17 Fun things to do in Daytona Beach Florida

Are you looking for fun things to do in Daytona Beach Florida? We have you covered with the best things to do in Daytona Beach!

Daytona Beach is located about an hour northeast of Orlando and hour south of St. Augustine! Located on the Atlantic Ocean just fours hours up the coast from Miami, Daytona is best known for the Daytona 500.

On our list of things to do in Daytona Beach, you will find beaches, museums, the Daytona International Speedway and homes of prominent figures.

From free things to do in Daytona Beach such as the boardwalk and pier to exciting race car driving we have you covered!

17 Fun things to do in Daytona Beach Florida

Daytona International Speedway

The Daytona International Speedway is best known for the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, if visiting Daytona Beach in February this should be on your list of things to do in Daytona Beach!

First opened in 1959, the most prestigious race in NASCAR is held here. The Speedway also plays host to motocross, boat, and super bike races. In 2016, a $400 million dollar renovation took place to make the Daytona International Speedway more fan friendly.

Check the website as the Daytona International Speedway is constantly hosting things to do in Daytona Beach such as car shows, social gatherings, or music festivals! The Country 500 music festival is held over Memorial Day weekend and Welcome to Rockville is held in May.

Daily tours are also offered and take about an hour. Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for children. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is also headquartered here and can be toured for an additional fee!

Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier

If looking things to do in Daytona Beach with kids head to Daytona Beach boardwalk and pier! The boardwalk is a family friendly attraction that is part amusement park with a giant Ferris wheel, video game arcade and restaurants!

Across the street from the Boardwalk is Ocean Shoppes a brightly colored building that can’t be missed is home to a ton of restaurants and shops. Also, across the street is Screamers Park, enjoys one of the thrilling rides!

There are live concerts throughout the year and fireworks every Saturday night from Memorial through Labor Day!

The Pier at over 1000 feet is another free thing to do in Daytona Beach. After a day of fishing head to Joe’s Crab shack or the new rooftop bar to watch the sunset!

If visiting in October check out Biketoberfest!

Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory

Who doesn’t love free things to do in Daytona Beach when that means visiting Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory?

You can take free guided tours of the chocolate making facility and end the tour with a free sample of their homemade artisan chocolate! The tour takes about 30 minutes and is offered several times a day Monday through Saturday!

Started in 1925 by two women Riddell Angell and Cora Phelps, in Mackinac Island, Michigan after World War I they moved their chocolate factory to its new home in Daytona Beach Florida.

This chocolatier still makes chocolate the same way they did in 1925! Take a step back in time when your tour the factory!

Halifax Historical Museum

The Halifax Historical Musuem is located in the former Merchant Bank building. Opened in 1984 if wanting to look at historical exhibits this is a great thing to do in Daytona Beach.

The museum shows the history of Daytona Beach with an introductory film, pictures and a World War II exhibit. From first Native American settlement to European Explores and current life you see the historical side of Daytona Beach.

On Thursdays the Halifax Historical Museum is one of the great free things to do in Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach

No list of things to do in Daytona Beach Florida is complete without a trip Daytona Beach! With over 35 miles of white sand Atlantic Beaches you will have plenty to explore!

Daytona Beach is called “The World’s Most Famous Beach”. Known for its wide soft white sand beach since the 1900s has been a mecca for beach goers. At low tide it can reach 500 feet wide!

Some Daytona Beaches like Ormond Beach are even car friendly, meaning you can drive onto the sand! Convenient for families!

From action packed beaches complete with splash parks, a boardwalk and pier to quieter beaches there is a beach for everyone!

Daytona Beach Zip Line Adventure

If looking to go zip lining Daytona Beach Zip line should be on your list of things to do in Daytona Beach. With 10 zip lines and 40 aerial games located in Tuscawilla Park there are two courses to zip line!

Course one is a little easier with ladders, wooden bridges and tight ropes while Course two challenges with higher zip lines and obstacles. There is even a Big Zips section with 5 zip lines as high as 45 feet and 500 feet long!

Courses start at $29.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark

Jackie Robinson Ballpark was named after baseball player # 42 Jackie Robinson in 1989. First opened in 1914, the ballpark was the first Florida baseball field to allow Robinson a black baseball player to play in 1946. It was during a spring training game between the Montreal Royals and the Brooklyn dodger.

The baseball park is now home to the minor league team Daytona Tortuga’s since 1993! The Bethune Cookman Wildcats also use the baseball park!

If in town for a game a visit to the Jackie Robinson ballpark should be one of things you do in Daytona Beach! As the ballpark is considered to be the best minor league stadium!

While there visit the Jackie Robinson Interactive museum to learn about the history of baseball and how Jackie Robinson influenced baseball breaking the color barrier in sports!

Museum of Art and Science

The Museum of Art and Science is a great educational thing to do in Daytona Beach. Known as MOAS, it was founded in 1955. The museum features a large collection of African, American, and Florida arts. There are several museums on site for different educational things to do in Daytona Beach.

