The 20 Best Things to Do in Daytona Beach, FL

About an hour's drive northeast of Orlando and an hour's drive south of St. Augustine will bring you to Daytona Beach. In addition to its thrilling international speedway, Daytona Beach, situated along Florida's Atlantic Coast, is renowned for its beautiful 23-mile stretch of white sand beaches. It's a great place to hang out with friends and have a good time performing many enjoyable activities together.

You can have a wonderful time doing many different things, such as going to the beach, watching a race at a famous track, exploring a museum or historical site, spending time in the great outdoors, going shopping at a prime outlet, seeing a play or concert in a theater, and many other things. Here are the 20 best things to do when visiting Dayton Beach, FL.

20. Visit the Halifax Historical Museum

The Halifax Historical Museum is a great place to visit for anyone interested in Nova Scotia's past. One of the most extraordinary things to do in Daytona Beach if you're interested in history is to see the history museum, which can be found on South Beach Street, just next to the Halifax River. It's located in a gorgeous neoclassical tower, previously a merchant bank in 1910. According to Trip Advisor, the Halifax Historical Museum recounts the area's past using photographs and regular people's relics. Popular displays include those devoted to the Spanish and British plantation eras, the Florida Civil War, and the Racing Zone. You can visit the museum Tuesdays through Fridays from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.

19. See the Mary McLeod Bethune House

Mary McLeod Bethune lived in what is now known as the Mary McLeod Bethune House. It's one of Daytona Beach's most famous landmarks and a National Historic Landmark. This landmark was built in the 1900s and is highly admired because Mary McLeod Bethune, An African-American Civil rights activist, lived in it. The tour is a pleasant and educational activity that lets you go around the house's rooms, discover Mary McLeod Bethune's life and legacy, and see the pictures and artifacts kept there. The house has hundreds of images of notable people and artifacts, which makes it one of the most visited attractions.

18. Enjoy the Tomoka State Park

Tomoka State Park, one of Florida's most beautiful parks, is only a 20-minute drive north along the coastline from Daytona. The park's pristine 2,000 acres are next to the Tomoka River, a body of water revered by indigenous peoples for the variety and quantity of fish and other seafood found in its many lagoons. Visit the park to rent a canoe or purchase camping gear for a trip that takes up the whole day. The park also has wildlife exhibits, historical Florida exhibits, and Native American Artifacts that one can attend and see different historical things.

17. Visit the Daytona Beach Brewing Company for a beverage

One of the most incredible things to do when visiting Daytona Beach is to stop by Daytona Beach Brewing Company. Craft beer is available near Daytona International Speedway. This means that after touring the Daytona International Speedway, You can pop into this brewing company for a beer. Adults who enjoy trying out regional beers while traveling will find this to be among the top best place to visit when in Daytona Beach. According to Planet Ware, there are snacks available, and the best Part is that several neighborhood restaurants send meals to the brewery, which means you can eat something during your tour.

16. Tour the Lilian Place Heritage Center

Looking for more historical charms in Daytona? Visit Lilian Place Historic House. The lovely Lilian Place Historic House, constructed in 1884 by one of the region's original immigrants, Laurence Thompson, is the oldest residence on Daytona Beach's beachfront. The house, built when only people with a pioneering spirit resided here, is a notable example of Lofty Victorian architecture, not frontier architecture. Ornate woodwork may be found inside, along with a plethora of restored antique furnishings and decorations. Do not leave Daytona Beach without checking this center out.

15. Book a Tour with Dine and Cruise

In Daytona Beach, Florida, you may enjoy a leisurely and entertaining 90-minute cruise on the water with Dine and Cruise. While enjoying their meal, cruisegoers can gaze at the Intracoastal Waterway and, if lucky, spot some playful dolphins swimming beside the boat. Included in the price of your Dine and Boat ticket are not only the cruise and its amenities but also parking, tours, live entertainment, an open bar, a three-course meal, and a sweet finish. An evening cruise down the Halifax River is the perfect way to take in the sights and sounds of the area while also relaxing and feasting on delicious cuisine. A one-and-a-half-hour boat cruise, dinner and dessert, scenery, music, free parking, and raffle prizes are all included in the reasonably priced tickets, which start at $25.95.

14. Visit Congo River Golf

If the notion of playing miniature golf to the backdrop of the ocean sounds appealing, then you should check out Congo River Golf. This 18-hole course is conveniently located near the water, which adds to the ambiance of the golf course. Playing holes featuring caves, waterfalls, and a genuine sensation of the rainforest will make you feel like you've arrived in the Congo. The facility also features an alligator pit, which is sure to thrill the guests. In addition, there includes a gem-mining area and a treasure-hunting exploration game for added enjoyment. This is one of the top family-friendly activities at this golf course.

13. Enjoy the Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure

Daytona Beach Zip Lining is one of the fascinating things you can do in Daytona Beach if you're looking for something exhilarating. According to Treksplorer, this activity allows you to soar through the air over the canopy and across one of the two courses in Tuscawilla Park, which features 40 aerial games and ten zip lines that can be more than 200 feet in length. The park does provide discounts to some organizations, such as members of the armed forces and first responders, so keep that in mind if you're trying to save money.

12. Enjoy Sun Splash Park

The Sun Splash Park is a seasonal water park with a wide variety of features that are perfect for families. This park covers four acres with amenities like paved pathways, a roofed play area, 42 water jets, outdoor showers, and spotless changing rooms and restrooms. So with your dear ones, you may spend the day swimming in the cold water, enjoying a great picnic, or watching the kids blast at a shaded playground.

