daytona family fun

Daytona Beach, Fla. , --For families on vacation, the Daytona Beach area makes child's play out of having fun. Twenty-three miles of sparkling white sandy beaches and beautiful blue-green waters make Daytona Beach an irresistible playground for kids of all ages.

Getting There
Daytona Beach is conveniently located 54 miles from Orlando on Florida's Central East Coast, just an hour's drive from many popular theme parks and tourist destinations. If you are traveling around Florida, Daytona Beach is easy to reach via Interstate 95 or Interstate 4. Daytona Beach International Airport is served by several major airlines with service from more than 150 destinations worldwide.

Things To See & Do
The beach is up to 500 feet wide at low tide and is perfect for castle building, cycling, jogging, fishing or just relaxing in the sun. While at the beach, watersports enthusiasts can grab a surfboard, launch a boat; or head out for a parasailing adventure. The Atlantic Ocean is perfect for swimming especially during the spring and summer when temperatures range from 74 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual air temperature is 70.3 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

If you and your family can manage to tear yourselves away from the beach, you'll discover the Daytona Beach area is full of fun activities and attractions. The area's newest attraction, Adventure Landing Waterpark and Entertainment Center, is a "splashtacular" wet and dry park that features a 17,000 square foot wavepool, numerous waterslides, a large arcade, three miniature golf courses, and a two-level, hair-pin turn go-kart track.

Another fun family attraction is DAYTONA USA , located just outside Daytona International Speedway's fourth turn. This motorsports attraction offers a combination of high-tech, hands-on excitement and a fascinating historical perspective that's perfect for all ages. Guests can change tires in a timed pit stop competition, design and video-test their own cars, and broadcast a famous race finish. DAYTONA USA also has a SEGA Speedway electronic entertainment center that features several racing-themed video games.

Klassix Auto Attraction has one of America's best classic car collections. The museum also showcases automobiles from famous movies and television shows including Grease, The Flintstones and The Munsters.

The newly opened Daytona Iceplex features an official, National Hockey League sized-rink. Your family can enjoy recreational ice skating and league ice hockey at the Daytona Beach Riptide's action-packed home games.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences features a Center for Florida History that is home to a 13 foot-tall, 130,000-year-old Giant Ground Sloth which was found near the museum in 1974. The amazingly complete skeleton is considered one of the finest specimens of its kind in North America. The museum is also renown for its multi-cultural exhibitions. The Cuban exhibit features the finest example of modern Cuban art in the free world and the African Wing contains 165 objects from numerous African ethnic groups. Carved commemorative staffs, ritual ornaments, and 130 pieces of Ashante gold highlight this collection.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences also features a variety of traveling exhibits that provide frequent guests a new experience each time they visit. Children can make their own discoveries at the museum through interactive exhibits, games and activities.

For maritime lovers, the Daytona Beach area has one of Florida's finest nautical museums at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse . Standing 175 feet tall, this lighthouse is the second tallest in the U.S. Complete with its original lighthouse keeper buildings, it is the only lighthouse in Florida that is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The museum houses maritime artifacts, educational exhibits and a rare Fresnel Lens exhibit. A climb to the top of the lighthouse's203 steps is rewarded with a panoramic view of the Ponce de Leon Inlet's north and south arteries and surrounding area.

The adventurous family will want to cruise the waters of the Atlantic Ocean or Halifax River aboard A tiny Cruise Line, the Sea Critter, or the Sunny Daze and Starry Nites. One-hour and half-day tours are available.

Deep-sea fishing charters depart from several marinas daily. A half-day trip costs as little as $25 per adult, which includes bait and gear necessary to catch the "big ones." Charter boat companies take their passengers to favored fishing spots to catch red snapper, grouper and other native fish.

Nature lovers will enjoy the many parks and wildlife areas in the region. Tomoka State Park, north of Ormond Beach, was once home to the Timucuan Indians. The scenic State Park is a perfect location for fishing, camping, hiking and boating. Escorted boat trips along the Tomoka River are also available for a small fee.

After a full day of beach going or sightseeing, you will discover a wide variety of shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The area has two outdoor markets that are open every weekend. The Farmers Market, located in downtown Daytona Beach on City Island, features fresh produce, citrus fruit and seafood. The Daytona Flea and Farmer's Market is a bargain hunter's dream featuring everything from food to clothing to antiques.

Beach Street , in the downtown Daytona Beach Historic District, offers a nostalgic experience as you stroll amid unique shops and restaurants along a lush, palm-tree lined avenue. Along with the

Halifax Historical Museum , Riverfront Park and an antique mall, Beach Street is home to Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory. Chocolate lovers can see and learn how Angell and Phelps hand-make more than 100 kinds of candies.

Souvenir hunters will enjoy browsing in numerous beachside shops along Atlantic Avenue. Volusia Mall, the area's largest regional shopping mall, features more than 100 department stores, specialty shops, restaurants and movie theaters.

Great golf is another reason worldwide visitors choose the Daytona Beach area for vacation
getaways. The area is home to 13 public golf courses and several championship greens that make it a perfect spot for year-round golfing fun. For more golfing information, contact Golf Daytona Beach at (904) 239-7065, (800) 881-7065 or visit the Golf Daytona Beach Web site at http://www.golfdaytonabeach.com.

Where To Stay
There are rooms to fit every taste and budget in the Daytona Beach area. More than 400 hotels and motels offer 13,000 rooms, suites and apartments -- many directly on the ocean. Condominium rentals are also available. Those who love the "great outdoors" will find many campgrounds and RV parks throughout the area.

For Daytona Beach area accommodation, attraction, and special event information, contact the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (904) 255-0415 or (800) 854-1234. E-mail messages can be sent to the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau via our official Web site located at www.daytonabeach.com.