Located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, the city of DeLand is brimming with cultural attractions. Its founder dubbed it “the Athens of Florida,” having designed the city to be an educational and cultural center like the Greek Athens. This influence is most apparent in historic downtown DeLand.
Downtown DeLand has won awards for being one of the top Main Streets in America. It’s lined with oak trees and historic 1920s buildings. The area offers a wealth of shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. You can also find Stetson University here.
If you’re looking for a quaint college town with a vintage feel, the downtown DeLand Historic District is the place to visit. Here are 8 things to do for a fun day trip.
1. Shopping
Downtown DeLand has some of the best small-town shopping experiences in Florida. Explore its boutiques for unique clothing and home goods, or scour its antique shops for pre-loved items.
Most of the shops are located on the area’s main avenue, Woodland Boulevard. Here are a few of the options you’ll find:
The Marketplace at Rivertown – This store has three floors full of vintage goodies from different dealers. You can find everything from antique jewelry to midcentury Pyrex dishware.
It’s like a treasure hunt every time you visit. My personal favorite is the bins of vintage ads organized by category.
Steve’s Downtown Music – CDs and vinyl fill this cozy little music shop. If you’re a music enthusiast, this is a cool place to browse.
Cliff’s Books – Established in 1983, Cliff’s is a haven for used books and collectibles in DeLand. With the tagline “COOL STUFF CHEAP” on its website, this store is like the TARDIS–bigger on the inside.
Shopping in downtown DeLand is a great way to find unique treasures while supporting small businesses.
2. Artisan Alley Farmers Market
On Friday nights from 6pm-9pm, downtown DeLand hosts the Artisan Alley Farmers Market. Over 40 vendors show up to sell local produce, plants, baked goods, crafts, and more. There’s also live music for entertainment.
The Artisan Alley Farmers Market is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends.
Address: 104 Artisan Alley, DeLand, FL 32720
3. Stetson University
DeLand is the home of Stetson University. Founded in 1883 as DeLand Academy, the university was renamed after the creator of the Stetson cowboy hat, a generous donor to the school. The university’s sports teams are called the Hatters.
Stetson University has the oldest collection of education-related buildings in Florida. The original DeLand Academy building still stands today. Take a stroll around the campus and admire the historic architecture.
You can also visit the university’s cultural resources, including a nature trail and museums. From October-April, the West Volusia Historical Society offers 75-minute history tours of the campus. These take place on the second Wednesday of the month.
Address: 421 N. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32723
4. DeLand House Museum
Its name is a bit of a misnomer, as city founder Henry DeLand never actually lived there. But the DeLand House Museum is still a beautiful historic home with an interesting past.
The DeLand House Museum reopened for tours in June 2024 after extensive renovations. The home has been carefully restored, right down to the early 20th-century furniture.
There are charming little details in every corner, and my tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed learning about the house’s previous residents.
You can find the DeLand House Museum near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Woodland Boulevard. Tours are available Tuesdays-Saturdays at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.
Address: 137 W. Michigan Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
5. Athens Theatre
The Athens Theatre is an architectural and cultural gem in the middle of downtown DeLand. Originally opened in 1922, the theater hosts a variety of concerts and plays.
The brick exterior of the Athens Theatre looks glamorous at any time of day, and the interior has been beautifully restored. It’s definitely a date-night kind of place. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants on Woodland Boulevard, and then walk over to the theater to catch a show.
Address: 124 N. Florida Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
6. DeLand Mural Walk
The DeLand Mural Walk adds a bit of artistic flair to downtown DeLand. Over a dozen murals, each one depicting a different aspect of DeLand’s history, decorate the area.
The city’s website has a downloadable brochure that you can use as a guide. According to the city website, it should take an hour to complete the mural walk.
7. Sculpture Walk
Downtown DeLand is also home to the DeLand Sculpture Walk, which features sculptures throughout downtown. It’s a public art project created in partnership with the Museum of Art – DeLand.
Artists from various states create the sculptures. You can download the Sculpture Walk brochure from the city’s website and turn it into a fun scavenger hunt to find all the sculptures.
8. Chess Park
Chess Park provides a peaceful escape in the heart of downtown DeLand. The park is equipped with tables that have chessboard designs. Chess enthusiasts can bring their own sets and enjoy a game.
If you’re not into chess, the park still offers a quiet spot to unwind. With ample shading and seating, it’s a great place to take a break from sightseeing.
Note: Chess Park is also a stop on both the mural and sculpture walks.
Address: 125 W. Indiana Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
Getting to Downtown DeLand
Downtown DeLand is about a 40-minute drive north of Orlando. You can find plenty of free public parking available off Woodland Boulevard. The area is less crowded during the summer and winter breaks when the Stetson students are away.
Don’t have a car? Volusia County has its own rideshare service called VoRide. You can take the SunRail train to the DeLand station, then use VoRide to get the 3 miles from the station to downtown DeLand. VoRide charges only $2 for rides under 5 miles, with an extra $1 per mile surcharge for rides over 5 miles, up to 10 miles.
(If you take this option, check the SunRail schedule when planning your journey.)
Conclusion: 8 Things to Do In Downtown DeLand
Downtown DeLand is a great option if you’re looking for a relaxed day trip away from the theme parks.
It packs a lot of culture into a small area, from Stetson University to the public artwork. It’s also not far from other local attractions, such as Hontoon Island State Park and the Stetson Mansion. If you ever find yourself with a free day, head over to downtown DeLand and have fun exploring.