Kids and adults alike need never be bored in Daytona as there are all manner of outdoor activities available, including the draw of the world famous racing circuit. You can drive on the beach, bask in the sun, explore the beach or the many parks, go fishing or golfing, or perhaps take the kids for a fun day out to one of the parks.

Driving Daytona Beach
Drivers will revel at the chance of driving on world-famous Daytona Beach, which is not particularly amazing as far as beaches go, but the appeal is certainly there. A 29-kilometre section of the beach is open to drivers with a small entrance fee and a strict speed limit of 10mph (16kph). Keep an eye out for people, high tides and nesting sea turtles.

Fishing
The cheapest way to fish in Daytona is to follow the locals at Main Street Pier, where no license is required. For offshore fishing to snag marlin, sailfish, king mackerel, and red snapper, local company Critter Fleet, on South Peninsula Drive, has a couple of party boats; one for daytrips and the other for morning and afternoon trips. Critter Fleet, phone: +1 386 767 7676; www.critterfleet.com

Golf
There are over two-dozen courses within easy reach of Daytona Beach and tourist information offices have the Golf Daytona Beach brochure detailing all the courses in the area. Daytona is especially good for women golfers, where the LPGA International and the Legends course are two of the country’s best. These 18-holers have excellent greens and facilities and are cheaper in the summer.

Marine Science Centre
Kids will love checking out the weird and wonderful creatures of the marine museum, which boasts a 20,000-litre aquarium and seven turtle tanks. The museum teaches all about conservation and also features exhibits on mosquitoes, artificial reefs, shells, and dune habitats. Phone: +1 386 304 5545; www.marinesciencecenter.com

Oceanfront Park
Oceanfront Park is a great place to take kids to, with its children’s playground, large grassy areas, picnic facilities and fine views. There are also some sporting facilities here, including a volleyball court, as well as several snack bars. You can find Oceanfront Park on North Atlantic Avenue, east of the Adam's Mark Resort. Phone: +1 386 258 4543.

Sun Splash Park
Located on South Atlantic Avenue, Sun Splash Park is perfect on a hot day for those with bored kids, featuring water slides and attractions galore. Apart from the pools and slides are a playground, picnic areas, volleyball courts, access to the beach and a “cool zone” sponsored by Coca Cola. www.volusia.org/parks/sunspla.htm  

Daytona Beach has a surprising collection of interesting museums for those interested in a little more than the beach and the International Speedway. The Halifax Historical Museum and the Museum of Arts and Sciences are particularly worth a look, while Daytona Ghost Walks and several popular events also feature.

African American and Caribbean American Museum of Art
This unique museum is well within reach of Daytona Beach for those with cars and features an intriguing collection of African American and Caribbean American art. The gallery contains many fine visiting displays with up to six rotating exhibitions at any one time. Phone: +1 386 736 4004.

Daytona Beach Ghost Walks
Although an unlikely centre for things supernatural, several reported sightings have apparently been made around the city, so much so that Ghost Walks are all the rage. Guides take visitors to notorious spots where sightings have been made and then proceed to tell you all about it. Three different ghost walks tours are available.

Halifax Historical Museum
The Halifax Historical Museum has many interesting artefacts going as far back as 5,000 BC, with the photographic and postcard collection being particularly intriguing. Periods include the Native Americans to Spanish and British colonial times. The building itself is also somewhat of an attraction housed as it is in a former 1910 Merchants Bank complete with hand-painted murals and Beaux Arts stained glass windows. Phone: +1 386 255 6976; www.halifaxhistorical.org

Motor Racing
The Daytona 500, referencing the world famous 500-mile [800-kilometre] race, is the biggest event at Daytona Beach, covering 200 laps of the Daytona International Speedway. Apart from this high-profile televised race is the Daytona 200 Superbike, the NASCAR series, the Rolex 24 Hours race, go-karting and stock car racing. www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com  

Museum of Arts and Sciences
Located on South Nova Road, the Museum of Arts and Sciences features traveling exhibitions and permanent galleries. The main feature is the four-metre skeleton of a giant ground sloth, which is part of the museum’s impressive fossil collection. Art from around the world is also well represented, including from China, Africa and Cuba, and there is also a planetarium. Tel: +1 386 255 0285; www.moas.org   

Must see Daytona events
The annual Bike Week is held for 10 days in early March and is a major event for motorcycle enthusiasts, although getting about and parking can be a nightmare. The Daytona 200 Motorcycle race is also held at the international speedway over this period. Another one for bikers is the renowned Biketoberfest, just after Columbus Day in October.

Daytona Beach offers all types of food like any typical Florida town, with all the fast food joints, snack bars and barbecue restaurants you could handle. Also popular are French, English, Irish, Italian, German and Chinese cuisines. Seafood is particularly well done in Daytona with oyster, mussel, jumbo prawn and clam dishes galore.

Main Street and Ormond Beach are both popular eating areas. South Atlantic Avenue is another popular spot, while the Speedway Boulevard is for lovers of everything barbecue with loads of grill-style restaurants. Just outside of town, but within greater Daytona, Saint Ponce Inlet and Port Orange Bridge are renowned for their excellent eating.

Beach Street, on the mainland, is Daytona Beach’s main drag, great for people watching as well as for shopping, while Beach Street is one for antique collectors with its many good antiques shops, galleries, and cafés. Also along Beach Street is Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, as well as one of America’s largest Harley dealerships complete with beefy hogs and leatherwear.

Ardent shoppers may prefer to take a wander around the Daytona Flea and Farmers' Market on Tomoka Farms Road (I-95 and US-92 junction), with its hundreds of covered outdoor booths. Everything from antiques and collectibles to sunglasses, handbags, luggage, jewellery, and tools are here. For high fashion, head for North Atlantic Avenue in Ocean Walk Village where Ocean Walk Shoppes features many upscale boutiques and restaurants.