Daytona Beach

If sand, surf and sunbathing appeal to you then a day trip to Daytona Beach would be ideal - only 52 miles from Orlando. It is the self-proclaimed "World's Most Famous Beach". There you can lay down your beach towel and chair or wander off on the boardwalk filled with old fashioned arcades, miniature go-cart track, and souvenir shops.

This 23-mile stretch of white hard packed sand caters to college students, NASCAR racing fans and bikers from mid February through March. The rest of the year it is a balmy beach haven to all age groups from little kids playing in the sand to seniors basking in the ocean breeze.

While lying on the sand is a time honoured activity, driving on the beach is an adventure. The sand is so hard-packed that vehicles are permitted as long as they keep the speed below 10 mph.

If you’re an automotive racing enthusiast you will be in heaven as Daytona Beach is home to the famous 2.5 mile race track that hosts major NASCAR events such as the Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400. The Visitor’s Center offers guided tours of the track. For the daring ones you can take part in the Richard Petty Ride Along, you ride in a stock car around the track for a few laps, but expect to pay a small fortune for this privilege. For the less daring there's the Daytona Dreamlaps - a simulator ride based on the Daytona 500 race.

A local museum, clubs and shops round out the exciting places to visit while you're in Daytona Beach.

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