Planning the perfect Daytona Beach weekend itinerary?
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Daytona Beach for a weekend, where to stay, and what to eat, we can help! Our ultimate guide covers the top hotels, can’t-miss sights, and easy day trips from Daytona Beach so you can plan your own amazing trip to this underrated gem.
Daytona Beach is a perfect destination for a romantic beach trip, a family getaway, or a quick day trip drive from nearby St. Augustine or Cape Canaveral. Get ready to explore one of the best beach destinations in Florida with sunshine, great food, and scenic views!☀️
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There are so many amazing things to do in Daytona like scenic lighthouses, iconic boardwalks, waterfront dining, and the infamous raceway nearby. There really is something for everyone. Plus, some of the best hotels are right on the beach so you’ll have amazing sunset and sunrise views! The best part is that it can be less expensive than other beach locations too!
Let our guide help you make the most of your bucket list trip with the best Daytona Beach things to see and do for your weekend itinerary.
- Planning the perfect Daytona Beach weekend itinerary?
- 🌊 Where to Stay in Daytona Beach
- 🎡 What are the best things to do in Daytona Beach?
- 🍴 Where are the Best Places to Eat in Daytona Beach?
- 🌴 Favorite Trusted Tours & Best Day Trips From Daytona
- 🌟 Fun Facts About Daytona Beach: History, Culture & Local Tips
- ❓FAQs About Visiting Daytona Beach for a Weekend Trip
- ✨ Why Daytona Beach is a Perfect Weekend Getaway
- Must-pack Essentials for your Daytona Beach Trip:
- Keep Reading For More Travel Inspiration Tips:
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🌊 Where to Stay in Daytona Beach
Looking for the best hotels in Daytona Beach on the beach with oceanfront views and easy access to the beach? We love these hotels because they are perfect for a weekend trip and all have amazing views.
- Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort – Located directly on the beach and steps from the boardwalk, this is a favorite for beachfront convenience and on-site dining. Read Reviews and Check Rates
- Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach – With a sleek vibe, ocean view rooms, and live music events, it’s perfect for couples or a girls’ weekend trip. Read Reviews and Check Rates
- The Shores Resort & Spa – This upscale oceanfront boutique hotel sits just south of Daytona Beach Shores and offers a serene spa and poolside fire pits. Read Reviews and Check Rates
- Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort – One of the newer luxury hotels on the strip and on the beach, offering stunning views and modern amenities. Read Reviews and Check Rates
🎡 What are the best things to do in Daytona Beach?
Whether you’re looking for beach relaxation or full-on adventures, here are some of the best things that we loved doing in Daytona Beach on our weekend trip. We included our favorites to help you plan too! We booked our tours except for the Lighthouse with GetYourGuide because they had the best options, free cancellation, and it was easy to have all of our vouchers on our phone.
- Walk the Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier – Ride the Ferris wheel, play arcade games, and enjoy oceanfront snacks while soaking in the classic boardwalk vibes.
- Tour the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum – Just 20 minutes south, this historic lighthouse is Florida’s tallest. Climb to the top for panoramic views and photos. (we got our first Lighthouse Passport stamp here!)
- Go beach biking – For a fun Daytona experience take a bike tour along the hard-packed beach sand. (Some hotels have bikes to use for free)
- Take a Beach Segway Tour – This was a unique way to see the coastline and it was easier than we expected!
- Catch a sunrise or sunset – Take a sunset champagne boat tour! The beach is wide and open here, offering spectacular sunrise/sunset views right over the ocean.
- Daytona International Speedway – Even if you’re not a racing fan, the tours and museum are super cool.
🍴 Where are the Best Places to Eat in Daytona Beach?
Daytona is full of great local spots to eat! Some of these amazing Daytona restaurants offer great ocean views too! Here are a few must-try places that we love:
- Crabby’s Oceanside – Casual dining right on the beach with great seafood and cocktails.
- Chart House – Upscale waterfront dining with fresh seafood and a killer happy hour.
- The Oyster Pub – Fun, lively atmosphere with great wings, oysters, and big screens if you want to catch a game.
- Donnie’s Donuts – Don’t leave without grabbing a gourmet donut here (try the maple bacon or fruity pebbles!).
🌴 Favorite Trusted Tours & Best Day Trips From Daytona
Want to explore more or see Daytona from a different angle? These fun tours are easy to book ahead of time and some can even be done on your own without a guided tour:
- 🚤 Eco Boat Tour in Ponce Inlet – See dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife in this scenic waterway. Book a trusted tour here.
- 🌅 Take a Unique Paddle Pub Boat Tour – A relaxing BYOB paddle pub boat tour in the Inter-coastal with amazing views.
- 🏁 Daytona Speedway 500 Nascar Race Ticket – Catch an adrenaline-fueled race at the iconic speedway—great for all ages!
