Step into 2025 with West Volusia, where “Old Florida meets a New Vibe.” This year, the area has been hard at work with new developments that promise to redefine your local experience. Let’s explore the exciting changes that are making 2025 a standout year for this dynamic region.
Northwest Square opens its doors
This historic complex has been adaptively reused and is now open, featuring a mix of restaurants, boutique shopping, and four distinct event spaces. Originally built in 1926, Northwest Square now occupies what was once the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Northwest Square includes:
Chapel Tap, offering an extensive selection of Florida-based craft beers and a variety of wines by the glass.
Tropishack, known for serving the best Cuban Sandwich in town.
La Pinsa, a traditional pizza shop with its unique take on pizza.
But it’s not just about food and drink. The complex also houses:
Bernard’s Market, which specializes in diverse and exciting foods, including local coffees, cheeses, and breads.
Oliver and Gray Home, where you can find curated gifts, a sustainable refillery, and handcrafted floral designs by the local Fancy Plants.
And that just scratches the surface of the 28,000-square-foot complex. Whether you’re in the mood for dining, shopping, or exploring, Northwest Square aims to highlight the best of the region, inviting visitors to discover what makes West Volusia uniquely special. Wine, dine, and discover at Northwest Square.
DeLand House Reimagined
The West Volusia Historical Society has been hard at work since 2020 on reimagining their DeLand House Museum. After countless volunteer hours, a completely new roof, and a fresh coat of paint, the DeLand House is set to reopen this year, updated to honor its longest owners, Dr. Charles Farriss, a Classics professor at Stetson, and his wife, Alma, who taught piano and domestic science. The DeLand House was their family home in the early 20th century and is set to offer a glimpse into their lives and times.
Stetson Mansion Tours Again
The Stetson Mansion is set to bring back their popular Historic Home Tour in early 2025. Built in 1886 for the famed hat maker and philanthropist John B. Stetson, this winter retreat was the only richly detailed “Gilded Age” mansion constructed in Florida. Now rescued, restored, and updated, the mansion serves as a representation of how the home would look if it had remained in the Stetson family all these years. While known internationally for its award-winning Christmas Spectacular, which runs from November to January, the Stetson Mansion’s Historic Tour is scheduled to return on February 1st, 2025.
Blue Spring State Park has some new digs
Over the past year, the State of Florida has been working to stabilize the banks and mitigate further erosion at the spring run and spring head of Blue Spring State Park. Because of this, in-water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, tubing, diving, and paddling have been closed. Construction is expected to conclude in early 2025 with the inclusion of a new boardwalk, an upgraded swimming platform, and an improved manatee release area.
Welcome back to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
After years of being closed, the U.S. Department of the Interior is finally reopening the Welcome Center at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. Spanning thousands of acres, Lake Woodruff is a mosaic of wetlands, waterways, and woodlands, providing critical habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including migratory birds, alligators, and numerous species of fish. It offers a serene backdrop for bird watching, photography, and nature walks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the untouched beauty of Florida’s wild landscapes. The refuge also plays a significant role in environmental conservation, with ongoing efforts in habitat preservation and ecological research. With the reopening of the welcome center, visitors can now learn more about the work that goes into managing such a large swath of land.
SunRail now has two routes that can bring visitors into West Volusia.
When SunRail, the commuter rail service, broke ground on the DeLand Station over a year ago, they were planning to bring more than 12 miles of rail service to the West Volusia area. With the project now completed, the DeLand Station joins DeBary in providing two fantastic jumping-off points for visitors to explore West Volusia County.
The SunRail station in DeBary, known for its abundance of nature-oriented activities, is located close to Gemini Springs Park and the Spring-to-Spring Trail, a segment of the much longer St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, which is perfect for bike riders. Now, with the completion of the DeLand station, travelers have the option to board a shuttle at the station that can transport them to Downtown DeLand and other spots in the surrounding area. DeLand marks SunRail’s 17th stop on its 61-mile corridor connecting Central Florida.
Mainstreet DeLand celebrates 40 years
Mainstreet DeLand was among the first communities in Florida to receive the Main Street designation in 1985, and the 40th anniversary of that occasion is coming up in 2025! With a long-standing commitment to historic preservation, economic vitality, promotion, and organization, Mainstreet DeLand is the organization responsible for making Downtown DeLand what it is today. Throughout the year, many of their events will pay homage to their 40-year history with special surprises throughout the year.
More information on West Volusia County can be picked up at the Visitor Center located at 116 W. New York Avenue in Downtown DeLand, FL, or can be found online at www.visitwestvolusia.com. Please call 386-734-0162 for more information.