The 15 best things to do in Daytona Beach

While visiting Daytona Beach, it’s an absolute must to see the actual beach. There are 23 miles of white, sandy shores to enjoy, open 24 hours a day and accessible to pedestrians. For those wanting to drive, you can even park on the beach in certain areas from sunrise to sunset each day—but it’s dependent on the tidal conditions. Along the beach, you can look for shells, enjoy the surf and bask in the warm Florida sun. From May through October, you might even be lucky enough to see a sea turtle nest hatch and watch baby turtles make their way to the ocean. However, always be sure to keep your distance, especially if you’re unsupervised; accidental damage and interference from tourists and visitors constantly threaten the wildlife here.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is home to the Lowell and Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium, where adults and kids enjoy the many seminars and spectacular shows, including weekly laser shows. While most of the museum focuses on art, the exhibitions rotate out frequently, so you never know what you’ll see. One thing not to miss is the weekly yoga classes in the art gallery every Wednesday night; those stretches are a little easier to complete when surrounded by magnificent art.

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Take a stroll around the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art to see one of the world's largest collections of Florida art. The many displays and exhibitions show the history of the state through artwork. There are eight different galleries to explore, including the grand central gallery and six smaller galleries. Besides Florida history, the museum also has a few pop culture pieces that highlight a sense of Americana. Don't leave without popping into the gift shop to pick something up to remember your trip to the museum. 

The Daytona Beach Bandshell is an outdoor amphitheater where various acts occur throughout the year. During the summer, the arena hosts family-friendly shows every Saturday night, shows climaxing with a stunning firework show. The Bandshell is located at the north end of the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, so plan your visit to coincide with the time you want to enjoy the boardwalk to get both done at once.

Widely considered one of the best baseball parks in Minor League Baseball, Jackie Robinson Ball Park is as much a fascinating historic site as it is a sports arena. The ballpark opened on June 4, 1914, and is the fourth oldest park still used for professional baseball. This is where baseball legend Jackie Robinson played his first professional baseball game and broke the color barrier in the sport. Outside the gate is a Robinson statue that baseball fans love taking pictures with to remember the icon and their time at the ballpark.

Adults who love animals (or those traveling with kids) will want to add the excellent Marine Science Center to their list of things to do in Daytona. Here, you can see a large variety of wildlife that calls Daytona Beach and Volusia County home. You can tour the bird and sea turtle rehabilitation centers, get up close and touch stingrays, and marvel at all the fish that inhabit an artificial reef at the center. Touring the Marine Science Center is best done first thing in the morning before it gets too busy, so you can focus and not get frustrated by crowds.

One of the major attractions in Daytona Beach is the Boardwalk, Florida’s version of the iconic Northeastern boardwalks in New York and New Jersey. There’s a variety of shops offering everything from souvenirs to sunblock, together with restaurants, diners, and outdoor eateries selling hot dogs and other boardwalk favorites. There’s even a cool arcade where you can take on your friends in a round of skee ball or reminisce at the helm of a retro 80’s videogame.

NASCAR enthusiasts, petrolheads, and motorsports fans will want to drive away from the beach to check out the Daytona International Speedway, the home of some of the most famous races in history, including the Daytona 500. The speedway offers daily, hour-long tours of the facility and track that start at 9:30 am. until 3pm. You can also have the experience of a lifetime with the NASCAR Racing Experience, where you can drive a real race car on the track where race legends are born.

Lilian Place is the oldest Victorian-era home in Daytona Beach and was built in 1884 by one of the city's first settlers. The house is a museum and historical site where guests can take daily tours to learn about the history and legend of the people who once lived there. The house is even said to be haunted, so watch out for any paranormal activity. The museum is open from 1pm until 4pm for guided tours (closed on Tuesdays), while the grounds are open from 9am until 5pm for you to wander about and explore at your own pace.

Daytona Lagoon is part water park and part arcade. The seasonally open site features eight attractions, from water slides to a lovely lazy river at the water park. Inside, guests can participate in group laser tag or play arcade games, and there’s an outdoor go-kart track for adults and a smaller bumper car area for kids. It’s always worth double-checking the opening times before you go, as these can vary.

Suppose you've ever wondered what it's like to make chocolate. In that case, a visit to Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory is in order. The adorable shop offers a variety of sweet treats and free factory tours where you can learn the art of making some delightful sweets. You can peer into large picture windows to see the chocolate experts at work, ask questions, and even get a few free samples before picking out a box of chocolates to take home with you. 

Just south of Daytona Beach, along a slight stretch of road, is Lighthouse Point Park. The public park is an excellent spot for nature lovers because of its abundant wildlife-spotting opportunities. Along the park's shore is a small beach where you can see dolphins or swim with fish. In the wooded area away from the ocean, visitors can find animals like armadillos, birds of prey, and gopher tortoises. Of course, the lighthouse itself is also a big draw for guests. 

Those interested in Daytona Beach's history will want to visit the Halifax Historical Museum. The iconic building dates back to 1910, when it was the Merchants Bank Building, and the museum houses an abundance of artifacts from the local area, some of which date back to 5,000 B.C.E. Touring the museum takes about an hour and a half, so it's a great afternoon activity for after lunch when the sun is high in the sky, or if you need a break from the beach. 

Take in the sunset, watch dolphins swim alongside the boat, and enjoy the serene waters of the Halifax River on a Dine and Cruise dinner cruise. The experience takes place on the Lady Dolphin of Daytona. Tickets are affordable, starting at $25.95, and include an hour-and-a-half boat ride, dinner and dessert, sightseeing, music, free parking, and raffle prizes. With your food, there are unlimited complimentary soft drinks, while beer and wine start at $3. 

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Fly high above the treetops with Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure. A thrilling day at the adventure park can include over 40 aerial games and ten different zip lines, some over 200 feet long. Those looking for the most thrills can participate in course one and course two at the park, which takes about two and a half hours but offers the most in terms of zip lines, obstacles, and thrills. If you're looking for a deal, the park does offer discounts to select groups, including military members and first responders.