Wrong! While Daytona is known for its beaches, it is The World’s Most Famous Beach after all, there are so many other events and activities to enjoy. Whether you’ve lived in Daytona awhile, are considering moving here or are just visiting, here is a list of fun things you can do right here in Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas!
Birthplace of NASCAR & More
Each year, typically the last weekend of January, Daytona is host to the Rolex 24 which is held at the Daytona International Speedway. This is a 24 hour flat track race that is entertaining for people of all ages. The Rolex 24 is a huge event that draws locals and visitors alike. You may purchase tickets to watch the race, but you can also enjoy camping within the grounds to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Tent campers and RVers are both welcome here! Bring your grill and cooler and have a great time watching these insanely fast cars run for a full 24 hours.
Boogity, boogity, boogity, boys! Let’s go racing! Speed Week, held in the month of February, encompasses everything NASCAR here in Daytona Beach. It is a weeklong event leading up to the Daytona 500 which is NASCAR’s first racing event of the season. Enjoy events at the Speedway, vendors, food trucks and sunshine. You can park yourself to attend this event or you can park and ride over to the Speedway by bus, which is provided as a free service through the city.
Try something new by choosing to park your own car at the Speedway, also make sure to get there early. Bring your grill, corn hole boards and a cooler, as tailgating is a very popular activity before the race begins. If tailgating is not something you are interested in, just head over to One Daytona where you’ll find plenty of eats, drinks, shopping and a movie theater to keep you busy. You can even stay at one of several hotels here at One Daytona to make getting around that much easier. While you’re here, also check out some of the restaurants geared towards Daytona’s history of racing. Local favorites are Cruisin’ Cafe, First Turn, Racing’s North Turn and South Turn.
While this race is not as large as the 500, you can still enjoy all of the fun events, restaurants, shopping and tailgating. This event is typically held during the month of July or August, depending on the NASCAR schedule each year.
Motorcycles & Hot Rods
These events are held in March and October each year and each draws an enormous crowd, making each event full of amazing things to do. Motorcycle lovers from around the world attend these events to show off their bikes, enjoy the weather and eat great food! The main area for these events is located on Main Street in Daytona Beach, but the event does expand to other areas of Ormond Beach at Destination Daytona and beyond.
On Main Street you will find vendors, delicious food and tons of live bands each day and night. At Destination Daytona you will find similar events going on as well, but just a bit further South from Destination Daytona, you’ll find The Iron Horse, which has long been a staple for motorcycle enthusiasts to go to during these events. Their steak tips are legendary and a must try if you make the trip there. A1A and the main thorofares in the area can get a bit congested so plan your day accordingly!
Calling all car enthusiasts! These events are held in March and November at the Daytona International Speedway. You’ll see tons of classic, muscle and unique cars here. You can also attend the swap meet if you’re looking for parts for your own car.
Natural Florida Springs
If you’d like to cool off in the water, but don’t want to take a trip to the beach, then check out some of Volusia County’s natural springs. The springs are often over shadowed by Florida’s beaches, but are just as beautiful and relaxing. On the West Side of Volusia County you can visit DeLeon Springs as well as Blue Springs.
DeLeon Springs offers a yummy make your own pancake restaurant and has a gorgeous spring which they have fashioned to resemble a swimming pool. They also have tons of walking trails and is overall just a beautiful park.
Blue Springs is a state park and offers camping as well. It also is a very popular spot for the manatees to congregate during the colder winter months as the waters stay at 72 degrees all year round. While you’re there, do some snorkeling at the boil of the spring and check out the fish and turtles. You can also rent or bring your own tubes to float down the spring water, much like a lazy river.
There are several other springs outside of Volusia County that are just a short car ride away including Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs and Silver Glen.
Ponce Inlet
Ponce Inlet is about a 15-20 minute drive from Daytona Beach and is home to the Ponce DeLeon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. Hours of Operation are
Now – September 5, 2022
Open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
(Last Admission Sold at 8:00 PM)
September 6, 2022 – May 26, 2023
Open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
(Last Admission Sold at 6:00 PM
Ponce Inlet also has a plethora of water sports activities including parasailing, charter boats, stand up paddle board and kayak rentals and sailing adventures. You can also launch your boat here for free to spend a day out on the water fishing, boating or visiting Disappearing Island, a popular local activity.
You may also want a bite to eat, so visit any of these restaurants for a delicious meal and cool drink: Hidden Treasures, Off the Hook, Down the Hatch, Jerry’s Italian Grill & Tiki Bar, or Boondocks.
You will also find the Marine Science Center where you can see sea turtle, fish, horseshoe crabs and much more!
