Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This perfectly planar stretch of sand was once the city's raceway. Sections of the beach still
welcome drivers to the sands at a strictly enforced top speed of 10mph. The most popular
strip is a one-way stretch heading south between International Speedway Blvd and and
Dunlawton Ave. Beachside rentals for ATVs, fat-tired cruisers, recumbent trikes and all
manner of water sports are ubiquitous. Of course, you're free to frolic anywhere on the
beach, off the roadway.
Boardwalk & Pier
WATERFRONT, PIER
Follow Main St E and you'll cross Daytona's sabal-palm-lined, ocean-fronting Boardwalk,
bedecked with dollar-grabbing ice-cream shops, amusement arcades, rides and patios
where you can sip beer from plastic cups. It's fun for the family with a side order of sleaze.
Follow Main St further east toward the unmissable coral-colored pier, once a summer-va-
cation icon and still the longest in the US. Reopened after restoration in 2012, the 85-year-
old wooden structure still feels a bit shabby, but perhaps that's to be expected when you jut
237m out into the wild Atlantic Ocean.
Marine Science Center
AQUARIUM
adult/child $5/2; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, noon-4pm Sun; )
We were impressed by this center's rescue, rehab and release programs for sea turtles and
seabirds that nest on Daytona's beaches. It's a fun and environmentally conscious place
where adults and kids can enjoy learning about our underwater friends. Exhibits include a
5000-gallon reef aquarium, a stingray touch pool and a bird-observation tower.
Museum of Arts & Sciences
MUSEUM
11/7; 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, from 11am Sun)
This self-guided museum has a healthy dose of brain food for a fast and furious little town
like Daytona. There's a delightful mishmash of everything from Cuban art and Coca-Cola
memorabilia to train cars and teddy bears, and even the 13ft skeleton of a giant sloth. At
the time of writing, work was almost complete on a brand new planetarium: the original
had delighted locals for over 30 years.
