Daytona Beach, Florida, A.K.A. the “World’s Most Famous Beach” is well known for its rich motorsports history and of course, it’s beautiful beach, but there’s more to this area than fast cars and sun tans! We had the pleasure of spending one FULL day exploring the greater Daytona Beach area and had so much fun learning more about the unique experiences that this area offers. From touring the Daytona International Speedway to taking a scenic boat tour along the Halifax River and Indian River to climbing to the top of Florida’s tallest lighthouse and so much more, we truly enjoyed our time in the Daytona Beach area. We’ve put together what we think is the perfect one day in Daytona Beach itinerary in hopes to help make your visit as amazing as ours!
Be sure to check out our “One Day in Daytona Beach, Florida” travel vlog for a closer look at our visit!
We’re fortunate to have family and friends that live in the area, so we always have a place to stay, but if you’re looking for accommodations during your visit, here are some properties that we would recommend…
Or use the map below to find your ideal accommodations...
And if you’re looking for more activities and things to do on your Daytona Beach vacation, check these out…
⬇️ Best Tours & Experiences in Daytona Beach (and surrounding area) ⬇️
8:00am: Quick Breakfast
The Red Bud Cafe (317 Seabreeze Blvd, Daytona Beach)
Sweet Marlays' Coffee (214 S Beach St, Daytona Beach)
Supreme Beans Coffee Shop (927 Beville Rd #10, Daytona Beach)
Rosie's Cafe (136 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach)
9:30am: Daytona International Speedway Tour (1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach)
Get up-close to where all the action happens at the World Center of Racing! Tours begin at 9:30 AM daily and depart every half hour with the final tour departing at 3:00 PM. Tours last about 60 minutes. Tickets for our Speedway Tour are $25 for Adults, $20 for kids aged 5 to 12, and free for kids under 4. They also offer 2.5-hour VIP tours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1:00 PM for $55 per person. That said, all tour dates and times are subject to change and tours may be altered or closed due to facility operational requirements or event preparations. The start/finish line and pit road experiences are dependent on track activity and will not occur if there are events scheduled, so be sure to visit their website or call 1-800-748-7467 for details about your preferred tour date and time.
10:45pm: Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
After you finish your tour of the speedway, be sure to take some time to visit The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America which is included with your speedway tour ticket, plus, it’s conveniently located in the same building where the speedway tour starts! The museum showcases spectacular displays honoring all forms of motorsports: Stock Cars, Sports Cars, Open-Wheel, Motorcycles, Drag Racing, Land Speed Records, Powerboating and Aviation. Additional admissions options are available to visit the Hall of Fame for guests that arrive after the last Daily Tour departs each day (3:00 PM), or for those that may not be able to take a Tour. Operating hours are 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily, with no ticket sales occurring after 4:00 PM. Adults tickets are $12 and Kids (age 5-12) are $7. This admission is also available during event days when no Daily Tours are offered.
11:45pm: Lunch at ONE DAYTONA
Located just across from Daytona International Speedway, this lifestyle and entertainment destination offers multiple dining options in a concentrated area with plenty of free parking.
4 Rivers Smokehouse (1866 Victory Cir Suite J-100, Daytona Beach)
Stoked Poke (260 Daytona Blvd D-440, Daytona Beach)
Dahlia Daytona Beach (1808 W International Speedway Blvd unit 405, Daytona Beach)
BurgerTen and ChickenToo (260 Daytona Blvd suite D-400, Daytona Beach)
Tiano's Cucina Italiana (1860 Victory Cir, Daytona Beach)
1:30pm: Scenic Wildlife Cruise on the Manatee Scenic Tour Boat (4884 Front St, Ponce Inlet)
On this narrated tour, you’ll cruise along the protected wetland and scenic mangrove shores of the Halifax River and Indian River, where you’ll see manatees, dolphins, birds, beautiful waterfront homes, and the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse. Pricing for this 90-minute tour is $30 for Adults, $26 for Seniors, $20 for Children (age 3-12), and Free for Infants/Toddlers (age Be sure to check their website for more info and help planning your visit.
3:30pm: Explore Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum (4931 S. Peninsula Drive
Ponce Inlet)
Completed in 1887, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark and a fascinating piece of Florida history. It towers above others as the tallest lighthouse in Florida. This majestic facility, tucked away in the charming town of Ponce Inlet, stretches 175-feet into the sky and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb the 203 steps to the top for spectacular 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway!
The museum itself is made up of the 10 original structures (including the lighthouse) and a Cuban Refugee Raft Enclosure all of which are in close proximity to one another on the 10-acre facility.
Admission to the Lighthouse & Museum is $6.95 for Adults (age 12+), $1.95 for Children (age 3-11), and Free for Infants/Toddlers (age 0-2). Be sure to check their website for more info and help planning your visit.
5:15pm: Lighthouse Point Park (5000 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet)
Located along the northern shoreline of Ponce de Leon Inlet, the 52-acre Lighthouse Point Park features elevated wooden boardwalks, picnic pavilions (available for reservation), a nature trail that leads to a scenic observation tower overlooking the Halifax River, an 800-foot jetty deck, a dog-friendly swimming beach, and more! Park amenities are handicapped accessible and dog-friendly.
7:00pm: Dinner
There are numerous great options for dining with a view in the Ponce Inlet area, but we particularly loved our experience at Down the Hatch. This casual overwater eatery has been serving up delicious seafood dishes since 1975. To this day their menu is specially curated to feature some of the best food and seafood that Ponce Inlet has to offer.
Down the Hatch (where we went - 4894 Front St, Ponce Inlet)
Off The Hook at Inlet Harbor (133 Inlet Harbor Rd, Ponce Inlet)
Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill (4940 S Peninsula Dr, Ponce Inlet)
Racing's North Turn (4511 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet)
We hope that this guide has helped you plan your visit to the Daytona Beach area, and if it has, we hope that you’ll consider following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube Channel for more travel content!
Learn more about Daytona Beach at www.daytonabeach.com
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