Hours of Operation
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Arcade, Water Park, & Boardwalk
You don’t have to go all the way to Orlando to visit a water park while you’re here in Daytona Beach! Daytona Lagoon has something for everyone in your family including a water park with slides, splash pads and a lazy river, go-carts, and an arcade! Plan your visit today!
This is definitely a place to have some family fun! There are plenty of gift shops and eateries here on the boardwalk. Treat yourself to some ice cream or delicious homemade taffy or get your adrenaline pumping at Screamer’s Park where you can ride the Slingshot or the Vomatron. Yes. The Vomatron. Head out on to the pier and do some fishing. You never know what you might catch! You can also do some shopping or check out one of the many restaurants at the Ocean Walk where you’ll find Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Mai Tai’s and Sloppy Joe’s, just to name a few. During the summer months, enjoy free concerts at the Bandshell and fireworks displays.
Located in Tuscawilla Park, get your heart pumping on this challenging course! This is a fun and exhilarating activity right in the heart of Daytona!
Hours of Operation:
Mon: 10am-3pm
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10am-3pm
Friday: 10am-3pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: 10am-3pm
History
Learn a little here at the Museum of Arts and Science located just off Nova Rd. in Daytona Beach. Take an out of the world trip when you visit the Lowell and Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium, visit the Children’s Museum, or see some of Florida’s history through art at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art among many other activities. This is definitely something that’s fun for all ages.
Open Daily
Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm
Open 7 days a week from 8:00-5:00, this garden is maintained solely by volunteers. Entry is free, but donations are always appreciated. If you are looking for a place to walk around and smell the roses, then you’ll find it here. As you stroll through the paths, you’ll find beautiful trees, native Florida flowers and plants and 19th Century Sugar Mill Ruins. They even offer a Master Gardener session on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00-11:00 am where you can ask questions about your own garden and improve your skills! There are also several dinosaur sculptures throughout the garden. Can you find them all?
Breweries, Distilleries, & Golf Cart Cruising
Rent A Golf Cart
Daytona Beach is a very golf cart friendly city, so if you want to feel the wind in your hair, rent a golf cart here at Beach Carts Daytona A1A : Golf Cart Rentals. You’ll have an amazing time cruising up and down A1A to all of your favorite destinations!
There are also other places to rent electric bicycles or scooters!
Breweries & Distilleries
Looking for an ice cold beer to quench your thirst or maybe you’d like to try some samples of locally made rum? Don’t worry, the Daytona area has you covered.
Check out Persimmon Hollow located in Port Orange. This microbrewery started in DeLand, Florida and has been expanding ever since. They offer a wide selection of beers here as well as a modest, but delicious food menu. A favorite brew here is the Daytona Dirty Blonde Ale. Like they say at Persimmon Hollow, “drink responsibly, but get weird”.
There are three different breweries in the Ormond Beach area, Ormond Brewing Company, Beach Side Brew Pub and Ormond Garage. All offer a wide selection of craft and domestic beers.
If you’d like to try the locally made rum and other spirits, then head over to Copper Bottom Craft Distillery. You can even take a distillery tour!
DIY Seafood
No Fishing Pole? No Problem!
Want to cook your own fresh seafood, but don’t have a way to catch it? No worries! Head up to Ormond to Hull’s Seafood or down to Port Orange to King’s Seafood for the best selection of locally caught, fresh seafood. Blue crabs, shrimp, mangrove snapper, sheepshead and pretty much anything else you’d like to try, you’ll find here! Do yourself a favor and if they have Lionfish, grab a couple to try. They are delicious and eating them helps to curb their population in this area as they are an invasive species. Both Hull’s and King’s will also filet your fish for you if you ask them to!
Heads Up!!! Baseballs & Rockets!!!
Look To The Sky
Rocket launches are a regular occurrence here in Central Florida and you can see the launches right from Daytona Beach! If there is a launch scheduled look towards the Southern coastline and you’ll be able to see the rocket shooting off towards space! You can also take a trip down to Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County to check out old shuttles, rockets and learn about NASA!
Take Me Out To The Ballgame!
If you love baseball, then you’ll definitely want to go to Jackie Robinson Ball Park to check out the Daytona Tortugas. This is a popular family friendly event in Daytona with reasonably priced tickets, snacks and beverages. Stay after the game for a fireworks display!
Now that you know that Daytona is more than just beaches, get out there, explore and have a great time!
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Are considering a move to Daytona Beach? You can learn all about the area on our Homesofdaytonabeach.com website. We have very detailed neighborhood pages for the top areas in Daytona beach and surrounding areas. Last, be sure to check us out on YouTube. Here you will see things that include community tours, real estate topics, info on new home, and more!
