Daytona! 4 Ways to Enjoy the "World's Most Famous Beach"

Daytona Beach, Florida has more to offer than race cars, as you'll discover if you check out this small city nestled in a curve of the Atlantic shore. Touting itself as the "world's most famous beach" (there's a sign to this effect arching over the automobile entrance to the beach on International Speedway Boulevard), this seaside town boasts a wealth of activities for tourists in search of a good time. Here are four ways to savor Daytona Beach---even if you've never heard of NASCAR.

1: Check into a motel on the ocean

What could be better than relaxing on a lounge chair facing the ocean, having just emerged from a dip in a swimming pool? The warm sun slowly dries your skin, and soft sea breezes ruffle your hair---wow. As the sun sparkles on the water and people wade into the Atlantic, you decide to follow...you get up from your lounge chair, walk across the pool deck and descend the steps to the beach. You're going for a swim in the ocean (about 80 degrees most of the summer) and for the next 15 or 20 minutes you'll be engaged in the hedonistic pleasure of floating, bobbing and dodging waves, feeling as if you're ten years old again

For pure beach satisfaction, try Inn on the Beach, a moderately priced resort on A1A approximately a mile south of International Speedway Boulevard. Oceanfront rooms run about $90 in summer, a bit higher in the winter months when people are trying to escape the frigid north (or enjoying that "other" attraction, the Daytona 500). Amenities at Inn on the Beach include a deluxe Continental breakfast and an oceanfront Tiki Bar. For a little less, you can stay at nearby Ocean Palms Resort , where all rooms have an ocean view and you can bring your cat. Summer rates here are a modest $69; slightly higher in winter. If you want to splurge, there's always the Hilton, across the street from Daytona's Ocean Center where acts like the Jonas Brothers or London Philharmonic are featured for those wanting more oomph in their stay. Oceanfront rooms at the Hilton run $209 in summer, again a bit higher in the winter months.

Spending time at an oceanfront motel is a great way to practice the grand art of doing nothing. And if the ocean is calm and conditions are right, you may see a porpoise lolling offshore---just like you, this sea creature is taking advantage of the timeless quality offered by a stay at the beach.

2: Watch Saturday night fireworks on the Pier

Every Saturday night all throughout the summer, you can catch a fantastic display of fireworks on the beach at approximately 9:45 p.m. (unless of course it's raining, which does happen occasionally.) The light show takes place at the Main Street Pier, right off of A1A about a mile north of International Speedway Boulevard, but you can see the fireworks just about anywhere on beachside if you're facing the right direction.

Try a ringside seat at the Oasis Tiki Bar at the Fountain Resort, two blocks south of International Speedway Boulevard, where a sea wall and chairs offer a great vantage point for the presentation of gold, green and fuchsia spiraling lights---or catch the red, white and blue display right on the beach itself. The Main Street Pier environs, complete with gyro stands, cotton candy and hot dogs, offer ample fireworks watching space---and the great thing about the fireworks display is it's absolutely free.

3: Take a walk on the beach at sunrise

Speaking of free, one of the best ways to enjoy the world's most famous beach is to walk on it. A sunrise walk across the sand, watching pink streaky clouds change into orange as the sun emerges from the ocean will certainly start your day off right. The foam on the waves looks like white lace as you stride through the water---you feel alone with nature (but don't worry, there are plenty of other people around, enjoying this very special pleasure.)

Sunrise occurs at 6:30 a.m. in mid-summer; by Labor Day the sun is making its appearance about 7:15. As the summer moves into fall your sunrise walk will occur a bit later until the time change, when it moves back an hour and you're getting up early again.

One of the easiest places to access the beach for a sunrise walk is Sun Splash Park, located on A1A about 5 blocks south of International Speedway Boulevard. The free parking lot opens at 6 a.m. and there are vending machines and rest rooms available, as well as showers to wash your feet after your refreshing sunrise walk on the beach.

4: Sample the oceanfront dining and nightlife

Sunset at the world's most famous beach can be just as fantastic as sunrise, especially if you're 29 floors above sea level at the Top of Daytona restaurant. From this round---but not rotating, thank you!---dining room you can see several miles of beach both south and north (Top of Daytona is located halfway between International Speedway Boulevard and the Dunlawton Bridge). Try the surf 'n turf, a tasty combination of filet mignon and jumbo shrimp, served with steamed veggies and roasted potatoes, about $24 on the Early Bird menu, or a surprise treat: steamed dumplings, a Chef's specialty for about $16.

Want something more casual? Crabby Joe's on the Sun Glow Pier, a few blocks south of the Dunlawton Bridge on A1A, offers an atmosphere conducive to fishing (and in fact, for a fee of $6 you can go out on the Pier and fish.) If you'd prefer to eat seafood caught by somebody else, Crabby Joe's offers all manner of fish and shellfish at reasonable prices, with the steamed mussels in white wine sauce for $9.95 a standout choice.

The well-known Ocean Deck, on S. Ocean Avenue just north of International Speedway Boulevard, offers entertainment nightly, with the resident "Caribbean Posse" band serving up reggae music from Thursday through Sunday. You can dance on the beach or in the club, your choice. Try the mahi mahi sandwich for $7.95, or a cup of chili for $3.45. And the best part? The Ocean Deck is open till 3 a.m., with valet parking available.

In addition to these suggestions, you can also: 5: Hear a free concert at the Bandshell, located behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes on A1A, 6: Visit the Ocean Walk Shoppes on A1A, 7: Ride the ferris wheel on the Boardwalk, just north of Main Street on A1A, 8: go surfing (good waves abound near the Sun Glow Pier), 9: fish, standing knee-deep in the ocean (maybe you'll catch a whiting), and10: drive on the beach.

So choose your pleasure and jump in---literally, if you've brought your bathing suit.

(You wouldn't come to the "world's most famous beach" without one, would you?)