photo by gusto

Daytona Beach (population 62,700) is a resort city on the Atlantic coast, 54 miles northeast of Orlando. The beach is 500 feet wide, 23 miles long, and consists of hard-packed sand on which cars can drive. Since the early 1900s it has been used for car racing—it was here that the 1903 world automobile speed record of 68 miles per hour was set.

The 480-acre Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959 with the first Daytona 500; it has grandstands that can accommodate 125,000. Most events take place in February, March, July, October, and December. There is an IMAX film and interactive displays on the history of racing plus a virtual pit stop in a virtual stock car.

From May to October there is also the opportunity to ride three times around the track at an average speed of 115 miles per hour.

The Halifax River runs parallel to the beach and separates it from downtown. South of downtown Daytona Beach, at Ponce Inlet, there are archeological remains and the ruins of old plantations. The Ponce de Le\363n Inlet and Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark with the second-tallest lighthouse in the nation as its main attraction.

The Halifax Historical Museum is housed in a former bank building, and features historic photographs and Native American artifacts.

Charter boats make deep-sea fishing expeditions at offshore reefs and river fishing in inland waters. There are 25 golf courses including two of the nation’s toprated links for women golfers in the LPGA International.

The beach alone attracts close to 8 million visitors per year. Plan ahead for lodging and dining. Daytona Beach has an international airport, and nearby Orlando International Airport is a much larger facility. Cars are highly recommended for exploring Daytona, though the city offers a very convenient network of buses.