Family-Friendly Daytona Beach Attractions
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Daytona Beach, Florida is no longer just a destination for racing fans and rowdy spring breakers. Today, it’s a great place to bring the kids for sand, sun, and surf. Split your time between enjoying the beach, boardwalk, or one of the other numerous family-friendly Daytona Beach attractions in the area. Your trip can be as laid back or as action packed as you want it to be.
Free Fun in Daytona Beach
What family doesn’t like free? Keeping kids entertained on vacation can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to relax and take it easy. Luckily, there’s a lot to be enjoyed without spending too much in Daytona Beach.
Stop by Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, where Monday through Saturday, you can take a free tour of the facility and try samples of their sweet treats. Located downtown on Beach Street, the Chocolate Factory has been one of the biggest Daytona Beach attractions since 1925. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot afternoon, and kids and adults alike will enjoy the 20-minute guided tour that ends with a free sample of their homemade chocolate.
On hot and sunny days check out Sun Splash Park. You can step right off of the beach and onto this play area, which features fountains that create an interactive splash pad, a shady playground, and plenty of benches. Bring a picnic lunch and plan on spending a few hours enjoying this free public play spot.
One of the best Daytona Beach attractions is the classic boardwalk. It’s a great place to walk around, shop for souvenirs, play games, and people watch. Joyland Amusement Center offers thrills for everyone, with a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, arcade, and kiddie rides. On Saturday nights through the summer, you can watch the fireworks display, as well as free summer concerts, and a variety of entertaining and artistic street performers.
Other Daytona Beach Attractions
The Daytona Lagoon Family Fun Center really does live up to its name, with a waterpark, rock climbing, miniature golf, go-karts, and much more. You could spend a whole day splashing around the wave pool, getting soaked on the water slides and lounging in the lazy river. Dry off and get competitive with a game of laser tag, or win some cool prizes in the mega arcade.
For a closer look at wildlife, take the kids to the Marine Science Center. With interactive exhibits like the Stingray Touch Pool, and the beautiful walk-thru bird sanctuary, kids can learn about aquatic creatures and their habitats. Admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for children, so you really can’t beat the value that this interesting attraction offers.
Just a short drive south to Ponce Inlet will take you to Lighthouse Point Park. For a small admission fee, you can enter the lighthouse, as well as the museum housed in one of the historical buildings. Take in the stunning views after climbing to the top, and when you come back down, enjoy wandering the grounds of the park and catching a glimpse of the local wildlife. If you’re looking for something to do that is both educational and relaxing, Lighthouse Point Park is an excellent option.
Daytona Beach has come a long way in recent years, shedding its old image as a party place for college kids and race fans. Today, families flock to the beaches for good old-fashioned fun. Daytona makes it easy to have a perfect beach vacation without breaking the bank.
