Need help packing for the ultimate beach day? Take a look at our Essential Beach List and Tips for a great day under the sun.

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 more 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.

Have a day of fun getting soaked at Daytona Lagoon. Photo courtesy of Daytona Lagoon

3. Daytona Lagoon

Water park Daytona Lagoon offers 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 Daytona Beach resort pools even if not staying overnight with a resort day pass.

The fully equipped Sun Splash Park allows visitors to go from beach to park with ease. 

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.

Take a horseback ride along a gorgeous beach with Equestrian Adventures. Photo courtesy of Equestrian Adventures

9. Equestrian Adventures of Florida

Book a guided horseback ride along the beach or on 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 aquatic wildlife.

RELATED: Aquatica Orlando: The Ultimate Guide for Wet and Wild Fun With Kids

Watch a race and take a tour at the Daytona International Speedway. Photo by the author

Daytona Beach Attractions

11. Daytona International Speedway

Race fans can take a tour of the Daytona International Speedway, 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, sure to win over the kids.

13. Daytona Bandshell

See a FREE concert at the beachside Daytona Bandshell, which holds a free music series each summer.

Make a stop at the Museum of Arts & Sciences for hands-on activities. 

14. Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)

The Museum of Arts & Sciences offers a planetarium, Coca-Cola memorabilia, interactive children’s museum, vintage trains, and more amazing exhibits. The children’s museum is housed in a separate wing and has hands-on activities, 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 and older to climb, zip, and swing from the trees.

16. Daytona Tortugas

Cheer on the Daytona Tortugas, minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, as they play ball at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark. 

Touch a sting ray at the Marine Science Center. Photo courtesy of the center

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 nature trail, touch a sting ray, and more.

Climb to the top of the Ponce Intel Lighthouse for gorgeous views. Photo courtesy of the lighthouse

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 mini 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

Back Alley Lanes VR-Cade, with bowling, VR, and arcade games, is another indoor activity to escape the Florida heat or rain.

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 variety of magic tricks, novelties, and jokes, and the helpful staff is happy to demonstrate.

24. Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka must have vacationed in Daytona Beach, because the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory is pure imagination. Watch the chocolates being made the old-fashioned way through large windows and enjoy free 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.

One Daytona has a little something for everyone, including its free Summer in the Circle Concert Series.

27. One Daytona

One Daytona is a full entertainment destination, located directly across from Daytona International Speedway. It boasts shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, arcade, and a splash pad for the kids.

Kids love Caribbean Jack's, a kid-friendly, waterfront restaurant! Photo by the author

Daytona Beach Dining

28. Caribbean Jack’s

This riverside restaurant is a favorite of our family! 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 flapjacks 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. They serve healthy smoothies, sandwiches, and salads (purchase a bottle of the house hot sauce, made from Bob Marley’s recipe). The bathroom is even stocked with baby supplies, including spare diapers!

Make a splash on the water slides at Sun Viking Lodge. Photo courtesy of the lodge

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! Sun Viking Lodge offers rooms and suites, many of which have full kitchens. Little ones will enjoy the shallow wading pool and playground, while older kids will love the water 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 sprawling resort boasts over 700 rooms, and its beachfront location on a car-free stretch just steps from the pier make it a perfect option. There’s a kiddie pool and bike rentals are 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.

Kids and teens have a cool lounge to relax in at the Hard Rock Hotel. Photo courtesy of the hotel

35. Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach

This rockin’ Daytona Beach hotel features a newly renovated pool area, a Roxity Kids Club (ages 5-15), 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!