Daytona Beach for Three Days- What to Do?

[angelraven]

Hi everyone! I'm going to be at Daytona Beach for three days during the second week of January. Can anyone provide recommendations on where to stay, what to do, things to see, etc?

TIA!

[ManteoChik]

What are you looking for? Do you want something on the beach or more in town? Obviously, things on the beach are more expensive....do you have a price range you are trying to stay in?

As for what to do:
Daytona USA (where the 500 is held), you can do tours and go in the shops. They also have the Richard Petty Driving Expereince there.
Ponce Inlet Light House
Destination Daytona (the largest Harley Davidson Store)
Air Tours (Epic Aviation in New Smyrna Beach)
-Unfortunatly, Daytona is known mostly for its races, spring break, and bikers. There are plenty of biker bars to visit..lol.

Where to eat:
The Ocean Deck (very popular)
Carribean Jack's
Inlet Harbor Restaurant
Chart House (pricey, but great food)
Gene's Steakhouse (also pricey, but great food and a huge wine selection)

I lived in Daytona for 2 1/2 years while going to school (just moved home to NC this week) and there isn't a whole lot to do when its colder out. The Boardwalk has some shops but all but one arcade is closed down at the moment. Its pretty trashy in some places and the town is trying to clean it up.

[maniach]

If you have transportation, St. Augustine is about 30-45 minutes away and that's got a bit more to do than Daytona. There is old town which is the oldest part of the city and they sell local art and some touristy stuff. There is also the fort there (castillo de san marco or something like that). I think that the Nights of Lights (http://www.getaway4florida.com/events/nights_of_lights.htm) will still be going on.

Orlando is also really close to Daytona (maybe 30-45 minutes depending on which side of Orlando you go to) and there's tons of stuff to do there.

You didn't mention why you will be in Daytona, so hopefully I'm not being crazy recommending places that arent Daytona for you to do.

[meganth]

I've got questions too!

We're going down to Daytona for Bike Week (hubby is an art director in the industry - i HATE bikes.) I'm going just for the warmth while hubby has to work so i'll be mostly hanging out at the pool and chill out. We're staying at what ever hotel is at the Speedway. How far away is the beach from the Speedway? Can i get a taxi to take me there?

Anything cool near by that i'll be able to get to without a car and 300,000 bikers tying up traffic?

[ManteoChik]

I've got questions too!

We're going down to Daytona for Bike Week (hubby is an art director in the industry - i HATE bikes.) I'm going just for the warmth while hubby has to work so i'll be mostly hanging out at the pool and chill out. We're staying at what ever hotel is at the Speedway. How far away is the beach from the Speedway? Can i get a taxi to take me there?

Anything cool near by that i'll be able to get to without a car and 300,000 bikers tying up traffic?

The beach is about a 5 min. ride from the speedway so you should be find taking a cab to get there although it will probably take closer to 10 during that week. Unfortunatly, during bike week there is NO avoiding traffic....lol. If you ask the taxi driver to take you to The Ocean Walk you'll find plenty to do where you don't need a car. The Ocean Walk is pretty much the boardwalk on the beach. There are many shops and restaurants in there such as Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, Bubba Gumps, Adobe Gila's, Planet Smoothie, Maui Nix Surf Shop, and a 10 screen movie theater. All along the boardwalk are your typical boardwalk stores that sell shirts, sunglasses, there are a couple of arcades, ect. Across the street from the Ocean Walk (behind the parking garage) is a small water park. They have a pool and some water slides and such. I think it's called Daytona Lagoon. A great restaurant to eat at also located there is called The Ocean Deck.

Also, the mall is located across the street from the speedway so that could at least give you something to do if you wanted to kill time. It has all your general stores and a food court. There are a few hotels that are located next to the speedway....The Ramada Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Marriot (brand new), and several others. There are also a couple of restaurants in walking distance to the speeday....Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Cancun Lagoon (mexican, very good), UNO's, Honey Baked Ham Company, Smoothie King.

I actually just moved home to NC from Daytona where I was going to college so I know the area pretty well. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

[meganth]

Thanks for the info!!! I'm sure in a few weeks when i have more information about the trip i'll have more questions!

I'm hoping to be in all the areas where the bikers AREN'T. I've already been told we have to go to Lollipops :rolleyes: one night because that's where a ton of deals are made in the industry. I've been teasing my husband for years about having to go there (he's NOT the biker type, he's an art director.)