Anything in Daytona Worth Seeing?

[SherylR]

We're taking a day in Daytona for my husband to do the Richard Petty Driving Experience and we'll have a few hours before we return to the World.
Is there anything worth seeing there that wouldn't take up a big chunk of time?
We've never been there before so something easy to find would be helpful! lol

 

[josie21]

We went to WDW in Feb of this year. We rented a car for a few days and one of the days we drove to Daytona. We had a great time there. We went to the beach which was great. You are able to drive right on the beach which was awesome, the kids got out and played in the ocean for a bit. We also went gocart racing there and as luck would have it a Nascar race happened to be on so we went to that as well. We couldn't have had a better day if we wanted! It was nice to get away from the theme parks for a bit and have a day driving around, sight seeing and doing whatever we felt like. I definitely would recommend going there.


Josie21

 

[SherylR]

We went to WDW in Feb of this year. We rented a car for a few days and one of the days we drove to Daytona. We had a great time there. We went to the beach which was great. You are able to drive right on the beach which was awesome, the kids got out and played in the ocean for a bit. We also went gocart racing there and as luck would have it a Nascar race happened to be on so we went to that as well. We couldn't have had a better day if we wanted! It was nice to get away from the theme parks for a bit and have a day driving around, sight seeing and doing whatever we felt like. I definitely would recommend going there.


Josie21

Was it easy to find - the Nascar track I mean? That's our first stop. lol
I'd like to stop at the ocean and the beach too. Maybe make a picnic lunch or something. We'll have to see. I'm just concerned that we'll get lost on the freeway!

 

[cam&chris]

I think that there is a large mall down the road from Daytona USA (which is where the RP Driving Experience is - I think.) I'll let you know after I get back in May. Would your kids like the Daytona track tour while your husband is at the driving experience?

 

[cam&chris]

I have been looking at maps and I think that it is very easy to find. It looks like you just drive on I4 straight to Daytona from Orlando and exit at International Speedway Blvd and travel 1 mile to NASCAR Drive.

 

[josie21]

I believe it was really easy to find, from what I recall once you drive into Daytona the Daytona Speedway is right on the street you come into the City on. I also believe that to get to the beach you continue straight ahead from the Daytona Speedway. We didn’t have any trouble finding it at all. I believe, as usual, as the woman it was my responsibility to read the map (just in case we did get lost then of course it would be my fault), but we didn’t have any problem with the Freeway they have pretty good signs to get you everywhere you need to go and when to turn off, etc. Daytona was one of my whole family’s favorite parts of our trip! Have fun!

Josie21

 

[SplashMom]

We also really liked Daytona. We stopped at the Daytona 500 and then went on to Daytona Beach for the day. There was absolutely no problem finding it or driving around. We are from a rural area and were a bit nervous at first but there were plenty of signs and it was quite easy. Of course, my teenagers liked the shops as well. We had lots of fun!

 

[tribus121]

All you have to do to find the Daytona speedway is follow the many signs ( Or watch for low flying aircraft as the track is next to the Daytona Airport ).(there is a large mall allmost acrost the road from the track and a
K Mart just down the road .To get to the beach from the track you just turn right on to rte 92 and keep going strait till you hit the water ( You do have to pay a small fee to drive on the beach but it is worth it 22 miles of white sand )Daytona USA loacated at the race track is worth a few hrs

 

[kalamazoo]

If you are going to Daytona specifically to do the Richard Petty thing then why don't you go to the one next to Magic Kingdom instead? Then you are not going out of your way at all. If you still want to take a day trip to the beach there are lots of beaches that are IMO way nicer and some of them even closer than Daytona.

 

[SherylR]

If you are going to Daytona specifically to do the Richard Petty thing then why don't you go to the one next to Magic Kingdom instead? Then you are not going out of your way at all. If you still want to take a day trip to the beach there are lots of beaches that are IMO way nicer and some of them even closer than Daytona.

That was our original plan, but the RPDE isn't open the dates that we're there. Plus, the Daytona is significantly bigger. lol

 

[canron]

the onlt things to see are the beach,,and the race track,,thats it the place is worn out the hotels are worn out and dirty,,some have been torn down and rebuilt,,but not very many..tampa is the same way you got to drive through crack ally to got to the beach there ,,if you got a 9mm your ok ..and a vest to wear,

 

[wee-haggis]

Is there anything worth seeing there that wouldn't take up a big chunk of time?

No....a beach,beach and beach

 

[SherylR]

the onlt things to see are the beach,,and the race track,,thats it the place is worn out the hotels are worn out and dirty,,some have been torn down and rebuilt,,but not very many..tampa is the same way you got to drive through crack ally to got to the beach there ,,if you got a 9mm your ok ..and a vest to wear,

So I'm guessing you don't work for the Daytona/Tampa Tourism Board then?

Thanks for the tips! I'll stay on the Freeway. lol

 

[canron]

no ''''' its not a safe place to go,,,but you do got to see the beaches,,,but we donnt bother anymore...its just not worth the worrie,,yes thousands of people do it but we seen it enough that we wonnt take the chance any more..

if you go to tampa you have to drive through the oldest area of town,,just hope you donnt get a red light..yuo have no choice if you want to go to the beach there,

 

[scorpad99]

The dog track, the race track, the beach is nice, St augustine is about a 45 minute drive and very historical quiant town with little stores, there is a huge flea market off of volusia blvd (only open fri-sun) but lots of good bargains.
I lived in Daytona for 5 years, and I loved it! In fact we are planning on spending a few days with the kids pre-cruise out of cape canaveral in Nov, and cannot wait!

 

[canron]

they got richard petty at diney world i watch it all the time,,check it out save the drive,,and get another lap for the $$$

 

[SherylR]

they got richard petty at diney world i watch it all the time,,check it out save the drive,,and get another lap for the $$$

Unfortunately, it's not open the time that we are visiting.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

The dog track, the race track, the beach is nice, St augustine is about a 45 minute drive and very historical quiant town with little stores, there is a huge flea market off of volusia blvd (only open fri-sun) but lots of good bargains.
I lived in Daytona for 5 years, and I loved it! In fact we are planning on spending a few days with the kids pre-cruise out of cape canaveral in Nov, and cannot wait!

So I think that you should be able to answer this then, how long is the drive from Orlando to Daytona Beach? We aew going to Daytona for a wedding, but I think that we will fly into Orlando? THanks

Lee

 

[bdtracey]

From what I've seen it is about 55 miles from Orlando to Daytona but I'm going to give myself 1.5 hours to get there. We'll be doing Daytona on 5/5 and hopefully we'll be able to get some shopping in at the outlets that day too. DW and I aren't huge shoppers but we'd really like to check out the speedway, the beach, mall of millenia and the outlet nearby. Does this sound like to much for one day? We only have the rental car for one day because it's fairly expensive when you're under 25.