Top 10 Reasons to Plan that Family Vacation Today

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 25, 2016) – So you think you know about Daytona Beach? There's more to the story, and delightful surprises await. This summer, The Original American Beach has plenty that's new for visitors of all ages. Here are Top 10 reasons to start planning now:

(1) Hear the Beach Beckon!
Twenty-three miles of sparkling, white sand – perfect for hiking, biking, making sandcastles, or just lounging with a cold drink – provides the perfect backdrop for a vacation filled with surprises. Choose a beachfront park for BBQ grills, showers, restrooms and pavilions – or opt to park on specially designated beach areas. The choice is yours, and the diversity of beach vibes will certainly surprise. Will the family dog be joining the vacation fun this summer? Check out the 'salty dog hangouts' listed here for specially-designated dog beaches and dog parks as well.

(2) See the World's First Motorsports Stadium
Daytona International Speedway has been iconic since its 1959 opening, when it hosted the Daytona 500. If you haven't seen it recently, though, the term “surprised” won't quite cover it. A $400 million expansion was just completed in January, with fan amenities taking the major focus. Embark on a 30-minute Speedway Tour or an expanded 90-minute VIP Tour and get the inside scoop on this most amazing facility. The Speedway has some exciting events coming right up: The Memorial Day Weekend Country 500 Music Festival kicks off the summer fun and features Willie Nelson, (locals) Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Kid Rock and dozens more. The Red Bull Global Rallycross returns in June, and the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race offers exciting racing paired with the nation's largest fireworks show – and with $10 tickets for the kids, it's the perfect way to spend a summer night with the family. Summer at the Speedway will also feature select dates for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and the unveiling of the exciting new home of the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

(3) Enjoy a Lighthouse Moonrise
Talk about memorable: on select summer dates, you can climb to the moon at Florida's tallest lighthouse! Join the lighthouse keeper at Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse as he leads you on your journey into the past and discover the unique history of this National Historic Landmark. Ascend the 203 steps to the top to witness the sun setting and the moon rising. Be sure to reserve your spot early, as the photo ops are truly breathtaking.

(4) Take in some Daunting Dinosaur Discoveries
Who doesn't love some prehistoric fun? Connect with life-size dinosaur statues at the Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens. This rich, botanical garden is surprisingly tucked into a neighborhood and houses dinosaur statues from the 1950s Bongoland theme park. Oh, and admission is free – surprise! Perhaps more surprising is the 13-foot Giant Ground Sloth that “lives” at the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS.) Unearthed right here in Daytona Beach, its hamster-like fuzziness belies its gigantic presence.

(5) Learn to Surf
If you're thinking you're too (old/young/unbalanced/smart?) to try surfing for the first time, let us help you to check one more family outing off the Bucket List! The area has lots of safety-conscious surf instructors and floaty foam boards, perfect for getting even the most unlikely Kelly Slater Wannabe standing and riding fun little waves, the first day out. Once you've tackled that, be sure to try paddle-boarding, canoeing, kayaking and other watersports fun.

(6) Channel Your Inner Hippie
Psychedelic fun! Break out the tie dye and head to this popular street and music festival that highlights the best of the memorable Hippies-era with a concert at the Peabody Auditorium. Zero in on your summer travel dates to Daytona Beach right here and check out all the summer fun in store!

(7) Sing Your Heart Out
Come on, you know the words! If your family enjoys its music in the great outdoors, don't miss the FREE summer concert series at the historic beachfront Daytona Beach Bandshell. Every Friday night features an eclectic line-up, and Saturday night's popular tribute bands (think: Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Journey, Bob Seger and more,) are followed by spectacular fireworks from the famous Main Street Pier. Bring your beach chairs or rent one there, and enjoy food and drink concessions with a kick-back summer vibe.

(8) Set Sail for some Family Bonding
Eagle Yachts provides an all-hands-on-deck family experience in which every member of the family plays an important role. With Capt. Eric leading the excursion on a 36-foot sloop, you're sure to come away with an appreciation of the fine art of sailing, and a sense of adventure. Find your next boating and sailing adventure in Daytona Beach!

(9) Enjoy some Playtime
Love to golf? The Daytona Beach area boasts more than 20 great golf courses, including world-renowned LPGA International. Baseball lovers will enjoy Cincinnati Reds affiliate home games at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where they can cheer on the Daytona Tortugas with spectacular views of City Island and the Intracoastal Waterway. After the game, sit back and take in the fireworks show. Visit DaytonaTortugas.com for more information. There are also ziplines high above the scenic Tuscawilla Preserve, paddle-boarding galore, and starting in late summer, two trampoline parks are expected to open. Yep, that's a reason to jump for joy!  

(10) Plan For These Events
Daytona Beach has earned its reputation as the Festival Capital of Florida. With more than 50 events and festivals annually, there's always something to see. This year's summer surprises include the DeLand Ice Cream Walk, Summer Saturday laser rock concerts at MOAS' planetarium, and the Granada Grand Festival of the Arts, as well as jazz concerts, improv comedy nights, wine walks, historic tours and more.

Want to learn more about your summer surprises?  Dive into the new eight-page Daytona Beach Summer Newsletter or visit DaytonaBeach.com to book your stay and find more summer fun in Daytona Beach.

About the Daytona Beach Area
Discover the new Daytona Beach and its surrounding area, a resurging destination along Florida's East Coast comprising eight distinct communities. Recognized worldwide for its annual events including Bike Week, Biketoberfest®, the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Daytona 500, Daytona Beach's famed heritage also claims the headquarters of LPGA and NASCAR -- and is home to Daytona International Speedway, the 'World Center of Racing.'  With more than 15,000 beds, the destination boasts accommodations for all lifestyles and budgets including resorts, B&Bs, hotels and everything in between.  Visitors can enjoy the quintessential vacation experience beginning with the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, or choose from a surprising list of attractions and cultural venues and a colorful culinary scene.  With 23 miles of world-famous beaches ideal for shelling, swimming and surfing, it is no surprise Daytona Beach was chosen as a Best Florida Attraction and Best Spring Family Break Beach Destination in the Top 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contests sponsored by USA TODAY.  To order a complimentary comprehensive Official Visitors Guide or book a stay, visit DaytonaBeach.com. For real-time updates, visit Facebook.com/DaytonaBeach or Twitter.com/DaytonaBeachFun.