Daytona Beach....... who's been?!

[crispy_noodle]

Hey,

Putting together our Itinerary :)

Who here has been to Daytona Beach?! Whats the drive there like (from Kissimmee) and what is there to do when we get there?!

Many thanks! x

[davie]

We visited in 2001 for a week.

Much prefer Clearwater - better atmosphere and beach (Gulf not Atlantic).

Nothing wrong with Daytona but just seemed a little characterless to us. Clearwater has more of walkable seafront with restaurants/bars. We felt like we needed to drive everywhere in Daytona.

Good price accommodation - we paid $90 a night for a suite apartment right on te beach.

[mcsue]

I agree with Davie - The Gulf coast is much more attractive. Beautiful white beaches and amazing sunsets.
We went to Daytona 14 yrs ago and it looked like it had seen better days even then!

mcsue

[Michelle]

Hi
We've driven up there for a day on a couple of occasions.
The drive itself is pretty straight forward, you get to drive past the Daytona Nascar Stadium.
You can drive your car and park right onto the beach, but dont do what we did and get stuck!!! ;)
We just liked chilling on the beach for a couple of hours and then drive back to Kissimmee.

[thebroons]

last timewe were there(3 years ago ),found it a bit run down and quit dirty.much prefer gulf coast.but watch them sharks.

[mcpaul]

Not very exciting; novel to park next to where you are laying, but nothing to do there!

[Pino_Spetzberg]

Beach is.....well, a beach, we prefer Gulf Coast or St. Augustine.
Motorsport fans will enjoy Daytona, the circuit, museums, the trip around the track, and best of all, the Richard Petty Experience, drive a NASCAR. :D
If not into M/Sport may as well visit somewhere else !

[Scar]

Reminds me of Seaton Carew, with Sun! Great fun if you go when something is on like Bike Week. Daytona International Speedway is quite interesting and it is worth doing a tour of the track. There is a big Flea Market at Tomoka Farms Rd, just before the 95. Fri, Sat and Sun. Well worth a bargain hunt!

[Suzie&Stuart]

Originally posted by Pino_Spetzberg
Motorsport fans will enjoy Daytona, the circuit, museums, the trip around the track, and best of all, the Richard Petty Experience, drive a NASCAR. :D
If not into M/Sport may as well visit somewhere else !

Have to agree.Daytona is good for the motor racing fan but as for that there isn't much else to do.
DH is hoping our next trip will coincide with the Richard Petty Experience,just to have a ride along round the Daytona track.
He's done the "Mickyard" at WDW,but reckons Daytona is THE one.

The beach is nice, but thats all it is...........a beach

[martyboy]

Went to daytona,last August took about 1.5 hours from Kissimee,not a big racing car fan but was in awe of the nascar track ?!

Our first experiance of american beaches pleasant enough,but very choppy!

Pretty deserted but appeared to be nothing much to do,but didn't care as it was nice just to relax for the day away from the furore of the parks.

We are going to try clearwater this year as a comparrison,and go on the Screamer motor boat ride,which everyone has been raving about,so will compare both experiances when I get back in August.

Still I think you should try it as it is an experiance not to be forgotten....

[lorna27]

Spent two days at Daytona beach last week and loved it. Able to drive the car onto the beach, plenty of shops and entertainment locally. Had a wonderful meal and coktails at the 'bubba Gump shrimp' place. Would definately go back again, the beach has the whitest sand. Plenty of places to stay, all the big chains. Booked a room with balcony overlooking the beach for around 65 dollars

[Mr_Taz]

North side of it seemed a little run down (reminded me of Blackpool), south seemed more upmarket. Enjoyed it though, it was nice to relax for a day and Daytona Racetrack was great.

Jonathan