Often called home of the world’s most famous beaches, Daytona Beach, Florida, continues to delight and surprise visitors with its many ways to have fun. The Daytona Beach area is not only the perfect vacation destination, but it’s also the perfect “base camp” for a vacation that goes well beyond the area. It is located on Florida’s east coast, midway between historic St. Augustine, the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando. When visitors arrive, they find the 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline and the surrounding destination have more to offer than they ever imagined.
Of course, there is family beach fun. On the shores made famous by race cars, today, families can pack up their own car with beach gear and find easy beach access for a day of enjoying white sands and ocean waters. An amazing array of nearby parks and playgrounds add to the beach fun, too. And the water activities go beyond the beach. At Ponce Inlet, charter fishing and scenic tours offer more ways to enjoy the diverse waterways of the area. Here, Florida’s tallest lighthouse stands guard and offers a chance to discover the world of maritime history or take on the challenge of the climb to the top.
The famous Daytona racing tradition continues here year-round and offers so much more than race day excitement. Track tours at Daytona International Speedway and awe-inspiring displays at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America drive excitement for visitors of all ages, any time of year.
And speaking of driving, Daytona Beach is famous for cruising, as well. The 30-mile Ormond Scenic Loop showcases some amazing and diverse natural scenery, winding amid rivers, creeks, marshes, beaches and the pristine hardwood hammock forest. The areas state parks, national seashore and national wildlife refuge are also popular spots for exploring the natural Florida landscapes and waterways. Visitors can also take a low-speed cruise on the beach (and even park) in specifically designated areas, perfect for those with mobility challenges – or just a carload of beach gear.
For arts lovers, there is an impressive collection of visual arts displays and more. The CiCi and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, boasting the largest collection of Florida art in the world, and the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences are only the beginning. Indoor and outdoor galleries, performing arts venues and special events can all be a part of a Daytona Beach visit.
The area boasts five distinct and historic downtown shopping districts and several diverse shopping complexes, plus exceptional golf and a seemingly endless list of attractions to enjoy. From the iconic Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier and historic Ormond Beach to ONE DAYTONA, an emerging entertainment district filled with daytime and nighttime activities, Daytona Beach has so much to discover. So much fun to be had.
A variety of one-of-a-kind restaurants, from sandy-feet-allowed casual spots to white tablecloth service offer a variety and quality of cuisine second to none. And a variety of beachfront and inland accommodations make personalizing any stay easy. Lodging options include nationally known resort and hotel brands, independently owned inns, one-of-a-kind B&Bs and an array of camping choices and vacation rentals.
Fast Facts & Trivia
- Daytona Beach has an average daily temperature of 80 degrees.
- Play in the sand along the 23 miles of sparkling Atlantic beaches in Daytona Beach.
- Climb the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Florida.
- 170 species of birds have been spotted at Tomoka State Park.
- Hike or bike over 70 miles of pristine trails throughout the Daytona Beach area.
- Explore close to 40 separate exhibits including a 100,000-gallon shark exhibit and two touch pools including a 12,000-gallon stingray touch pool at the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure.
- Three of the area’s nearly 20 golf courses are part of the Historic Florida Golf Trail.
- Watch as race cars navigate the 31-degree banks at Daytona International Speedway.
- Cheer for a home run at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
- Daytona Beach is home to one of only two Coca-Cola bottle prototypes in existence. See it – and an extensive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia – at the Museum of Arts & Sciences.
- Tour The Casements, the 9,000-square-foot historic former home of John D. Rockefeller.
Annual Events
- Festival of the Arts, January
- Manatee Festival, January
- Rolex 24 at Daytona, January
- Black Heritage Festival, February
- Daytona 500 and Speedweeks, February
- Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade, February
- Mardi Gras and Dog Parade Festival, February
- Volusia Beer Week and DeLand Craft Beer Festival, February
- Daytona Supercross, March
- Bike Week Motorcycle Rally, March
- Oyster Jam Music Festival, March
- Spring Daytona Turkey Run Car Show, March
- Cracker Day Rodeo, April
- Daytona Tortugas Baseball, April-September
- Florida Wildflower, Garden and Outdoor Art Festivals, April
- ONE DAYTONA Art Festival, April
- Daytona Beach Arts Fest, April
- Jeep Beach, April
- Ormond Beach Celtic Festival, April
- Welcome to Rockville Concert, May
- Bandshell Summer Concerts, May-September
- Riverfest on the Halifax, June
- July Fourth Fireworks, July
- Mustangs at Daytona, July
- Red, White and Blue Street Festival, July
- Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Race, August
- Shrimp and Seafood Festival, August
- Natural History Festival, September
- New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival, September
- Biketoberfest® Motorcycle Rally, October
- King of the Grill, October
- Thin Man Watts Jazz Fest, October
- Daytona Turkey Run Car Show, November
- DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, November
- Fall Country Jamboree, November
- Food, Wine and Brew Festival, November
- Greek Festival, November
- Halifax Art Festival, November
- Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular Tours, November
- Florida Christmas Remembered, December
- Magic of Lights, December
- Twinkle Lights and Light Up Volusia, December
- New Year’s Festivities, December
View a complete listing of events here: https://www.daytonabeach.com/events/
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