Top 10 Things to Do in Daytona Beach: Iconic Beaches, NASCAR Thrills, Manatees & More
Daytona Beach is world-famous for the Daytona International Speedway and its legendary NASCAR races. Yet, this East Coast Florida gem offers far more than high-octane excitement.
It's an ideal, budget-friendly winter retreat for couples and families basking in the sunshine.
From serene nature escapes to adrenaline-pumping adventures, there's something for every pace. Discover why Daytona Beach deserves a spot on your itinerary:
1. Experience One of America's Most Famous Beaches
Explore by foot, bike, or car—this beach is a highlight. Yes, driving and biking on the sand are permitted.
Daytona Beach's 23 miles of hard-packed sand hosted the first auto races in 1902. Pros race at the Speedway now, but visitors can drive designated sections for a $10 daily fee. (Click here for a map.) Unload chairs directly from your vehicle.
Prefer pedestrian-friendly spots? Enjoy beachfront parks with nearby off-beach parking.
2. Catch a Race or Drive a NASCAR Car
Racing enthusiasts pilgrimage to the iconic Daytona International Speedway, where cars hit 200 mph on banked turns. Tickets for the Daytona 500 (typically late February) go on sale early. Events kick off weeks prior, with year-round appeal including the 10,000-square-foot Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Crave speed? The Richard Petty Driving Experience lets you drive or ride shotgun in a 600-horsepower NASCAR stock car.
3. Spot Manatees, Turtles, and Scrub Jays
With mild 60s-70s°F temps from January to April, hike or bike over 33 miles of nature trails.
Lyonia Preserve offers sightings of the threatened Florida scrub jay, unafraid of humans. Horseback ride at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve.
Nearby Ponce Inlet's Marine Science Center rehabilitates sea turtles, including hatchlings and washbacks. View seven recovery pools from Turtle Terrace and touch stingrays in the interactive pool.
For intimate wildlife viewing, join an eco-tour on a flat-bottom boat along the Intracoastal Waterway, spotting dolphins, rays, manatees, and turtles.
Winter manatee hotspot: Blue Spring State Park on the St. Johns River.
4. Dive into Water Adventures
Aquatic fun abounds: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, and more.
Endless options await!
5. Enjoy Free Chocolate
Since 1925, Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory crafts confections. Take a free 20-minute tour and sample treats.
6. Escape to Culture and Museums
The Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), a Smithsonian Affiliate on a 90-acre preserve, houses 30,000+ artifacts: American, Chinese, Cuban, African art, plus a planetarium and children's museum.
Adjacent Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum boasts the world's largest Florida art collection. Rotating exhibits feature NASA artifacts and American prints.
Free entry to Florida's only photography museum at Daytona State College, showcasing Everglades restoration and Berenice Abbott's works.
7. Climb Florida's Tallest Lighthouse
Operational since 1887, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse National Historic Landmark offers 203 steps to panoramic Atlantic and Intracoastal views.
8. Tour Historic Homes and Sites
The Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Home honors the educator and civil rights icon's legacy with personal artifacts on Bethune-Cookman University campus.
Ormond Beach's Casements, John D. Rockefeller's winter home, features memorabilia and gardens along the Halifax River.
Explore Dummett Sugar Mill Ruins and Bulow Plantation Ruins for 19th-century sugar industry history.
9. Tee Off at World-Class Golf Courses
Home to LPGA headquarters, Daytona Beach ranks among top U.S. golf spots. LPGA International's Hills & Jones courses earned Golf Digest acclaim. Over 20 courses offer diverse challenges.
10. Drive the Scenic 'Loop'
The 30-mile Ormond Scenic Loop National Scenic Byway winds through parks, islands, dunes, forests, and marshes—perfect for a leisurely drive or bike ride.
Getting There: I-95 connects from north/south. Fly into Daytona Beach International (nonstops from JFK on JetBlue; Delta via ATL; American via CLT) or Orlando International (1-hour drive via I-4).
