Sun, sand and speed: Daytona Beach’s top summer experiences for Atlantans

This summer, trade the sticky Atlanta heat and humidity for some sun, sand, and seagulls in Daytona Beach, Florida. With tons of activities designed for the ultimate summer getaway, this beach paradise sits just a quick flight away from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or a scenic six-hour drive.

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, an adventure with friends, or a romantic getaway, Daytona Beach has something for everyone. So grab your sunscreen, pack your bags and prepare for a summer to remember in one of Florida’s most exciting beach cities. To help you start planning, we’ve rounded up five must-do experiences that make this coastal gem a summer hotspot.

The beach

A trip to Daytona Beach wouldn’t be complete without spending time at – you guessed it – the beach itself. The 23-mile stretch of shoreline invites you to soak up the warm Florida sunshine. Daytona Beach, as well as the neighboring Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Ponce Inlet, offer some of the most accessible beaches in Florida, all with plenty of activities.

With ample parking and easy access to the water, the beach is perfect for surfing, parasailing, or simply relaxing in the sun. The shore is also lined with coastal parks, as well as the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, where you can enjoy classic arcade games, thrilling rides, and delicious beachside treats.

Eco-tours

Atlanta may be celebrated as the “city in a forest,” with its sprawling green canopy and no shortage of shady parks, but when it comes to marine life? We have to admit that East Central Florida, and especially Daytona Beach, truly shines in this area with a thriving eco-tourism scene and countless ways to immerse yourself in coastal nature.

Book an eco-boat tour, where you’ll spot a variety of wildlife, from manatees in the Halifax River to dolphins gliding through Ponce Inlet and marine life in the Atlantic Ocean.

On land, explore nature trails at Lighthouse Point Park or Ponce Preserve, where you can explore local wildlife and lush habitats. Don’t miss the Marine Science Center, where you can learn about marine life rehabilitation efforts and how they care for sea turtles, tortoises, seabirds, and more. While you’re there, check out the stingray touch pool and bird observation tower.

Daytona International Speedway (Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend)

Daytona Beach is synonymous with NASCAR thanks to the legendary Daytona International Speedway, America’s most famous racetrack, which we’d be remiss not to include on this list. And this summer, you can experience one of the biggest events of the NASCAR season: the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend from August 22-23, right here in Daytona Beach.

Get your engines running with the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola on Friday, August 22, featuring the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Then, feel the adrenaline on Saturday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m. during the Coke Zero Sugar 400. This 160-lap, 400-mile race serves as the final event before the NASCAR playoffs.

Daytona Lagoon Premier Water Park and Family Fun Entertainment Center

Orlando might get all the hype for theme parks, but Atlantans looking for a theme park closer to the coast should set their sights on Daytona Beach’s Daytona Lagoon.

This expansive water park, which is open from March to September, has 12 acres of excitement with 12 water rides, including the towering Kraken’s Revenge mat racer and the Shaka Half-Pipe pendulum slide. For something a bit on the calmer side, you’ll also find a giant wave pool and a lazy river.

But wait, there’s more. Daytona Lagoon also boasts a year-round family entertainment center complete with a Sky Maze, ropes course, 70-foot Sky Rail zipline, arcade, laser tag, go-kart racing, mini-golf, and bumper cars. And located across from the beach, Ocean Walk Shoppes, and the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, Daytona Lagoon is perfectly positioned for even more fun just steps away.

Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure

If you’ve already explored Atlanta’s aquatic wonders at the Georgia Aquarium and want to dive into something new, the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure is the perfect place to expand your wildlife adventures.

This interactive aquarium spans 55,000 square feet and features nearly 40 exhibits, including a massive 100,000-gallon shark tank and a stingray touch pool. You’ll also find habitats for alligators, frogs, and lizards. And this year in particular, you’re in luck: new in 2025 is an indoor rainforest, home to primates, sloths, tropical birds, and more.