Daytona Beach in Florida is a fun place, and although famous for car racing and its great golf courses, there are so many other activities that holidaymakers can enjoy for a memorable trip.
Daytona Beach in Florida is a fun place, and although famous for car racing and its great golf courses, there are so many other activities that holidaymakers can enjoy for a memorable trip.
As the “birthplace of speed” and home of NASCAR motor racing, it’s tempting to think that Daytona Beach is somewhere that’s strictly for the boys. Far from it.
The east coast of Florida resort has evolved and is now a chic and stylish destination that appeals to all. It might still attract petrolheads and racing fans for its strong motorsports heritage but it has far more to offer visitors, from its famous, wide beach to shopping and sophisticated restaurants and nightlife. For those interested in of a different kind, Daytona Beach is also great for golfing getaways with several highly-rated courses to play.
The weather is perfect for golf year-round, a key reason why the Ladies Professional Golf Association moved its HQ there from Houston in 1989.
It’s also easy to get to, as direct flights from several UK airports serve Orlando, with flights taking about nine hours, and at just over an hour’s drive to the north-east from Orlando, it makes for an ideal twin-centre holiday, either with Orlando’s theme parks or combined with golf on the plethora of courses in Central Florida. Flights also serve Daytona Beach International Airport from gateways including New York, Atlanta and Charlotte.
WHEN YOU'RE NOT GOLFING
The city was named for its white-sand beach, so it’s not unsurprising that it takes centre stage. The 23-mile stretch of hard-packed sands is known as “The World’s Most Famous Beach” and was where motorcycle and car races were first held in Daytona in 1902.
Driving is allowed on designated parts of the beach, for a $20 fee and at a maximum 10mph. But there are sections where cars are banned if you prefer sun bathing undisturbed by passing vehicles. Rental bikes are also available to cycle along the hard sands.
Surfers can hang ten on Atlantic rollers, although in summer they are restricted to specific areas. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, just south of Daytona Beach, is Florida’s highest.
The Daytona International Speedway revels in the title of “World Centre of Racing”. Home to the Daytona 500 endurance NASCAR race, you can also watch other racing events, be taken on a 170mph thrill ride around the tri-oval circuit in a NASCAR racing car with the Richard Petty Driving Experience, or even get behind the wheel of one yourself.
Family-friendly attractions include the Museum of Arts & Sciences Children’s Discovery Museum and Planetarium, the Marine Science Centre, featuring touching tanks and a sea turtle rehabilitation unit, and the Daytona Beach.
Boardwalk and Pier incorporate Ocean Walk Shoppes, a dining and retail complex with restaurant and speciality shops. Shop till you drop at other places, too, among them Tanger Outlets, Volusia Mall, ONE DAYTONA and the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.
In the evenings, choose from a host of bars and restaurants in the area. One of the most elegant is the 31 Supper Club, a throwback to the 1930s with period décor and music that serves steak, seafood and cocktails. From May until September, the Daytona Beach Bandshell stages free Friday and Saturday night concerts with free fireworks on Saturdays as well.
And if the going gets too tough, you can always lay back and enjoy a relaxing session in one of the many day spas or your hotel spa.
WHERE TO STAY
A range of accommodation is available for visitors, spanning the spectrum from condominiums and villas to hotels large and small.
The Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach opened on the beachfront in spring 2018 with 200 rooms and suites. Accommodation options range up to Rock Royalty suites offering VIP concierge services. Hard Rock’s The Sound of Your Stay music amenity programme allows all hotel guests to borrow vinyl records or Fender guitars free to play in their rooms while the Rock Spa & Salon puts a musical twist on treatments that include the music-centric Rhythm & Motion massage using special massage tables vibrating to bass beats.
The art deco Streamline Hotel is a restored 44-room boutique hotel with a glorious past that reopened in late 2017. The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was born at a historic meeting at the hotel in 1947, launching the motor racing series. The lime green hotel features a rooftop lounge, bar and terrace.
The luxurious, 145-room Marriott Autograph hotel The Daytona and the 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Daytona Beach both form part of ONE DAYTONA, a new entertainment and dining complex opposite the Daytona International Speedway.
Other hotels include the 744-room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and the Residence Inn by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront.
