Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is actually a resort city that is located in Florida. Daytona Beach has long been a popular destination for people on spring break, though it is still a well-loved beach vacation destination throughout the rest of the year. In fact, over 8,000,000 people visit Daytona Beach each and every year.
Perhaps the best known attractions found in Daytona Beach are its motorsports tracks. The Daytona Beach Road Course, which has been hosting races for over a century, can be found in Daytona Beach. NASCAR's Daytona International Speedway is also found in Daytona Beach. The most famous race of this series, the Daytona 500, takes place here in front of 200,000 fans every year. Daytona USA, which is an interactive motorsports attraction, is also found within the Daytona International Speedway.
Several institutions of higher education can be found in Daytona Beach. These include the Daytona Beach Community College, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kiser College Daytona Beach Campus, and Bethune-Cookman College.
For history buffs, the Halifax Historical Museum is another must-see while visiting Daytona Beach. Here, visitors can learn about the history of Daytona Beach and view artifacts from the area that date all the way back to 5,000 BC. These artifacts include those from the local Native Americans as well as from early pioneer families. Vintage toys, World War II artifacts, and beach auto racing memorabilia can also be seen.
The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light, which is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States, is also a major tourist attraction. The original lighthouse was built while Florida was under British control and never received the oil it needed to be lit. When a strong storm washed the sand away from its base, it became weak. Later, the Seminole Indians attacked the lighthouse, smashing its glass and setting the wooden stairs on fire. The original ultimately collapsed, but was replaced by what stands in its place today.
One of the features of Daytona Beach that makes it particularly attractive to visitors is the fact that security is quite tight around the main hotels. Cameras can be found filming in beach and hotel areas, raising the awareness of safety and making Daytona Beach a relatively secure vacation destination.
Another alluring characteristic of Daytona Beach is the fact that the family car can be used to drive on the beach. Therefore, those interested in driving the ocean beach don't have to worry about obtaining special equipment or driving a four wheel drive vehicle, a feature that is rare among beaches.
Daytona Beach, Florida is a popular vacation destination that offers opportunities to watch live motorsport activities as well as a number of other attractions. With heightened security and a history steeped in culture, it makes for a great family beach vacation destination as well as a place for young singles to go to have a good time.
