Daytona Beach: The World's Most Famous Beach

Daytona Beach is not called the World's Most Famous Beach for nothing. A family, a couple or even a single person can come to Daytona and have a wonderful time year round. Whether you have a weekend, or a week or even a month, there is plenty of fun to go around.

Daytona Beach is on the Atlantic Coast, just a few miles north of the center of Florida. It covers about 15 miles of coastline in Volusia County with Ormond Beach to the north and Cocoa Beach to the south. Most of the beach you can actually drive on, and then park and have a fun day in the sun and surf. Just remember not to park too close to the water because the tide comes up twice a day.

Years ago, from the 1950's to the year 2000, you could drive on the entire beach. In fact they used to race cars on the beach. Now of course, there is the huge International Speedway racetrack that holds 250,000 during race week. If you are a NASCAR fan, Daytona is the home of NASCAR and the NASCAR circuit. Races have occurred in Daytona the second week in February as long as anyone can remember. If you are a race car fan, then February is the time to come. Packages that include air fare, hotel, and tickets into the race, are all available online.

If you're a motorcycle enthusiast, then the 2^nd week of March would be the time to come because Daytona holds one of the two largest Bike Weeks in the country. The only other one that compares is held in Sturgis, South Dakota, but here in Daytona there will be over 10,000 bikes on Main Street on the beachside. So grab your leathers and come down for the week either in March or in October for Fall Bike week. Take your choice, there are thousands of rooms available for rent, but many people like to campout at the KOA campgrounds just 10 miles from the speedway.

Daytona is a tourist town and there are many restaurants to choose from ranging from drive thru to 4 star restaurants. All the national chains, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chili's, Denny's, Japanese, and Chinese are here with many small homecookin' places to get a delicious dinner. Of course, the seafood is abundant and delicious, and there are quite a few seafood restaraunts.

One of the best trips in the evening is to go out on the Sun Cruz gambling boat. The boat holds 1000 or so people and sets sail twice a day, staying out about 5 hours. It will go out to sea, past the 3 mile mark, and that's when the gambling begins. They have three different buffets and usually a Vegas type show in the lounge. You can go and spend your money or just go along for the ride, which is free.

But if you want to venture outside Daytona Beach, you can reach Orlando and Disney World in just one hour. Sea World, Universal Studios, the Holy Land Experience, Disney World, and all the rest of the theme parks are all located in the same general area of south Orlando, or Kissimmee, and there is plenty to do from sun up to way into the night hours. This will be a trip the kids, and you, will never forget.

The thing to do is to go to Daytona right on the beach and then take 2-4 days over at the attractions, have as much fun as you can, and then head back over to the beach for the rest of your vacation. That way you get something for everyone and everybody leaves happy.

If you'd rather go in another direction, head due north on US 1, a four lane highway, and travel about an hour. You will reach the quaint, beachside town of St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the oldest town in Florida, established by one of the explorers, and it still only has about 85,000 residents. St Augustine is famous for its small shops and fishing. The streets downtown are still brick and it takes you back to a simpler time as you stroll along the sidewalk. There are some great little restaurants scattered around, but maybe if you go fishing you'll catch your own dinner!

Back in Daytona there is plenty of shopping at the Volusia Mall or in any one of a number of small shopping plazas. But if you want to take some souvenirs back to the folks back home that didn't get to come along, head over to beachside on A1A, and you'll find beach stores with something for everyone. When you're done have an ice cream cone and take a long walk on the beach. If you're lucky you'll see a falling star.

There is much more for you to see and do in Daytona Beach and Central Florida, but you'll just have to come down here and find it for yourself!