DeLand's downtown is filled with vast recreation opportunities easily reached by walking. There's even a Walking Tour guiding you through some of the city's major landmarks, like the Athens Theater. This jewel of the classic American theaters is a must-visit, along with and Stetson University, which dates back to 1883. The tour takes about one to two hours to complete, and fees start at around $15 per person.

For art and museum lovers, Artworks DeLand offers several exhibits and workshops, as does The Hand Art Center, which can be found on Stetson University's campus. The DeLand House Museum, located inside one of the oldest buildings in the city, also offers visitors several art and history exhibitions, educational tours and walks, and other events. Another great artsy stop is the Deland Wings, a simple yet lovely mural located behind DeLand's South of N.Y. Market. The mural has become a popular landmark as well as a favorite "insta" photo spot.

Other events n DeLand's downtown main street include the Historic Mural Walk and the DeLand Sculpture Walk. These tours will take you around the city for an unmatched historical and cultural experience. Finally, the CoolCraft Beverage Trail will take you on a journey across the many breweries, coffee shops, pubs, and other watering holes throughout DeLand and Volusia County for a one-of-a-kind beverage experience.

Where To Eat And Sleep While Visiting DeLand

When walking along DeLand's main street, you will never run out of dining options or places to enjoy its lively nightlife, like the Cafe DaVinci. The café offers live music shows and refreshing drinks every night of the week from 4 pm until 2 am. Issues Lounge also hosts live shows with fun karaoke available to customers as well.

Eateries in downtown DeLand include Bake Chop, offering organic and humanely-raised cattle meat for meat lovers. Santorini Greek Cuisine — a family-owned restaurant — offers a vast Greek menu, with customers on rating it as a "phenomenal" place to dine out. Those with a sweet tooth might want to pay a visit to Pat & Toni's Sweet Things and indulge in the many truffles, chocolates, and baked treats on its menu. The South of N.Y. Market is another great spot to enjoy some drinks, especially after a shopping spree.

As for accommodations, DeLand offers simple and budget-friendly options such as the At Home Express Tangerine Inn located four miles away from Stetson University. Prices start as low as $100 per night at the time of writing just as with the DeLand Motel. As for more luxurious accommodations, the Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand — one of the top-rated hotels on — costs around $195 per night. Another option also well-rated by travelers is the Historic Artisan Downtown Hotel, boasting an elegant colonial design that is sure to captivate its many guests.

The Many Outdoor And Nature Adventures To Enjoy In DeLand

Since DeLand is located near a fresh water reservoir and several natural ecosystems, it also offers visitors many outdoor adventures to enjoy. A visit to the St. Johns River, on the city's west end, will grant you the opportunity to sight manatees along with alligators and many different bird species. The Hontoon Island State Park on the St. Johns River (accessible only by boat) is another great place for partaking in activities like kayaking, hiking, cycling, fishing, and much more. You can also take a leisurely cruise along the rivers' scenic waters with Blue Spring Adventures, located in nearby Orange City, three and a half miles away.

DeLand also sits close to several beautiful beaches, like the Canaveral National Seashore. Canaveral is surrounded by a pristine nature, as the area's estuaries remain underdeveloped. As a plus, the shore goes all the way towards the Kennedy Space Center, and it is located just 47 minutes away from DeLand.

Finally, the Reptile Discovery Center, just outside of the city, will provide animal lovers with very interesting exhibits featuring live tortoises, lizards, alligators, and snakes. The animals can be spotted while hiking through the center's outdoor trails or in their inside enclosures. The center opens year-round (except from August to October) from 10 am to 4:30 pm Thursdays through Fridays, and on Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm.

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