- 🏖️ Day trip to St. Augustine – Just an hour north, Florida’s oldest city is full of history, shops, and fun ghost tours. Check out what to do in St. Augustine.
- 🚀 Excursion to Cape Canaveral – Only 1.5 hours south, perfect for a NASA day trip! Visit Kennedy Space Center -Tickets here.
🌟 Fun Facts About Daytona Beach: History, Culture & Local Tips
- 🚗 You Can Drive on the Beach!
Daytona Beach is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can legally drive your car right on the sand. There are designated driving and parking zones along the hard-packed beach, and it’s a fun novelty for first-time visitors and we love it because your car is close to where you set up. - 🏁 Birthplace of Speed
Before the Daytona International Speedway was built, races were held right on the beach in the early 1900s. The packed sand and wide shore made it ideal for testing fast cars – hence Daytona’s nickname, “The Birthplace of Speed.” - 🎸 Hard Rock Hotel with a Music Vibe
Daytona Beach is home to one of only a few beachfront Hard Rock Hotels, offering live music, rock memorabilia, and a luxury experience with fun. - 🎡 Historic Boardwalk Since the 1930s
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk has been a coastal attraction for nearly a century. It still has an old-school vibe with arcades, rides, funnel cakes, and great live music nearby during summer months. - 🚦 Famous for Bike Week and Biketoberfest
Daytona isn’t just about cars, it’s also home to Bike Week in March and Biketoberfest in October, bringing in motorcycle enthusiasts from around the country. If you want to avoid huge crowds, steer clear of those weekends. - 🌞 Over 230 Days of Sunshine a Year
On average, Daytona Beach enjoys more than 230 sunny days a year, making it a great year-round destination for beach lovers.
Know Before you go: Daytona Beach
- Beach driving fees & passes (2025): $30/day or $150 annual pass for non-residents; off-beach parking $20/day or $100 annual pass. Residents have complimentary access via Park Volusia registration. Hours: vehicles allowed sunrise–sunset (Nov–Apr) and 8am–7pm or sundown (May–Oct) (tide-permitting).
- Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is 175 ft, 203 steps – a great challenge!
❓FAQs About Visiting Daytona Beach for a Weekend Trip
Late April throughMay and mid-September – October usually bring fewer crowds and cheaper hotel rates compared to Spring Break and major event weeks like Daytona 500 and bike week.
Yes! Daytona Beach offers a mix of kid-friendly activities and grown-up fun. Families love the Boardwalk, Daytona Lagoon Water Park, mini golf, and climbing Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Just be mindful of the party vibe during peak Spring Break weeks if you’re traveling with kiddos.
Two to three days is perfect for a weekend itinerary: one beach/boardwalk day, one lighthouse + wildlife/boat day, and time for a sunset cruise or the Speedway tour.
For a quieter feel, travelers often compare Daytona Beach Shores and New Smyrna Beach. If you want more classic boardwalk energy, Daytona Beach proper wins.
Daytona Beach International (DAB) is closest. Nearby airports like MCO (Orlando) and SFB (Sanford) are worth a price comparison and then drive over on a short road trip to Daytona.
✨ Why Daytona Beach is a Perfect Weekend Getaway
Daytona Beach isn’t just a spring break destination, it’s a year-round beach town with charm, history, and endless entertainment. From relaxing on the sand to climbing historic lighthouses and sipping sunset cocktails, this Florida gem delivers a perfect mix of chill and thrill. We loved just experiencing the sunsets on the beach and relaxing by the pool at the hotel some days.
We think it’s the perfect weekend getaway destination! A trip to Daytona Beach is always a good idea any time of the year!
Must-pack Essentials for your Daytona Beach Trip:
- We always pack a Refillable Water Bottle [Amazon] to save on buying water and stay hydrated!
- A portable phone fast charger [Amazon] is also a must for videos and photo ops!
- We also love the Travel Laundry sink wash kit – Soap Suds because they are TSA approved and will help you pack lighter because you can wash clothes as your trip progresses. (on Amazon)
- We love warm destinations so a Travel-Sized Cooling Towel [Amazon] is a must!
If you love Daytona check out our other Florida adventures ✨in St. Augustine, including our review of Cedar House Inn, and our Lighthouse road trip guide for even more road trip inspiration!
Author’s Note: As longtime Florida travelers and beach lovers, We’ve visited Daytona Beach multiple times to explore its unique mix of historic charm and oceanfront views. We’v experienced every hotel, restaurant, and activity listed here on different short trips to Daytona. Our goal is to help you plan a relaxing, memorable weekend of your own in an amazing destination! 🏖️
📌Don’t forget to save this Pin for a weekend getaway guide to Daytona Beach—find where to stay, eat, and explore in Florida’s sunshine coast!