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What to See and Do in Daytona Beach?

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What to See and Do in Daytona Beach?

Daytona Beach is often considered the “World’s Most Famous Beach” due to its wide expanses of white sand and sunny atmosphere. Located along the east coast of Florida, it serves as a popular destination beach spot that features a variety of activities including surfing, swimming, fishing, and boating. With attractions like the Daytona International Speedway and host of famous bars and restaurants, Daytona Beach offers a wealth of experiences for beach-goers of all ages.

Whether you’re a relaxed beach-goer looking for a laidback day in the sand or a more active person wanting to fit as much adventure as possible into a weekend Florida getaway, there are plenty of things to do in Daytona Beach. To help you make the most of your time there, here’s a guide to some of the city’s best attractions and activities.

Beaches & Boardwalk

The starting point for any visit to Daytona Beach should be the 22-mile stretch of white sand along the shoreline. Swimming in Daytona Beach is not recommended due to dangerous rip tides, but the sand is great for sunbathing and beach-going activities like volleyball and frisbee. Along the lovely beach runs a four-mile boardwalk, lined with restaurants, souvenir shops and arcades, plus a beer garden and seasonal farmers market. Tourists can rent a surrey and bike up and down the boardwalk taking in the sights.

Daytona International Speedway

Located just off I-95, the Daytona International Speedway is considered one of the most distinguished racetracks in the world. Home to various motor racing events such as NASCAR, the Daytona 500 Cup and Coke Zero Sugar 400, the speedway grounds feature driving experiences such as Richard Petty Driving Experience and Exotic Car Driving Experience. Visitors can also take a behind-the-scenes tour of the track, called “The World Center of Racing” as well as viewing the Henry M. Rowland Garden open from March to August. Admission prices vary depending on what tour you take but are generally affordable for families.

Fun for Kids & Adults

For some recreational fun, visit Daytona Lagoon Waterpark which features waterslides, go-karts, laser tag and rock climbing, as well as mini golf courses and an arcade. Both children and adults alike can check out Museum of Arts & Sciences – home to natural history collections, an art museum with Renaissance paintings and contemporary pieces, plus an impressive planetarium. On the south end of the beach lies “The Sandbox – an Interactive Children’s Museum” managed by volunteers. It hosts educational activities involving hands-on science experiments, building blocks and camps in addition to a learning workshop every Monday.

Sight-Seeing Tours & Cruises

Daytona Beach Boat Tours offer guests boat cruises around the Halifax River complete with dolphin watching opportunities. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse boat tours are led by experts who take you through 700+ years of the area’s history which includes Ponce De Leon who discovered Florida in 1513 and The Canaveral Lighthouse which stands as a marker for ships travelling on the Atlantic Coast. Those interested in experiencing marine life at sea can join Sea Crest Reef and Wreck Tour – a unique guided scuba diving excursion that takes visitors on an underwater journey to experience dozens of shipwrecks and colorful reef sections while searching for a variety of fish species plus horseshoe crabs, sea turtles and spotted eagle rays.

Bars & Nightlife

Daytona Beach’s beachside drinking laws are among the most lenient in Florida, allowing landlocked places such as restaurants on The Boardwalk Beach pier to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. It’s no wonder that the nightlife thrives in this beach town. Seabreeze Boulevard partygoers can enjoy drinking games at The Buccaneers Tavern followed by live music from local bands at Zebra Bar & Grill while country music fans can grab beer at Boot Hill Saloon or play pool at The Saloon Bar both located directly across street from each other. Looking for something more low key? Consider joining a Daytona Beach Dive Bar Bus Crawl to go bar hopping in one night with your gang! This tour includes visits to five unique dive bars around online where you can enjoy exclusive specials from each bar that you stop at. Of course if you would like to spend some time with your loved one over dinner there are plenty of fine dining restaurants to choose from including The Chart House located at Pier One Marina.

Conclusion

When looking for a weekend getaway that offers plenty of fun activities on the beach and with plenty of attractions and nightlife offerings nearby, consider visiting Daytona Beach for your next vacation. Whether you plan to spend all your days at the beach or prefer to explore its attractions including international speedway and boat tours, there really is something for everyone here. And don’t forget Daytona Beach Dive Bar Bus Crawl so you can see all that this vibrant beach town has to offer after dark!

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What to See and Do in Daytona Beach?

Experience Adventure Like Never Before: Book Your Tour Today!