Daytona Beach

Ever dreamed of driving on the beach in a convertible with the top down and the wind in your hair? Well, Daytona Beach is the place where it can actually happen. The beach in Daytona is one of the few places where driving on the hard-packed sand is allowed during designated times. Of course, you can only go about 10 miles per hour for safety's sake. The stretch is 18-miles-long, leaving five miles reserved for visitors who don't care to share the beach with motorized vehicles.

A souped up hot rod cruises Daytona Beach

Speaking of the beach, Daytona's 23 miles are famous for more than just automobiles. The white sand and blue waters are always full of people sunbathing, surfing, playing Frisbee and volleyball, swimming, running, bicycling, looking for shells, sailing, jet skiing, and more. With so many people enjoying so many activities, Daytona Beach is a great place for people watching and socializing.

While the expansive beaches make it possible to enjoy water and beach activities of all kinds, those aren't the only things you can do. The Daytona Beach area has a wide variety of activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages including shopping, nightlife, cultural destinations, and sporting activities such as golf and fishing.

Driving

Daytona's legacy of car racing that began along the beach's hard-packed sand in the early 1900s helped shape the identity of the unique area. Car racing, driving on the beach and the party-hearty spring break tradition it was known for seemed to give the town a reputation that all but ruined it as a family tourist destination - but that was then. Now, thanks to the efforts of the local government to discourage rowdiness, along with the rise of other spring break locales, Daytona's preeminence as a spring break destination no longer holds true. Daytona Beach is currently considered a premier family holiday destination. That said, not too long ago Daytona Beach started courting bikers. Bike Week is now the biggest week on Daytona's calendar. With plenty of race parks and speedways -- including the world famous Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 which is regarded by many as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar -- the Daytona Beach area is a must-see destination for race fans. So if your family is into NASCAR or are motorcycle enthusiasts, the area is a dream come true.

Cultural Activities

The beach and the cars are what draw most people to the area, but there's so much more. From professional theater productions and concerts to nationally renowned museums and fantastic international music festivals, the Daytona Beach area is home to a rich selection of cultural activities and attractions.

If museums are your thing, there are plenty to choose from. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is the primary cultural hotspot for Daytona Beach. Located in a beautiful 90-acre natural setting, it features traveling and permanent exhibitions which include the largest Coca-Cola memorabilia exhibit in the world; fine examples of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century furniture, paintings, sculpture and decorative arts; the "best collection of Cuban art outside Havana"; and more. The Halifax Historical Museum exhibits the history of the greater Daytona Beach area from 5,000 B.C. to the present day and is located in the Historic Downtown area. Other museums of interest located in the city include the Southeast Museum of Photography and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum.

Recreational Activities

Visitors come year-round to swim in Daytona's sparkling waters and scuba dive in the amazing offshore reefs, but there's even more to do away from the beach.

During your visit, be sure to enjoy the extensive collection of quality golf courses - sure to please pros and amateurs alike. Daytona Beach is known better for auto racing than it is for golf, but be aware that the Daytona Beach Golf courses rank very high among the best in Florida.

If you're not into golf, how about fishing? Whether you cast your line from a pier, join a deep-sea fishing excursion or prefer flats fishing you can have a great fishing experience in Daytona Beach.

Divers will love the area. Daytona boasts over a dozen world famous wrecks that are a treat to explore. There are also many beautiful reefs and abundant sea life. There are plenty of dive centers in the area where you can receive training and information.

While shopping is not the chief attraction at Daytona Beach, those wishing to indulge in a wee bit of retail therapy will find a good selection of shopping malls and boutiques to satisfy their cravings. Riverfront Marketplace along Beach Street in the downtown Historic District offers a nostalgic experience as you stroll amid unique shops and restaurants along a lush, palm-tree lined avenue. Volusia Mall is one of Daytona Beach's most popular shopping malls, offering all the regular big name stores.

Each spring and summer, free concerts are held beachside at the Oceanfront band shell, a historic landmark built over 60 years ago. The free concerts are held regularly from April through October and feature jazz, Dixieland, big band, blues, folk music and other genres that appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences. There are also other venues that host big name acts in music throughout the year.

Historical sites like the Main Street Pier, the Oceanfront Boardwalk and the Clock tower in Oceanfront Park are other spots worth visiting in this lively city.

So when someone says that Daytona Beach is only for spring break revelers and racing enthusiasts, correct them quickly. Daytona Beach is an exciting city, with tons of things to do, that is perfect for a fun family getaway.

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Travel articles featuring Daytona Beach: Nightlife for a Florida Vacation | Florida for Film Fans