Daytona Beach is known for many things, including its Speedway, its colorful history, its world-class cultural facilities, and a calendar jam-packed with exciting festivals and events. There always seems to be something exciting going on here. Are you looking to go shopping? Daytona has it all, from fantastic adventure and water sports stores to shopping complexes such as the Tanger Outlet Shops, which has over 75 shops and eateries in one location.
The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, considered the world's most extensive collection of Florida art, is a must-see for art lovers. In addition, a $400 million "re-imagining" of the Daytona International Speedway was recently announced. As a result, what happened? This historic race track is completely renovated, providing guests with state-of-the-art facilities and thrilling new activities.
And it is not as if Daytona Beach did not already have a lot to offer in the first place. A world-renowned beach, a historic center filled with fantastic stores and restaurants, and the famed Boardwalk, illuminated with colorful attractions, shops, and cafes, make this destination a must-see destination.
Golf is one of the more energetic activities available in this area, and you may participate all year round. In addition, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which stands 175 feet tall, is still Florida's tallest structure. Finally, the Stetson Mansion, which was erected by the man who gave us the Stetson hat, continues as a very popular tourist destination for visitors worldwide.
For more information on these and the many other exciting things to do in Daytona Beach, check out our top list of things to do in Daytona Beach.
Please keep in mind that some enterprises may be temporarily closed due to current worldwide health and safety concerns.
Daytona Beach: This is where the sun shines the brightest.
A resort town was not founded in Daytona Beach by chance; the Founders deliberated over where to locate it. Finally, they chose a 23-mile length of sand, widely recognized as one of the most excellent and famous beaches of Florida, if not one of the best in the entire United States, as the site for their new resort. A lengthy section of this famous beach is now surrounded by one of the world's most famous Boardwalks, featuring several attractions, distinctive shops and restaurants, and street performers.
There is nothing quite like a wholesome, family-friendly beach when the sounds of the waves intertwine with the laughing of children. Additionally, there are ten parks, many noteworthy festivals, and an abundance of recreational options on the beach. A parade of enormous sea turtles emerges from the ocean to lay their eggs on the sand every year from May 15 to October 31. The sun fertilizes the eggs.
Are you looking for a fantastic place to stay in this city? In addition to being located right on the beach, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is conveniently located near the Boardwalk and Ocean Walk Village shops.
Daytona International Speedway
The instant you set foot on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway, you will know you have arrived on holy ground. Apart from being one of the topmost iconic auto-racing tracks on the planet, Daytona International Speedway is also the headquarters of NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Racing. This organization, founded in 1947 by Bill France, Sr., and is still family-owned, hosts various events that draw in upwards of 125,000 people.
In addition, a variety of interactive racetrack experiences and tours are now available to give you a taste of the thrill of race car driving. For example, on the Speedway Tour tram ride, you will get to see the 31-degree banks of the circuit and even climb to the top of the podium in Victory Lane for a photo opportunity with the drivers.
At the NASCAR Racing Experience and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, you will have the opportunity to enjoy riding along as a passenger with a Nascar professional race car driver at speeds of up to 160 miles per hour. Additionally, at the NASCAR Driving Experience, you will be able to drive one of these cars for up to 30 laps.
Location: 1801 West International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website address: www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk
Daytona Beach's Boardwalk amusement area – originally known as the "Broadwalk" – was built in 1938 and continually renovated to include new stores, new culinary pleasures, and new experiences for visitors.
Close to Main Street, this usually lively area offers a variety of activities for people of all ages, including a Ferris wheel, go-carts, and free concerts in the bandshell. There are activities for people of all ages, both indoors and out, and there is something for everyone.
Visit the boutiques and stylish restaurants of Ocean Walk Village, a taffy factory named Zeno's (another account we provide pest control services for) World's Most Famous Taffy, and the 1,000-foot-long Daytona Pier, among other attractions.
Official Website Address: www.daytonabeachboardwalk.com
Daytona Beach Main Street Pier
Daytona Beach's Main Street Pier, to give it its full name, has been a famous waterfront attraction for more than a century. As a result, it is commonly called "Daytona Beach Pier." It was built in 1925 and is a city landmark that is equally famous for fishing as it is for taking a stroll and breathing in some fresh sea air.
