Where to stay

The long sandy Florida shoreline is perhaps the biggest draw to the Daytona Beach region. Book a hotel at the Beach at Daytona Beach, where miles of white sand are perfect for sunbathing, building sandcastles, swimming and even horseback riding. Head inland to stay in Daytona Beach for the Daytona International Speedway, with tours that include high-speed rides on the track. Elsewhere in the neighborhood are golf courses and former sugar mills with botanic gardens. If fishing is of interest, hotels in Daytona Beach Shores are very close to great family angling at the Sunglow Fishing Pier. Kids of all ages have a great time on the go-karts in New Smyrna Beach, easily accessible from the many hotels in the neighborhood.

With a shoreline stretching for many miles, beach activities are some of the most popular things to do outdoors in Daytona Beach neighborhoods. However, the area actually has many other activities to do outside. Hotels in Port Orange are separated from the Daytona stretch of beach by the Halifax River, with inland activities in and on creeks through the community's several parks. Stay in Ormond Beach, which does have a lovely beach, but also features parks and gardens for hiking and picnicking, including Tomoka State Park and a lovely loop trail. Book a hotel in Palm Coast for an alternative to sandy beaches. Visit the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park here with a rocky shoreline and Graham Swamp Preserve with wetlands perfect for bird watching. Edgewater is a great place to stay for chartered fishing in rivers and the Mosquito Lagoon, while New Smyrna Beach is a good spot for surfing.

The Daytona International Speedway offers a cultural experience beloved by NASCAR fans, who stay in everything from campgrounds and RV resorts to economy and upscale hotels throughout area neighborhoods. For other cultural experiences, stay in central Daytona Beach and visit the acclaimed Museum of Arts and Sciences or attend summer concerts at the Oceanfront Bandshell with tribute bands and fireworks. Ormond Beach to the north is a great place to stay for historical landmarks and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. South of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach has the Atlantic Center for the Arts and a street filled with galleries of local artists. Stay here to be less than a 1-hour drive from the Kennedy Space Center.