Looking for outdoor activities in Daytona Beach? Here are some of the best attractions and things to do in the Daytona Beach area in wide open spaces and fun places.
Daytona Beach is known for its world famous beach, stretching 23 miles, and being the birthplace of speed and car racing, which attracts millions of visitors per year to the Daytona International Speedway.
But that’s not all!
With 230 days of sunshine along Florida’s Atlantic coast and Halifax River with over 60 miles of trails and a growing food & drink scene, there’s so many outdoor activities to enjoy in Daytona Beach in wide open spaces and fun places.
In this travel guide, we’re featuring 10 of the best attractions and things to do in the Daytona Beach area for some outdoor fun!
Note: This Daytona Beach travel guide will be updated as we explore more outdoor activities so be sure to bookmark/save/PIN the page.
Daytona Beach Outdoor Activities: Best Attractions & Things To Do
There’s something for everyone here so we’re touching a bit of everything: nature and adventure, sports and activities, world-famous landmarks and historic sites, and some great places to eat in the Daytona Beach area.
Some of these attractions can also be found in the Ultimate Daytona Beach Trail Guide, a collection of themed tours and trails in the area that makes for a fun and simple itinerary.
Note: When planning your trip to Daytona Beach, be sure to check out the city’s COVID page for the latest updates and community information.
Daytona International Speedway
Did you really go to Daytona Beach if you didn’t go to Daytona International Speedway?
One of America’s most iconic sports stadiums, Daytona International Speedway annually hosts NASCAR’s most prestigious race, the Daytona 500.
Daytona International Speedway All Access Tour is one of the best outdoor attractions in Daytona Beach for cars and racing, history, selfies or family fun as it takes you around the near 500-acre motorsports complex.
It’s such a thrill to be right there on the field.
You even get to stand on the racetrack!
The tour also lets you visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, a 10,000 sq-ft hall dedicated to American motorsports: cars, motorcycles, off-road, powerboats and airplanes.
Daytona International Speedway is part of the Iconic Trail, which explores iconic, historic landmarks in Daytona Beach, and the Motorsports Trail (with Motorsports Hall of Fame of America), which explores the city’s deep-rooted motorsports heritage.
World’s Most Famous Beach Sign
Love to take selfies for your Instagram?
Daytona Beach is proud of being the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” You won’t miss the big prominent sign as you head towards the beach.
As The Chainsmokers song would say, “But first, let me take a selfie.“
The World’s Most Famous Beach Sign arches over an entire street, framing the shores and waters as the backdrop.
A great spot for selfies and sunset shots, it’s one of the easiest and free outdoor attractions in Daytona Beach.
The World’s Most Famous Beach Sign is part of the Iconic Trail, which explores iconic, selfie-worthy stops in Daytona Beach.
Daytona Beach & Pier
You know this one was coming. You cannot go to Daytona Beach without checking out the beaches.
23 miles of hard-packed, white-sand beaches with an expansive shoreline that’s 500-feet wide at low tide.
The beaches is one of the best free things to do in Daytona Beach if you’re looking for wide open fun, or simply just want to relax or have a tan. Plus, it’s open 24/7!
If you’re lucky, you might even find cars driving on the beach, which is allowed in some designated areas. Not something you’ll commonly see at the beach.
While you’re there, you’ll also want to check out the Daytona Beach Pier (or Main Street Pier), an iconic landmark on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk that stretches 1,000 feet into the Atlantic ocean, known for its restaurant, Joe’s Crab Shack, and as a place to go fishing.
The Daytona Beach Pier is part of the Iconic Trail, which explores iconic, selfie-worthy stops in Daytona Beach.
Also Read: Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock, One of the Best Beaches in Oregon
St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop
If you enjoy hiking and biking, the River-to-Sea Loop is one of the best nature activities in Daytona Beach especially if you want to explore multiple Florida destinations across counties.
This trail network provides 260-mile multi-use paved trails spanning five counties in Central Florida: Volusia, Brevard, Putnam, St Johns and Flagler.
Did you know? The St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop is expected to complete in 2025, providing a 260-mile off road paved road. As of Spring 2021, about 50% of the River-To-Sea Loop is completed.
You start at the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.
From there, you can go north to St. Augustine passing through its historic district, or go south to Titusville.
Then head west to West Volusia passing through Blue Spring State Park to do the loop.
If you have time, try to do the lazy tubing at Blue Spring State Park!
The St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop is part of the Hiking & Bike Trail to explore the Daytona Beach area’s natural treasures and over 60 miles of showcase trails.
