Daytona Beach Florida Memories and 7 FREE Things to Do

In June of 2018, we were in Florida for the LWMS Convention in Orlando. We went out a few days early and spent 4 nights in  Daytona Beach. It was amazing, and we had a great time. We were able to tour the Casements and Rockefeller Gardens, Daytona International Speedway, Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory,  as well as Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens. However, the highlight of course was the amazing Daytona Beach. I want to share some history of Daytona as well as some of our Daytona Beach Photos and a short video.

Daytona Beach Photos and Video

Hope you enjoyed our photos. They are just random shots from around the city of Daytona Beach. Many taken at different locations and different times of the day and afternoon. I thought it was very fun to see all the different cars driving along the beach. However, I wasn’t surprised as their hard-packed sand made Daytona Beach a mecca for motorsports. The old Daytona Beach Road Course hosted races for over 50 years. This was replaced in 1959 by Daytona International Speedway, and the city is the headquarters for NASCAR.

Like I said before we did do a few attractions and tours while in the area. However, I was very happy eating breakfast in our room facing the ocean as the sun came up, sitting out by the beach watching the waves crash, walking along the beach after the sun went down, and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. I missed the ocean sound so much that we went and bought a wave machine after our first night in Orlando, lol.  It is just so peaceful, and I use it every night here at home. 🙂

Even though it was hot and muggy in June, it wasn’t quite as bad with the ocean breeze. I hope you enjoyed our Daytona Beach Photos and short videos. I had fun taking them  🙂 Below is a list of 7 Free things to do while in Daytona Beach.

7 Free things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida

Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour

This fascinating chocolate factory is known for high-quality, handmade chocolates made fresh every day. Take a free, guided 20-minute tour through the chocolate-making process and learn what makes their chocolate creations so good! Angell & Phelps recently made the list of TripAdvisor’s top 10 Sweetest Attractions in the U.S.! Tours are Monday thru Saturday at 10am, 11am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Open Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm.

  The Casements

The Casements in the former winter home of millionaire and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, this facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features the Rockefeller Period Room, Boy Scouts of America historical memorabilia, and a collection of Hungarian festival costumes and artifacts. In addition, Rockefeller Gardens is also part of the attraction and serves as the scenic backdrop for several cultural festivals throughout the year. Free tours are offered Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens

Marvel at the changing gallery exhibits featuring the works of prominent Florida and international artists. Then stroll the lush tropical gardens, with peaceful nature trails, fishponds, and fountains. The Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens was created in 1946 as a living monument to the creative freedom and equality of all persons, and to commemorate the service of World War II veterans. The spirit of gratitude continues today honoring veterans of multiple wars within the museum and the gardens. Open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday, noon -4 p.m.

Friends of the Bandshell Concert Series

Friends of the Bandshell has successfully presented an array of concerts presenting performing artists from local high school and college groups to regional and nationally known professionals. Musical offerings include Big Band, Swing, various Jazz stylings, Blues, Latin, Folk, Country, and Gospel. The free concerts are made possible by corporate and individual sponsors, annual members’ donations, Volusia County and Florida State grants, volunteers, City of Daytona Beach, corporations’ “in-kind” contributions, and audience donations.

Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens

Enjoy these English sugar mill ruins surrounded by lush botanical gardens, native trees, a butterfly garden, and collections of bromeliads, ginger, and cacti. A rare human sundial allows visitors to stand next to the current month’s tablet and with arms raised, the shadow will point to the time. The gardens feature the ruins of a 19th-century sugar factory that contains the most complete sugar grinding machines in the country. Around every corner, there are huge dinosaur statues, remnants of an amusement park from 1949-1952, Bongoland. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Sun Splash Park

Sun Splash Park features an interactive water fountain, decorative walkways, shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Two beach access ramps. Open sunrise to sunset.

North Peninsula State Recreation Area

This is a pedestrian-only beach. Enjoy fishing and swimming. Great Florida Birding Trail site. Almost three miles of beautiful, unspoiled Florida beach beckons visitors to this park. Bask in the sunshine, enjoy an afternoon swimming in the refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or try a hand at surf fishing.

Please feel free to comment below if you have visited any of these sites in the Daytona Beach area, or if you have any other free suggestions.  FYI, the information and links above are from the site www.daytonabeach.com. Happy travels.