Daytona Beach coastline by Steven Skelley
Daytona Beach On A Budget
Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Free and Budget Friendly Daytona Beach Attractions
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
It's been called "The World's Most Famous Beach." With 23 miles of beautiful, wide, white, sandy beaches for swimming and tanning, a family-friendly boardwalk area, beaches you can drive your car on, a world famous auto racing history, restaurants, concerts and night-life galore, Daytona Beach has something to offer for travelers of every budget.
If you are looking for a beach vacation without spending a lot of dough, check out our 15 Free and Budget Friendly Daytona Beach Attractions.
Where to stay:
1) Daytona Beach has dozens of quality hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts to choose from. For our stay, we wanted an oceanfront hotel at a very reasonable price. We found the perfect fit in the Oceanside Inn just a few minutes south in Daytona Beach Shores.
The Oceanside Inn's website says, "On the quieter side of Daytona, the Oceanside Inn is an especially warm and welcoming hotel for families and travelers alike."
With 171 rooms, the Oceanside Inn offers a choice of accommodations with standard, ocean, or beachfront views. Guests can take a dip in the oversized freshwater pool while their little ones enjoy the kiddie pool or enjoy 2,250 square-foot terrace garden.
A complimentary breakfast is available each morning and wireless internet access is offered throughout the hotel. Beverages can be purchased at the poolside Tiki Bar & Grille during the day and at night guests can enjoy cocktails at the Mariner Lounge.
That's a lot of assets for an oceanfront hotel with rates as low as $69!
Rates at Oceanside Inn are always low but for special rates, be sure to visit their Specials page at http://www.oceansidedaytona.com/hot-deals/. Current deals include *Gimme 5 - Stay 4 Nights and receive your 5th Night Free! and *Florida Resident discount - receive 15% off the best available rate!
The Oceanside Inn is located at 1909 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.
For more information, visit http://www.oceansidedaytona.com
What to do for free:
2) Enjoy the world famous beach!
Spend a day relaxing, swimming, strolling and tanning on "The World's Most Famous Beach." Daytona Beach's 23 miles of sandy, white beaches are open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access. Cars are permitted only in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset - tidal conditions permitting.
3) Sun Splash Park
Located on South Atlantic Ave. and Revilo Blvd., the oceanfront park features an interactive water fountain, decorative walkways, a shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, outdoor showers, two beach access ramps and a Coca-Cola sponsored "cool zone." The four-acre facility also provides free, off-beach parking. Sun Splash Park is open from sunrise to sunset. It is a perfect playground for the young and the young at heart.
4) Daytona Beach Boardwalk
Located at 12 North Ocean Avenue, the Daytona Beach Boardwalk is a combination of family operated businesses including Joyland Amusement Center, Mardi Gras Fun Center, Pizza King, Lisa's Gift Shop, Michael's on the Beach, Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop, and Phillip's Gift Shop.
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk features outdoor and indoor rides and amusements including classic arcade games such as Pac Man, Galaga and SkeeBall, and new games such as Transformer Deluxe, Super Alpine Racer, Down the Clown, Super Bikes 2, Super Cars 2, Milk Jug Toss, NBA Hoops, Monopoly, and Deadstorm Pirates Deluxe and pinball machines
Guests can Ride the Ferris Wheel, go-karts or the Sand Blaster Roller Coaster or just stroll the boardwalk enjoying street performers, jugglers and escape artists.
Firework displays are held every Saturday night at 9:45 from Memorial Day through Labor Day! For a listing of the Free Summer Concerts, please click www.bandshell.info Also, we have street performers, such as jugglers and escape artists, for your entertainment and plenty of activities all the time!
For more information, visit http://www.daytonabeachboardwalk.com/
5) Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell
This beautiful concert venue has been the beachside setting for concerts since 1938. Friends of the Bandshell presents a variety of performing artists from local high school and college groups to regional and nationally known professionals. Musical styles include Big Band, Swing, Jazz, Blues, Latin, Folk, Country and Gospel. The 2015 Summer schedule includes trubutes to The Eagles, U2, Heart, Styx, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen. Be sure to stick around for the free fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Remember to bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on.