One of great things to do in Daytona Beach with kids is the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum, a hands-on science museum that caters to children. Interactive exhibits include a racetrack, light microscope and tennis ball launcher.

The museum is also home to Lohman Planetarium opened in 1971 it hosts a laser rock concert, films, and programs under its 40-foot domed 94 seat theater.

The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art is home to the largest collection of 2,600 pieces of Florida art!

The museums are free to Volusia county residents on the first Tuesday of the month! The museum participate in Museums on Us for bank of American and Merrill Lynch customers. Otherwise, admission is $18.95 for adults and $9.95 for children.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

For those wanting an eagle eye view of Daytona Beach head to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. At 176 feet it is the tallest lighthouse in Florida! Located about 10 miles south of Daytona Beach, it is worth the drive!

The lighthouse was built in 1887 and has served as a guide light to sailor for over 100 years!

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is for the adventurist looking for things to do in Daytona Beach. Climbing the 203 steps to the top will leave you with stunning views often being able to see up to 20 miles away on a clear day!

This red brick lighthouse is also home to a museum and nature trails! Admission is $6.95 for those 12 and older and $1.95 for children 11 and under!

Marine Science Center

If wanting to learn about marine science the Marine Science Center is a great thing to do in Daytona Beach. In the 5,000 square food visitor center you can explore marine life of Volusia county.

At this interactive experience museum visitors can see sea turtle and bird rehabilitation, attend a teaching lab or visit an art gallery. You can also feed stingrays, octopus and seahorses during live animal presentations!

The Casements

The Casements is the former home of John D. Rockefeller. The name stems from the window “casements” a prominent feature of the home. Located in Ormond Beach is on the National Register of Historic places and should be visited for those looking for things to do in Daytona Beach.

Open Monday through Sunday, you can take a tour of both the home and gardens. The home was built in 1913, Rockefeller contributed greatly to the history of Florida building a Junior College and school house.

Stetson Mansion

If wanting to visit a historic Florida home the Stetson Mansion should be on your list of things to do in Daytona Beach. Just 25 miles from Daytona Beach it was built in 1886 for John Stetson it is the only Gilded Age mansion.

It is the “largest, grandest, most historic home” built before the 20th century. It was also the first home in Florida with indoor plumbing and electricity put in by Thomas Edison himself! Henry Flager even built a private railroad stop to the Estate!

If in Daytona Beach during the holiday season a visit here is a must as it is fully decorated for the Holidays Christmas Spectacular!

As a private residence guided tours are required to visit and offered February though September. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for those under 22.

NASCAR Driving Experience

The NASCAR driving experience is one of the most fun things to do in Daytona Beach. For those looking for speed, you can race at the Daytona International Speedway around the 2.5 mile track.

For those looking for the ultimate NASCAR driving experience you can race a real NASCAR from 5 to 48 minutes of track time with speeds up to 170 miles per hour! OR you can do a ride along where professional drivers race you around the track! For those young riders the track offers junior ride along!

This is a great thing to do in Daytona Beach if looking for an adrenaline rush! Cost start at $135 for a ride along and $299 for track time!

Hopcycles

If looking for unique things to do in Daytona Beach check out Hopcycles. Hopcycles is a pedal bus offering tours around the city. These 15 person pedal bikes are great for pub tours or wine tours of the city.

The driver acts a tour guide, while you can bike or relax (as only 8 passengers have to bike) while having a drink and sightseeing!

Rates start at $200 for a one-hour tour, perfect for groups of friends visiting Daytona Beach for spring break, or bachelor and bachelorette parties. Even families looking for a fun day out!

Mary McLeod Bethune Home

The Mary Bethune Home is located on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. Mary Bethune was an African American civil rights leader. The white two-story home was built in the 1900s is now a museum.

If looking to visit a museum the Mary Bethune Home should be on your list of things to do in Daytona Beach. Known as “the Retreat” the home is has her original library and personal effects to view and learn about her history as a civil rights leader who met with many figures in the home.

Basilica of Saint Paul

The Basilica of Saint Paul is one of only two Basilica’s in the state of Florida. It was Pope Benedict XVI who designated this church as the 60th Basilica in the Untied States.

This church should be on a religious visitors things to do in Daytona Beach. The church has been around for 125 years, and was home to the first Catholic family in Daytona Beach who moved here from Germany in 1881.

You can still attend mass here weekly.

Daytona Beach Brewing Company

If visiting a brewery is a must on your list of things to do in Daytona Beach head over to Daytona Beach Brewing Company! Located just one mile from Daytona International Speedway you can enjoy craft beer!

This tap room is a family friendly thing to do in Daytona Beach. And even offers tours of the brewing production. Bar snacks are served as well as several local restaurants deliver to the brewery. Check their current taproom list for what they are brewing!

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