Last updated: October 10, 2026.
Daytona Beach is famous for racing and 23 miles of wide Atlantic shoreline — an easy buffer-day destination about an hour north of Kennedy Space Center. Tour the Daytona International Speedway, paddle with dolphins and manatees, or just claim a spot on the hard-packed sand. See our Florida travel guide for the full statewide picture.
A quick note before you plan: this guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep our launch coverage free.
🚀 Book your whole Daytona Beach trip in one go
✈️ Flights · 🏨 Hotels · 🚗 Rental cars · 🎟️ Tours & tickets
Launch weeks sell out fast — booking flight + hotel + car together locks in your trip. These are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Top Things to Do in Daytona Beach
Book these top-rated Daytona Beach tours in advance:
- Daytona Beach Dolphin & Manatee Tour – Paddleboard or Kayak — from $69 Rated 4.9/5 from 2,672 reviews.
- NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with Transportation — Rated 4.6/5 from 18 reviews.
- Daytona Beach Small-Group Zipline Adventure — from $59 Rated 4.6/5 from 82 reviews.
- Daytona Beach Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Admission Ticket — from $53 Rated 4.6/5 from 1,217 reviews.
- Daytona Beach Small-Group Sailing Tour on Halifax River — from $64 Rated 4.6/5 from 205 reviews.
- Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway — Drive a real NASCAR race car around the DAYTONA 500 track at Daytona International Speedway, with instruction and a graduation certificate. Rated 4.4/5 from 27 reviews.
- Daytona FL Sunset Tour — from $44: Evening boat cruise from Port Orange with sunset views and possible dolphin and manatee sightings; bring your own drinks and snacks. Rated 5.0/5 from 4 reviews.
- Learn to Surf in Daytona Beach Beginner Surf Lessons for All — from $89: Beginner-friendly small-group surf lesson with local Daytona Beach instructors; board, leash, and safety briefing included. Rated 5.0/5 from 22 reviews.
- Daytona Beach Segway Beach Ride — from $90: 75-minute guided Segway ride along the sand (beach-capable Segways) after a quick 15-minute safety training. Rated 4.8/5 from 56 reviews.
- Daytona Beach Champagne Sunset Cruise — from $84: Small-group sunset sail on the Intracoastal Waterway from Loggerhead Marina with a glass of champagne and snacks included. Rated 4.9/5 from 60 reviews.
🛰️ Browse more Daytona Beach tours and attractions on Viator
2. Where to Stay: Top Hotels in Daytona Beach
These well-reviewed hotels cover the main areas visitors choose — book early around major launches and events, when rates spike and availability tightens:
- Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort (Ocean Walk Village, beachside Daytona (100 N Atlantic Ave)) — Large oceanfront resort with multiple pools, restaurants, and direct beach access inside the Ocean Walk Village entertainment complex.
- Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (Beachfront (918 N Atlantic Ave)) — Rock-and-roll-themed beachfront hotel with a rooftop pool, spa, and live-music vibe on North Atlantic Avenue.
- The Daytona Autograph Collection (ONE DAYTONA, across from the Speedway (1870 Victory Circle)) — Upscale Marriott Autograph hotel at ONE DAYTONA, directly across from Daytona International Speedway.
- Streamline Hotel (Beachside (140 S Atlantic Ave)) — Historic 1940s Art Deco boutique hotel on the beach, known as the birthplace of NASCAR.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront (Daytona Beach Shores (2505 S Atlantic Ave)) — Modern Marriott-brand oceanfront hotel in Daytona Beach Shores with an outdoor pool and tiki bar.
3. Getting to Daytona Beach: Airports
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) — ~5 miles / 10-15 min. Closest airport, 3 miles southwest of the beach; rental counters in-terminal opposite baggage claim.
- Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) — ~42 miles / 45-60 min. Smaller airport focused on Allegiant leisure routes; often cheaper parking and fares.
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) — ~69 miles / 60-90 min. Largest airport with the most flights and usually the cheapest fares; 10 on-airport rental companies.
✈️ Book flights to Daytona Beach: Delta · American
4. Getting Around Daytona Beach: Rental Cars & Transit
A car is the way to do Daytona — the beach, the Speedway, and the drive down to the Space Coast:
- Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National (plus Dollar and Thrifty) — DAB ground floor, directly opposite baggage claim; cars parked just outside
Orlando International (MCO), the bigger alternative, has ten on-airport companies:
- Alamo (Terminal A/B Level R1, Terminal C Parking C1)
- Enterprise (Terminal A/B Level R1, Terminal C Parking C1)
- National (Terminal A/B Level R1, Terminal C Parking C1)
- Avis (Terminal A/B Level R2, Terminal C Parking C2)
- Budget (Terminal A/B Level R2, Terminal C Parking C2)
Save up to 50% on your Daytona Beach rental car
Book in advance — restrictions may apply.
🚗 Compare rental car prices in Daytona Beach on Booking.com — free cancellation on most cars, no prepayment needed.
Tip: reserve well ahead for the Daytona 500, Bike Week, and Biketoberfest, when the whole area sells out. At MCO, grab a free Visitor Toll Pass from the machines on Level 1 if you decline the rental company’s toll plan.
5. Best Time to Visit Daytona Beach
February is electric with the Daytona 500, and spring break keeps March lively — book far ahead for both. Late spring and early fall offer warm beach weather with fewer crowds. Summer is classic beach season (hot, with afternoon storms); winter is mild and quiet, with the cheapest rates.
6. Where to Eat in Daytona Beach
Oceanfront seafood shacks and Main Street diners define Daytona eating — think fried shrimp baskets with an ocean view. The area does hearty American fare well: BBQ, burgers, and breakfast joints fueling race weeks. For something nicer, head to the riverfront restaurants on Beach Street.
We’ve personally reviewed these spots on Monkey Vacations, our sister site for honest food and travel reviews:
- Crabby’s Bar & Grill (New Smyrna Beach) — ocean views & beachside eats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Daytona Beach?
February for the Daytona 500, spring for great beach weather, and fall for thinner crowds. Summer is classic beach season. Book well ahead for race weeks and spring break.
How far is Daytona Beach from Kennedy Space Center?
About 70 miles (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes) south via I-95.
Can you drive on Daytona Beach?
Yes — designated zones allow beach driving, a Daytona tradition.
When is the Daytona 500?
Every February at Daytona International Speedway — book race tickets and hotels far ahead.
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