A short walk from the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, this charming wooden pier stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean for 740 feet and is easily accessible from the beach. It is open every day of the week and is entirely free to explore. So if you want to take a sunrise selfie or see marine life such as dolphins and seabirds, this is a terrific location to visit. There are also a few restaurants on-site for those who want to get a bite of food to eat while taking in the beauty of the sea, one of which will also prepare any fish you may have caught.
Those interested in fishing can do so at the east end of the pier from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. You can also enjoy fishing from Sunglow Pier and other spots (fees required at both locations). In addition, visitors can continue to enjoy the Main Street Pier and its eateries. At the same time, renovations and a possible extension are being carried out on the structure.
One hundred and twenty-first Main Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Marine Science Center
Research and learning institution, the Marine Science Center, is not only a living museum of undersea life, but it is also a center for study and education. More than 200 species and tens of thousands of creatures have been nursed back to health at this intriguing attraction since it first opened its doors in 2002, with a large number being released back into the wild.
Sea turtles, hatchlings, and other species such as snakes, gopher tortoises, and freshwater turtles are among the creatures rescued. In addition, the Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Facility has taken in around 18,000 injured birds since opening its doors in 2004.
Children and their parents can go inside the research facilities and interact with some of the inhabitants of the enormous touch-tank, which includes stingrays and other sea creatures. Other attractions include a Turtle Terrace, a nature trail with boardwalks, a bird observation tower, and a variety of other exciting displays and activities. This on of my favorite accounts that we provide pest control services for.
Location: 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida
Official Website Address: www.marinesciencecenter.com
Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Any baseball fan will be familiar with Jackie Robinson's name, especially a former player. Robinson made history in 1946 when he became the first African-American to play in a major league baseball game in the United States. He played right here in the stadium that still holds his name. Robison was a minor-leaguer at the time, and he was a member of the Montreal Royals. Meanwhile, he was promoted to the major leagues. After that, he played officially for the Brooklyn Dodgers, inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The old ballpark, located in Daytona Beach's historic downtown waterfront neighborhood, is a local monument. We can see the city's history here. The same can be said for the ballpark on nights when the Daytona Tortugas, today's minor-league team, plays here. The ballpark, in addition, serves as a concert venue on occasion.
Location: 105 E. Orange Ave, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: www.milb.com/daytona/ballpark/jackierobinsonballpark.
Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art is designated as a history museum because it uses the works of its artists to tell the tale of Florida's history. It all started with the early pioneers. It continues to the present day. It has the world's most extensive collection of Florida art and artists, with about 2,600 works. It depicts the story of the state's history better than any other art museum.
Among the exhibitions on display are historical and modern portrayals of Florida's weather, the Seminoles, the Everglades, and views of St. Augustine by female painters. Other attractions include pop-culture exhibitions like Americana, Coca-Cola, and the railroads. Additionally, a breathtaking Planetarium show is formed with a regular museum admission ticket.
With the help of the top artists in the state, it is an extraordinary museum that allows us to hear Florida's history through the eyes of its most talented individuals. This magnificent museum is located directly across the street from the Museum of Arts and Sciences.
Location: 352 S Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: www.moas.org/ciciandhyattbrownmuseum.html
Stetson Mansion
The Stetson Mansion, built in the Gilded Age and still surviving today, is a testament to the period. It was regarded as Florida's first luxury estate and its most spectacular residence until the twentieth century. The home, built by hat tycoon and philanthropist John B. Stetson in 1886, features a range of intriguing interior carvings, rare timbers for the floors, 10,000 panes of leaded glass, and works of art from throughout the world.
The Stetsons were well-known for throwing the most extravagant parties in Florida, attended by foreign nobility and American entrepreneurs, tycoons, and innovators. For example, a family friend, Thomas Edison, designed the electrical system. The Stetsons even built their power plant, ice factory, and hotel for their wealthy visitors.
The legendary Florida entrepreneur Henry Flagler even constructed a railroad line that connected the property to the rest of the world. Visit during the Christmas season for a special treat, as the mansion is wonderfully decorated with holiday ornaments and decorations. Guided tours are available at all times of the year.
