Welcome to “The World’s Most Famous Beach!” When you need a little sun, sand and TLC pop into Daytona Beach, Florida for a weekend to rejuvenate. It’s a small, tourist city so even if you only have a weekend you can feel like you accomplished it all. Daytona Beach is known for its International Speedway and driving on the beach, but there are a few other key hotspots you won’t want to miss.
Getting To Daytona
You can fly directly into Daytona through the Daytona Beach International Airport. You may have connecting flights, but it will get you exactly where you need to be – right next to the Speedway!
A second option, that might be cheaper, is to fly into Orlando, Florida and take a shuttle to Daytona. Go Daytona Orlando is an airport shuttle that will pick you up from both Terminal A & B and drive back and forth from Daytona. You can purchase one way or round trip tickets, and you save $5 when you book ahead of time online!
Saturday in Daytona
Bike Along the Beach
In Florida it’s hot and humid all year round. Start off your day by renting bikes and riding them along the beach front. The sidewalks stretch for miles of coastline, and it’s a wonderful way to get your day started before it gets too hot. You can rent bikes from the Hilton on the beachfront as well as plenty of other rentals options across the city.
Walk the Boardwalk
The boardwalk stretches out into the ocean giving you beautiful views of the shorefront. People line up at the end to fish or cast nets into the water. Others tie up their hammocks underneath the dock and relax in the shade.
My recommendation: go inside Joe’s Crab Shack and head up to The Roof. This rooftop bar overlooks the entire beach. Enjoy the sea breeze while you sip a Pina Colada mixed with Blue Curaçao and munch on some Mahi tacos.
Shop for Souvenirs
There are tons of classic beach shops. Print your own t-shirt, buy a neon hat or get a henna tattoo. One thing I can never pass up when I hit the coast is saltwater taffy. Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweet Shop has 101 flavors to choose from, including a range of cocktails like mojito, sangria and margarita. Stop into Angel & Phelps, a chocolate factory famous for its chocolate covered bacon & egged styled white chocolate. You can tour the little factory for free and then sample two pieces of chocolate at the end.
Climb a Lighthouse
End the day with a trip to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark. Tour the grounds and explore each old building that has been turned into a small museum. One shows a movie explaining the lighthouse’s history, another showcases what the home looked like when the operator and his family lived there, and of course climb the 203 steps to the top. The view is spectacular!
Sunday in Daytona
International Speedway
Get up bright and early and head over to the race track. There are tours almost every day, but they sell tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis and ticket sales end five minutes before the tour starts. You can also check their event calendar to see what races are happening during your visit.
Jackie Robinson Ball Park
Another historic landmark to see is this field where Jackie Robinson played baseball. This statue stands in his memory outside the park.
Hit the Beach
Where else in the world can you drive on the beach? Pay $10 and drive under 10 mph and you can find a parking spot right on the sand! Spend the day at the beach. Bring a picnic, or even a charcoal grill and cookout. Swim, sail or soak up the sun in this beach paradise.
Sloppy Joe’s
Once you’ve had your fill of salt water head down the beach to the Ocean Walk Shoppes. This 80’s-vibed pavilion has a Mai Tai bar, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Johnny Rocket’s – a 50’s themed diner – and Sloppy Joe’s. This bar was made famous on Key West and was often visited by Ernest Hemingway. It is now a chain around Florida.
Want to Extend Your Trip?
Spend a few more days relaxing on the beach.
If you fly in and out of Orlando, check out Disney World!
If you’re a history buff, St Augustine is only an hour away. This is the oldest city in America and has great history!
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