Forget Spring Break (how could we?), Daytona Beach, Fla. is the perfect Fall and Winter getaway with easy access from points in Georgia and that vibrant beach culture that has kept many coming back to this stretch of the Atlantic for decades and decades.
Daytona Beach, a destination synonymous with racing also offers a diverse set of golf offerings with almost two dozen golf courses in and near the city. Some of the courses are members-only policy, but don’t worry, some of the best offer tee times to the public. This is Florida and the regions year-round perfect weather means that all Fall and all Winter you can play 18 and still have time left to enjoy all Daytona Beach offers to visitors.
Varied attractions like Class A minor league baseball, museums the beach and a lighthouse with unparalleled views of the area are just minutes away.
Come for a weekend or an entire week. Here’s what you can do to fill your time in beautiful Daytona Beach.
Sports
Golf where the LPGA professionals play at LPGA International, home of the acclaimed Jones and Hills courses. Reasonable greens fees and setups for any level of play, make these courses favorites of many visitors to Florida. An enjoyable test of golf awaits…
After your round of golf at LPGA International, grab a seat at Malcom’s. Located right in the LPGA International clubhouse, Malcolm’s is open to the public daily for lunch and dinner. Serving fresh foods, creatively prepared by Chef Jose Rodriguez-Valle, Malcolm’s offers one of the best food and drink experiences in the area.
Add in a round at the family-owned Riviera Country Club, where you can walk or ride a cart. Established in 1953, Riviera is a Florida course with a personality. No tee times required most times of the year, so come and play when you can. They’ve hosted mini tour events for years, so you can come and play where many PGA pros got their start.
No trip to Daytona Beach is complete without stopping by the Speedway. Daytona International Speedway, known as the World Center of Racing, includes the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Visitors can take a track tour with many great photo ops, get in the front seat of a actual race car at the NASCAR Driving Experience on the 2.5 mile banked track at the world’s only motorsports stadium. There are races throughout the year, so pair your trip to Daytona Beach and become a race fan!
The local minor league baseball team is the Daytona Tortugas, a Class A Advance affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Games are held in Jackie Robinson Ballpark. One of the oldest and best ballparks in the minor leagues, “The Jack” has undergone numerous renovations in the last decade to improve it’s amenities and become more modern, while still keeping it’s history and historic charm. The newest feature is the addition of a new HD videoboard in left field, while keeping the manually operated scoreboard right next to it.
Side Trips
Walk Downtown Daytona Beach and unwind while checking out the unique shops and eating establishments.
Climb the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse & Museum, with 203 steps from top to bottom. The views are outstanding! Walk the grounds and marvel at the original Fresnel lens, a short film on the area, and historical period treasures. Come for the views, but stay and enjoy the abundant history and stories to be told.
There is nothing ordinary about the museums in Daytona Beach. The Southeast Museum of Photography is one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to the art of photography. See the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art which features the largest private collection of art depicting Florida in the world, and the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences right next door.
Where to Stay
2637 South Atlantic Avenue
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
(386) 767-7350 | (866) 934-7467
Situated on a quiet stretch of Atlantic shoreline, The Shores Resort & Spa gracefully combines luxury, comfort, service, and style into an extraordinary beachfront retreat. From private balconies or terraces, the resort’s guest-rooms and suites offer captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean or Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. The resort’s pool is huge but inviting for relaxing and swimming. The Shores offers a long list of luxurious guest services and amenities, including private poolside cabanas, fire pits along the ocean with signature s’mores, exceptional dining, and an intimate spa. In addition, there are more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor adaptable function space for meetings of up to 400 guests. Both pet-friendly and eco-friendly, The Shores Resort & Spa is also a certified Florida Green Lodging resort. For more information on The Shores Resort & Spa, visit www.ShoresResort.com.
Grab a Bite
Good food and even a better location
Racing’s North Turn (NOTE: open until 11 p.m.)
4511 S. Atlantic Avenue
Ponce Inlet 32127
386-322-3258
Voted “Top 10 Florida Beach Bar” for nine years in a row, this iconic and legendary oceanfront beach bar and grill sits on the exact location where car racing history began on the sands of Daytona Beach. Sit inside or outside and enjoy beach food and drinks while gazing out at the ocean. It’s also a bonus that the live music performed at night is very good!
48 W Granada Blvd
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Ormond Garage looks like an old auto repair shop, hence the name Ormond Garage. Once inside the room opens up to a bar and many tables, each with views of televisions to watch the big games. A locally owned and operated craft brewery and eatery in honor of Ormond Beach’s auto racing history. Try it out!
Holidays
Daytona Beach goes all out for the holidays. Here’s a sampling of what’s going on.
November 22 – January 1: Magic of Lights Holiday Display at Daytona International Speedway
December 7: Christmas Boat Parade on the Halifax River
December 10: Second Annual Chriskindlmarket at Ormond Brewing Company
December 31: New Year’s Eve in Daytona Beach
Daytona Turkey Run – November 28-December 1, 2019 – The Daytona Turkey Run presented by Daytona Beach Street Rods, features thousands of unique automobiles and swap meet vendors in the infield of the ‘World Center of Racing’, Daytona International Speedway.
