Holidays in Daytona Beach: Classic beach vibes just one hour from Orlando

1. It's the quintessential Florida beach destination

With its 23-mile long white-sand beach that just doesn't quit, Daytona Beach is definitely unique. In fact, it's one of the few places in the USA where cars are allowed on the beach. Don’t worry, this doesn't make the beach overcrowded, the beach is plenty big enough to allow cars and beachgoers alike. Thanks to the compacted sand, it used to be the site where Land Speed Records were set. You can also cycle on the beach, as well as try your hand at water activities including surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and parasailing. Take your pick of one of the family-friendly, public beaches: Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet.

What's more, Daytona Beach offers a warm climate year-round, making it suitable to visit during the winter months as well as during the summer.

Pirate Tip 🏴‍☠️: From May to late October, be sure to watch out for giant sea turtles. You can sometimes spot them on the beaches during this time. Just be sure to adhere to any warning signs on the beach so you don't disturb any nests.

2. Offers good value for money

Daytona Beach has some great beachfront hotels in the area which are good value for money. Of course, if you want to splurge, there are hotels to suit all budgets. From boutique hotels to larger resorts, you can find solid 3- and 4-star hotels that offer room-only or B&B stays. A great way to save some cash is by booking accommodation with self-catering, and there are plenty of villas and condos that come with fully-equipped kitchens.

There's also plenty of free or inexpensive attractions available. From free summer concerts with fireworks and free public beach access, to free access to loads of parks and hiking trials, there's so much to do in Daytona Beach without even spending a cent.

3. Perfect for a 2-in-1 holiday

Daytona Beach is one of the closest beach destinations to Orlando. In just an hour you can go from theme parks to beach, making it the ideal twin-centre destination. Rest assured, you'll have a completely different experience in Daytona Beach than in Orlando, that's the beauty of it! While Orlando is theme park heaven, Daytona Beach is much more relaxed, offering great beach vibes, plenty of nature, and a variety of fun outdoor activities.

4. Great activities for both couples and families to enjoy

Paddle boarding, cycling on the beach, walking, hiking, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, parasailing and surfing are some of the many activities on offer in Daytona Beach.

Pirate Tip 🏴‍☠️: Looking for a fun day out? Head to Pirates Cove Adventure Golf for a day of fun! This mini golf facility is pirate themed. Can you tell why we like it? At each hole, you can learn pirate history in the area.

1. Walk the Boardwalk and Main Street Pier

Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Main Street Pier are a must-visit. The boardwalk is lined with plenty of shops, restaurants, and fun and games like arcades and other rides. Built in the 1920s, the boardwalk has a distinctive nostalgic feel to it and is great for those looking for a bit of Americana flair.

The boardwalk is also home to the historic 1937 Daytona Beach Bandshell. From May through September, you can expect free concerts and live music every Friday and Saturday night, with fireworks after the concert every Saturday night.

Located off the boardwalk is the Main Street Pier. Built in 1925, it has become part of the coastal charm. Joe's Crab Shack is located directly on the pier, if you want to dine with a view. Head to the end of the pier to try your hand at fishing! You can fish here for free (and no fishing licence is required), so it's a great activity to try if you're on a smaller budget.

Pirate Tip 🏴‍☠️: Keep your eyes peeled on the water. If you’re lucky, you can sometimes spot dolphins just off the pier.

2. Enjoy Daytona Beach’s cultural scene

Daytona Beach offers a variety of art, historic and nature museums and galleries. Your options are almost endless, but our top favourites include:

• Marine Science Center: The Center houses the largest rehabilitation centre for injured wildlife on Florida's east coast. You'll be able to see turtles being nursed back to health and stroke stingrays in a tank. It's a great shout for families with kids, as it's both fun and educational.

• Museum of Arts & Sciences: This museum features rare items of Americana, such as an impressive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, as well as two mid-century trains. It also has a children’s museum attached.

• Southeast Museum of Photography: Photography lovers should not miss this one. It's Florida's only museum dedicated to photography.

• Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art: Home to the largest collection of Florida art in the world, this museum features a rotating collection of 2,600 Florida-themed oil and watercolour paintings.

• Halifax Historical Museum: Located inside of Daytona Beach's 1910 Merchants Bank building, this museum focuses on local history and features various exhibitions, which spans different media and themes.

3. Visit Tomoka State Park

This 2,000-acre state park is known for a diverse ecosystem and was once home to Native Americans. Today, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty, hike along nature trails, go birdwatching, or observe manatees in their natural habitat. The park features Spanish moss-draped trees, palm trees, the Tomoka River and salt marshes. Activities available inside the park include camping, boating, fishing and hiking.

4. Take a visit to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Located 10 miles south of Daytona Beach and built in 1887, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse on a self-guided tour to enjoy spectacular, 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal waterway and the surrounding areas.

5. Do a ride along at the Daytona International Speedway

The Daytona International Speedway is a world-famous racing centre and home to major NASCAR events, including the Daytona 500, which marks the start of the racing season. You can take a one-hour track tour and visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, or if you're looking for thrills, you can go for a ride-along in a stock car.

6. Check out the Daytona Beach Trails

If you're interested in learning more about Daytona Beach's history and heritage, the Daytona Beach Trail Guide is a great place to start. It has an array of themed trails that cover everything from motorsports and monuments to craft brews, hiking and biking. Use it to plan the perfect tour to suit your sightseeing needs. Here are a few of our favourites:

• The Motorsports Trail: Racing fans are sure to get revved up about the Motorsports Trail, which highlights the area’s storied auto-racing heritage.

• The Daytona Beach Ale Trail: This trial is home to hundreds of craft brews from more than 20 establishments.

• Daytona Beach’s hiking and biking trails: No trial list is complete without hiking and biking. Daytona Beach offers more than 70 miles of scenic paved paths, single track, footpaths and more waiting to be explored.

Lunch and dinner staples

Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar: Located in Ormond Beach, inside a historic Victorian house from the late 1800's, Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar serves up Southern cuisine, including their signature southern fried chicken paired with classic craft cocktails. Besides the delicious food, you'll be able to dine in history. The Villa was originally established as a bed and breakfast in 1901, which once accommodated important people including John D Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Henry Flagler and Sir Malcolm Campbell.

Millie’s Restaurant: Located in South Daytona Beach, Millie's is an award-winning restaurant and a local favourite. You can expect homemade sauces and food, as well as local, fresh seafood. Dinner gets very crowded, and they usually have to turn people away, so we recommend visiting at lunchtime to ensure a spot. Be sure to try their shrimp and grits if you're looking to taste a classic southern dish.

Caribbean Jack’s Restaurant & Marina: Seafood lovers should head to Caribbean Jack’s. It was voted Daytona Beach's favourite waterfront restaurant thanks to their open deck and happy hour. Settle in for live music and Caribbean-inspired food and drinks.