Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach
When you think about Daytona Beach, the first two things that come to mind are NASCAR and the World’s Most Famous Beach. And it’s true that the city comes alive to the roar of racecars heading around the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500.
But the city also beckons to residents and visitors who head toward miles of wide sandy beaches for fun and relaxation. Stretches of hard-packed sand are still open for driving on the beach, one of the area’s longest-running traditions. Dotted along the coast are oceanfront parks with shady gazebos offering great locations for family picnics.
The city of 65,077 residents is a Mecca for motorcyclists, a family spot for sports and beach activities, and a place to experience a vibrant arts and cultural scene year round. Seaside Music Theatre, offers professional stage productions at the state of the art News-Journal Center, while touring musicians and dance companies perform at the Peabody Center and at the Ocean Center Exhibition and Convention Center. The Museum of Arts and Sciences, with its giant sloth exhibit and the Halifax Historical Museum are wonderful resources for learning about the area.
Mild winter temperatures bring out those with golf, tennis and just plain walking in mind, while summertime is abuzz with surfers, swimmers and those looking to relax at the beach. Jackie Robinson Stadium, the home of the Daytona Cubs, is a living tribute to a legend of baseball and is conveniently located near the downtown Beach Street shopping area.
Daytona Beach has much to offer. The city is a combination of housing communities and business centers on the mainland and a mixture of riverfront homes, neighborhoods and oceanfront condominiums on the peninsula. Three bridges connect the beachside to the mainland. Residential development is on the rise in key beachside and riverside areas, opening up new vistas of growth for the largest city in eastern Volusia County.
With an abundance of ocean coastline, Intracoastal shoreline and lakes and rivers galore, water sports are king. Fishing is a hobby that can be enjoyed year round. And boaters of all kinds can experience smooth sailing whether they own a luxury yacht, a sailboat, or a kayak. The Halifax Harbor Marina, just south of the Beach Street district, is the largest such operating facility between Charleston, S.C. and Miami.
Colleges and universities, including Daytona Beach College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University and Bethune Cookman University call the city home. These institutes of higher learning provide both educational and career opportunities to students interested in everything from aviation to photography. And the Volusia County School System is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both faculty and students.
Shopping opportunities are plentiful at Volusia Mall and at an abundance of other well-known retailers along International Speedway Boulevard. If you’re looking for a little different shopping experience, the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmers Market, which was recently named one of the top five flea markets in the country, is nearby and offers thousands of bargains under roof.
Daytona Beach is the transportation hub of Volusia County. Interstate’s 4 and 95 are within the city limits, the Votran bus system has programs for both residents and tourists, and Daytona Beach International Airport provides easily accessible air service to Atlanta, other major cities, and the world beyond.