Location: 1031 Camphor Lane, Deland, Florida
Official Website Address: www.stetsonmansion.com
Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory
Since 1925, Angell & Phelps has been hand-crafting extraordinary chocolate confections for customers worldwide. It was founded in Mackinac, Michigan, but relocated to Florida during World War II. It was a woman-owned enterprise that existed decades before its time, with owners Riddell Angell and Cora Phelps paving the way for other women to follow their dreams. Several of Riddell and Cora's original recipes are still used today at the restaurant.
Angell & Phelps takes excellent delight in the old-fashioned combinations that it prepares. In addition, the factory gives a free tour, during which you can see how chocolate delights are created. And do not worry; you will not leave without trying any of the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth samples. This location is one of my favorite historic buildings we also provide exterminator services for.
Location: 154 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: http://angellandphelps.com/
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
However, there is significant disagreement over whether Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon truly slept on or near the site where the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse now stands. The fact that he never discovered his Fountain of Youth, on the other hand, is indisputable; otherwise, he would be here to tell us about it.
The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, named after the man, was the first to sail into this inlet with a fleet of Spanish ships. It offers visitors the opportunity to see Florida's oldest lighthouse, built-in 1887 as part of a chain of ten lighthouses created in the late 1800s along the east coast of a state famed for its shipwrecks. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is located in Ponce Inlet, Florida.
The three original keepers' apartments, filled with maps and antiques from the tower's heyday, are open for inspection and witnessing the light from the lantern at the top of the building, which continues to function as it did more than a century ago. The lighthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1998. You should make the ascent up the 213 stairs to the top if you have the opportunity. Because of the breathtaking 360-degree vistas, it is definitely worth the effort. The views include the ocean, the inlet, and the Intracoastal Waterway. I have said it prior, and I will once again, another favorite account we provide pest control services for.
Location: 4931 S Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida
Official Website Address: www.ponceinlet.org
Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
The famous Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) has the distinction of being a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. It is a fascinating blend of two disciplines rarely found in the same building.
For art enthusiasts, the museum contains more than 30,000 objects, including the Schulte Gallery of Chinese Art (one of the region's finest collections of Chinese art), the Gallery of Decorative Arts, The African display, Coca Cola memorabilia, Old trains, the Cuban Foundation Museum, and the Root Family Museum, which houses rare pieces of Americana. Don't forget the planetarium!
Among the scientific attractions is a Children's museum full of hands-on activities for children of all ages and a brand new, cutting-edge planetarium that will transport you to the stars. There is also a nature trail and displays of fossils and bones from the people who traveled the same path a thousand years ago and a museum dedicated to them.
Yoga in the Gallery, for example, is one of the many intriguing programs that the museum hosts. On-site amenities include an excellent café as well as a store.
Location: 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: www.moas.org.
Tomoka State Park
One of Florida's most stunning nature reserves, Tomoka State Park, is only a 20-minute drive north along the coast from Daytona Beach. The park, which has 2,000 acres of pristine land near the Tomoka River, was well-known for various fish and other food supplies among the local indigenous community.
Since 1945, the park has grown famous as a tourist destination. As a result, many festive outdoor activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, are at the top of the list of activities. In addition, the park mainly attracts bird-watchers. According to estimates, it is the home (or a resting location) for more than 160 species, including a diverse range of birds of prey such as bald eagles. In addition, manatees, deer, alligators, and even bobcats are among the other fauna that may be seen in the area.
For those visitors who are only here for a short day's stay will enjoy wandering around the park's network of nature trails. At the same time, those who intend to stay longer can acquire a camping pass to the campground offers supplies and canoe rentals for further enjoyment.
Location: 2099 N Beach Street, Ormond Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: www.floridastateparks.org/Tomoka
Heli-Hogs
Helicopter tours are available from Heli-Hogs, based in nearby Ormond Beach. They will take you on a thrilling journey as you glide over the sky above east-central Florida. After that, you will understand what the phrase "bird's-eye view" refers to.
This trip takes you north down the coast to Flagler Beach and back, past minor settlements, highways, and famous Daytona beach. The view over the amazingly vibrant ocean waves is breathtaking.
Do not forget to include this thrilling experience, which has been regarded as one of the best things to do in Daytona for families, on your Florida vacation schedule.
