Fort Lauderdale
Holidays to Daytona Beach are family favourites, with beaches and boardwalks, a rip-roaring speedway and up-close nature.
Located on Florida's Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach's coast stretches on forever – or so it seems. There's lots to see besides the beach, too, like the all-American motorsport stadium. And it's not just beach bums and racing nuts that are sorted. Nature lovers can catch glimpses of bald eagles and slow-moving manatees in the river that divides the sand from the city.
Attention, thrill-seekers – grab a beer and a corn dog and get over to the Daytona International Speedway. Crowds get especially crazy around the annual Daytona 500 car race in February. The population surges during biker events, too, like Bike Week and Biketoberfest.
When you've boosted your brain at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, reward yourself with a visit to the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory. You'll find all manner of goodies dunked in chocolate – even bacon.
Daytona Beach is home to swathes of – well, beaches. Sandy stretches come large and small, with backdrops of restaurants and hotels. The shoreline here's huge, stretching for almost 40 kilometres. For something a bit more relaxed, try chilled-out Ponce Inlet.
Daytona Beach’s popularity means that it gets busy. If you don't mind the crowds, you'll find activities aplenty like paddle-board tours and fishing. Swing by the pier to munch on scrummy seafood in between swims.
Go south of Daytona to Ponce Inlet if you want some elbow room on the sand. Here, you’ll find clusters of dunes free from the shadow of hotels. If you've got kids in tow, take them along to the marine science centre in Lighthouse Point Park.
The Daytona Flea and Farmers' Market near the speedway has been operating every weekend for 35 years, so it's basically a Florida institution. Hundreds of stalls sell everything from fresh produce to handmade ceramics.
Volusia Mall is about as American an experience as you can get. Here you'll find Abercrombie & Fitch, JCPenney and one-stop-shop Macy's. After a long day of retail therapy, treat yourself to a stack of buttermilk pancakes at a restaurant in the food court.
The riverfront shops by Daytona Beach are the main spots to splash some cash – there's everything from cigars to antiques, plus the usual round-up of designer shoes and glitzy jewels.
A stone's throw from the pier at Daytona Beach is the local beach club. Not only does it serve up some lip-smacking cocktails, but there are also sea views to drink in. Couple that with chilled-out live music, and you've got an easy evening on lock.
Daytona's got a second personality after sundown – the place is bumping with upbeat clubs and bars where you can dance the night away. You'll find them lined up along Seabreeze Boulevard.
Watch brightly coloured candy being pulled into different shapes and sizes right in front of you at a retro taffy shop. It'll be hard to choose between classic flavours and more creative options like key lime pie.
When in Florida, challenge your taste buds with treats that could only be from this part of the States – like breaded gator tail. The best way to knock it back's with a big swig of rum punch.
Maple and bacon, Boston cream or French toast – you'll find these mouthwatering flavours and more at doughnut shops around town.
For a taste of traditional Italian food in massive Florida portions, order up a plate of spaghetti and meatballs or chicken parmesan at a local eatery.
You can't be this close to the water and not have some fruits of the sea. Pub-style joints serve some seriously delicious fish sarnies and crab legs – best consumed with a panoramic view of Daytona Pier.
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