Fun For the Entire Family in Daytona Beach FL

Daytona Beach is a favorite travel destination in the US for beach-lovers, racing enthusiasts, or family vacationers looking to soak up a bit of sun. Daytona Beach attracts people from all around the country looking to experience the local fun – it has something for everybody.
Daytona Beach is home to the famous NASCAR Daytona 500 race, which creates a high-speed atmosphere all year round. Additionally, the hot Florida sun is the perfect setting for lounging out on the beach or spend time at the water park.
There are lots of things to do in Daytona Beach to fill up a travel itinerary. We’ll give you some recommendations on the best things to do in town, where to stay, and when you should go to experience the best events all year.
Things to Do:
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is the main namesake beach in the city. Pass by the “World’s Most Famous Beach” sign, and you’ll see why it’s one of Florida’s top travel destinations. You can enjoy all your favorite beach activities with one addition – driving.
Daytona Beach extends for 23 miles, covered with soft white sand. Daytona’s popularity as a racing city comes from the beach – it’s a beach that permits driving, and many people race and host car shows.
If you want to relax in the Florida sun, you’ll have plenty of beach area to space out. Rent a couple of chairs and umbrellas and claim a spot on the sand. The warm waters are perfect for a refreshing swim in the Atlantic Ocean.
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach is a top tier location for NASCAR racing thanks to the Daytona International Speedway. It’s the most famous racetrack in the sport, known for the Daytona 500. The racetrack opened in 1959 and has held some of the most notable races in NASCAR’s history.
If you get the chance, visit during one of the races to see the lively atmosphere. At other times, the track hosts daily tours to give visitors an inside experience. The primary activity is a tour of the speedway – you’ll get to walk through all of the facilities and even take a ride around the track to get an authentic NASCAR experience.
Also included in the speedway is the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, where you’ll get to see an exhibition of the racing greats throughout history.
Daytona Boardwalk
The Daytona Boardwalk is a popular walkway lining a section of Daytona Beach. The boardwalk provides easy access to the beach, but you might not want to leave so quickly. The boardwalk is a favorite area to hang out where you’ll find lots of things to do – amusement rides, restaurants, shopping, and more.
The Daytona Boardwalk Amusement Park is a fun place for the entire family. It has rides, such as the Ferris wheel, Slingshot, and a rollercoaster. There are also arcade games.
You’ll have plenty of places to eat with restaurants located along the whole strip and even extending out onto the Main Street Pier, which is connected to the boardwalk.
During the summer, you’ll be able to catch free concerts hosted at the outdoor amphitheater.
Daytona Lagoon
Family trips to Daytona Beach aren’t complete without visiting the Daytona Lagoon, one of the best waterparks in Florida. The water park is open all year long, where visitors can enjoy a mix of water rides and dry attractions. You can easily spend an entire day at the park.
Daytona Lagoon features a dozen rides, including water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and an area designated for kids. Some of the dry attractions include a mini-golf course, rock climbing, laser tag, and go-kart racing.
Cool off from the hot Florida heat with a visit to the park. There are also places to eat and drink inside.
Main Street
Main Street is the most popular strip in Daytona Beach – it’s known as the local entertainment district. During the day, it’s filled with people shopping at the various retail locations; by night, it becomes a bustling nightlife scene.
Main Street extends from the Daytona Boardwalk, so it’s easy to reach. The best time to visit is during the annual motorcycle festival. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, from motorbike enthusiasts to curious onlookers.
In addition to the festival, it also hosts lots of other events throughout the year at some of the performance venues. You can always find live music shows or to stop by to grab a drink at one of the local pubs.
Where to Stay in Daytona Beach?
Many of the highlight attractions in Daytona Beach are located near the coast – the closer you stay to the area, the more fun you’ll have during your trip. You’ll be within walking distance (or short drive) to many of the things you want to do.
You have two recommended places to find the best hotels in Daytona Beach:
Oceanfront on Daytona Beach
Near Main Street
The prime hotel area in Daytona Beach is along the oceanfront. Many of the top hotels and resorts are either along the boardwalk or leading directly to the beach.
The other popular tourist area is Main Street. The street leads from the mainland to the oceanfront area, so you can stay on either side and still have a great time. There’s always events and nightlife on Main Street, so you’ll always be near the action.
Best Time to Visit Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is one of the top Florida getaway destinations, and there’s plenty of reasons to stay a couple of days in town. Whether you’re a local Floridian looking for a winter getaway spot or an out-of-towner checking in for one of the famous events, you have a few excellent options when you should visit.
The best time to visit Daytona Beach is from the Fall to the Spring, but many people traveling out of town arrive for their summer holiday. Many of the most popular local events happen at the beginning of the year.
The Dayton 500 happens in February, with races and other events going on until the big race. Also, the Daytona Bike Week on Main Street occurs annually in March. Daytona is one of the top Spring Break party spots, which happens in February.