Are you searching for an exciting Florida vacation destination where your kids can have a blast? Look no further than Daytona Beach Florida, a vibrant coastal city that offers a plethora of kid-friendly activities. From thrilling adventures to educational experiences, Daytona Beach is a treasure trove of adventures waiting to be discovered. Whether your little ones are beach enthusiasts, animal lovers, or aspiring race car drivers, this Florida beach near Orlando has something to spark their imaginations and create unforgettable memories. And as a Florida native, I have so many great memories of Daytona Beach summer vacations with my family!
With its stunning beaches, exciting attractions, and variety of family-friendly activities, Daytona Beach is the perfect destination for an unforgettable family vacation. So pack your sunscreen, grab your loved ones, and get ready for an adventure-filled trip to this enchanting coastal town.
Daytona Beach: Beach & Water Activities
1. Hit the Beaches
Visit the 12-mile car-free section of Daytona’s beach where you can rent boogie boards, stand-up paddleboards, chairs, and everything else you need to stay the day. Other sections of the beach permit cars, so you may want to avoid these areas with young kids.
2. Daytona Surfing School
Pick up a board and lessons at Daytona Surfing School to test out the legendary surf at Daytona and neighboring Ormond Beach.
3. Daytona Lagoon
Splash about at Daytona Lagoon, a water park just across the road from the beach, with slides, lazy river, wave pool, and a water playground. A separate fun zone features go-karts, laser tag, ropes course, rock wall, miniature golf, bumper cars, and mega arcade that will thrill tots to teens.
4. Beach Bike Rides
For a novel bike ride, spin your wheels directly on the hard-packed Daytona Beach sand. Beachside kiosks rent bikes in a variety of sizes.
5. Dolphin & Manatee Adventure Tour
Take a stand up paddleboard tour along the Halifax River, where you are likely to encounter dolphins, manatees, and more.
6. Andy Romano Beachfront Park
Located in neighboring Ormond Beach, Andy Romano Park offers a clean beach, free parking, pavilion, covered playground, splash pad, restrooms, and concessions.
7. Resort Pass
Visitors can enjoy some Daytona Beach resort pools even if not staying overnight with a resort day pass.
8. Sun Splash Park
This beachside park features a seasonal freshwater splash pad, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, free parking, restrooms, and over 600 feet of beachfront access.
9. Equestrian Adventures of Florida
Book a guided horseback ride along the beach or through throughout a local state park trail.
10. Manatee Scenic Boat Tours
Enjoy a 90-minute narrated scenic cruise through the beautiful intracoastal waterway. Catch a glimpse of historic waterfront homes, the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, and wildlife such as manatees and dolphins.
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Daytona Beach Attractions
11. Daytona International Speedway
Race fans will want to take a tour of the World Center of Racing, where they can check out the infield and pass through NASCAR garages. Admission to the Motorsports Hall of Fame is also included with speedway tours.
12. Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier
The Daytona boardwalk is an American classic that looks straight out of a movie. Try the rides, pizza, hand-pulled taffy, arcade games and a carnival atmosphere and you’re sure to win over the kids.
13. Daytona Bandshell
See a FREE concert at the beachside Daytona Bandshell, which holds a gratis music series each summer.
14. Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
A planetarium, collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, interactive children’s museum, and vintage trains are just some of the many gems at MOAS. The children’s museum is housed in a separate wing and has hands-on activities that lean local, including the chance to build your own race car.
15. Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure
Located near MOAS in Tuscawilla Park, this zipline adventure course is a great place for little daredevils over 54 inches and 8 years of age to climb, zip, and swing from tree to tree.
16. Daytona Tortugas
Cheer on the Daytona Tortugas, minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, as they play ball at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
17. Marine Science Center
Learn all about Volusia County’s marine life at the Marine Science Center. Get first-hand views of sea turtle rehabilitation, walk the center’s nature trail, touch a sting ray, and more.
18. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
Climb the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse for panoramic views of the surrounding beaches. The adjacent museum provides fascinating insights into the history and significance of this iconic landmark.
19. Miniature Golf
One of my fondest memories of visiting Daytona Beach as a child is putt-putt golfing with my family. If you drive along A1A in Daytona Beach, there are an abundance of miniature golf courses to choose from.
20. Riverfront Esplanade
Located on the intracoastal waterway, Riverfront Esplanade is a park and botanical garden with a paved walking trial, swings overlooking the river, splash pad, and dog park.
21. Daytona Ice Arena
Looking for an indoor activity in Daytona? Visit the Daytona Ice Arena for one of its public skate sessions.
22. Back Alley Lanes VR-Cade
Here’s another indoor activity to escape the Florida heat or rain. Back Alley Lanes VR-Cade features bowling, VR, and lots of arcade games.
RELATED: Florida’s Kennedy Space Center: A Kid-Friendly Visitors Guide
Daytona Beach Shopping
23. Daytona Magic Shop
Daytona Magic Shop is one of Florida’s last remaining brick and mortar magic shops. It carries a wide variety of magic tricks, novelties and jokes, and the helpful staff is happy to demonstrate.
24. Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory
Willie Wonka must have vacationed in Daytona Beach, because the local Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory is pure imagination. See the chocolates being made the old-fashioned way through large windows and enjoy free chocolate samples.
25. Volusia Mall
For a traditional indoor mall shopping experience, head to the Volusia Mall.
26. Tanger Outlets Daytona
Score some outlet deals at Daytona’s Tanger Outlets. Plus, the kids can play at the onsite splash pad.
27. One Daytona
One Daytona is a full entertainment destination, located directly across from Daytona International Speedway. It boasts shopping, restaurants, movie theater, arcade, and a splash pad for the kids.
Daytona Beach Dining
28. Caribbean Jack’s
This riverside restaurant is a family favorite of ours. It features both indoor and outdoor seating (including gliding booths outdoors), live entertainment, and delicious food.
29. Donnie’s Donuts
Donnie’s Donuts serves 125 vintage varieties of freshly fried treats. Still can’t find a flavor to please your palate? They customize, fulfilling your deepest donut fantasy.
30. Old Sugar Mill Pancake House
Make your own pancakes at this pancake house located inside De Leon Springs State Park. After you’ve had your fill, take a dip in the natural spring outside of the restaurant.
31. Dancing Avocado Kitchen
This casual restaurant caters to families, including vegan and vegetarians. The bathroom is even stocked with baby supplies, including spare diapers. They serve healthy smoothies, sandwiches and salads. Bring home a bottle of the house hot sauce, made from Bob Marley’s recipe.
Daytona Beach Hotels
32. Sun Viking Lodge
This family-owned beachfront hotel has been welcoming families to Daytona Beach for over 50 years. I have been visiting this hotel since I was a young girl and my kids love it just as much as I did when I was younger! Sun Viking Lodge offers both rooms and suites, many of which have a full kitchen. Little ones will enjoy the shallow wading pool and playground, while older kids will love the outdoor pool with slide, packed activities program, and the indoor game room. There is also an indoor pool and poolside café.
33. Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
This resort boasts over 700 rooms, so it isn’t exactly intimate, but its beachfront location on a car-free stretch just steps from the pier is perfect. There’s a kiddie pool and one-hour per day of bike rental is included in the room rate.
34. Hyatt Place Daytona Beach-Oceanfront
Hyatt Place offers clean, spacious rooms with a view of the ocean, and is located near many of the activities listed above. The free breakfast is a nice touch as well.
35. Hard Rock Hotel
This rockin’ Daytona Beach hotel features a newly renovated luxurious pool area, a Roxity Kids Club for ages 5 to 15, an array of dining options, and a unique “Sound of Your Stay” music program where you can have a guitar delivered to your room for a private jam session, included with your stay!