Why Go to Daytona Beach
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
Daytona Beach has 23 miles of beaches, but for many visitors the real draw has an engine. This east Florida city is the home of NASCAR and the legendary Daytona International Speedway, and fans come from all over to see the Daytona 500 and get close to their favorite drivers. It was once a top spring break spot too, and while many college crowds have moved on, it's still a fun, lively beach town. Orlando is only about an hour away, making it easy to combine with the theme parks.
The love of anything with wheels runs deep here. Bike Week each spring and Biketoberfest each fall bring huge crowds of motorcycle fans, and supercross and kart racing happen throughout the year. You can even drive your car right onto the beach in designated areas, a Daytona tradition. Beyond the racing, enjoy the boardwalk and pier, sunny beaches and a growing list of family attractions.
I'll plan a race weekend with tickets and a nearby hotel, or a relaxed beach stay that you can combine with Orlando or a cruise from Port Canaveral.
BEST FOR
Race fans, budget beach trips, family road trips and spring breakers
BEST MONTHS
March to May and October to November
EXPLORE
- Beachside / Boardwalk: The lively center of it all, with the pier, arcades, the Ocean Center and the big oceanfront resorts.
- Daytona Beach Shores: A quieter strip of high-rise condos and resorts to the south, with wide uncrowded beach and fishing piers.
- Ponce Inlet: The southern tip, home to the lighthouse, the Marine Science Center and waterfront seafood joints.
- Downtown & Beach Street: Across the Halifax River, a historic main street with the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, riverfront parks and a growing dining scene.
- Ormond Beach: North of Daytona and nicknamed the "Birthplace of Speed" for its early automobile races, with a relaxed, residential vibe and the scenic Ormond Loop drive.
- New Smyrna Beach: About 25 minutes south, a surf town with a charming Flagler Avenue and a laid-back art scene.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
Daytona Beach
North America › Southeast › USA › Florida
Sand, speed and Atlantic sunrises on Florida's original beach playground.
Coastal & Harbor
Racing
Spring Break
Family
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Drive onto the sand for sunrise, then head to Ponce Inlet for lunch on the water. It's the most Daytona morning you can have.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Book the longer tour if you're a true race fan; it goes deeper into the infield and behind the scenes.
Daytona International Speedway
The "World Center of Racing" is pure adrenaline, even on a quiet weekday. Take a guided tour to stand in Victory Lane, peek into the garages and see the dizzying 31-degree banking up close, or plan your trip around a race weekend and feel the ground shake as the field roars past.
Visitors pay a daily vehicle access fee in season. Stay in the marked lanes and watch for sea turtle nesting zones from May through October.
Drive on the World's Most Famous Beach
Daytona is one of the few places in Florida where you can roll your car right onto the sand. Cruise the hard-packed beach at 10 mph, pick your spot and set up your chairs a few steps from your trunk. Prefer a car-free stretch? Traffic-free zones are set aside for walkers and sunbathers.
Walk to the end of the pier at sunset for the best photos of the coastline.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Main Street Pier
Arcades, ice cream, beachfront bars and a pier stretching over the Atlantic: this is the classic Daytona postcard. It's lively, a little retro and a whole lot of fun, especially at golden hour.
Go early in the day in summer; the tower gets hot by afternoon.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Florida's tallest lighthouse rewards a climb of more than 200 steps with sweeping views of the inlet, the Atlantic and the Halifax River. The restored keepers' cottages bring this once-remote outpost's history to life.
A perfect rainy-day plan; give yourself at least half a day to see it all.
Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
Daytona's cultural gem is packed with surprises: a fossil skeleton of a giant ground sloth, a renowned Cuban art collection, a planetarium and a wing of vintage Americana with classic cars and Coca-Cola memorabilia. Don't miss the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art and its huge collection of Florida-themed paintings.
Rock-and-roll style right on the sand, with memorabilia-filled interiors, oceanfront balconies, a resort pool scene and a full-service spa. A top pick for couples and groups who want energy and style.
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Beachside / Boardwalk
Hotel Tags
A polished oceanfront resort steps from Ocean Walk Shoppes and the Ocean Center, with ocean-view rooms, multiple pools and an on-site steakhouse. Ideal for families and convention travelers.
Hilton Daytona Beach Resort
Beachside / Ocean Walk
Hotel Tags
A relaxing, spa-focused escape on a quieter stretch of beach. Expect breezy coastal decor, a full-service spa and an oceanfront pool that's perfect for unwinding.
The Shores Resort & Spa
Daytona Beach Shores
Hotel Tags
Oceanfront rooms and suites with balconies, plenty of pool space and an easygoing vibe. A crowd-pleaser for families and longer stays.
Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort
Daytona Beach Shores
Hotel Tags
Spacious condo-style suites with kitchens and sweeping Atlantic views make this a smart choice for families, groups and race-week crews.
Max Beach Resort
Daytona Beach Shores
Hotel Tags
One of the beach's longest-standing hotels, blending classic Daytona history with updated oceanfront rooms, a spa and a great location near the Boardwalk.
The Plaza Resort & Spa
Beachside / Boardwalk
Hotel Tags
All-suite oceanfront stays with kitchens and family-friendly pools, right next to shopping, dining and the Ocean Center. Great for multi-generational trips.
Ocean Walk Resort
Beachside / Ocean Walk
Hotel Tags
Modern, comfortable and good value, with breakfast included and an oceanfront pool. A solid, no-fuss pick for road-trippers.
Hyatt Place Daytona Beach-Oceanfront
Daytona Beach Shores
Hotel Tags
A value-friendly oceanfront option with straightforward rooms and direct beach access. Perfect when you'd rather spend on fun than on your room.
Fountain Beach Resort
Beachside
Hotel Tags
A smaller, family-run oceanfront hotel known for personal touches and a laid-back island feel. A cozy alternative to the big resorts.
Bahama House
Daytona Beach Shores
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in Daytona Beach
High 75°F · Low 57°F · Rain 2.5 in
The Daytona Turkey Run car show takes over the Speedway on Thanksgiving weekend, and manatees return to Blue Spring.
The best times to visit Daytona Beach are March through May and October through November, when beach days are warm, humidity is lower and the ocean is comfortable. Summer is hot and humid with daily afternoon storms, but it's prime time for families. Winter is mild and peaceful, ideal for snowbirds and manatee-watching, though the ocean feels chilly. Keep the big-event calendar in mind: race weeks and bike rallies bring crowds and higher prices, while late summer and early fall offer the best deals during hurricane season.
Best Times to Visit Daytona Beach
WHEN TO GO
Where to Dine
DINING
Daytona eats like a laid-back beach town should: fresh seafood, cold drinks and a view of the water. Start with fried shrimp, blackened fish sandwiches and peel-and-eat shrimp at the casual oceanfront spots along A1A, many with decks right on the sand.
- Riverside classics: Aunt Catfish's on the River in nearby Port Orange is a local institution, famous for Southern-style seafood and warm cinnamon rolls.
- Beachfront hangouts: The Ocean Deck has been serving beach-bar fare and live music just off the sand for decades.
- Pier dining: Grab a table on the Sunglow Fishing Pier in Daytona Beach Shores for seafood with waves rolling underneath.
- Ponce Inlet waterfront: Down the Hatch serves fresh catch overlooking the inlet; watch fishing boats and dolphins drift by.
- Special-occasion steaks: For a celebratory night, the oceanfront steakhouse scene along A1A delivers prime cuts and polished service.
Downtown's Beach Street is also growing into a fun dinner-and-drinks district, with craft breweries and riverfront patios.
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Walking & Biking
The main beachside area around the Boardwalk, Main Street Pier and Ocean Walk is easy to explore on foot, and the flat terrain is great for biking. Low tide turns the hard-packed sand into a scenic cycling path.
05
Rideshares & Taxis
Uber, Lyft and local taxis are easy to find along the beachside, making them a smart choice for dinners out or nights at the Boardwalk. Expect surge pricing and longer waits during race weeks and bike rallies.
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Votran Public Bus
Volusia County's Votran bus system covers main routes between the beachside, downtown and nearby towns. It's affordable, but service can be infrequent, so it works best for simple point-to-point trips.
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Driving on the Beach
Designated sections of the beach are open to cars at 10 mph, with a daily vehicle access fee for visitors during the season. Beach driving hours change with the tide and the season, so check posted signs at the access ramps.
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Driving & Car Rentals
A car is the best way to explore Daytona. Attractions are spread from Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet, and I-95 and I-4 make road trips easy. Rental cars are available at all nearby airports, and most beachfront hotels offer parking.
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Flying In
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is just minutes from the beach and connects through major hubs. For more flight options, fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO), roughly an hour's drive away, or Orlando Sanford (SFB), about 45 minutes away.
Daytona is an easy place to reach and get around. Most visitors fly into Daytona Beach or Orlando and rent a car, which is the best way to see everything from Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet. Once you're on the beachside, the Boardwalk area is walkable, and rideshares fill in the gaps.
Getting Around Daytona Beach