They don’t call it the “World’s Most Famous Beach” for nothing, and summer is the ideal time to see what all the buzz is about in Daytona Beach. From the legendary sands to the iconic Daytona International Speedway, and from nature parks to a Smithsonian-affiliated art and science museum, this Central Florida getaway has all the ingredients of a classic summer road trip destination.

Whether you’re going on a moment’s notice or planning in advance, here's a 3-night itinerary that will ensure you hit all the high notes on your adventure.

Day 1: Drive in. Check in. Dive in.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a Florida beach town that's easier to reach for your summer getaway; major highways I-95 and I-4 intersect just a few miles from Daytona Beach's shores. If you're coming from a nearby town to the north, you'll want to cruise in along the Atlantic coastline on Highway A1A—with the top down, if your vehicle allows.

Once you've arrived, check in to your beachfront hotel—the Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront, for example, the area's newest. The modern-chic, palm-studded oceanfront pool deck and stylish guest rooms with subtle nods to the area's race car roots are just a few of the features worth luxuriating in.

The 1- to 3-bedroom condos (which include kitchens and washer/driers families love) at Max Beach Resort and the rock star-themed rooms and suites at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach are solid choices, too—both just steps from the sand. 

It goes without saying that your next move should be a dip in the ocean—inarguably the best way to refresh after a long car ride. But it will hardly be a cold plunge—ocean temperatures in the summer are usually north of 80 degrees. Spread out on a lounger or a beach blanket. Toss a frisbee around. You can even take an oceanside bike ride, thanks to the hard-packed sand here. 

Post-swim, take a stroll on the classic Daytona Beach Boardwalk. The nostalgic strip is home to gift shops, snack bars and a kid-favorite arcade with skee ball and video games. Oceanview dining options abound here, too. Try Ocean Deck for a meal that syncs perfectly with the day's beach theme. Shrimp, lobster, crab legs and clam chowder are all specialties—and there's live music daily at this Caribbean-themed hot spot.

After dinner, take a walk to the end of the Main Street Pier for sweeping views of the water. Simultaneously enjoying an ice cream cone or bag of taffy from Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop is optional, but encouraged. 

Day 2: Tour the icons of Daytona Beach

Take your second day in town to experience firsthand some of the iconic attractions that have put Daytona Beach on the map. In first place, fittingly, is the Daytona International Speedway, which offers tours daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's a good idea to book in advance and to grab one of the earliest tour times if you'd prefer a smaller group.

You'll get to explore the massive and historic race track via a ride on an open-air tram. And no, the tram's engine is not turbo-charged, but you may see real race cars zipping around the track while you're there. Either way, you'll feel like a winner when you snap a selfie at Victory Lane—the area where the pros are awarded their trophies as the confetti rains down.

You'll also get to view race cars up close in the garage and catch the view from the top of the state-of-the-art, 101,500-seat facility—which has sold out for every Daytona 500 over the past decade. 

The fully guided tour also covers entrance to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, where tour-goers can view the winning car from the 2025 Daytona 500, and much more racing memorabilia. 

Note:  An alternate idea way to spend the morning for those who can't bear to tear themselves away from the water: a World Famous Boat Tour. The company's wildlife tours depart throughout the day, but the early hours are especially great for spotting dolphins and other native fauna.

At lunchtime, head over to Brickyard Lounge and Grill, just 2.5 miles east of the Speedway. The restaurant has built up a reputation over the past 30+ years as the best burger spot in town, and the quirky A-frame building it's housed in adds to its charm. And with menu items like "Green Flag Salads," "Backstretch BLTs" and "Pit Stop Pastrami" sandwiches, there's little danger of forgetting where you are. 

Once your tanks are topped up, it's on to the next stop: Jackie Robinson Ballpark. This Minor League Baseball (MiLB) park serves up a major slice of sports history as the site of the first racially integrated Spring Training game in 1946.

Jackie Robinson, who later became the first Black player signed to a Major League Baseball team, was the headline-making player. The ballpark was designated a National Commemorative Site by former President Joe Biden. It's also part of the African American Civil Rights Network—a National Parks Service program that highlights the contributions of the African American community to the Civil Rights Movement.

You can visit MiLB's oldest stadium—whose location on a man-made island is almost as intriguing as its story—to view the Jackie Robinson statue and tour the onsite museum. The home team, the Daytona Tortugas, has a packed summer schedule, including a July 4th game against the St. Lucie Mets that will be capped off with a fireworks show. 

