Planning a Trip to Daytona: What You Need to Know

 

Let's visit Daytona Beach!

Daytona Beach appeals to me. Even on a cloudy day, the beach, with it's flat, white sand, it was still a stunning place to be. We didn't have our swimsuits on the day we arrived, and this photo was taken but I was so happy to be there, that I could have just stood on that boardwalk for hours, by that beautiful ocean, and been perfectly content.

One of the first questions I had, was why is it called "The World's Most Famous Beach?" According to the History of City website, it was made famous in the 1900s for its wide beach with hard-packed sand, just perfect for high-speed automobile testing. As the testing turned to racing, and the racing became more popular, NASCAR founder Bill France did the world a favor and developed the Daytona International Speedway, home to today’s Daytona 500, which is one of the world’s most popular and well-known races. People still drive on the beach today, though thankfully, they do so at a very slow speed.      

There was not a race running the last time we were in town, so we stuck pretty close to the beach. In addition to fishing, swimming, jet skiing, and most any water activity you could think of, there were also quite a few restaurants, including some that were on or within walking distance of the beach. Joe’s Crab Shack is a popular waterfront place to dine.

There’s probably going to be a wait if you eat at Joe’s, but that’s okay because waiting in a place like that is half the fun. Whether your crowd heads up to the rooftop bar, takes a walk on the pier, stands out on the massive deck, or heads underneath the pier to explore, there is something for everyone to do and enjoy.

The Bandshell is a great place to relax after grabbing a bite to eat. Situated right on the beach, this is the place to go when bands are playing live, at no charge to you. Concerts play every Friday and Saturday evening from late May through September. There are fireworks after every show.

The Coquina Clock Tower makes sure you don’t lost track of time, if you have an appointment or something you have to do. We were there solely for a little rest and relaxation, so time meant nothing to us (and that’s one of the best things you can say on vacation). 

I did appreciate that the clock face was actually made up of the letters of the city. The tower is 55 ft. tall, so it’s a great landmark to meet up at if you and your party decide to temporarily go your separate ways. You can literally see it almost anywhere you go in this area.

The boardwalk has more restaurants, stores for shopping and places to just sit and relax. There are also your typical stands that sell cold drinks, hot dogs, funnel cakes, icees, cotton candy and other typical beachside grub. The boardwalk has amusement rides, more restaurants, an arcade, stores for shopping. There are also plenty of places to just sit and relax if you want to just take in the scenery.

The beach is lined with hotels, and we stayed at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Front Resort. This massive tower of a hotel that looks like a pyramid on the back side. The water views were extraordinary from the rooms. The amenities inside and out were plentiful. There were several pools. The big, beautiful lower level had a lot of people but still did not feel crowded and there was plenty of multi-level seating. 

The rooftop pool was next to a children’s area with games (like a giant Connect 4 type of game and pool tables) and an outside shuffleboard kind of area. The inside had places to shop, a place to ship packages, coffee, bars, and restaurants. We opted to dine at Don Ricos for lunch. The next morning, we purchased the hotels big breakfast buffet (all-you-can-eat with traditional items like eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, etc., and even some unexpected items like exotic fruit and even salmon.

The area felt safe and we enjoyed a stroll up and down the main street to explore what the area had to offer beyond its beautiful white sand and rolling blue waves. Immediately, we came across the large community center that was home to the City Council Chambers and a plethora of activities including shuffleboard, bocce ball, six clay tennis courts that are free to play on and open to the public (they also had other activities, check their schedule to see what’s going on while you are there).

We also passed Daytona Lagoon, an outdoor water park, go kart site, and indoor arcade and adventure zone. There were restaurants, shopping, and fun things to see, like an alligator statue you could pose with (of course people were putting their heads inside of its mouth to be funny; we may or may not have done the same). 😉

Never one to resist a bit of taffy, this candy store was an easy choice to visit. These nostalgic stores always draw me in. We also visited a souvenir shop to pick up a few things to help us remember our trip and enjoyed the people watching. There were plenty of people, but it never felt overcrowded. 

Things to know about visiting Daytona Beach:

Parking

The first thing to note, if you are staying at a hotel here, take advantage of the on-site valet parking. We did not and it turned out our parking was across the street and down the block. Definitely not convenient if you have children or luggage.

Outside of that, parking was easy. There are plenty of metered parking spots or you can park in the public garage for part of (or the entire) day. 

Accommodations

Hotels on the beach are not outrageously priced and if you stay in one of them, there are so many things within walking distance. Request a water view. The different phases of the beach day will amaze you and it’s nice to crack open the door and hear the ocean as you drift off to sleep. Be sure to check ahead on the parking situation before you book your stay (see note above).

If your budget is a little tighter you can drive about ten minutes north to Ormond Beach and find a hotel on the water for even less.

        

Things to Do
There are many things to do when visiting this bustling beach city in sunny Florida.

My Top 10 suggestions:

1. Visit the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier: The boardwalk and pier are popular spots for visitors, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and arcade games to enjoy.
2. Take a walk on the beach: Daytona Beach is known for its wide, sandy beaches, which are perfect for walking, swimming, and sunbathing. You can even walk under the pier and that’s an experience in and of itself.
3. Go fishing: Daytona Beach is home to a number of good fishing spots, both on the beach and in the nearby waterways.
4. Visit the Daytona International Speedway: The Daytona International Speedway is home to many major racing events, including the Daytona 500. You can take a tour of the facility or attend a race (depending on seasonal schedule).
5. Check out the local museums: There are several interesting museums in the area, including the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, the Halifax Historical Museum, and the Museum of Arts & Sciences.
6. Play a round of golf: Daytona Beach has several golf courses to choose from, ranging from challenging links-style courses to more forgiving resort courses. If mini golf is your thing, there are places to do that as well.
7. Take a boat tour: There are a number of boat tour companies in the area that offer sightseeing cruises, fishing trips, and dolphin watching tours.
8. Visit the Marine Science Center: The Marine Science Center is a great place to learn about the local marine environment, with exhibits on dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals.
9. Take a surf lesson: Daytona Beach is a popular spot for surfing, and there are several surf schools in the area that offer lessons for all skill levels.
10. Go shopping: Daytona Beach has a number of shopping options, including the Volusia Mall and the Ocean Walk Shoppes, which offer a mix of national retailers and local boutiques.

Bonus: If you like waterparks, the Daytona Lagoon is directly across the street from the beach and is jam-packed full of fun things to do, including go karts, an extensive arcade, a rock wall, rope treks and more.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your trip to Daytona Beach. It is a very active and exciting place to visit.