Attractions Blog

Families traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida can enjoy the surf and sun. But look beyond the sand and visitors can find much more to entertain themselves during a family vacation. For families searching for daytime attractions, these places can make all members of the clan happy.

Sweets

Angel and Phelps Chocolate Factory in Daytona Beach, FL

Angel and Phelps Chocolate Factory is a sweet start to any day. The free tours bring families through the candy making process. Kids watch in wonder as they find out just what goes into making a delicious chocolately snack. The place is so much fun to see, that parent’s may be looking for signs of a cheek stuffed Lucille Ball. At the end of each tour, visitors sample the chocolates and leave through the candy store. I know that I had a hard time dragging myself out of this delicious stop in Daytona. Parents may want to bring in a few dollars for an edible takeaway. Those with a sweet tooth may want to use caution! Just remember that the dark chocolates are considered heart healthy.

Speed

NASCAR display at the Daytona 500 Experience

Daytona International Speedway isn’t just a racetrack. It’s an experience. Little ones all the way up to the senior citizens will have a fun time at this high speed museum/entertainment center. Daytona is headquarters for NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and is also one of the only places in the US where visitors can drive their vehicles on the hard packed sandy beaches. Car racing got its start here and the thrill of the race is still evident today. The Speedway is home to the Daytona 500 Experience, an interactive attraction with race simulators, speedway tours, the Richard Petty Experience, and an IMAX Theater. If you feel the need for speed, this is the place for your family. The excitement of this attraction is evident by the faces of all the fans walking in with glee.

Education

Coca Cola collection at Arts and Science Museum near Daytona, FL

When the family is ready to calm down for the afternoon, a stop into the Museum of Arts and Science is just the thing. This museum complex is located on the beautiful Tuscawilla Nature preserve, a six-acre site complete with nature trails. Exhibits include the Center for Florida History, which features a 130,000-year-old, 13-foot-tall Giant Ground Sloth that once roamed the land nearby. Several permanent collections are displayed including the Cuban Museum, African ritual art, decorative art, Chinese art, and the Root Family Museum featuring Americana collections donated by the Root family. The museum also houses the area’s only planetarium.

Daytona Beach isn’t just for race fans, spring breakers, or Harley riders. This eclectic destination offers a wide array of family attractions to suit everyone’s personalities on a family trip

Photos by Shannon Hurst Lane