To find out more, please visit daytonabeach.com
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Daytona Beach in Florida is a fun place, and although famous for car racing and its great golf courses, there are so many other activities that holidaymakers can enjoy for a memorable trip.
Daytona Beach in Florida is a fun place, and although famous for car racing and its great golf courses, there are so many other activities that holidaymakers can enjoy for a memorable trip.
As the “birthplace of speed” and home of NASCAR motor racing, it’s tempting to think that Daytona Beach is somewhere that’s strictly for the boys. Far from it.
The east coast of Florida resort has evolved and is now a chic and stylish destination that appeals to all. It might still attract petrolheads and racing fans for its strong motorsports heritage but it has far more to offer visitors, from its famous, wide beach to shopping and sophisticated restaurants and nightlife. For those interested in of a different kind, Daytona Beach is also great for golfing getaways with several highly-rated courses to play.
The weather is perfect for golf year-round, a key reason why the Ladies Professional Golf Association moved its HQ there from Houston in 1989.
It’s also easy to get to, as direct flights from several UK airports serve Orlando, with flights taking about nine hours, and at just over an hour’s drive to the north-east from Orlando, it makes for an ideal twin-centre holiday, either with Orlando’s theme parks or combined with golf on the plethora of courses in Central Florida. Flights also serve Daytona Beach International Airport from gateways including New York, Atlanta and Charlotte.
WHEN YOU'RE NOT GOLFING
The city was named for its white-sand beach, so it’s not unsurprising that it takes centre stage. The 23-mile stretch of hard-packed sands is known as “The World’s Most Famous Beach” and was where motorcycle and car races were first held in Daytona in 1902.
Driving is allowed on designated parts of the beach, for a $20 fee and at a maximum 10mph. But there are sections where cars are banned if you prefer sun bathing undisturbed by passing vehicles. Rental bikes are also available to cycle along the hard sands.
Surfers can hang ten on Atlantic rollers, although in summer they are restricted to specific areas. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, just south of Daytona Beach, is Florida’s highest.
The Daytona International Speedway revels in the title of “World Centre of Racing”. Home to the Daytona 500 endurance NASCAR race, you can also watch other racing events, be taken on a 170mph thrill ride around the tri-oval circuit in a NASCAR racing car with the Richard Petty Driving Experience, or even get behind the wheel of one yourself.
Family-friendly attractions include the Museum of Arts & Sciences Children’s Discovery Museum and Planetarium, the Marine Science Centre, featuring touching tanks and a sea turtle rehabilitation unit, and the Daytona Beach.
Boardwalk and Pier incorporate Ocean Walk Shoppes, a dining and retail complex with restaurant and speciality shops. Shop till you drop at other places, too, among them Tanger Outlets, Volusia Mall, ONE DAYTONA and the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.
In the evenings, choose from a host of bars and restaurants in the area. One of the most elegant is the 31 Supper Club, a throwback to the 1930s with period décor and music that serves steak, seafood and cocktails. From May until September, the Daytona Beach Bandshell stages free Friday and Saturday night concerts with free fireworks on Saturdays as well.
And if the going gets too tough, you can always lay back and enjoy a relaxing session in one of the many day spas or your hotel spa.
WHERE TO STAY
A range of accommodation is available for visitors, spanning the spectrum from condominiums and villas to hotels large and small.
The Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach opened on the beachfront in spring 2018 with 200 rooms and suites. Accommodation options range up to Rock Royalty suites offering VIP concierge services. Hard Rock’s The Sound of Your Stay music amenity programme allows all hotel guests to borrow vinyl records or Fender guitars free to play in their rooms while the Rock Spa & Salon puts a musical twist on treatments that include the music-centric Rhythm & Motion massage using special massage tables vibrating to bass beats.
The art deco Streamline Hotel is a restored 44-room boutique hotel with a glorious past that reopened in late 2017. The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was born at a historic meeting at the hotel in 1947, launching the motor racing series. The lime green hotel features a rooftop lounge, bar and terrace.
The luxurious, 145-room Marriott Autograph hotel The Daytona and the 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Daytona Beach both form part of ONE DAYTONA, a new entertainment and dining complex opposite the Daytona International Speedway.
Other hotels include the 744-room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and the Residence Inn by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront.
To find out more, please visit daytonabeach.com
TaylorMade Launch Second Gen Pix Golf Balls READ MORE