For more information, visit http://www.bandshell.info/
6) The Casements
Just a short drive to 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, FL will bring you to The Casements - the former home of one of the richest men in the world. Formerly the winter home of multi-millionaire John D. Rockefeller, The Casements now serves as the City of Ormond Beach's cultural center and museum containing art and historical exhibits. Free tours of the Rockefeller period rooms and other exhibits are offered 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 -11:30 a.m., Saturday.
For more information, visit http://www.thecasements.net/
7) Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour
Located in the historic Riverfront Shops at 154 South Beach St., Daytona Beach, Angell & Phelps Chocolates has been a chocolate lover's dream since 1925. Free, 30-minute guided tours take guests through the chocolate-making process. Tours begin at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. each Monday through Saturday.
For more information, visit http://angellandphelps.com/tours.html
8) Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue
Located at located at 105 East Orange Avenue, Jackie Robinson Ballpark pays tribute to the ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson.The stadium is named for Robinson because Daytona Beach was the first Florida city to allow Robinson to play during the 1946 season's spring training. Other cities had refused to allow an African-American to play.
The ballpark features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum. Group tours are available by appointment. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, phone 386-257-3172.
What to do on a budget:
9) The Peabody
Just steps away from the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, the Peabody Auditorium stage has hosted Liberace, Red Skelton, Liza Minelli, Shirley MacLaine, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Margo Fonteyn, Rudolf Nuryev, Tom Jones, Louie Armstrong, Jackie Mason, Itzhak Perlman, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Willie Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Al Hirt, Sammy Davis Jr., Engelbert Humperdinck, David Copperfield and Dave Brubeck. Acclaimed Broadway musicals and touring productions including CATS, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Chicago, STOMP, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Riverdance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Daytona Beach Symphony Society.
This historic theater is an excellent place to watch world-class talent in an intimate venue.
For more information, visit http://www.peabodyauditorium.org/
10) Marine Science Center
A short drive away at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida is the Marine Science Center where guests can explore conservation themes and witness current rehabilitation efforts for live sea turtles and seabirds, explore fascinating mangrove and whale exhibits and meet the residents of a huge, artificial reef aquarium. If you've ever wanted to pet a live, swimming stingray, this is your opportunity!
For more information, visit http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/
11) Daytona International Speedway Tour
Take a ride through Daytona International Speedway's infield and witness the 31-degree high banks and pass through NASCAR garages as you learn about the history of Daytona International Speedway. Guests travel along Pit Road and discover how NASCAR's top drivers prep for the largest motorsports event of the year. opurs are offered daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Admission is $16.
For more information, visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tours
12) Captain Mike's Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise
Located in nearby Ponce Inlet, Captain Mike offers several options for sightseeing and fishing cruises. We enjoyed the Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise along the wetland and scenic shores of the Indian River. Guests may view manatees, dolphins, birds, historic waterfront homes and the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse.
For more information and to download a $3.00 Off Coupon, visit http://www.manateecruise.com/special.html
13) Museum Of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
The Museum Of Arts & Sciences at 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida features vintage automobiles, railroad cars, the largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia in Florida, The Cuban Foundation Museum, The Charles and Linda Williams Children's Museum, Helene B. Roberson Visible Storage Building, Florida's prehistoric Giant Ground Sloth skeleton, African artifacts, the finest collection of American art in the Southeast, a Chinese art collection, a planetarium presenting daily star shows and weekly laser shows and the most extensive collection of Florida art anywhere in the world.
MOAS offers Free First Tuesdays on the first Tuesday of each month with free admission (planetarium not included) to Volusia County residents with proof of residency, such as driver's license, library card, or utility bill.
We spent hours in the museum and on the scenic walking trails around it. We agreed that we have never enjoyed a planetarium experience more than we did at MOAS. "Back to the Moon For Good" was simply an amazing production.
For more information, visit http://www.moas.org/main.cfm
Where to eat:
14) Daytona Beach dining options are a pleasant surprise. Whether you're seeking oceanfront seafood, inexpensive fast food or a gourmet dining experience, the burgeoning restaurant scene offers adelectable options in multiple neighborhoods.
