Daytona Beach Attractions

The Daytona Beach attractions truly offer something for everyone, which is part of the reason why this coastal city has been a popular Florida vacation destination for decades on end. Still a Spring Break hot spot, Daytona Beach is also more family friendly than ever. Due to its proximity to Orlando, which is about an hour away, Daytona Beach can make for an ideal family base in central Florida. You might not make it over to Orlando, however, as you can easily fill all of your vacation time taking in the Daytona Beach tourist attractions.

One advantage that Daytona Beach has over Orlando is its miles of beaches. A beach vacation in Daytona Beach can see you sunning, surfing, and even driving on the sand! The first car races in Daytona Beach had drivers racing across the hardpacked sand on the area beaches, though these days its not about speed. At low tide, the fastest that you can drive on the beaches here is ten miles per hour. Driving on the beach is limited between mid-May and late October, which is when the sea turtles come ashore to nest.

The main beach in Daytona Beach boasts the Main Street Pier, which is the focal point along the Boardwalk. This pier boasts some interesting rides that you can enjoy for a small fee, and fishing off the pier's end is also possible. It doesn't cost much to fish off the Main Street Pier, which is also known as the Daytona Beach Pier, and you can also fish off the Sunglow Pier in nearby Daytona Beach Shores. These piers are among the most popular attractions in Daytona Beach, partly because of the fact that they both have a good restaurant on them.

The beaches are arguably the top overall Daytona Beach attractions, but they certainly aren't the only ones. One of the country's greatest racetracks can be found here, and NASCAR, which is the premier stock car racing association, maintains its headquarters in the city. The Daytona International Speedway, which is right next door to the Daytona Beach International Airport, is where the Daytona 500, the Coke Zero 400, and various other annual racing events are held. In addition to catching a race or a car show at the Speedway, you can also check out the Daytona 500 Experience. Formerly known as Daytona USA, this museum of sorts highlights the history of the Daytona International Speedway, as well as NASCAR in general. Whether you are a racing fan or not, Daytona USA is one of the attractions in Daytona Beach that you'll do well to add to the itinerary.

When you're not hanging out at the beach or the Speedway, the Daytona Beach tourist attractions include some interesting museums that you can visit. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is arguably the best museum in the land, though you'll also do well to visit the Halifax Historical Museum and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is one of the top attractions in Daytona Beach. Found south of the heart of the city in Ponce Inlet, this soaring lighthouse stands 175 feet tall. It's the second tallest lighthouse in the country after the Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina. While you're down in Ponce Inlet, you'll also want to stop by the Maritime Museum, not to mention spend some time at Lighthouse Point Park, which boasts one of the best beaches in Florida.

Heading south of Ponce Inlet, those who are looking for Daytona Beach attractions that center around nature will not want to miss the Canaveral National Seashore. Like Ponce Inlet, the Canaveral National Seashore features some very inviting beaches, and you can go camping on one of them if you please. Another good place to go camping in the area is Tomoka State Park, which is home to the curious Tomoka Mounds and Middens. If you're interested in history, the Tomoka Mounds and Middens is worth adding to your list of what to see in Daytona Beach.

These are just some of the Daytona Beach tourist attractions that you can consider adding to the agenda. Getting bored in Daytona Beach isn't an option, thanks to the long list of things to do and see, and when you factor in nearby attractions and destinations, the opportunities to stay busy only increase. You can always hop in the car and cruise down the John F. Kennedy Space Center when you're not enjoying the Daytona Beach attractions, and side trips to both Orlando and St. Augustine are recommended.