Location: 92 Hangar Way, Ormond Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: http://www.helihogs.com/
Lilian Place Heritage Center
The lovely Lilian Place Historic House, built-in 1884 by Laurence Thompson, one of the area's early residents, is the oldest residence on the beachside of Daytona Beach and the oldest house in the city.
The house is a rare example of High Victorian design, with high ceilings and solid wood floors that set it apart from other instances of frontier architecture. There is a widow's walk in this location since it is closely related to the sea. The wives of sea captains used to wait for their husbands to return (or not).
The author Stephen Crane (The Red Badge of Courage), had to swim to the island after his vessel sank off the coast of Maine in 1896, and it was a difficult journey. But, according to some tenants, he is still here, roaming the apartments and corridors with other "forever" guests like Lucille, the enigmatic ghost of Lilian Place.
In addition to laughing children and a woman clothed entirely in white, other ghosts are believed to haunt the old house still. A souvenir shop, as well as a tearoom, are available on the site. In addition, tours with a guide are offered.
Location: 1000 S Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach, Florida
Official Website Address: www.heritagepreservationtrust.org
Choosing a place to stay in Daytona for sightseeing purposes
Consider staying at one of Daytona's best hotels and resorts on or near the beach. Given the island's length (it runs for well over 20 miles), there is no shortage of decent options if you explore beyond the island's Boardwalk and downtown parts. When considering where to stay in Daytona, find out our selection of the best value hotels below.
Luxury Hotels:
• The luxurious Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, located in the Ocean Walk Village development, has a wide range of beach-view accommodations. It is possible to book larger family suites with separate living areas, including access to two excellent swimming pools, a spa, and a variety of children's activities.
· The Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach provides themed "rock star" rooms, concierge services, a fitness center, and even free guitar rentals.
• The magnificent Black Dolphin Inn should be on your radar for a romantic getaway for two because of its historical setting, beautiful grounds, and private dock.
Mid-Range Hotels:
Mid-Range Hotels: The Holiday Inn Daytona Beach LPGA, located just minutes from Daytona's most famous attraction. The rooms are well lit and have huge bathrooms and a handful of family suites. It is an excellent place to look for offers. We personally offer pest control services to this clean well kept location. Additionally, the Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport offers luxurious suites with full kitchens, a heated swimming pool, and a fitness center. All are open around the clock.
Holiday Inn & Suites located in Daytona Beach on the Ocean is an excellent oceanfront holiday option. It is close to the Boardwalk and the beach. It has a variety of larger suites ideal for families and is located near the Boardwalk and the beach.
Budget Hotels:
· The Atlantic Shores Motel is a good alternative for budget travelers to Daytona. It is close to the beach and has free parking.
• The Tropical Winds Oceanfront Hotel is well-known for its beachfront swimming pool and strategic beach position. The Atlantic Ocean Palm Inn is another option. This pleasant family-owned budget hotel offers clean rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, and free Wi-Fi (pet-friendly rooms are available).
Best Beaches in Florida
While on vacation in Florida, you can enjoy the many beautiful beaches that the state offers. These are a few of our favorites:
Miami Beach is a seven-mile stretch of beach near the city's most prominent attractions. The gorgeous 1,136-acre Fort DeSoto Park, home to endless expanses of pristine beach on the Gulf side of Florida and other activities and attractions, is less crowded but no less delightful at Clearwater Beach, near St. Petersburg. Finally, do not forget to include the beaches of Fort Lauderdale in your itinerary; you will enjoy walking (or reclining) along its seven miles of sandy beaches and extensive boardwalks and experiencing the city's many other exciting attractions and activities.
The Best Florida Vacation Destinations
Cocoa Beach, Florida, is an excellent destination located just an hour's drive south of Daytona Beach and is a perfect alternative for people looking for a more relaxed family holiday. The area is particularly well-known for its beautiful beaches and nature parks. Another excellent holiday spot, historic St. Augustine, is renowned as North America's oldest city and is a delight to explore on foot, particularly in the area surrounding the old colonial portion of the town. Orlando, the world's theme park capital, offers an entirely different experience. Still, because it is also the home of Disney World and Universal Studios, there is no shortage of entertaining things to do there. Regardless of your Florida travel destinations, there is no shortage of fun family friendly towns awaiting your adventure!