Things to Do in DeLand, De Leon Springs and Hontoon Island
A brick-paved college town near springs, river islands and the world’s skydivers.
See top-rated activities »About DeLand
DeLand, the Volusia County seat, is about 25 miles west of Daytona Beach and has a very different look. Its downtown along Woodland Boulevard is a well-kept run of early 1900s storefronts, murals and oak-shaded sidewalks, with restaurants, a brewery, wine bars and small shops. Stetson University, the oldest private university in Florida, sits a few blocks north, and its campus of historic brick buildings is pleasant to walk.
The town’s aviation history is on display at the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum at the municipal airport, which covers the base’s role training Navy pilots during World War II. The same airport is home to Skydive DeLand, one of the best-known skydiving centers in the world, where first-timers can make tandem jumps and visitors can watch from the landing area.
De Leon Springs State Park, north of town, is a spring-fed swimming area surrounded by old forest. It is also known for its pancake house, where diners cook their own pancakes on griddles built into the tables; a new concessionaire took it over in 2022 under the name Old Sugar Mill Pancake House. West of town on the St. Johns River, Hontoon Island State Park is reached only by a short passenger ferry. The park reopened for day use in October 2025 after years of hurricane repairs, with trails, picnic areas and a Timucuan shell mound.
DeLand works well as a base for the whole west side of the county. Blue Spring State Park, Gemini Springs and the riverfront marinas at Hontoon Landing are within about 20 minutes, and SunRail trains now run from a DeLand station south toward Orlando on weekdays. The town also has a handful of small inns and bed-and-breakfasts in older homes near downtown, a pleasant alternative to the chain hotels along the highways.
Don’t Miss
Woodland Boulevard’s restored storefronts, murals and locally owned restaurants, with events through the year run by MainStreet DeLand.
Florida’s oldest private university, with historic buildings on a tree-shaded campus near downtown.
Aircraft and exhibits about the World War II Navy air base that trained pilots here.
A spring-fed swimming area with trails and the make-your-own pancake house at the old sugar mill.
An island in the St. Johns River reached by a free passenger ferry, reopened for day use in 2025.
A long-running drop zone where visitors can make a tandem jump or watch skydivers land.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in DeLand
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Get free trip quotes »DeLand — FAQ
Do I need to reserve the pancake house at De Leon Springs?
Reservations are not usually taken, and weekend waits can be long. Arrive early, and remember that park admission is charged at the gate before you reach the restaurant.
How do you get to Hontoon Island?
Drive to the park landing west of DeLand and take the small passenger ferry across the river. Private boaters can tie up at the island’s docks.
More of Volusia County
