Daytona Beach Travel Guide

2024 Daytona Beach Visitors Guide

Welcome to Daytona Beach, Florida, “The World’s most famous Beach” and one of the most exciting beach destinations anywhere. Sun, Sand and Speed, Daytona Beach has it all.  Whether you are planning a Daytona Beach weekend getaway, race weekend, vacation or extended stay, Daytona Beach has something for all ages, all interests, and all budgets.

Daytona Beach is home to Daytona International Speedway and Nascar racing. Located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, the Daytona Beach area boasts a number of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking. North of Daytona Beach is Ormond Beach, where visitors can explore Tomoka Mounds and Middens, an archaeological site representing one of the earliest Native American settlements on Florida’s eastern coast. In Daytona Beach Shores, just south of Daytona Beach, travelers have the opportunity to rent charter fishing boats and dine at several fine seafood restaurants. Also in the southern part of the area is Port Orange, a burgeoning city and home of the Spruce Creek Environmental Preserve, the Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens, and numerous scenic parks and pathways.

Daytona Beach Vacation Guide

Daytona Beach was renowned for its speedway long before it became the popular beach resort it is today. Auto enthusiasts should visit both the Daytona International Speedway and Daytona USA, a tribute to the history of the speedway. At low tide, it is possible to drive along the hard-packed sands of the glorious beach. Daytona Beach has an attractive promenade that lines the oceanfront near the amusement area, by the pier. Sailing, surfing, sailboarding and water skiing are among the area’s water activities. A popular Daytona Beach event is to take in a concert at the bandshell in Oceanfront Park. For a display of fish feeding, penguins and performing dolphins, Marineland of Florida is located 35 mi (57 km) north of Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach Water TowerMade famous by world speed record attempts and the birthplace of NASCAR, Daytona Beach has evolved into a modern beach vacation location with 4-star resorts and new or remodeled family hotels and motels.  Daytona Beach has accommodations for most budgets where you can find a great beachfront room to enjoy the “World’s most famous beach”.  Be sure to check out the Hotels – Resorts Page where you will find a list of beach accommodations along with the best travel deals anywhere on the Reservations Page.

Vacations don’t survive on the beach and golf alone, food and drink are a must.  Daytona Beach is home to a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, grills, and lounges.  The Daytona Beach Vacation Guide’s Food and Drink Page has a complete list of the most popular places to eat and drink on Daytona Beach.

No vacation is complete without spending time looking for the perfect t-shirt or hat to take home.  The Shopping Page has some great places to shop while In Daytona Beach and the Maps and Weather page will help you plan that shopping trip.

Planning a Beach Wedding? Daytona Beach is the perfect place that perfect day. Stop by our Beach Weddings Page for some helpful links.

Daytona Beach Shores, FL

Pristine beaches and a warm climate make Daytona Beach Shores an attractive vacation getaway. Measuring 5.5 mi (8.9 km) long and just a few hundred yards wide, this sunny destination is located on a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean just southeast of Daytona Beach. Consequently, the Daytona Beach Shores area is home to a multitude of accommodation options, including oceanfront properties offering breathtaking views, as well as an abundance of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in this vibrant beach city. Whether one wants to spend a relaxing afternoon catching some rays on the beach or is in search of more rigorous pursuits such as swimming or sailing, Daytona Beach Shores offers something for everyone. The city is also famed among race car enthusiasts and drivers who once tried setting world speed records on the city’s pristine beach. Daytona Beach Shores offers many scenic parks and gardens throughout the city such as Max Samuely Park, which features attractions like the Court of Flags, the Otto Schultze Memorial and a Walk of Fame.

Ormond Beach

Situated on Florida’s east coast at the northern end of the greater Daytona Beach resort area, Ormond Beach attracts visitors seeking a relaxing beach vacation and possibilities for outdoor adventure. Tomoka State Park, located just south of Ormond Beach, affords a range of activities, including boating, camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking. One of the city’s most popular attractions is the Casements, which was the winter home of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller from 1914 until his death in 1937. Today, the Casements is a bustling cultural and civic center that features Hungarian folk art, Boy Scout memorabilia and an exhibit of Rockefeller’s personal possessions. Lovers of nature and art appreciate the serene landscapes at Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, which features a 4.5-acre botanical garden, nature trails and changing exhibits of contemporary Florida art. Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center is the spearhead of the city’s performing arts scene, offering concerts, musicals, plays and family-oriented shows throughout the year.

