need for speed | by (or In) the water | festivals | beach stays
Daytona Beach
For a place most often associated with its famous speedway, Daytona Beach is a remarkably chill destination, where favorite pastimes include lounging, strolling and wave-hopping along the 23-mile Atlantic shore. Indeed, if you’ve never been to the home of the fabled Daytona 500—or you haven’t visited in a while—you’re in for all kinds of surprises that will have you plotting a trip ASAP. Whether you seek respite or revving up, festivals or foodie finds, museums or concerts by the sea, your next great getaway awaits.
On March 29, 1927, Daytona Beach saw Sir Henry Segrave become the world’s first driver to exceed 200 miles per hour—one of a number of water and land speed records he would break in his lifetime. And ever since he broke his final land speed record in 1929 (231.44 mph, for those keeping score), the Daytona Beach area has been a racing hot spot. Whether you want to experience the adrenaline rush firsthand or spectate while others take the wheel, you can seize the opportunity here.
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Daytona International Speedway
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If you do feel
the need for speed
If you'd rather chill by (or in) the water
If you're in a festival state of mind
If you seek the
ideal beach stay
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Plan your trip
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Daytona 500
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Motorsports Hall of Fame America
Birthplace of Speed Park in Ormond Beach
Go kayaking in Tomoka State Park
Rays at the Marine Science Center
Magic of Lights
Hard Rock Hotel
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SEE OUR OFFERS
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The Daytona Turkey Run
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The one that needs no introduction is the Daytona International Speedway, known by many as the World Center of Racing, where you’ll find the area’s marquee automobile, go-kart and motorcycle races—for starters, the Daytona 500. But regardless of whether there’s an event on, this is a worthy pilgrimage site for fans: There are daily tours that take you behind the scenes for an hour or so when the track isn’t in use. The chance to get an up-close view of the Daytona 500-winning car straight from Victory Lane is just one highlight of many. You’ll also want to visit the onsite Motorsports Hall of Fame of America: 15,000 square feet full of legendary speedmobiles and other artifacts, in addition to immersive experiences—getting your picture taken behind the wheel of a Toyota NASCAR Cup Series car, for one.
To go back to where it all began, head to the Birthplace of Speed Park in nearby Ormond Beach, whose smooth, hard-packed sands became a proving ground for auto inventors and drivers in the early 1900s. The Ormond Garage, aka "Gasoline Alley," opened in 1904 to accommodate the racers and mechanics. And though the original burned down, a replica lives on at the park as an evocative reminder of the early days of racing in the U.S. For a literal historic overview of auto racing’s local beginnings, head to the top of the 19th-century Ponce Inlet Lighthouse—Florida’s tallest light station—where you can look out onto the shores that gave rise to NASCAR. And don’t miss the onsite museum to learn about more fascinating local history while you’re here.
In light of that 23-mile Atlantic shoreline, you’d expect to find a number of ways to have fun in and around the water. And just lazing on the sand, playing in the waves—or surfing them—makes for a head-clearing getaway. But once you factor in the local rivers, creeks, estuaries and intracoastal waters, you have more options than you know what to do with—the best kind of problem to have on vacation. If paddleboarding is your thing (and odds are it is, given the sport’s booming popularity), you have an almost endless selection of waterways to explore. A good starting point? A Three Brothers Boards SUP tour, which will take you to the easy waters of the Halifax River and areas known for dolphin and manatee sightings.
Kayakers and canoers are in luck, too, with options that include the wildlife-rich marshes and tidal creeks of the canoe trail in Tomoka State Park. If you had a bigger or faster boat in mind—and perhaps someone else serving as captain—you’ll find every possible iteration here: sailboat tours, river cruises, airboat charters, luxury yachts and more. If it’s a fishing expedition you’re after, again, options abound, whether you want to head offshore for the big boys, or venture into the backwaters for something slower paced.
If you prefer a different kind of marine life encounter, head to the famously clear waters of Blue Spring State Park for an up-close look at migrating manatees (prime viewing season runs October through March), tarpon and other water-dwelling wonders. For those who prefer to stay dry while gazing upon the undersea world, check out the octopus, rays and other residents of the new Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure.
Dubbed the Festival Capital of Florida, Daytona Beach hosts gatherings of all kinds throughout the year. Music, food, art, kid-friendly, culture…whatever your passion (or passions), the Daytona Beach events scene probably has it covered.