The Daytona Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau website says, "Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas are world famous for fresh seafood, local produce and everything in between. Whether you're craving grass-fed filet mignon, seafood lasagna, Asian fusion fare, handcrafted hops or just a good old American cheeseburger, Daytona Beach has you and your taste buds covered."
We enjoyed Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores. Crabby Joe's has "a simple, rustic decor with an emphasis on the nautical theme. The pier and the ocean are the focus of the casual eatery with a view of the water from every seat."
Crabby Joe's offers "a large selection of fresh seafood and land-lover specialties guarenteed to please the most selective of eaters" and guests are welcome to enjoy a meal in their bathing suits.
For more information on Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier, visit http://www.sunglowpier.com/
For more information on dining choices, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/restaurants/
Resources for travelers with disabilities:
15) The Accessible Daytona Beach site, written by disability consultant Steve Deal, is an excellent resource for travelers seeking accommodation for sight, hearing or mobility disabilities. The site provides a list of accessible hotel, restaurant, attraction and concert venues as well as great tips for getting around.
Unique Surf Chairs can be reserved at no cost so that travelers with disabilities visitors can experience the beautiful beaches.
For more information, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/accessibility/
Conclusion:
Daytona Beach is world-famous for good reason. Whatever your idea of a great vacation location is - Daytona Beach and its surrounding community can almost certainly fulfill it. What's even better is that Daytona Beach has something to offer for travelers of every budget.
For more information on Daytona Beach attractions and accommodations, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/
By Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2015 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, florida, Accessible Daytona Beach, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong, Daytona Beach dining, Museum Of Arts & Sciences, MOAS, Captain Mike's, Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise, Daytona International Speedway Tour, Marine Science Center, Peabody Auditorium, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour, The Casements, Rockefeller, Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell, Daytona Beach Boardwalk, Sun Splash Park, Oceanside Inn, Apollo Beach, nudist, naturist, nude beach, New Smyrna, Family Travelers Magazine, family travel,
Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Free and Budget Friendly Daytona Beach Attractions
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
It's been called "The World's Most Famous Beach." With 23 miles of beautiful, wide, white, sandy beaches for swimming and tanning, a family-friendly boardwalk area, beaches you can drive your car on, a world famous auto racing history, restaurants, concerts and night-life galore, Daytona Beach has something to offer for travelers of every budget.
If you are looking for a beach vacation without spending a lot of dough, check out our 15 Free and Budget Friendly Daytona Beach Attractions.
Where to stay:
1) Daytona Beach has dozens of quality hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts to choose from. For our stay, we wanted an oceanfront hotel at a very reasonable price. We found the perfect fit in the Oceanside Inn just a few minutes south in Daytona Beach Shores.
The Oceanside Inn's website says, "On the quieter side of Daytona, the Oceanside Inn is an especially warm and welcoming hotel for families and travelers alike."
With 171 rooms, the Oceanside Inn offers a choice of accommodations with standard, ocean, or beachfront views. Guests can take a dip in the oversized freshwater pool while their little ones enjoy the kiddie pool or enjoy 2,250 square-foot terrace garden.
A complimentary breakfast is available each morning and wireless internet access is offered throughout the hotel. Beverages can be purchased at the poolside Tiki Bar & Grille during the day and at night guests can enjoy cocktails at the Mariner Lounge.
That's a lot of assets for an oceanfront hotel with rates as low as $69!
Rates at Oceanside Inn are always low but for special rates, be sure to visit their Specials page at http://www.oceansidedaytona.com/hot-deals/. Current deals include *Gimme 5 - Stay 4 Nights and receive your 5th Night Free! and *Florida Resident discount - receive 15% off the best available rate!
The Oceanside Inn is located at 1909 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.
For more information, visit http://www.oceansidedaytona.com
What to do for free:
2) Enjoy the world famous beach!
Spend a day relaxing, swimming, strolling and tanning on "The World's Most Famous Beach." Daytona Beach's 23 miles of sandy, white beaches are open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access. Cars are permitted only in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset - tidal conditions permitting.
