Port Orange Gateway Center - Port Orange, FL

The entire area of Port Orange was once home to the Timucuan Indians before a colony was built in 1768. The wild land was difficult to tame until 1804 when the Dunlawton Sugar Mill was created on the plantation, which still stands at the Sugar Mill Gardens. Just after the Civil War, Dr. John Milton Hawks brought 500 freed slaves to the area and named it Orange Port in February of 1867, but the name was reversed to Port Orange in April of that same year. In the early 1900s, Port Orange became known as the Oyster Capital of the World until the 1950s.

In April of every year, the Port Orange Art Fest allows visitors to take a glimpse into the past through art. Historical tours are also available at Cracker Creek and the Sugar Mill Gardens.

Many restaurants in the Gateway Center of Port Orange take advantage of the beautiful Florida weather and offer outdoor dining on the Halifax River. Aunt Catfish's on the River rates as one of the most popular restaurants in the area, famous for both its food and atmosphere on the waterfront. Aunt Catfish's has a wide variety of options for lunch and dinner, including sundried tomato wraps, fried fish and shrimp, or a coastal seafood platter, each complete with one of the restaurant's famous cinnamon rolls. On Sundays, Aunt Catfish's offers a casual buffet brunch complete with a chocolate fountain for dipping. Across the river, Our Deck Down Under features casual dining on the river with a convenient order-at-the-counter then seat yourself system. Popular dishes include conch fritters and fish dip as well as typical seafood platters. This eatery has boat docks, allowing patrons to stop by for lunch after a day on the boat. For those seeking more upscale dining, Monterey Grill features California-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start your day with the crabcake benedict, or top off the night with tilapia piccata over sautéed spinach. While no nightclubs exist in the Gateway Center of Port Orange, locals enjoy entertainment at local bars, including Hidden Treasure Tiki Bar, which also serves food. Located right on the water, locals enjoy coming here after a long day to relax. For those seeking a little more action at night, locals must travel to nearby downtown Daytona Beach, about a 15-minute drive to the north.

The most common form of transportation remains driving a personal vehicle. Public parking proves widely available, and best of all, free. I-95, the major highway throughout Florida remains easily accessible, located just outside the neighborhood. Uber has not arrived in the area, but taxis are available by calling one of the many local companies. Public transportation proves available through the public bus system, known as the Votran, with the fare at only $1.50 per ride. Much of the neighborhood is walkable but can also be very spread out, so most residents tend to drive. Biking lanes do exist, but major roads become very busy at peak times of the day, and safety may be an issue as traffic becomes heavy.

All of the parks in Port Orange offer free entry for visitors. The only dog-friendly park, the Seamore Memorial Dog Park, allows dogs to run free off their leashes. The Port Orange Skate Park acts as a popular hangout for teenagers and children as an after-school spot. Nature enthusiasts love Buschman Park, which is home to a beautiful lake, nature trails and tons of wildlife. Youngsters can enjoy the playground, while adults can take in the sights and sounds of nature. While technically further south in Port Orange, Cracker Creek offers visitors a chance to step back in time to the plantation days of old Florida and makes a popular destination for families on the weekends. Visitors can rent canoes and enjoy an eco-tour or even a sunset dinner cruise down Spruce Creek.

While many of the annual events in the area focus on those of nearby Daytona Beach, the Port Orange Gateway Center also hosts the annual Port Orange Family Days every October. This event brings in 60,000 visitors each year with thrilling rides, family activities and entertainment. In the spring, the smaller version of the event, hosted in March, allows visitors to spend a day in the sun while enjoying food vendors, a petting zoo and carnival rides. Throughout the year, the neighborhood features Movies Under the Stars, where families can come enjoy a movie in the open-air, complete with games and a concession stand.

With the cost of living being below the city and national average, this Port Orange neighborhood has become popular with young couples and families starting out their life together. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence in the Port Orange Gateway Center runs around $800 per month. Most residences in the area prove to be newly built constructions in manicured subdivisions, which adds an even higher quality to the low cost of living. Gas prices remain lower than the national average as well as the cost of food and beverages. The typical price of beer at a local pub ranges between $3 and $5.

Just down the street from the Port Orange Gateway Center lies the Port Orange Pavilion, a sprawling shopping center consisting of a movie theatre, restaurants and countless stores ranging from retail chains to specialty shops. The popular Bella Home Accents features elegant home decor, jewelry and gifts. Another boutique, Adornments, offers high-end jewelry, handbags and decorative gifts, including brands such as Brighton and Vera Bradley. Retail chains include Marshalls, Belk and HomeGoods. Every Saturday at the Port Orange Pavilion, vendors hoist their tents for the weekly farmers market where they sell locally grown produce and other handmade crafts.

The major grocery stores for the area are Publix, as well as the Super Target located on the main road of the Gateway Center neighborhood, Dunlawton Avenue.