This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DaytonaBeach.com. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have quite a few fond memories of the town in which I spent much of my childhood: Daytona Beach, Florida.
I may not live there any more, but for me, it's still within driving distance, suitable for a spontaneous road trip on the weekday or weekend. A trip to Daytona Beach is like going home, if home were a world-famous vacation destination.
One of my favorite places to visit is the Museum of Arts and Sciences. I used to ride to the museum on my bike, long before the currently renovated and expanded facility existed, and spend hours wandering around its galleries.
Its current collection of art and other fascinating objects can easily fill an afternoon. Take your significant other on a date to the galleries, or bring the kids and enjoy the large and updated children's wing.
After you've had your fill of intellectual stimulation, entertain your palate with a tasting of chocolate at the Angell & Phelps chocolate factory on Beach Street.
My mom used to bring home their iconic gift baskets she'd received in her line of work. I was a lucky kid, because she'd always share the treats with me.
Mom and I were also frequent visitors to the Daytona Beach Flea Market. I'll never forget the call of the strawberry vendor, who would proclaim "Straaaaaawberries! Fresh from Plaaaaaant City!" to passerby. Plus, the freshly-squeezed lemonade couldn't be beat, not to mention the antique shopping and the many unique stands.
Dad and I had a special connection to the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, which we used to sit and watch at dusk from the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, a beautiful waterway that separates Daytona Beach on the mainland from Daytona Beach on the beachside.
Speaking of the beach, it stretches so far that you can always find a bit of sugary sand to call your own. The seaside of Daytona Beach is the perfect place to relax, recharge, and reconnect.
When you're ready to relax in a more adventurous way, the speedway is always a good option. When I lived within a few miles of the speedway, there were certain times of the year when the droning roar of racing cars became a soothing background of sound, like a very large white noise machine.
You can watch the races, then dine nearby at one of the many good restaurants in Daytona Beach.
Some of the best restaurants can be found on Beach Street, my hometown downtown, and an excellent shopping destination as well.
Just the act of writing about Daytona Beach has made me feel nostalgic; maybe even sentimental! I think I've just written my own vacation itinerary.
Whether your goal is to seek adventure or to immerse yourself in relaxation, you'll find a value-packed vacation in Daytona Beach. Ready to experience it for yourself? Check out these Daytona Beach Weekday Getaway Deals.
Love beaches? Check out my favorite Panama City Beach attractions.
Daytona beach is on my bucket list! It sounds like such a fun getaway destination.
Florida is the BEST! I grew up in Orlando, lived in Clermont, Fort Myers Beach and now north of Tampa. Daytona Beach was always our beach growing up. Now we visit Clearwater and have a beach condo in the panhandle. The Haunted Mansion is still my favorite ride at Disney. 🙂
Terry, my husband and I actually worked on the Haunted Mansion when we were in college! 🙂
Katie
I am amazed by all these photos. I'd love to go here. Especially that chocolate factory. Yum.
The chocolate, my husband and the beach would be perfect right now! This makes me so excited for our summer trips.
I can relate to this because grew up in a popular tourist town so I love going home and pretending I'm on holiday while staying with my parents for free! These photos looks beautiful, I'd love to go to Daytona Beach one day.
Daytona Beach look like an awesome place! The beaches look beautiful and those sunsets cannot beat it.
http://prettyfitfoodie.com/2017/04/09/foodies-going-crazy-national-grilled-cheese-day/
I really enjoyed reading this about Daytona beach because we vacationed here a lot! The lighthouse is also one of our favorite things to go visit when we are in the area.
Right now, no matter how weird my home looks like , I wanna go home. I miss it. It's just home to me and that would be like a vacation
That museum is tempting enough for me to visit here! Looks amazing. I love visiting places with lots to do.
I love that Daytona beach is more than just your ordanairy beach. From flea markets to eating out, it looks like the place to be!
It's nice that you get to drive there whenever you feel like taking a break from life. It's beautiful and it's definitely a must see! Thanks for showing us the places that you used to enjoy as a kid.
It's nice to be able to drive back to the place that you grew up in and see the same old places only improved. I think it's awesome that you get to go there still any time that you feel like it. I wouldn't mind spending a weekend in such a lovely place.
I really need to get back to Florida. It looks like such a great time. I really love the picture of the Daytona Speedway. Just an incredible photo. Thank you for sharing.
For me going on vacation is actually going home. Everytime I go to see my parents, its vacation for us.
I love Florida, which is not surprising coming from a girl like me, born and raised in a tropical island. I've never been to Daytona, but would love to. All these places and pictures look amazing!
I lived in Orlando for many years but never had a chance to make it up to Daytona. I never realized there was that much to do besides the NASCAR track.
That chocolates though! Love all the pictures. Makes me want to go to Daytona Beach. This place looks so cool and beautiful. I don't mind spending my time just lying by the beach.
We used to go up there every few years for Turkey Rod Run...I apparently missed the chocolate tastings!! You've taken some beautiful pictures, now I want to go back ?
What an amazing sunset on the beach! The food you are seems so tasty!
I lived nearby on Delray Beach when I was a student working at IBM for a summer. I enjoyed a few parties on the beach.
I am in-love with the sunset and the lighthouse. Definitely screams summer love 🙂
It's really beautiful there and there are many things to see and visit. I think we always leave a piece of our heart every place we go.