There’s much more to Daytona Beach than just the need for speed. The big race weekends – and lively spring break celebrations – are a whole lot of fun in these parts, but during the rest of the year this is a chilled-out resort. Where else can you spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon in a world-class natural science museum, and even attend a drive-in church?
Get your motor running
The Daytona International Speedway is the heart and soul of this otherwise small neighbourhood and has helped it punch well above its weight in terms of visitor numbers for decades. The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long motor race that’s held annually in February and marks the start of the Nascar race season. It’s sold out for the last three years in a row and rivals the Indy 500 for spectacle, crowds and sheer noise. There are plenty of other events throughout the year and loads of experiences for both grown-ups and kids.
The town goes two-wheeled a couple of times a year, too. October’s Biketoberfest brings more than 100,000 bikers to the area to watch the pros take to the track, accompanied by live music and glorious weather. Meanwhile, March’s annual Bike Week has been a must-visit event for motorcycling fans since 1937.
If you’re looking for a quiet family holiday, it might be best to give those couple of weeks a miss. If you’re a bike fan, it’s recommended to book early.
The way of the water
Daytona’s Marine Science Centre is, as the name suggests, more than just a mere aquarium. While there are impressive fish on display, plus a stingray pool where you can touch them, there’s also a focus here on preserving and protecting the local seabird and sea turtle populations. You can find out how they rehabilitate injured animals and birds, before they’re released again into the wild.
Visit at the right time of year – between mid-May to the end of October, roughly – and you may get to see the sea turtles laying their eggs on the sand.
As for the beach itself, it’s 500 feet wide and around 23 miles long, meaning you’re sure to find a stretch to your liking. You’re never far from somewhere to eat and drink, while there are numerous beachfront parks which offer playgrounds, boardwalks and splash zones for cooling down the kids.
Coastal culture
Scratch the surface of Daytona Beach and you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Take a tour of the small, open-air Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Museum, named in honour of the first African American to play major league baseball, which tells the story of an iconic moment in 1946 when he took a stand against racial segregation. Alternatively, spend an afternoon at the Museum of Arts and Sciences on Nova Road, which covers Floridian culture, Cuban art, a planetarium and more – a truly eclectic place to visit.
If you’re a church-goer, you could try the drive-in church – they even have free Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee. Elsewhere, the Museum of Photography and Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art are both excellent.
There are plentiful eating options in Daytona Beach, too, from beach-side shacks to fine dining and wonderful world food. On 2nd Street, Chucherias Hondurenas specialises in Latin and Central American recipes. If you’re looking for a great American breakfast, head for the Cracked Egg Diner on Daytona Beach Shores. Eggs come every which way, although the Eggs Chesapeake are a highlight – poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and a crab cake.
Daytona Beach car hire will truly let you see the very best of this charming coastal resort, so you can head off to far-flung beaches and dive into the heart of Florida.