3) Sun Splash Park
Located on South Atlantic Ave. and Revilo Blvd., the oceanfront park features an interactive water fountain, decorative walkways, a shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, outdoor showers, two beach access ramps and a Coca-Cola sponsored "cool zone." The four-acre facility also provides free, off-beach parking. Sun Splash Park is open from sunrise to sunset. It is a perfect playground for the young and the young at heart.
4) Daytona Beach Boardwalk
Located at 12 North Ocean Avenue, the Daytona Beach Boardwalk is a combination of family operated businesses including Joyland Amusement Center, Mardi Gras Fun Center, Pizza King, Lisa's Gift Shop, Michael's on the Beach, Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop, and Phillip's Gift Shop.
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk features outdoor and indoor rides and amusements including classic arcade games such as Pac Man, Galaga and SkeeBall, and new games such as Transformer Deluxe, Super Alpine Racer, Down the Clown, Super Bikes 2, Super Cars 2, Milk Jug Toss, NBA Hoops, Monopoly, and Deadstorm Pirates Deluxe and pinball machines
Guests can Ride the Ferris Wheel, go-karts or the Sand Blaster Roller Coaster or just stroll the boardwalk enjoying street performers, jugglers and escape artists.
Firework displays are held every Saturday night at 9:45 from Memorial Day through Labor Day! For a listing of the Free Summer Concerts, please click www.bandshell.info Also, we have street performers, such as jugglers and escape artists, for your entertainment and plenty of activities all the time!
For more information, visit http://www.daytonabeachboardwalk.com/
5) Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell
This beautiful concert venue has been the beachside setting for concerts since 1938. Friends of the Bandshell presents a variety of performing artists from local high school and college groups to regional and nationally known professionals. Musical styles include Big Band, Swing, Jazz, Blues, Latin, Folk, Country and Gospel. The 2015 Summer schedule includes trubutes to The Eagles, U2, Heart, Styx, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen. Be sure to stick around for the free fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Remember to bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on.
For more information, visit http://www.bandshell.info/
6) The Casements
Just a short drive to 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, FL will bring you to The Casements - the former home of one of the richest men in the world. Formerly the winter home of multi-millionaire John D. Rockefeller, The Casements now serves as the City of Ormond Beach's cultural center and museum containing art and historical exhibits. Free tours of the Rockefeller period rooms and other exhibits are offered 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 -11:30 a.m., Saturday.
For more information, visit http://www.thecasements.net/
7) Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour
Located in the historic Riverfront Shops at 154 South Beach St., Daytona Beach, Angell & Phelps Chocolates has been a chocolate lover's dream since 1925. Free, 30-minute guided tours take guests through the chocolate-making process. Tours begin at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. each Monday through Saturday.
For more information, visit http://angellandphelps.com/tours.html
8) Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue
Located at located at 105 East Orange Avenue, Jackie Robinson Ballpark pays tribute to the ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson.The stadium is named for Robinson because Daytona Beach was the first Florida city to allow Robinson to play during the 1946 season's spring training. Other cities had refused to allow an African-American to play.
The ballpark features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum. Group tours are available by appointment. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, phone 386-257-3172.
What to do on a budget:
9) The Peabody
Just steps away from the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, the Peabody Auditorium stage has hosted Liberace, Red Skelton, Liza Minelli, Shirley MacLaine, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Margo Fonteyn, Rudolf Nuryev, Tom Jones, Louie Armstrong, Jackie Mason, Itzhak Perlman, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Willie Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Al Hirt, Sammy Davis Jr., Engelbert Humperdinck, David Copperfield and Dave Brubeck. Acclaimed Broadway musicals and touring productions including CATS, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Chicago, STOMP, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Riverdance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Daytona Beach Symphony Society.
This historic theater is an excellent place to watch world-class talent in an intimate venue.
For more information, visit http://www.peabodyauditorium.org/
10) Marine Science Center
A short drive away at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida is the Marine Science Center where guests can explore conservation themes and witness current rehabilitation efforts for live sea turtles and seabirds, explore fascinating mangrove and whale exhibits and meet the residents of a huge, artificial reef aquarium. If you've ever wanted to pet a live, swimming stingray, this is your opportunity!
