The need for speed brought Daytona Beach fame and fortune. This boisterous town became the home of the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in 1947 and the Daytona International Speedway in 1959.
Nearly 8 million tourists crowd its beaches each year, sharing the hard-packed sands along the shoreline with cars, trucks and motorcycles (for those who would rather not share the beach with things that eat gasoline, a five-mile strip of shoreline is designated as a "no vehicles" section). A long wooden boardwalk connects a strip of shops and arcades that operate under blasting music, laughter and loud happy hour patrons. The vibrant buzz of motorcycles shakes the ground, reminding everyone that Daytona lives on as a motorsports capital of the world.
Daytona is a bustling town with countless activities including a number of museums and attractions, but Daytona USA is what this place is all about and should not be missed. Ever wonder what it would be like to be part of a pit team changing tires in a split second, or to design one of those hot wheels? Here's the place that answers those kinds of questions with hands-on, powerful exhibits that educate and entertain.
Shopping here is a bonanza of malls, specialty stores, boutiques and even flea markets. Restaurants share a similar level of variety ? from dining in a stock car to eating Hawaiian food in a grass skirt. And, there are all sorts of night clubs that keep the midnight oils burning.
Daytona is a hot spot for surfing, drawing in many well-balanced water bugs, especially during spring break. There are heaps of other watersports as well such as parasailing, jet skiing, wind surfing and fishing. Diving and snorkeling facilities are abundant as well. Golf is one of the most popular activities. In fact, Daytona Beach is the home of the LPGA Tour. Then of course, there's Bike Week in March when thousands of Harley leatherbacks roll in for a little pow wow and comradery.
Fired up with fun, Daytona Beach is an easy ride on I-4 east, an hour from Orlando.