11. Stroll on Ormond Beach Scenic Loop and Trail

One of the best hiking paths in the area is the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop & Trail, which traverses Tomoka State Park. In its 30 miles, the path alternates between sandy shores and dense woods. It's a varied adventure for ecotourists who want to pack some greenery into their trip. If you enjoy history, there are several fascinating locations close by. For a taste of the past, visit the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park and Dummet Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. There is a high chance of observing live oak trees forming cathedral ceilings on roadways along this trail and stunning shoreline views, which are perfect for a stroll.

10. Tour Angel and Phelps Chocolate Factory

Are you a sweet tooth? If so, the Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory, established in 1925 in Michigan by Cora Phelps and Riddell Angell, is the place to be. These two relocated to Daytona Beach at the outset of World War 2 and started the company. To date, the business continues to create chocolates using traditional recipes when Cora Phelps and Riddell began the factory. Visitors may witness the chocolate being made during a free 20-minute guided tour of the plant and get free chocolate samples. The chocolates are made of unusual shapes like shells, alligators, dolphins, and sand dollars, which shows the factory's creativity.

9. Spend a Day at Daytona Lagoon

Daytona Lagoon is a great place to cool off from the Florida sun. The park is known as "Daytona's Year-Round Family Fun Center," and it features many exciting and entertaining options for families. According to Vacation Idea, this is an ideal destination for you and your kids as the activities here are kid friendly. The waterpark's exhilarating slides, wave pool, and multi-level splash and play section are. Alternatively, for parents, the lazy river at Daytona Lagoon is a great place to kick back and take it easy as they let their kids have fun.

8. Enjoy a Day in Jackie Robinson Ballpark

The historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark is situated on City Island in the middle of the Halifax River. Given that it was the location of the first baseball game, including integration, it has historical significance. The stadium, formerly City Island Ball Park, was reconstructed in 1962. Daytona Beach made history by allowing Robinson to play a game at the stadium for the first time in Florida in 1946; the city is now recognized on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Baseball fans adore snapping selfies with the Robinson statue at the gate to commemorate the legend and their experience at the stadium.

7. See the Lighthouse Point Park

The Lighthouse Point Park offers you the chance for wildlife viewing opportunities abounds in this public park which makes it a fantastic destination for most people. The park's shoreline has a little beach where people can swim with fish or view dolphins. Visitors can see species like gopher tortoises, armadillos, and birds of prey in the more wooded area away from the beach. Of course, the lighthouse draws visitors in large numbers, which is magnificent to see and snap pictures with.

6. Visit the Marine Science Center

The Marine Science Center is a center for research and education and a living museum of marine life. This intriguing attraction has treated hundreds of creatures and more than 200 kinds since it opened its doors in 2002. Animals as diverse as sea turtles, hatchlings, snakes, and gopher tortoises have all been rescued. Children and their guardians are welcome to tour the labs and pet the stingrays in the massive touch tank. In addition to the many fascinating displays, the park also features a nature trail with boardwalks, a turtle terrace, and several other attractions.

5. Visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS)

The MOAS is Daytona Beach's prior art, history, and science museum, and the American Alliance of Museums recognizes it. According to Time Out, the museum is Part of the Smithsonian system and houses numerous art exhibits. In addition to the planetarium and the rebuilt railroad carts, there are several other historical and educational displays to see. The MOAS displays around 30,000 artifacts, making it one of the state's most extensive museums. Your education will cover the gamut of human history and artistic methodology to astronomical wonders.

4. Enjoy the Daytona Beach Boardwalk

The Boardwalk at Daytona Beach is a popular destination for tourists. The heart of Daytona Beach is the Boardwalk, or "Broadwalk," an amusement area that has entertained visitors since 1938 and continually improved with new stores, restaurants, and attractions. Along with restaurants, cafes, and outdoor eateries serving hot dogs and other boardwalk favorites, numerous shops sell anything from souvenirs to sunblock. This destination's family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities include go-carts, ferries wheel, and free concerts.

This place has been operational since the year 1925. According to Florida Trippers, the fishing pier juts out into the Atlantic for a distance of 1,000 feet and is a beautiful place to unwind and take in the breathtaking scenery. There is no requirement for a fishing license to cast a line from the eastern end of the pier between the hours of sunrise and sunset. If you're not into catching huge fish, you may still enjoy the dawn or dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, a popular seafood restaurant on the pier.

3. Relax at Daytona Beach

Spend a memorable vacation at the World's Most Famous Beach, Daytona. With its fine, white sand beach, visitors may enjoy a wide variety of recreational pursuits. They take advantage of the many convenient services available. This includes attentive lifeguards, convenient parking, clean showers ideal for washing off after a day at the beach. Activities such as tanning, swimming, and building sandcastles are available. Searching for washed-up seashells, picnicking, body surfing, and dolphin watching are all possible at the beach. So check the beach out and experience its greatness.

2. Visit the Grave of Brownie

Daytona Beach, Florida's most famous "four-legged friend," Brownie, is buried in a plot of land known as "The Grave of Brownie, the City Dog." Although Brownie, the dog, is no longer with us, his story is still told to those who come to hear it. The town's citizens took in a stray dog named Brownie in 1939 and raised him as their own until his untimely death in 1954. Brownie had a Florida Bank & Trust account, ate frozen yogurt and steak, and lived in a unique dog house. There is a dog statue where people can snap pictures and bring them home.

1. Take Part in a Special Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway

Don't know where to go if you're itching to get your adrenaline fix in Daytona Beach? The Daytona International Speedway is the best option for you. The legendary Daytona 500 is held at the Daytona International Speedway, which opened its doors in 1959. It is a well-known tourist destination that draws visitors from all over the world. The world-famous racetrack at Daytona Beach is the city's top tourist draw, earning it the moniker "World Center of Racing." This racing complex hosts various other events and tours every day of the year.