As the birthplace of NASCAR, Daytona Beach is a mecca for motorsports fans like me.
But when you take a closer look under the hood, the area has so much more to offer.
I love food. On the drive into the hotel I like to scope out each bar and restaurant to note down for later exploration. Right from the get-go, I notice unique looking spots which I found a welcome sight in the land of Big Brand franchises.
Just the drive in on the first night is enough to make my mouth water, but Ill get back to food later.
My first stop is the Hard Rock Hotel, to get settled in and get some much-needed shut-eye. I wake up early the next morning to be blessed with an incredible sunrise, spanning all 23 miles of Daytona Beach.
I can tell you how beautiful that sight is – deep orange tones glistening off the sea as dolphins leap from the water – but you really should see it for yourself. Pair the sight with beginners yoga with a backing track of Foghats Slow Ride, as I did, for the ultimate start to your morning.
If yogas not for you, start the day with shopping at Tanger Outlets, just a short drive away.
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After yoga or shopping, youll need to get some swings in at the LPGA International. Dont worry if youre not experienced in golf – Ive never swung a club in my life. But Malcolms Bar & Grill, located on the green, is a must-visit.
There, I tucked into locally sourced fish, homemade dips, and the best sandwich Ive ever eaten, The Hills Club.
Yep, among the incredible sights of Daytona Beach, its a sandwich that Ill wax lyrical about. Turkey and ham beautifully layered with smoked crispy bacon, a mild cheddar cheese, juice tomatoes, crisp lettuce, all held together with thick cornbread and a flawless fried egg set inside the top layer. Each element of this sandwich is put there with the specific intent to not overpower individual flavours, by some kind of Leonardo DaVinci of the chef world.
Other noteworthy food options on offer include the atmospheric southern hospitality at the Rose Villa along West Granada Boulevard. Built in the late 1800s, the building has a uniquely quaint setting to chow down on their signature crispy fried chicken and waffles.
Then there is the local burger paradise of Daytona Taproom on Seabreeze Boulevard; the perfect spot for an authentic American dive bar vib. Opting for the Big Richard Burger I wasnt disappointed as I bit into two succulent Smashburgers with bacon, a layer of mac and cheese, served between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
If you believe less is more, try this and see if it can change your mind. It also makes for a great place to get shots for the gram.
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For dessert, head along to Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory on Beach Street, where a free tour of their factory includes samples of chocolate covered bacon, of which they sell 1.5 tonnes a year.
While youre there, check out the crowning jewel of Beach Street: Brownie, the town dogs statue. He lived out here as a stray during the 1940s and was loved by the town, who paid for his care and even opened a bank account in his name. Original good boy material.
A 15-minute drive or Uber south and youll find yourself in Ponce Inlet which feeds into the Halifax River. Here you will find the tallest lighthouse in Florida, which is open to the public and has a viewing platform at the top with grand 360-degree views. It turns out the majority of people get freaked out if you lean over the banisters in the staircase as you climb it, so try to avoid doing that.
The area is also home to an amazing marine life centre that works on rehabilitating turtles and seabirds. Their aquatic touch pool houses hermit crabs and stingrays that seem to love the attention and flap against the walls until someone pets them. Based in an area with over 4,000 different species of wildlife along the water, nature lovers will find a lot to view.
Across the road is Ponce Inlet Watersports that provides dolphin and manatee boat tours. Be warned that during the winter months the manatees wont be around due to the cold weather, but youre pretty much guaranteed dolphin sightings on any tour – I saw around a dozen.
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Food and nature visits sorted, lets get to NASCAR.
Starting out as races along Daytona Beach, NASCAR was solidified as one of Americas greatest sports when Big Bill France organised a meeting with fellow drivers to hash out a standardised rule set at the Streamline Hotel. If youre into cars, this is a spot you have to visit.
Following the original track on the beach, you will find a great sports bar called Racings North Turn, which was originally the northern turn of the race track. Go here for original cocktails including a shot with an oyster inside.
The Daytona International Speedway, as its known today, was opened in 1959, when the races moved from the beach to the track. Recently the speedway has undergone a $400 million reimagining and regular tours run, with the more adventurous visitors given the option to pay extra for a quick three laps around the track at 175mRead More – Source
