A lighthouse, Segway tours, dog-friendly beaches and casual on-the-water restaurants welcome families looking for vacation fun
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA–MAY 2025–Daytona Beach has long been a popular destination characterized by its 23 miles of beautiful Atlantic shoreline, classic attractions and racing legacy. Today, more than ever, Daytona Beach is known for its easy access, via new flight options, and its family-friendly atmosphere, including tours and amusements for the youngsters and parks for the pets. Located between St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach is just an hour east of Orlando, with easy access via Interstates 95 and 4, which intersect here.
Visitors are finding flights into Daytona Beach International Airport (700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-248-8030) to be convenient and affordable, also. It has easy access to rental cars, no long security lines and is only a few minutes’ drive to most beachfront locations. Delta and American Airlines both offer direct flights, as well as seasonal non-stop flights from the D.C. area. Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways also provide non-stop flights from selected cities.
Once here, families find Daytona Beach’s well-known attractions are still crowd pleasers. The iconic Daytona Beach Boardwalk (12 South Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida, 32118; 386-253-0254) and Pier (200 Main Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114) are still the centerpiece of beach activities. A favorite area for kid-friendly fun there are restaurants, shops, arcade games and amusement park rides. Nearby, the famous Daytona Beach Bandshell (70 Boardwalk Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-671-8250) is a favorite spot for concerts and events.
Just off the beach is Daytona Lagoon (601 Earl Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-254-5020), a premier water park and family entertainment center. Slides, rides, a ropes course, zipline and arcade are all options for adventure here. There is also a mini golf course to challenge all ages. The exciting Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure (1008 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-241-3144) is an interactive experience featuring an amazing variety of marine animals from around the world. Visitors can explore close to 40 separate exhibits including a 100,000-gallon shark exhibit and two touch pools.
At PopStroke Daytona Beach (1283 Cornerstone Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 561-203-7974) players can choose between two 18-hole mini-golf courses that feature fairways, roughs and bunkers. PopStroke also offers a full-service restaurant, ice cream parlor, outdoor gaming area and kid’s playground.
Daytona Segway Tours (1184 Stillwood Court, Port Orange, Florida 32129; 386-312-7433) offers visitors an up-close and personal view as they take to the sand and streets of Daytona Beach. For those who want to explore the streets on their own, Boogie Down Golf Cart Bike Rentals & Sales (2304 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118; 386-255-0717) offers street legal golf carts and scooters as well as e-bikes, pedal bicycles, beach cruisers, skateboards and roller skates. They also have paddleboards, surfboard and boogie board rentals. Blue Coast Shop (3110 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118; 386-310-8318) offers surf lessons and scenic river paddleboard tours in addition to surfboard and bicycle rentals.
There is no better way to explore the diverse landscape surrounding Daytona Beach than to visit one of its state parks, which offer a variety of family activities. Tomoka State Park (2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174; 386-676-4050) is great for birding, boating and camping along the Halifax River. Further inland, Blue Spring State Park (2100 West French Avenue, Orange City, Florida 32763; 386-775-3663) is home to the largest spring on the St. Johns River, a crystal clear, 73-degree designated Manatee Refuge.
Whether exploring these beautiful natural areas or strolling downtown walkways, there is an impressive collection of hiking and biking trails here. The county has a Parks and Trails App for details on all the options. The 15 beach parks in Daytona Beach provide public parking, much of it free, and a range of amenities. For those with four-legged family members, there are several dog parks to enjoy and even beach areas that are pet-friendly. There are two beaches where dogs on leashes are allowed on the sandy shores of Ponce DeLeon Inlet. One is at Lighthouse Point Park (5000 South Atlantic Avenue, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-736-2700) and the other is in New Smyrna Beach at Smyrna Dunes Park (2995 North Peninsula Drive, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169; 386-423-3300, ext. 18072). Dogs are also permitted on a stretch of public beach from Rockefeller Drive to the Ormond Beach Dog Beach. Leashes are required.
These popular area attractions combine fun, education and adventure for visitors of any age.
The Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue (105 East Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-257-3172) is the oldest operating ballpark in minor league baseball and home to the Daytona Tortugas, the Class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. It was here that Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The park features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum (4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-761-1821) embodies Florida’s rich maritime and social history. This is a National Historic Landmark and Florida’s tallest lighthouse. Climbing to the top is an adventure and offers a spectacular view. Throughout the grounds, fascinating stories are told amid the artifacts and preserved buildings.
The Marine Science Center (100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-304-5545) offers innovative ways to learn about the region’s rich marine life, from the ecosystems to the creatures that inhabit them. Visitors can observe seabird and sea turtle rehabilitation efforts and explore exhibit galleries and a nature trail that illustrate the story of marine life in Volusia County.
The thrill continues beyond race day at Daytona International Speedway (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 800-748-7467). Speedway tours and a visit to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-681-6842) bring racing, past and present, to life.
If you go
Family favorites for dining:
Joe’s Crab Shack Daytona Beach (1200 Main Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32118; 386-238-4050) and Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill (3701 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-756-4219) are over-the-water eateries on Daytona Beach’s ocean piers, each offering casual, family-friendly dining.
Racing’s North Turn Beach Bar & Grill (4511 South Atlantic Avenue, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-322-3258) is one of Florida’s top beachfront dining spots. In addition to sandwiches and seafood with a beautiful view, this is a historic landmark and racing museum located on the exact spot where racing on the beach began in 1936.
For a sweet treat, Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory (154 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-252-6531) is known for fresh, homemade chocolates.
If the crew includes a pet, check out these lodging options:
The Shores Resort & Spa (2637 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118; 386-767-7350) is a relaxed, coastal resort located in Daytona Beach Shores that offers comfortable, spacious accommodations. Visitors can enjoy oceanside dining in the Azure Oceanfront American Kitchen. Resort amenities include onsite spa, oceanside fire pits, private cabanas and a beachside Tiki Barefoot Beach Bar. This pet-friendly resort is a member of Florida Green Lodging Program and is a sea turtle friendly certified hotel by Coastal Connections Inc.
Coral Sands Resort & Seaside Cottages (1009 Ocean Shore Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 32176; 386-441-1835), right on the oceanfront in Ormond Beach, boasts 900 feet of beautiful, tranquil and traffic-free beach, an oceanfront heated pool and oceanfront gazebos. The resort’s Beach Club Suites allow pets to stay with a fee. Pet stations and pet-walking areas are provided throughout the property. Many Families have been coming here for generations.
The full list of lodging options in Daytona Beach includes variety few other destinations can match.