Conveniently located on Florida’s Central East Coast, Daytona Beach is short 1 hour and 15 minute drive away from Orlando and its popular theme parks and tourist destinations. This vintage city on the beach boasts a population of approximately 60,000 people that fluctuates with the seasons. A sleepy beach town one moment, a rocking party town the next. Known for it’s exhilarating race track, all consuming bike week, as well as opportunities for families, Daytona Beach is popular with couples, spring breakers and families alike.
Daytona Beach
The “World’s Most Famous Beach” is just waiting to be discovered. Throw on some sunscreen and spend an afternoon walking the sprawling 23 mile beach or take advantage of the unique oppotutnilty to “drive” the beach. Yes, drive the beach! One of the most popular things visitors in the area do is hop in their cars, open all the windows, and take a cruise on the hard packed sand. It’s been a tradition since Daytona welcomed the first automobile and motorcycle races in 1902. Note: There is a $20 per day per vehicle user fee to drive on the beach.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk
The colourful beach boardwalk is lined with a variety of bars, hotels, restaurants, shops, and the City Walk shopping and entertainment complex. Find a parking spot and shop for T-shirts, souvenirs or walk to the end of the pier to do some fishing off the iconic pier. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, head to Screamer’s Park, 0pen 365 days a year and home to the newest rides near the pier, the Slingshot and the Vomatron. Heads up – those two rides are not for the faint of heart.
Insider Tip: While wandering through the eclectic mix of shops, stop in at Zeno’s, the world-famous taffy maker, at the end of the boardwalk and a stones throw from the beach.
Take advantage of the welcoming owners generous offer for a free sample and then inevitably buy a great big bag of goodies to go.
12 North Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, 386-253-0254
Ponce Inlet
Located on the tip of a beach peninsula just a little bit south of Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet is a town with a population of just over 3,000 people. The town is home to several marinas and the famous Ponce de Leon Lighthouse This historic lighthouse is Florida’s oldest, built in 1887. In 1998, the lighthouse was declared a National Historic Landmark. Be warned if you want to go to the top it’s a whopping 213 steps. The effort to get to the top may be worth it for the stunning 360 degree views of the ocean, the inlet, and the Intracoastal Waterway.
4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127, 386-761-1821
Daytona International Speedway
Ready to race? The famous Daytona International Speedway is located in Daytona Beach and is the home to the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race. Don’t worry if there isn’t a race going on, you can always choose to walk in the footsteps of the race car legends by taking one of the many tours offered right at the speedway. If you are a true race fan prepare to have your doors blown off with a NASCAR Racing Experience. You can choose to either ride along in a NASCAR race car at top speeds around the speedway with a professional Driving Instructor at the wheel, or you drive an actual NASCAR Race Car! Yes, DRIVE the car yourself!
**This is picture of my SassyHubby doing the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a similar race car experience, in Orlando.
It was ahh-mazing.
1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida
- Mike’s Galley
- Crabby Joe’s
- Azure
- Donnie’s Donuts
- Sloppy Joe’s
- Senor Taco
- Don Vito’s
- Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweet Shop
- The Shores S’mores
- Cow Lick’s
- Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory
Chocolate lovers need to know about Angell & Phelps who have been hand-making incredible chocolate treats since 1925. They pride themselves on the old-time concoctions they create and the on-site factory and offer a free tour to their visitors. During the approximately 20 minute tour you have the opportunity to see chocolate treats being made and of course sample some of the delicious treats for yourselves.
Address: 154 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida
The beach, the boardwalk, and the speedway.
Cruising by the inlet and eating in the many …many restaurants.
Daytona Beach is a family favourite just waking to be discovered.
Happy travels!
Have not had the opportunity to visit Daytona but these pictures look amazing. Maybe someday I will get there.
I went to Daytona Beach in December 1997-January 1998, right when the Ice Storm hit Eastern Canada (I’m originally from Montreal), with my aunt, uncle and grandmother. It felt kind of deserted, and I was told that it was unseasonably cool. For a girl from Montreal, I was still out in a t-shirt and shorts and swimming in the ocean, though I saw locals in fur coats, boots, scarves and gloves. I think we each considered the other crazy. I don’t think we went to one place on your list, though my uncle was peeved that his plans were ruined as so many places were closed. They had gone down annually and he wanted to show me around. But one thing I had really enjoyed was simply walks up and down the beach. With the sand so packed it’s really comfortable underfoot and you can walk for much longer than on sidewalks.
I’d love to visit Daytona Beach if I have the chance!
I haven’t been to Daytona in years, but this post makes me want to go back!
That looks like an epic vacation. May take some time now for me to get down there! I have always wanted to see the racetrack though.
I wasn’t aware of all that Daytona Beach has to offer. Seems like a wonderful place to visit for a holiday. Definitely going to visit one day.
looks very nice, you are so blessed to have travelled so much
I think the Eats and Treats part of a trip is the best. I’d like to try Senor Taco.
You make me want to go to Daytona Beach!
That driving experience would be incredible! I should probably add Daytona to my list!
I would love to visit Daytona Beach It looks so peaceful and has a lot of amazing sites
Neat, never been here before, looks like lots of sun!!
This is what I need right now so looks fun but peaceful, I’d leave all my worries
at home
Were you there during the Daytona 500? We’ve often wondered how bad the traffic is during the month of February?
Actually, because the race was postponed by one day this year due to rain – we were there at the tail end of race week. We didn’t find traffic to be too bad at all. No much worse than any other beach town at that time of year. I’d say go, enjoy, but maybe make reservations for your dinners 🙂
I’m longing for a trip to the beach. Daytona sounds perfect.
Daytona Beach seemed to have a little bit of something for everyone! And that beach. So long you could walk – or drive for miles.