DAYTONA BEACH: Millions of tourists from around the world flock to the Daytona Beach area every year to experience its sun-kissed beaches, family-style recreation, attractions and entertainment, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. It is of course synonymous with speed, a place which became the proving ground for man and machine. Today, Daytona International Speedway's DAYTONA USA, a custom-designed state-of-the art interactive motorsports attraction and museum, offers quality family entertainment for all ages. Daytona International Speedway also offers an informative fact-filled 30-minute tram tour of the speedway's track, Victory Lane, and a pit stop for picture takers.

OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach

No question, Daytona Beach's biggest draws are the 23 miles of wide beautiful beaches and its car-racing heritage. But it is also rich with cultural arts offerings such as museums, theaters, and performing arts festivals that will especially delight those with an appetite for family entertainment. And it is home to many points of interest that provide a unique fusion of history and nature. Visitors can explore an extraordinary mix of botanical gardens, historic ruins, state parks, waterways, and nationally recognized landmarks that serve as bridges to the area's colorful past. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is a must-see for museum lovers. Besides containing the finest example of a North American Ground Sloth, the museum houses one of the most extensive collections of modern Cuban art found in the United States; a fine collection of African cultural relics; a planetarium; rare early American collectibles; and a new wing featuring interactive educational displays. The Tuscawilla Preserve Discovery Center located there allows visitors to follow a network of boardwalk trails leading to interactive, outdoor exhibits. Learn about local flora and fauna, environmental protection, wetlands and non-native plants. The Halifax Historical Museum, located in downtown Daytona Beach, includes local area memorabilia and artifacts dating to 1883. In nearby Ormond Beach, The Casements, which happens to be the former winter home of John D. Rockefeller, serves as a museum and cultural center for the City of Ormond Beach. Other area museums include The Mary McLeod-Bethune Foundation, which houses the history of civil rights pioneer Mary McLeod-Bethune; the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens featuring monthly exhibits; the Bulow Plantation Ruins State Historic Site which features the ruins of a 19th century coquina rock sugar mill and the Southeast Museum of Photography – Florida's official museum of photography. The Daytona Beach area is surrounded by several beautiful waterways including the Halifax and St. Johns Rivers and no matter what your interests are – scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking or dolphin watching – the Daytona Beach area has something for every nature lover. Artificial reefs are one way to explore the area's waterways. Fresh and saltwater diving and snorkeling opportunities are plentiful in the Daytona Beach area and throughout Volusia County. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Port Authority Artificial Reef Program includes a total of 28 artificial reefs that were constructed with the remains of ships, barges, airplanes, and local demolished bridges. The area's freshwater springs feature spectacular underwater sites such as manatees and limestone-walled caves. Visitors can also discover the Daytona Beach area's rich history via a leisurely cruise along the Halifax River. Passengers aboard one of the area's many river boat tours can explore the Halifax River and see downtown Daytona Beach's historical sites, the area's magnificent riverfront homes, beautiful parks, islands, and marinas. Passengers also get the chance to see and experience an assortment of wildlife such as pelicans, herons, egrets, and other waterfowl. Lucky passengers may even spot a manatee or dolphin. Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach was once the site of the Timucuan Indian Village of Nocorocco. It later, in 1766, became the Mount Oswald Plantation. Today, the 1,540-acre park offers camping, fishing, nature trails, picnic areas, a boat launch and canoe rentals for access to the beautiful Tomoka River. It is also home to the Fred Dana Marsh Museum and Visitor Center Fun, environmental learning opportunities can be found at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, which is located at the southernmost tip of the Daytona Beach area's barrier island. The Center sits in the shadows of the historic 1887 Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of only a handful of lighthouses in the United States to have all of its original buildings still standing. With interactive exhibits on the area's marine environment, a seabird sanctuary and sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, the Center provides a unique and entertaining learning experience for young and old. Located west of the Daytona Beach area in DeLand, the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge features acres of secluded walking paths and boardwalks, which offer visitors rare views of birds, turtles, raccoons and other wildlife. Heading west from DeLand on Interstate 4 just off the Orange City exit, nature lovers can get an up-close-and-personal view of Florida's manatee population at Blue Spring State Park and recreational area. The age-old Blue Spring maintains a constant temperature of 72 degrees year-round, attracting scores of the beloved manatee in search of warmer waters during the winter months. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, boating, scuba diving, and a visit to a historic on-site southern home. Raised wooden boardwalks along the riverbank allow gazers a chance to spot alligators, turtles and other wildlife. DAYTONA BEACH

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 other favorite 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.

Take a look at the Travel Tidings Florida FEATURES section for more in depth articles on many places and destinations in the Sunshine State. SPACE COAST At the Kennedy Space Center ORLANDO Golf in Orlando – Designed By Legends, Legendary By Design Move Over Kids – Orlando's a Playground for Adults Too Teens and Tweens Discover Action, ADventure, Thrills in Orlando DAYTONA BEACH Daytona Beach’s Proud Racing Heritage FORT LAUDERDALE Las Olas Boulevard: The New Wave of the World's Greatest Streets Taking to the "Wet Streets" of Greater Fort Lauderdale

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