A Family Getaway in Daytona Beach

By Carrie McLaren

Daytona Beach and families go together. Here’s a look at just a few of the fun family activities you can enjoy here. 

The Beach

Daytona Beach's golden-sand shoreline spans a breathtaking 23 miles. Take a swim, build a sandcastle, hunt seashells or relax under a beach umbrella. For the more adventurous, several local surf shops offer classes that will have you hangin’ 10. The beach here is also an excellent resource for any visitor who requires accommodation for sight, hearing or mobility disabilities. Can't wait? Have a preview of the beach now, via webcam. 

Outdoor Adventures 

Families with a love for exploration should check out Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet. Traverse scenic hiking trails and winding boardwalks that might even bring you up close to armadillos and Florida shore birds. Climb the 203 steps of nearby Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and take in magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

Early inhabitants and visitors believed local limestone springs to be the fabled Fountain of Youth, and the so-named boat ecology and history tour at DeLeon Springs State Park explores the alligators, bald eagles and wading birds that the springs attract.

To learn more about what lives under the sea, visit the Marine Science Center sea turtle and bird rehabilitation facilities, hands-on exhibits and a trail to the beach. Viewing the recovery area for massive sea turtles is a highlight of this attraction.