Florida Family Vacations; Daytona Beach

Daytona is probably most notable for its beaches (home of “The World’s Most Famous Beach”) and of course,  its motorsports including; the Daytona 500 (which brings in thousands of NASCAR race fans every year) and  Bike Week (which brings thousands of motorcycle fans from all over the country). But something you might not have known is that it’s is a fantastic place for a Florida family vacation, and is really very kid friendly. With an average temperature of 59.3F in the winter and 78.5F in the summer. “The Birthplace of Speed“ provides wonderful weather conditions for just about any family vacation.

Daytona Beach, as beaches go,  is a very wide beach;  at low tide, the beach is up to 500 feet wide. No wonder they let cars drive on it! (Though, personally, I don’t think they should ever let people drive on a beach, for all the damage it can do, but hey, who am I?) Daytona’s big-wigs say you can, so drive on!…Just be careful of the sea turtles! See note  below:

NOTE: From May 15-Oct. 31st driving and parking is not allowed on the beach due to green sea turtle egg season (Read more about the turtles here).  To learn more about these majestic sea creatures visit the Marine Science Center, located at 100 Lighthouse Dr. in beautiful Ponce Inlet. You’ll be able to view sea turtles up-close at the rehabilitation facility, as well as rescued sea birds and a kid-friendly teaching lab — complete with microscopes! For a sneak peak visit www.marinesciencecenter.com or call (386) 304-5545.

Best Kid Friendly Travel’s own Stephany Weistling said in her Top 5 Kid Friendly Beaches in Florida post,

“Daytona is great for a vacation with tweens and teens.  Lots of activity going on here right at the beach.  The boardwalk is fun for all ages with shops, arcades and amusements on a pier that stretches out into the ocean.    Cars are allowed to drive on the beach for a fee.   Surfing is popular here, being that this beach is on the Atlantic Ocean and gets some actual waves.  If you’re a surfing novice, you could take surfing lessons and come home with great memories and a new skill.”

Also be sure to check out my “Florida Family Beach Vacations; The Fun Coast” post for even more kid friendly information about the area.

Kid Friendly Things to Do around Daytona Beach on your Florida Family Vacation:

“The World’s Most Famous Beach”  is named appropriately with its 23 miles of sandy, white beaches that are open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access and even cars are permitted in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset, (tidal conditions permitting), its no wonder that Daytona is a mainstay for families. Click here for a map detailing the area’s vehicle-accessible and pedestrian-only beach areas.

BEACHES (courtesy of Daytonabeach.com)

More Kid Friendly and Family Fun Things to do in Daytona Beach area: courtesy of DaytonaBeach.com

Kid Friendly Restaurants in Daytona Beach:

The top 10 best kid friendly restaurants according to the UrbanSpoon.com;

1. Malibu Beach Grill
2. Aunt Catfish’s On the…
3. Daily Grind Burgers
4. Our Deck Down Under
5. Monterey Grill
6. Cracked Egg Diner
7. Dancing Avocado Kitchen
8. Ginza
9. Mango Sun Cafe and Grille
10. Chucherias Hondureñas

Click on neighborhood to see more kid friendly restaurants; | Bunnell | Daytona Beach | Edgewater | Flagler Beach | Holly Hill | New Smyrna Beach | Oak Hill | Ormond Beach | Ponce Inlet | Port Orange | South Daytona

Also check out this site for more kid friendly restaurants;

Come to Daytona Beach for your next Florida family vacation and find out why it’s one of the best Florida has to offer!