If you're not staying for a game, drive back to the beach to experience another famous Daytona Beach site: the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Climb the 203 steps and you'll be looking out from the tallest lighthouse in Florida (and the third-largest in the United States). Browse the museum (covered with your lighthouse admission ticket) to discover all kinds of cool local maritime history. 

All that stair-climbing will no doubt leave your traveling party ready to eat. Luckily, Ponce Inlet has a number of great waterfront restaurants within walking distance from the lighthouse. Try Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill, for example. The house-made cheesy crab fritters are a perennial favorite, along with shrimp and grits that comes smothered in a Cajun sauce. Down the Hatch Seafood is known for serving plates of plump oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp plus decadent main dishes like bacon-wrapped scallops in chili-peanut sauce.

Racing's North Turn is located about 2.5 miles north of the lighthouse with a sprawling open-air deck overlooking the beach and the ocean. The restaurant is set on the site of the Daytona's first race track—yes, cars and motorcycles raced directly on the sand in the 1930s and 1940s. You'll feel the racing heritage at every "turn"—via the memorabilia inside and a menu studded with options like the "Finish Line New York Strip Steak" and the "Pit Crew Chicken Quesadillas." Live music starts at 6 p.m. nightly.

Day 3: Unwind with nature and music

If you've never been to Daytona Beach before, you may be surprised to find out that the area is home to a 2,000-acre nature preserve. Tomoka State Park is located just north of Ormond Beach along the Tomoka River.

Head out in the morning on your third day to enjoy a scenic hike and a kayak or canoe ride. Rentals are available at the Tomoka Outpost facility and shop inside the park—and as a bonus, you can grab a post-paddle beer and other refreshments there, too. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including gopher tortoises, otters, manatees, alligators and numerous wading bird species. 

Note: If your crew includes young kids, you might also consider spending the early part of your third day at the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure. Intriguing animal sightings are guaranteed, thanks to its state-of-the-art shark tank, large reptile exhibit and stingray touch tank. Eight new VR experience options add to the immersive fun. 

Grab lunch in Ormond Beach at one of the area's standout eateries. Rose Villa offers classic Southern cuisine in a beautifully restored Victorian home. Buttery biscuits, deviled eggs and hearty chicken pot pie are all on the menu. Or dive into a plate of Cajun specialties at RiverGrille on the Tomoka, where choices include gator bites, po boy sandwiches and spicy jambalaya. 

Cap off a great day with a concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell. The beautiful beachside stage hosts events throughout the summer, including concert series on Friday and Saturday nights. General admission tickets are free, but for those who'd like a seat, the cost is $15. 

For a post-show bite or cocktail, the nearby Ocean Walk Shoppes have a number of options, including the seafood-focused Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and the boldly self-deprecating Dick's Last Resort.

And for those looking to extend their last night in town, late-night options around the beach and the bandshell include the Polynesia-inspired Mai Tai Bar, which is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Or take a 10- to 15-minute cab ride north to Ormond Beach's Art Deco-style 31 Supper Club for handcrafted cocktails and top-notch live music. It's open until 1 a.m. on weekends. 

Day 4: Get a dose of culture for the road

Whether you're headed home or to another stop on your summer road trip, use your last morning in town to "fuel up" with some of Daytona Beach's best brunch. You'll have no shortage of options, including the aptly named Brunch Daytona. The restaurant delights guests with decadent morning treats (including bacon pancakes and bananas foster French toast) while also offering a range of omelets and gluten-free specialties.

Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier is also a consistent crowd pleaser, not least for its over-the-ocean dining experience; there's nothing like taking your morning coffee while the tide rolls in beneath your feet. Morning specialties include platters like crab cake Benedict with grits plus chicken and waffles with hot honey. 

If you have time for one last stop before hitting the highway, make it the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS). The 100,000 square-foot facility features intriguing exhibits to suit a range of interests—and the air-conditioned indoor attractions will leave you sweat- and sand-free so you'll stay comfortable on your drive.

The campus includes a children's museum, a planetarium, an Americana museum (featuring Coca-Cola memorabilia, teddy bears and open-wheel race cars) and an art museum showcasing the world's largest collection of Florida art. It's also home to the L. Gale Lemerand Wing, where visitors will find museums dedicated to Cuban fine and folk art, Florida's pre-history (exhibits include the locally discovered remains of a giant ground sloth) and historic weaponry.

The wing also hosts rotating exhibitions like the current Shoosty Bugs: An Art Infestation (through January 2026). Artist Stephen Shooster's insect-themed creations—elegantly etched onto color-saturated silks—will give your whole traveling crew something to ponder on the car ride ahead. 

Ready to go? Check out these offers on Daytona Beach stays and experiences.