Daytona Beach Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Daytona Beach check out our Daytona Beach guide to car hire in Daytona Beach.
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Located on the Atlantic Coast of Florida less than an hour from Orlando, the resort of Daytona Beach provides an alternative to Gulf Coast destinations such as Tampa and Clearwater, when it choosing a place to spend some time on the beach after you've had your fill of theme parks.
Daytona Beach proclaims itself as the world centre of motor racing, and this coastal town in northeast Florida boasts many events throughout the year, both on the Daytona Speedway, and also along the flat sandy beach, where drivers once competed for the world land speed record. Perhaps best known these days for the oval racetrack where INDY and NASCAR races take place at various times of the year, Daytona and its surrounding area have provided the backdrop and settings for a number of films, most notably, Tom Cruise's "Days of Thunder".
Travel to the city is difficult during peak periods, such as when more important motor races take place, and you need to book both your tickets to the events, and your accommodation well in advance if you visit the city during a popular weekend, such as over the Daytona 400.
At the Speedway, qualified racing drivers will take you out onto the track in a two-seater sports car for a few high speed laps, an experience best described as terrifying, and on most weekends, you will see people drag racing on the beach. If you have rented a car, bear in mind that your insurance will certainly not cover you for damage sustained if you race it, so the best advice is not to bother.
Amongst the many other attractions in Daytona Beach away from the racing memorabilia, you can take in a number of small museums, and of course enjoy the weather by lying back on the beach and soaking up the sun for a few hours.
Several golf courses surround the main city centre, and many people also take the opportunity to travel to nearby Cape Canaveral, where you can see the remanants of the space industry at the Kennedy Space Centre.
The nightlife in Daytona Beach is truly special. Powered by a combination of motor sport fans and students descending on the city during their spring break, Daytona Beach has something for everyone when the sun goes down, whether your preference is for booming rock and roll music in a sweaty nightclub, or a bit of light jazz in a wine bar, there will be a place to suit your preferences.
