Like many families, our spring break plans were almost derailed by unpredictable weather. Originally set for the Outer Banks, North Carolina (OBX), a dreary forecast pushed us to seek sunshine elsewhere. A quick Google search pointed us to Daytona Beach, Florida – promising warmth and family-friendly vibes. Despite the ten-hour drive, it proved to be an excellent spontaneous decision! My childhood memories of Daytona were vague, and online reviews were mixed, mentioning some rundown areas alongside family-friendly attractions. Curiosity piqued, we decided to experience Daytona Beach firsthand. What we discovered was a destination brimming with activities perfect for families. Yes, some parts showed their age, but numerous areas were vibrant, welcoming, and definitely worth a return visit.
Family-Friendly Daytona Beach Activities
10 Exciting Family Things To Do In Daytona Beach
- Beach Day Bliss: Our Daytona adventure naturally began at the beach. We headed straight to the central boardwalk area, and the beautiful sunshine and ocean breeze were exactly what we needed. Daytona Beach is known for allowing cars on certain sections of the beach, which was a new experience for us. While initially a bit unsettling with kids, the traffic was light, and designated pedestrian-only zones are available. While exploring the beachfront, we observed some areas undergoing new development alongside older, less maintained buildings. However, this didn’t detract from the overall family fun available.
Family enjoying Daytona Beach with minimal car traffic
- Explore the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences: A few days into our trip, we immersed ourselves in culture at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. While art museums might not always top kids’ lists, their dedicated children’s museum was a huge hit.
Engaging exhibits at Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences
The hands-on exhibits captivated our boys, particularly the car-building station where they designed and raced their own creations.
Children interacting with car exhibit at Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences
- Ponce De Leon Springs State Park & Pancake Fun at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill: A unique suggestion for family things to do was visiting the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, located within Ponce De Leon Springs State Park. This restaurant offers a fun, interactive dining experience. They bring batter and various toppings to your table, allowing you to cook pancakes right in front of you!
Family pancake cooking experience at Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House Daytona Beach
It was a breakfast highlight for the kids, and the pancakes were delicious. The restaurant is situated inside Ponce De Leon Springs State Park, known for its consistently cool 68-degree spring water.
Scenic Ponce De Leon State Park natural spring Daytona Beach
Although we only briefly explored the spring area due to our pancake reservation, the park offers boat tours, paddleboat rentals, and kayaking for more outdoor family adventures.
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Go-Karts, Arcades, and Mini Golf at Daytona Lagoon: No beach vacation with kids is complete without go-karts! Daytona Lagoon provided the perfect dose of adrenaline and classic arcade fun. My boys are go-kart enthusiasts, so this was a must-do.
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Luxury Movie Night at Daytona One: For an evening of relaxation and entertainment, we enjoyed a movie at the Cobb Luxury Theater in the Daytona One shopping center. Daytona One is a developing area but already boasts attractive shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Its location across from the Daytona International Speedway was convenient for our hotel.
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Day Trip to Disney World: Being Disney aficionados, a day trip to the Magic Kingdom was tempting. Disney World is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Daytona Beach. However, our spontaneous trip coincided with spring break, which meant extreme crowds.
Overcrowded Main Street at Disney's Magic Kingdom during spring break
The park was incredibly packed, making it challenging to enjoy rides or even navigate comfortably. While we love Disney, this experience reinforced the importance of visiting during off-peak times. Our last-minute ticket purchase also meant no FastPass options, resulting in long waits for just a few rides. Lesson learned: spontaneous Disney trips during peak season are best avoided!
- Retail Therapy at Tanger Outlets: A visit to Tanger Outlets was a highlight for me – a chance for some shopping. For the kids? Perhaps less so initially.
Kids playing at Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach
However, they found entertainment rolling down a grassy hill in the courtyard, proving that simple pleasures can be just as fun.
- Charming Ponce Inlet and Hidden Treasure Restaurant: Towards the end of our trip, we ventured to Ponce Inlet and had lunch at Hidden Treasure, located near the lighthouse.
Waterfront dining at Hidden Treasure Restaurant Ponce Inlet Daytona Beach
Ponce Inlet offered a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. While waiting for our table at Hidden Treasure, the kids enjoyed the lighthouse playground and exploring the marina.
Outdoor seating area at Hidden Treasure Restaurant in Ponce Inlet
Hidden Treasure turned out to be a dining favorite. The delicious food and waterfront setting, complete with a resident egret, created a memorable experience.
- Discovering New Smyrna Beach: Exploring surrounding areas is always on our travel itinerary. After Ponce Inlet, we continued to New Smyrna Beach and discovered a place that instantly captured our hearts.
Quaint street in New Smyrna Beach Daytona Beach family vacation
New Smyrna Beach has a charming blend of laid-back beach town vibes, reminiscent of Folly Beach and Nags Head. It features a mix of smaller hotels, condos, and houses, creating a less crowded feel.
Beachfront condos and homes in New Smyrna Beach Florida
The palm-lined streets with colorful boutique shops and restaurants were particularly appealing. We loved it so much we extended our trip by a day to stay overnight in New Smyrna Beach. For future visits, New Smyrna Beach is definitely where we plan to stay!
Boutique shops along a palm-lined street in New Smyrna Beach Florida
- Dolphin Spotting at Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park: While in New Smyrna Beach, we made a stop at Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park. This park offers a waterfront walkway known for manatee sightings. Although we didn’t see manatees, we were delighted to watch dolphins playing in the water and observe a heron catching fish up close.
Overall, our spontaneous trip to Daytona Beach was a fantastic success. The sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and abundance of family-friendly activities made it a memorable vacation.
Have you explored Daytona Beach with your family?
-Brooke