Across the beach, alongside the Atlantic ocean in 1903 the first automobile race in the United States was held at this site. Besides the historic race track, a park has restrooms, a picnic area, and a dune walkover.

The Casements Ormond Beach
John Rockefeller called this house his winter home. The house has been preserved in it entirety and contains period rooms and other exhibits about him.
Address: 25 Riverside Drive | Ormond Beach, FL. Telephone: 1 386 676-3216

Things to Do

Daytona Beach offers the unique excitement of cars parading along the shoreline on one part of the beach while on another part of Daytona Beach you can find a quiet stretch to relax or take a long stroll along the seashore.  The area also offers many deep sea fishing charters, boat rentals, golf courses, family activities and of course the “World Center of Speed”, the Daytona International Speedway.

daytona beach visitors guide

Daytona Beach is rich in the tapestry of arts, culture, and heritage. One favorite for visitors and locals in the area’s new e-Zone. This area is amazing in that it truly has it all including the Ocean Center convention complex, the Peabody Auditorium, world-famous Main Street, Daytona Lagoon waterpark, a historic oceanfront bandshell and boardwalk, a pier and resort hotels. Don’t miss the must-see area that’s right in the e-Zone’s epicenter: Ocean Walk Shoppes is full of movie theaters, lots of diverse eateries and even some really great shopping. The Daytona Beach Vacation Guide has listed some of the most popular activities in the area below.

The Museum of Arts and Science
This expansive museum features a vast collection of art and cultural pieces from around the world. The permanent collection includes exhibits such as traditional African art and cultural objects, Chinese decorative arts, Cuban art, and American art, as well as the Root Family Museum which houses a teddy bear collection, historic Coca-Cola items and more. The museum also features many changing exhibits and a Planetarium. Address: 1040 Museum Boulevard | Daytona Beach, FL | 32114. Telephone: 1 386 255-0285

The Halifax Historical Museum
Located in the downtown historic district, the Halifax Historical Museum is housed in what was once the Merchant’s Bank Building. The museum features many exhibits and artifacts that document and preserve the history of the Halifax River area. Address: 252 South Beach Street | Daytona Beach, FL | 32114. 
Telephone: 1 386 255-6976

Klassix Auto Museum
The Klassix Auto Museum features a variety of classic automobiles, motorcycles, and muscle cars from Corvettes and Thunderbirds to the 1950 Ford “Woody” station wagon. Some racing memorabilia is also on display. Address: 2909 West International Speedway Boulevard | Daytona Beach, FL. Telephone: 1 386 252-3800

Daytona USA
Daytona USA is an interactive motorsports attraction, which features a multitude of hands-on experiences and entertainment. Some of the activities include broadcasting a race, participating in a timed pit stop, a motion simulator ride, a guided tour of the Speedway, the Pepsi theatre (a three-story screen which “puts you in the middle of the action”) and more. Address: 1801 West International Speedway Boulevard | Daytona Beach, FL | 32114. Telephone: 1 386 947-6800

Daytona Beach Shores Historical Museum
This city museum is located in the same building with the Daytona Beach Shores Senior Center and Daytona Beach Shores Council Chamber. Visitors here can learn all about Daytona Beach Shores. Various types of displays are located throughout the museum. Visiting hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 4pm. Address: 3048 S Atlantic Ave | Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Telephone: 1 386 763-5373

Howard Thurman Home Daytona Beach
Listed on the national register of historic places, this house was the childhood home of Dr. Howard Thurman. Thurman was the mentor of Martin Luther King Jr. The house is part of the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Address: 614 Whitehall Street | Daytona Beach, FL. Telephone: 1 386 258-7514

Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts
This 10-acre settlement recreation has exhibits and buildings to educate visitors of all ages on the lives of the area’s settlers. The park has numerous activities including crafts, performances, and rides throughout the week. Address: Highway 17 and State Road 40 | Barberville, FL. Telephone: 1 386 749-2959

Freemanville Historic Site
In February of 2003, the state recognized this historical location in Port Orange in the Daytona Beach area. After the civil war in 1867 freed slaves settled this area creating the community of Freemanville. Two of the original buildings continue to stand are home to exhibits and information on the town. Address: 3431 Ridgewood Avenue | Port Orange, FL. Telephone: 1 386 756-5201

Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens Port Orange
The ruins of an old English sugar mill have incorporated botanical gardens that now span across the property. Life-size concrete dinosaurs decorate the area and information about each statue can be found on the pathways. Address: 950 Old Sugar Mill Road | Port Orange, FL. Telephone: 1 386 767-1735

Share on: