Daytona Beach, Florida (FL)

Daytona International Speedway

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About the Venue

Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The World's Greatest Race" -- the Daytona 500. Annually, the Daytona 500 attracts the largest audience in motorsports.

Although the Daytona 500 garners most of the attention, the enormous 480-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe -- earning it the title of "World Center of Racing."  In addition to 10 major weekends of racing activity, the Speedway is booked for more than two solid months each year for testing and development of various race vehicles.

"The Speedway is a venue that is known throughout the world as a top-line race track -- a place where everyone in motorsports wants to claim a victory," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "However, we're also committed to being versatile enough and responsive enough to provide a site where community activities can successfully be held."

DAYTONA USA, "The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction," is a highly interactive multi-million-dollar entertainment facility designed to broaden the entertainment and educational experience for fans of all ages.

DAYTONA USA, which opened in July 1996, has transformed Daytona International Speedway into a destination for tourists looking to acquaint themselves with the history of motorsports activity in the Daytona Beach area. This is a legacy that includes world land speed record attempts, stock car and motorcycle racing on the sands of Daytona Beach along with a complete range of motorized activity at the Speedway, which opened in 1959.

 

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Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is the birthplace of Nascar. From running on the sandy beaches to the superspeedway, Daytona has always been about speed.  Every year hundreds of thousands of travelers come to Daytona Beach to watch some of the best racing.  Since Daytona Beach stays warm for most of the year, travelers are always excited to kick their shoes off and walk on Daytona's famous sandy beaches.

Arrival and Information

Daytona Beach International Airport (www.flydaytonafirst.com) is a convenient alternative to the uncertainties of Orlando and Jacksonville traffic and is less than one mile from the Daytona International Speedway. Many major airlines service DBIA including; AirTran, Continental, Delta, United Airlines. DBIA also has all the majro rental car agencies to choose from, which are located inside the airport, directly across from baggage claim.

The visitor center is at 126 E Orange Ave (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; 800-854-1234).

Driving to Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is also close to several major cities.  Below are some driving distances for just a few:

Columbus, GA, 375 miles
Denver, CO, 1,835 miles
Jacksonville, 90 miles
Miami, 265 miles
Orlando, 55 miles
Savannah, GA, 225 miles
St. Petersburg, 160 miles

What to Do

Birthplace of Speed Park

This oceanfront park commemorates the first automobile race held on the adjacent beach in 1903. Open daily sunrise to sunset. Located at the intersection of Atlantic Ave and Granada Blvd. SR 40 in Ormond Beach; 386-676-3216.

Speeding through Time

Granite blocks built into the boardwalk chronicle the history of racing in the Daytona Beach area up to 1959 when the Daytona International Speedway opened. Daytona Beach Boardwalk, Daytona Beach.

Daytona USA (www.daytonausa.com)

DAYTONA USA celebrates racing accomplishments of thousands of drivers that have driven in Daytona Beach since the early 1900s.  They continue to add more exciting racing exhibits; definitely a must see for any race fan. 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, 386-947-6800. Daily 9-7pm; extended hours during peak seasons and event times.  Adults, $24; Seniors, $19; Children (6-12), $19.00; Children under 5, Free.

Speed Park (www.speedparkdaytona.com)

Speed Park puts you in the driver's seat, literally.  They have a drag strip, three go-kart tracks, arcade and much more for the whole family. 201 Fentress Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-253-3278. Sun-Thurs 10-10pm; Fri, Sat 10-midnight. Go to their website to see prices (www.speedparkdaytona.com/attractions.html)

Halifax Historical Museum (www.halifaxhistorical.org)

Housed in the former 1910 Merchants Bank building, the museum focuses on the history of the greater Daytona Beach area dating back to 5,000 B.C. including several unique artifacts on a spectrum of historical events. 252 S. Beach Street, Daytona Beach; 386-255-6976. Tues-Sat 10-4:00pm. Adults, $4; Children under 12, $1.  Thursdays, Free. Children are free on Saturday.

Museum of Arts & Sciences (www.moas.org)

Among several unique exhibits, the center might be best-known for the most complete fossil record discovered in Florida. The exhibit centers around the impressive 13-foot tall skeleton of the Eremotherium laurilardi or Giant Ground Sloth which was excavated in 1975 in an important Pleistocene fossil site called the Daytona Bone Bed. The best-known specimens of the rare Cuvieronius Elephant were also uncovered at the site. Located at 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach; 386-255-0285. Mon-Sat 9-5pm; Sun 11-5pm. Adults, $12.95; Seniors, $10.95; Children (6-17), $6.95; Children 5 and under, Free.

Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens (www.ormondartmuseum.org)

The Museum features several changing exhibitions each year. The Gardens display seasonal plant collections. The museum property also houses World War I and World War II monuments. Located at 78 East Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach; 386-676-3347. Mon-Fri 10-4pm; Sat, Sun 12-4pm. $2 per person donation is requested. The Gardens open from sunrise to sunset daily, free.

Southeast Museum of Photography (www.smponline.org)

Several unique photographic exhibits and artists are represented.  This is really a jewel worth seeing. 1200 International Speedway Blvd, Building 100, Daytona Beach; 386-506-4475. Tues, Thurs, Fri 10-4pm; Wed 11-7pm; Sat-Sun 1-5pm. June, July and December Hours: Tues-Sun 1-5pm; CLOSED for Daytona 500. Admission is Free.

DeBary Hall Historic Site (www.echotourism.com/debaryhall)

DeBary Hall was the winter retreat of a European-born wine merchant who chose the St. Johns River country for his hunting estate. The historic site includes the 8,000-square-foot main house, stables and other structures, plus artifacts from a kind of working farm, even if the crops were bobwhite quail. Located at 210 Sunrise Boulevard, DeBary, FL; 386-668-3840. Tues-Sat 10-4pm; Sun 12-4pm. Adults, $3; Kids (5-12), $1; Children under 5, Free.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue

Dedicated to Jackie Robinson, the player who broke the color barrier in baseball. Site of the first racially integrated Major League Baseball spring training game. On March 17, 1946, Jackie Robinson was called up to play for a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, the Montreal Royals. 105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-257-3172.

Mary McLeod Bethune Home, National Historic Landmark

Home of the founder of Bethune-Cookman College, it is dedicated to research, interracial activity and sponsorship of wider educational opportunities. Artifacts, citations, plaques and pictures of dignitaries are on display. It also is the gravesite of Mrs. Bethune.

The landmark was given National Historic Landmark designation in 1975. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. During the summer months by appointment only. 640 Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-481-2200. Free.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station (www.ponceinlet.org)

The Light Station was built when the area was known as Mosquito Inlet, it is one of the best preserved, most complete Light Stations in the nation. The Light Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, making it one of only 10 lighthouses with this designation. Located at 4931 S. Peninsula Dr., Ponce Inlet, FL; 386-761-1821. Daily 10-6pm, Labor Day until Memorial Day. After Memorial Day, 10-9pm. Adults, $5; Children 11 and under, $1.50.

Other attractions within reach of Daytona Beach:

Kennedy Space Center (www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy), 50 miles
Sea World Florida (www.seaworldorlando.com), 70 miles
Universal Studios (www.universalorlando.com), 60 miles
Walt Disney World, 75 miles

Shopping

Bellair Plaza Shopping Center

Specialty shops. Hair and nail salons. Restaurants. Bowling. Grocery store. 2425 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-677-8722

Canal Street Merchants

Historical district shopping. Art galleries. Antique and consignment shops. Boutiques. Specialty stores. Restaurants. Weekly farmers' market. Monthly car shows. Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach

Daytona 2000

Featuring the largest selection of NASCAR racing apparel and die-cast in Central Florida. Open daily 9am-midnight. Located at the Ocean Walk Village. 100 N. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach; 877-239-8334

Daytona Beach Farmers Market

Fresh fruits and vegetables and plants. Sat 7-noon; City Island, Daytona Beach; 386-872-3272

Farmers' Market on Canal Street

Fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, hot sauces and freshly baked bread. Sat 7-1pm.; 237 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach

Granada Plaza

Specialty stores. Nightlife. Restaurants. 125-255 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Main Street Downtown DeLand (www.mainstreetdeland.com)

Quaint, walkable shopping and dining district. Antique stores. Art and crafts. Apparel shops. Restaurants. Boutiques. Speciality shops. Sporting goods. Woodland Blvd, DeLand; 386-738-0649

NSB Regional Shopping Center

Discount department stores, specialty shops, restaurants and supermarket. 1998 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach

Ormond Beach Winery

Located in the Alika Plaza, the Ormond Beach Winery has the best citrus wines Florida has to offer. Over thirty varieties of wine. Mon-Fri 10-6pm; Sat 11-5pm; Sun 12-5pm. Free Wine Tasting. 388 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach; 386-671-2636

Riverfront Marketplace (www.riverfrontmarketplace.com)

Downtown's main promenade, Beach Street, boasts a mile-long riverfront park lined with shops and eateries. Beach Street also has museums, exhibits, outdoor festivals, water activities, nightclubs and cafes. 300 S. - 300 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, 386-671-3272

Shoppes at Ocean Walk Village (www.oceanwalkvillage.com)

Ocean Walk Shoppes & Movies is a collection of upscale eateries, boutiques and 10-screen Movie Theater. 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 877-845-9255

Trails Shopping Center

Open-air, Mediterranean village atmosphere. Specialty shops and restaurants including Ann Taylor Loft, Talbot's, Jos. A. Bank, Chico's and Panera Bread. 300 N. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach

Volusia Mall

1700 W. International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, 386-253-6783.