Daytona Beach combines wide, hard-packed sandy beaches with the history of the pier, motorsports and the coastal community. The Daytona Beach Pier has been a center of beach life since the community’s early days. Daytona International Speedway hosts car and motorcycle races, and the Halifax Historical Museum preserves the history of the coastal community. This mix offers a clear starting point when choosing accommodations: first consider which interests you want to shape your days, then plan around the relevant conditions and time frames.
Beach and Pier: Conditions Differ
The beaches of Daytona Beach stretch for 23 miles and are wide, hard-packed and white-sand. Beach access points are located along A1A in central Daytona Beach. Driving on the beach is permitted only when tides allow and in designated areas; the speed limit is 10 mph, or about 16 km/h. Spending time on the beach and driving on it are therefore different planning considerations: for driving, both the tides and the designated areas must be suitable. Check conditions before driving.
Fishing is permitted without a fee or fishing license at the eastern end of the Daytona Beach Pier. This activity is limited to a specific part of the pier. If you plan to fish, also check the conditions and operating details before your trip. One historical date associated with the beach destination is the opening of the Pier Casino on June 11, 1925.
Coastal History at the Halifax Historical Museum
The Halifax Historical Museum preserves the people, places and events that shaped the unique coastal community. This gives a museum visit a different focus from time at the pier or beach: the emphasis is on the community’s history. The museum offers tours tailored to the interests of groups. If you are considering such a tour, you can use your group’s interests as a guide when planning.
Plan for the Timing of Speedway Tours
Daytona International Speedway is the venue for car and motorcycle races and also offers behind-the-scenes tours. These tours take about 60 minutes. One tour goes into the infield and lasts about two and a half hours. These time estimates make a noticeable difference to your day’s planning: the key is which tour you choose and how much time you want to set aside for it. Tour schedules may change during events or due to operational changes; in addition, the elements of the infield tour may vary depending on track operations. Check current tour times before your trip.
Plan Transportation and Accommodation Together
Votran is the region’s public bus system. If you plan to use buses to get around, check the specific connections to your intended destinations in advance. Pier fishing and the history of the coastal community offer different areas of focus.
Discover more destinations: Osteen, Deltona, Ormond-By-The-Sea, Ormond Beach, Edgewater, Orange City, South Daytona, Timber Pines
Return to the regional travel overview: Volusia.
