- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach was founded in 1876 by Matthias Day. Its unique hard-packed sand beaches became a proving ground for early auto racing, years before the famous Speedway. The Casements, Rockefeller's winter home, showcases coquina and frame vernacular style.
Beyond the 23 miles of iconic shoreline, explore the Halifax River for kayaking and fishing. Tomoka State Park offers incredible birding with over 160 species documented. A key part of visiting Daytona Beach is seeing manatees at nearby Blue Spring Park.
The local food scene centers on fresh Atlantic seafood, especially during the May-October shrimp season. Try locally caught Rock Shrimp or blackened Grouper at a casual riverfront deck. Many spots use the regional datil pepper for a uniquely sweet heat.
- Daytona BeachUnited States
- Daytona BeachUnited States
- Daytona BeachUnited States
- Daytona BeachUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octwarm, fewer crowds
- Jul-Aughot & busy
- Wintermild, occasional rain
- #Sunscreen
- #ComfortableShoes
- #BeachTowel
- #LightClothing
- #Swimsuit
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #DaytonaInternationalSpeedway
- #DaytonaBeachBoardwalk
- #PonceInletLighthouse
- #OceanWalkShops
- #DaytonaLagoon
- #CongoRiverGolf
- Sunset at Daytona Beach
- Taste fresh seafood
- Visit the Daytona Beach Pier
- Try watersports at the beach
- Explore the Marine Science Center
Recommended Hotels in Daytona Beach by Experience
Things to do in Daytona Beach
Discover
Explore iconic sights like the Daytona International Speedway, climb the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse for panoramic views, or visit the Museum of Arts & Sciences. Discover natural beauty at Tomoka State Park and the world-renowned beachfront.
Experience
Beyond the beach, find many things to do in Daytona Beach. Enjoy NASCAR events, go kayaking through mangrove forests, or fish from the pier. Attend the Daytona Beach Arts Fest or catch a free concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell in summer.
Daytona International Speedway
Legendary motorsports complex, home of the Daytona 500.
Daytona Beach
23-mile stretch of hard-packed sand for driving and leisure.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Florida's tallest lighthouse offering panoramic ocean views.
Museum of Arts & Sciences
Diverse collection from Cuban art to a planetarium.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier
Classic amusement area with rides, games, and fishing pier.
Tomoka State Park
Historic park for kayaking, bird-watching, and camping.
Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
The world's largest collection of Florida-based art.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). A taxi from the Daytona Beach airport to city center takes ~15 mins. Orlando (MCO) and Sanford (SFB) offer more flights; book a Daytona Beach shuttle bus for the ~1-hour drive.
Getting Around
Votran offers public transport in Daytona Beach, but car rental in Daytona Beach provides more freedom. Ride-sharing is common. From May to September, ride the Daytona Beach Trolley along A1A for a scenic trip between key beachside locations.
Local Essentials
When driving in Daytona Beach, note that beach driving is permitted in designated areas for a daily fee. Plan a trip to Daytona Beach around major events like Bike Week, as traffic can be heavy. Parking near the pier and Main Street is limited.
Where to Stay in Daytona Beach
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore traditional food in Daytona Beach by tasting fresh grouper and fried shrimp. The local dining habit embraces casual, waterfront venues often with live music. To properly eat like a local, save room for a slice of key lime pie.
Enjoy
For the best restaurants in Daytona Beach, visit Caribbean Jack's for a relaxed waterfront vibe, go at sunset. Grab a drink at Ocean Deck's lively beach club, check reggae nights. Taste healthy fare at Dancing Avocado Kitchen, try the guacamole.
Caribbean Jack's
Waterfront dining with live music. Laid-back atmosphere.
Don Vito's Italian Restaurant
Authentic Sicilian and Southern Italian dishes. Book ahead.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
Upscale surf and turf with classic cocktails. Dress code.
Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q
Classic slow-smoked barbecue right on the beach. Casual.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Daytona Beach's heritage through its iconic events. The city's history is tied to motorsports with must-see races and classic car shows. Holiday traditions include dazzling boat parades along the Halifax River, a unique local spectacle.
Enjoy
Discover modern Daytona Beach attractions with creative festivals. Enjoy contemporary things to do from rock music at Welcome to Rockville to the juried fine art and live performances of the Daytona Beach Arts Fest.
Daytona 500
NASCAR's premier 500-mile race held every February.
Bike Week
A 10-day motorcycle rally in March with music and races.
Welcome to Rockville
A major rock music festival with multiple stages in May.
Coke Zero Sugar 400
An intense nighttime NASCAR race held in August.
Biketoberfest
A fall motorcycle rally in October with live music.
Halifax Art Festival
Celebrates local and national artists in November.
Daytona Turkey Run
Large classic car show and swap meet every November.
A Classic Beach Town
Daytona Beach has such a laid-back, classic American beach town feel. Driving and parking right on the sand is an amazing perk, especially with kids and gear. The beaches are huge and super clean. It's a great place to just relax and enjoy the sun.
Great for the Whole Family
We had a wonderful family holiday. Climbing to the top of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse was a highlight; the views are absolutely worth the steps. There are plenty of mini-golf courses and arcades to keep everyone entertained away from the water.
A Must for Racing Fans
If you love motorsports, this is the place to be. The tour of the Daytona International Speedway was fantastic, and it's incredible to see the banking up close. You can really feel the city's connection to its racing heritage everywhere you go.
Beautiful Wide Open Beaches
Daytona Beach has some of the widest, most walkable sand I've ever seen. We stayed near the Ormond Beach area which was peaceful and perfect for long morning strolls. The hard-packed sand by the water makes it so easy to walk for miles.
Fun and Lively Pier Area
The area around the Main Street Pier is full of energy. We had a lot of fun at the arcades on the boardwalk and found a great spot nearby for some local rock shrimp. There's always something going on, especially in the evening.
Lovely Scenery and Sunrises
Beyond the main strip, the scenery is beautiful. We took a drive on the Ormond Scenic Loop and it was gorgeous with all the old oak trees. Waking up early for the sunrises over the Atlantic was definitely a highlight of our trip.