November is a big month for the visual and culinary arts. The annual Halifax Art Festival (Nov. 1-2) will bring over 150 fine artists and creators to downtown Daytona Beach. Live music and kids' activities make this a sought-after all-ages event. The annual Greek Festival (Nov. 13-16) offers visitors a chance to immerse in the cuisine and culture of Greece. Taste homemade plates of moussaka, spanikopita, gyros, grape leaves and more, all served to the sounds of traditional Greek music at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on the Halifax River. Then there's the much-anticipated Riverfest Seafood Festival (Nov. 15-16) at Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park in Ormond Beach. Expect stellar live music, free water taxi rides, kids' fun and, of course, all manner of delicious local seafood.
The festive season is a fantastic time for a Daytona Beach getaway—not least because you'll get to celebrate in a T-shirt most days (average daily highs in winter are in the 70s). The Daytona Turkey Run, kicking off on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27-30) at the Daytona International Speedway, is a must-visit for car aficionados, with 7,000 classic cars on view, a massive swap meet for all things auto-related, a beer festival and family-friendly activities to enjoy. Or drive through the Magic of Lights display at the Speedway (Nov. 21-Jan. 3) and be dazzled by over a million bright and shiny bulbs. Twinkling polar bears, snow men, international holiday celebrations and elves on motorcycles are just a few of the scenes you can expect to see along the jolly route.
Of course, even if you aren’t visiting Daytona Beach during a particular festival, the city offers plenty of art, culture and music, from Cinematique Theater, an arthouse theater and improv comedy venue, to the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, home to what’s believed to be the world’s largest collection of Florida-themed works. The art museum is located on the campus of the Museum of Arts & Sciences—a Smithsonian-affiliated museum—which also features a planetarium, a cultural heritage museum and much more. Stop by to see the Expedition: Dinosaur exhibit (running through March 29, 2026), which takes visitors on a journey into the Jurassaic period with life-like animatronics plus hands-on interactive and educational activities.
Whether you’re a couple looking for a quaint cottage, a family looking for a kid-friendly resort or any kind of travel party in between, Daytona Beach has you covered: There are more than 200 properties to choose from. Always a good starting point: the Daytona Beach hotel deals listings.
Beyond seeing who’s got the best rates, you’ll want to check out some of the crowd-favorite lodgings. The brand-new Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel is already making waves with its open-air hotel bar, stylish pool deck and stunning ocean views. Couples who like historic stays should consider the Golden Magnolia Resort, two Victorian structures across from Halifax Harbor Marina—the kind of place where each room has its own charms, whether a vaulted ceiling, a four-poster bed or water-view seating parlor. If romantic bed-and-breakfasts are more your speed, consider the River Lily Inn on the Intracoastal Halifax River.
If you’re traveling with kids in tow, you’ll find activity after activity to engage them at the Club Wyndham Ocean Walk, home to a pool with water slide and splash area, a baby pool, a lazy river, a beautiful stretch of beach, a game room and miniature golf, for starters. (More serious golfers will rejoice to find nearly 20 courses in the area, by the way.) Max Beach Resort is a favorite for its modern, condo-style accommodations, providing ample space to stretch out—and the stunning beach views don't hurt, either. If you’re traveling with kids and pets, the oceanfront Hard Rock Hotel is a great option: While kids love the Hard Rock Roxity Youth Club, their four-legged friends lap up the VIP treatment. There’s even a custom pet playlist.
If you’ve traveled here to spend some time surfing, consider a hotel near some of the area’s best swells, as well as an onsite surf school: The Shores Resort & Spa (which is also home to daily beachside yoga sessions, among other thoughtful amenities). At the other end of the spectrum, if you’re in town to rev your engine—or at least to spectate—you’ll want to consider one of the coolest properties by the Daytona International Speedway: The Daytona, Autograph Collection, where you’ll find an energetic, sleek aesthetic that includes various nods to motorsport history—not least, the elevated motorcycle inside its Blue Flame restaurant.
River Lily Inn
need for speed | by (or In) the water | festivals | beach stays
need for speed | by (or In) the water | festivals | beach stays
need for speed | by (or In) the water | festivals | beach stays
Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
Birthplace of Speed Park in Ormand Beach
Riverfest Seafood Festival
Halifax Art Festival
Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art