For more information, visit http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/
11) Daytona International Speedway Tour
Take a ride through Daytona International Speedway's infield and witness the 31-degree high banks and pass through NASCAR garages as you learn about the history of Daytona International Speedway. Guests travel along Pit Road and discover how NASCAR's top drivers prep for the largest motorsports event of the year. opurs are offered daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Admission is $16.
For more information, visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tours
12) Captain Mike's Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise
Located in nearby Ponce Inlet, Captain Mike offers several options for sightseeing and fishing cruises. We enjoyed the Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise along the wetland and scenic shores of the Indian River. Guests may view manatees, dolphins, birds, historic waterfront homes and the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse.
For more information and to download a $3.00 Off Coupon, visit http://www.manateecruise.com/special.html
13) Museum Of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
The Museum Of Arts & Sciences at 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida features vintage automobiles, railroad cars, the largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia in Florida, The Cuban Foundation Museum, The Charles and Linda Williams Children's Museum, Helene B. Roberson Visible Storage Building, Florida's prehistoric Giant Ground Sloth skeleton, African artifacts, the finest collection of American art in the Southeast, a Chinese art collection, a planetarium presenting daily star shows and weekly laser shows and the most extensive collection of Florida art anywhere in the world.
MOAS offers Free First Tuesdays on the first Tuesday of each month with free admission (planetarium not included) to Volusia County residents with proof of residency, such as driver's license, library card, or utility bill.
We spent hours in the museum and on the scenic walking trails around it. We agreed that we have never enjoyed a planetarium experience more than we did at MOAS. "Back to the Moon For Good" was simply an amazing production.
For more information, visit http://www.moas.org/main.cfm
Where to eat:
14) Daytona Beach dining options are a pleasant surprise. Whether you're seeking oceanfront seafood, inexpensive fast food or a gourmet dining experience, the burgeoning restaurant scene offers adelectable options in multiple neighborhoods.
The Daytona Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau website says, "Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas are world famous for fresh seafood, local produce and everything in between. Whether you're craving grass-fed filet mignon, seafood lasagna, Asian fusion fare, handcrafted hops or just a good old American cheeseburger, Daytona Beach has you and your taste buds covered."
We enjoyed Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores. Crabby Joe's has "a simple, rustic decor with an emphasis on the nautical theme. The pier and the ocean are the focus of the casual eatery with a view of the water from every seat."
Crabby Joe's offers "a large selection of fresh seafood and land-lover specialties guarenteed to please the most selective of eaters" and guests are welcome to enjoy a meal in their bathing suits.
For more information on Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill on the Sunglow Pier, visit http://www.sunglowpier.com/
For more information on dining choices, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/restaurants/
Resources for travelers with disabilities:
15) The Accessible Daytona Beach site, written by disability consultant Steve Deal, is an excellent resource for travelers seeking accommodation for sight, hearing or mobility disabilities. The site provides a list of accessible hotel, restaurant, attraction and concert venues as well as great tips for getting around.
Unique Surf Chairs can be reserved at no cost so that travelers with disabilities visitors can experience the beautiful beaches.
For more information, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/accessibility/
Conclusion:
Daytona Beach is world-famous for good reason. Whatever your idea of a great vacation location is - Daytona Beach and its surrounding community can almost certainly fulfill it. What's even better is that Daytona Beach has something to offer for travelers of every budget.
For more information on Daytona Beach attractions and accommodations, visit http://www.daytonabeach.com/
By Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2015 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, florida, Accessible Daytona Beach, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong, Daytona Beach dining, Museum Of Arts & Sciences, MOAS, Captain Mike's, Intracoastal Sightseeing Cruise, Daytona International Speedway Tour, Marine Science Center, Peabody Auditorium, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour, The Casements, Rockefeller, Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell, Daytona Beach Boardwalk, Sun Splash Park, Oceanside Inn, Apollo Beach, nudist, naturist, nude beach, New Smyrna, Family Travelers Magazine, family travel,
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