The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5 ways to enjoy Daytona Beach
Explore fun in sun, but be sure to stop to refuel too.
Folks who spend time in Daytona Beach know that the area is more than one might expect. There is beauty to be found and explored outside the famous beaches or roaring NASCAR track.
That beauty begins at the beach and extends to charming parks, adventurous hiking trails, and romantic (or family-friendly!) dining options that keep visitors coming back again and again.
Here are 5 ways to get out the door and start enjoying all that Daytona Beach has to offer.
1. Visit the parks
Daytona Beach does parks a little differently, and it’s a good kind of different. If you’re thinking of going to the park while visiting Daytona Beach, the visions of grassy green spaces might be replaced with white sand and blue ocean views.
Named after the native tribe who originally lived on this land, Timucuan Oaks Garden isn’t big, but it is a perfect spot to do some wandering. Take the sandy trail to the boardwalk where you’ll discover a mangrove ripe with native wildlife and vegetation. From the gazebo, you can keep an eye out for birds and even launch a canoe into Daggett Creek.
2. Take a walk along the Ale Trail
The Daytona Beach Ale Trail offers something for every microbrew lover with unique and iconic stops down the coastline. Stop at any of the microbreweries and taprooms to enjoy some truly unique homemade brews.
If you’re looking to make a day of it and hoping to catch some beachside views, we suggest starting at the trail’s northernmost pub, Beachside Brew Pub in Ormond by the Sea, and taking the hike south through Daytona Beach and Port Orange.
You’re sure to come thirsty, but don’t forget to balance it out with some grub by pairing what’s on tap with the equally incredible food available either in-house or at nearby food trucks and neighborhood eateries.
Check out the Ale Trail map and plan your day of spiritfilled fun.
3. Explore the great outdoors with hiking and biking
There is something to be said about spending time in the great outdoors. Get an intimate look at Daytona Beach on foot or by bicycle. These Daytona Beach area trails are not to be missed.
Walk or bike the Sweetheart Trail to get an unrivaled, traffic-free, taste of downtown Daytona Beach. The trail runs alongside the Halifax River and is an extension of the 2,900-mile East Coast Greenway that
begins up north in Calais, Maine, and runs down south to Key West, Florida.
For an urban hike — one that features Daytona’s impressive collection of public art — the Monument & Statue Trail offers a fascinating walk through the area’s history. With statues honoring figures as diverse as the Wright Brothers and Dale Earnhardt Sr., the trail offers a chance to get out and about without heading into the wild.
Lyonia Preserve offers trails for every hiker, from less than a mile to up to 2.4 miles.
This 360-acre preserve is home to the curious and environmentally threatened Florida Scrub Jay.
You’ll come for the hiking trails but stay for the Environmental Learning Center that features exhibits, aquariums and informed specialists who know all about this valuable ecosystem.
When completed in 2025, the St. Johns Riverto-Sea Loop will provide a continuous 260 miles of paved trails. Today, the project is close to completion and perfect for a long bike ride or walk. Visitors will see a diversity of ocean and river views as well as beach towns that increasingly lean on these types of low-impact, high-value tourist options.
Be sure to plan your visit
and check out the current trail completion rate to find out where to ride now.
4. Go out on the water
You can’t escape the water when you come to Daytona Beach. With 23 miles of iconic white-sand beaches, who would really want to?
Daytona Beach and its surrounding beaches are open and accessible to pedestrians 24/7. If you’re planning to do some beach driving (and hauling all those beach chairs and toys for the kids), be sure to check the tides and the weather before planning your day. Brush up on your beach guidelines and safety tips before visiting.
Daytona Beach offers more than just oceanside activities. Consider heading to the river with St. Johns River Eco Tours. Daily eco-friendly tours let you explore the river, and observe wildlife such as alligators and manatees, as well as lazy waterways that aren’t much changed from their native beauty centuries ago. It’s just 40 minutes from Daytona Beach; you’ll be glad you stepped off the usual tourist path.
5. Oceanside dining: Seafood, drinks and more
You’ll need something to fuel the fun. There’s nothing quite like Daytona Beach’s very own local flavors to
satisfy all your cravings. And, you just can’t beat the oceanside views.
For family-friendly fare, head to Johnny Rockets for classic burgers and fries, and, of course, milkshakes. Your hungry kids will appreciate the quick service and you’ll appreciate the hot food and oceanside views.
If you’re looking for something romantic, try Chart House, where for more than 50 years this iconic spot has worked to redefine the ideal dining experience.
Expect the service to be impeccable and the food to be locally sourced and five-star worthy.
If casual is the word of the day, head to the Cool Breeze Café & Tiki Bar at Oceanside Daytona. Guests rave about the mixed drinks and how comfortable yet hip the atmosphere is. Come for the views and stay for the drinks and the company. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m.-midnight.
Or dive into eclectic, mouth-watering works of art at Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar. Each dish is designed to tantalize all of your senses. But make sure to make reservations.
Daytona Beach has so much to see and do, and the beach is just the starting point. Discover all that Daytona Beach has to offer, and plan your trip today.