At any time of year, my family I love to visit Daytona Beach right in our home state of Florida. We can make single-day trips or take full vacations and never tire of the city and its amenities. Florida weather permits beach visits all year long. In addition to the beaches, we find much more that keeps us returning often every year.
Lodging
Casa Del Mar
We usually stay at the Casa Del Mar in Ormond Beach, less than 1 mile north of Daytona Beach’s city limits. We pay with points through our Bluegreen Vacation Club ownership, but rooms are also available beginning at $176 per night depending on room size and season. The resort has studios in addition to one- and two-bedroom units with kitchenettes, cable television, and laundry facilities. The resort includes game room, fitness room, Internet access, and family activities including BINGO for prizes.
Casa Del Mar
621 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32176
386-672-4550
Restaurants
Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q
We like to find the local restaurants, and when we want barbecue, we visit Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q right on the main strip of Daytona Beach’s tourist area. Hog Heaven features pulled pork, chicken, and ribs, burgers, and catfish in many combinations or as sandwiches. We especially liked their Thanksgiving dinner with all trimmings. Hog Heaven is within walking distance of the beach and the nightly carnival.
Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q
37 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL
386-257-1212
Aurelia’s Restaurant: A Taste of Rome
For some fine Italian, we like to drive a few miles down FL A1A into Daytona Beach Shores and visit Aurelia’s Restaurant: A Taste of Rome. It is a serene and cozy bistro that lets us relax before rejoining the Daytona Beach fun. My wife loves their lasagna, our son orders pizza or spaghetti, and I really like the ravioli. The restaurant has an elegant atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Aurelia’s Restaurant: A Taste of Rome
3218 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
386-788-4266
Must-See Attractions
Daytona International Speedway
NASCAR lovers come to Daytona Beach for some of NASCAR’s top races such as the Daytona 500 in February and the Coke Zero 400 around Independence Day. The track holds many more NASCAR and other events throughout the year as well. The Speedway Track Tour took us around the track for close-up looks of the infield, Pit Row, and Victory Lane. Tours run four times per day and begin at $15 each for adults and $10 for kids 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free. We also played in the NASCAR game room as part of our admission and drove the NASCAR simulator for $5 each.
Daytona International Speedway
1808 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386-253-RACE (7223)
Golf Courses
Daytona Beach is also famous for its many golf courses. Golfers may choose from 22 public and private courses in the Daytona Beach area.
Shopping
Ocean Walk Shoppes
Ocean Walk Shoppes contains many beachwear stores, snack bars, ice cream shops, a movie theater, casual restaurants, and beach access. Inside is a large open area with kids’ activities, playground, arts and crafts for sale, and live entertainment. We park in the four-story parking garage right across the street for only a few dollars for the entire day.
Ocean Walk Shoppes
250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118
877-845-9255
Other Area Activities
Daytona Lagoon
Florida summers get hot, and we cool off at Daytona Lagoon Water Park directly across from Ocean Walk Shoppes. The water park contains many water slides, pools, fountains, and a lazy river. Admission is $29.95 per person ($22.95 for Florida residents), and half-price admission deals are available after 4:30 on specified days. Even in the winter, we can spend the entire day enjoying the game room, laser tag, go-cart track, miniature golf course, and more.
Daytona Lagoon
601 Earl St., Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386-254-5020
Daytona Cubs
I am a baseball fanatic, so every summer we see the Daytona Cubs, the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. We especially like Belly-Buster Mondays and post-game fireworks on specified nights. We have even participated in on-field games between innings, and our son and his friend have run across the outfield during the kids’ dash. Ticket prices begin at $6, and parking is free.
Daytona Cubs
Jackie Robinson Ballpark
105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386-257-3172
We visit Daytona Beach often. We always find fun activities in addition to the beach itself. We have enjoyed day stays and full vacations in Daytona Beach, and we will continue to visit one of our favorite tourist areas any time of year.
Sources:
Way More than a Beach, Daytona Beach Area’s Official Visitor Info, daytonabeach.com.
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