St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop
Maps
Volusia County Bicycling
For experienced cyclists, the Volusia County Bicycling routes is one of the best things to do outdoors in Daytona Beach to explore multiple cities, taking you around parks and trails in Volusia County.
You can cycle along 47 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches in East Volusia hitting Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach all the way to historic towns and springs in West Volusia hitting DeLand, Orange City, Deltona and Debary.
Bicycling on over 60 miles of the Hiking & Bike Trails is a great way to explore the Daytona Beach area’s natural treasures.
Volusia County Bicycling
Maps
Parks and Trails App
Spring-to-Spring Trail
Aside from its world famous beach, the Daytona Beach area also has four springs to be enjoyed.
Luckily, there’s a trail for that too!
The Spring-to-Spring Trail is one of the best outdoor activities in Daytona Beach that combines some of the best attractions across cities, and it’s also one of the most scenic rides in Florida.
This 26-mile trail runs from DeLeon Springs State Park to Blue Spring State Park to Green Springs Park then to Gemini Springs Park.
As a travelling foodie, I highly recommend to end your trail at DeLeon Springs State Park so that, after all the cycling, you can reward yourself with the must-try all-you-can-eat pancakes at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill.
Watch the experience below.
The Spring-to-Spring Trail is part of the Hiking & Bike Trail to explore Daytona Beach area’s natural treasures and over 60 miles of showcase trails.
Spring-to-Spring Trail
Map
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
Florida’s Tallest Lighthouse, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is one of the best things to do in Daytona Beach outdoors for history and iconic selfie spots.
Built in 1887, this national historic landmark is the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the USA at 175 feet with 203 steps and visited yearly by over 170,000 people.
The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is part of the Iconic Trail, which explores iconic, selfie-worthy stops in Daytona Beach.
Daytona Beach Parasailing
The Daytona Beach Parasail is one of the best things to do outdoors if you want to be out in the water.
Nothing says wide open than being up in the air in peaceful isolation with breathtaking 360-degree views of Daytona Beach.
Travelling Foodie Tip: If you don’t want to do the parasail, you can still join the boat ride if there’s room in the boat.
You don’t need to take my word for it. Watch the YouTube video of my Daytona Beach Parasail experience instead!
Ale Trail
What’s great to have on a hot sunny day? A nice cold beer!
The Daytona Beach Ale Trail is one of the best things to do outdoors in the area for craft beer, spirits lovers and foodies. With 230 days of sunshine, it’s patio drinking season all year long!
This boozy trail enjoyed by locals and visitors features about two dozen local craft breweries, tap rooms and distilleries all around Volusia County.
Here are some of the places in the Daytona Beach Ale Trail that I’ve visited:
The Half Wall Beer House is an upscale craft beer house and brewery in West Volusia serving 75+ craft beers and 100+ bottled beers.
Started by two home brewers and best friends through a kickstarter campaign, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. is one of the best breweries in West Volusia located in historic downtown DeLand.
Located at the Abbey Bar in DeLand, Odd Elixir MeadWorks is Volusia County’s first and only local winery producing craft meads (honey wines) using local Florida honey.
Beach Restaurants
Love to eat and drink with a view?
With 23 miles of beaches, dining in restaurants on the beach is one of the best things to do in Daytona Beach outdoors for locals, tourists and foodies.
All of the restaurants and bars along the beach have a patio or open air dining area.
You’ll love the beautiful views of the Atlantic while enjoying delicious local fare and fresh seafood or your favourite drinks.
VIDEO: Best Things To Do in Daytona Beach Outdoors
If you are more of a visual learner, watch this video guide on Daytona Beach outdoor attractions.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Daytona Beach Outdoors?
With 230 days of sunshine, Daytona Beach is a year round destination.
For hiking and biking, October through April is ideal to avoid the summer heat, but you can always do early mornings if you want to beat the heat in the summer.
Daytona Beach is such a great place for a vacation whether you’re going for a day trip, a weekend trip or a Florida road trip:
- From DeLand to Daytona Beach: ~30 minutes
- From Orlando to Daytona Beach: ~1 hour
- From St. Augustine to Daytona Beach: ~1 hour
- From Jacksonville to Daytona Beach: ~1.5 hours
- From Ocala to Daytona Beach: ~1.5 hours
- From Tampa to Daytona Beach: ~2.5 hours
Hope this travel guide to Daytona Beach helps you decide the best outdoor activities to do for your next trip! There are so many ways to explore the wide open spaces and fun places in the Daytona Beach area.
I’m always looking for recommendations. Please let me know what you find are the best outdoor attractions and things to do in Daytona Beach.
This travel guide was done in partnership with Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. As usual, reviews and opinions are 100% entirely my own.
You can learn more about Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on their website.