The home of NASCAR, Daytona Beach boasts a picturesque coastal setting overlooking the Atlantic waters. Aside from its adrenalin-pumping international speedway racing events, the city also has a scattering of cultural and historical landmarks to discover.

Things to do

Stretching for more than 35 kilometres, the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach are the heart of the city and home to the bustling Main Street Pier. Enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere and amusement rides of the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and feast on fresh seafood in the waterfront restaurants.

To the south of Daytona Beach is the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, one of the tallest of its kind in the United States. Climb its 203 steps to get a bird’s-eye view of the beach and stop by the Lens Museum to learn how the lighthouse has helped ships navigate this coastline since 1887.

No trip to Daytona is complete without visiting the Daytona International Speedway, which has been the city’s claim to fame since 1959. Time your holiday for one of the regular racing events, join a Speedway Tour to explore its garages and infield or get behind the wheel on the superspeedway track.

For a different perspective of Daytona, head to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, set within Tuscawilla Preserve. Vintage automobiles and Coca Cola memorabilia are on display alongside artefacts from across China, Africa and Cuba, with fascinating multimedia space shows in the on-site planetarium.

Getting around

Daytona Beach International Airport is next to the speedway, 10 minutes’drive west of the city centre. Private vehicles are the main form of transportation in Daytona and it’s easily combined with a day trip to nearby Orlando.