Activities in Daytona Beach
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Nascar
During Prohibition, production of moonshine (corn liquor with an almighty kick) was an important part of the rural Southern economy, and young people with cars fast enough to outrun local cops handled distribution. On their time off, they tried to outrun each other; when alcohol was relegalized the races continued. The most glamorous venue was the Beach St track in Daytona, where entrepreneurial driver Bill France began promoting 'Race Weeks,' attracting thousands.
The sport took off, though it was often dismissed by other automotive enthusiasts as upstart rednecks racing cars that any mechanic could build in their own garage. France knew better, and in 1947 organized Nas…
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Daytona USA
Adjacent to the speedway, Daytona USA is a superbly flashy shrine to the sport. In addition to stock cars driven by Nascar’s biggest names, highlights include the Pit-Stop Challenge (changing a tire in 16 seconds), a 30-minute tram tour of the track and pits, a 45-minute IMAX film screening throughout the day and a motion simulator ride based on the Daytona 500. The VIP Pass ($50) gets you an extended tour, lunch and vouchers for Acceleration Alley, which is an interactive racing experience.
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B
Daytona Lagoon
Kids can burn off energy at the Daytona Lagoon, which has a tube float, tidal-wave pool and multilevel water playground, as well as arcade games, go-karts, laser tag, a climbing wall, an erupting volcano and a canon blaster firing foam balls.
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C
Daytona Beach
During daylight hours - tide permitting - you can still drive sections of the former race track on Daytona Beach at a top speed of 10mph. Car access to the beach costs $5 ($3 after 3pm) and is free during December and January.
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Daytona Beach Drive-in Church
In this auto-obsessed town where cars are a religion, you can pull right up for church at the Daytona Beach Drive-In Church, a former drive-in movie theater where you attach a speaker to your car to hear the sermon.
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A Tiny Cruise Line
A Tiny Cruise Line runs cruises up the Halifax throughout the day and at sunset. The two-hour Midday Waterway cruise offers dolphin-spotting opportunities; BYO lunch.
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D
Daytona 500 Experience
Daytona 500 Experience is a superbly flashy shrine to the sport, including 3-D IMAX films, motion simulators and a 30-minute tram tour of the racetrack and pits.
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Daytona Beach Parasail
For an adrenaline rush that affords a bird’s-eye view of the coast, try Daytona Beach Parasail, on the beach to the left of the Silver Beach approach ramp.
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