Daytona Beach

[big john]

I'm driving down to Daytona Beach next week. Any suggestions as to what to see or where to avoid?
Tiki bar locations?

[Floridaze]

I'm driving down to Daytona Beach next week. Any suggestions as to what to see or where to avoid?
Tiki bar locations?

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse in South Daytone...and some cool bars around there...

http://inletharbor.com/

http://www.lighthouselandingrestaurant.com/


http://down-the-hatch-seafood.com/map.htm

[LIBuffettFan]

I love Daytona Beach, my parents used to be there. Be sure to head by the speedway and check out the Nascar Daytona 500 Experience thats there. There used to ba a great little clam seafood bar on the beach side of the Dunlawton Avenue bridge which was popular with the locals which would be worth stopping by for lunch. If you dive, the Discover Diving on the Dunlawton bridge runs some pretty good dive trips to some off shore wrecks. Have fun!!

[tikitatas]

"Delicious" say my recently returned brother and SIL.

http://www.thegarlic.net/

[catsway]

We lived in Daytona Beach for a few years. Here are some of our favorites:

http://www.oceandeck.com/ - Reggae/beach bar

http://www.chart-house.com/ - great food

http://www.daytona500experience.com/ - for the gearhead

http://www.ironhorsesaloon.com/ - for the biker in you

Have fun!

[ParrotHeadDeb]

"Delicious" say my recently returned brother and SIL.

http://www.thegarlic.net/

I'll second that! I love the garlic!! It's in New Smyrna, south of Daytona...Norwood's is also a great place in New Smyrna...It's been there for over 60 years...My husband and his family used to stop there on the way back from the beach when he was a kid...he said it was just a hole in the wall then..and got smoked mullet wrapped in brown paper & ate it on the way back to DeLand. http://www.norwoods.com/

and just a little side note..the regional airport in New Smyrna is where The Hemisphere Dancer was worked on before it was moved to City Walk at Universal.

[spendingmoney]

We lived in Daytona Beach for a few years. Here are some of our favorites:

http://www.oceandeck.com/ - Reggae/beach bar

http://www.chart-house.com/ - great food

http://www.daytona500experience.com/ - for the gearhead

http://www.ironhorsesaloon.com/ - for the biker in you

Have fun!

I second the Ocean Deck I went there about 5 years ago during the off season and we would drink pictures of beer and eat seafood all day long. Waitresses were very nice and it was really cool being right on the beach.

[sabresparrothead]

+1 to the Ocean Deck.

[tikitatas]

http://freshatasteofitaly.com/

Another one that Mark and Deb loved . . .

[digitalprintman]

For a Great Burger and Cold Beer checkout The Brickyard on Speedway Blvd.
Very good boiled shrimp with seasoning on top
Many other great menu items
Racing Themed sports bar. Popular with the locals

http://www.daytonabrickyard.com/

For a very good meal with reasonable prices especially during Early Bird 4 pm - 5 pm
Try Parks Seafood, another locals favorite

http://www.parkseafood.com/parks_seafood_restaurant.htm

Caribbean Jacks is real good, located at the marina on the river with seating on the dock with swinging (rocking) booths. They do have heaters if it gets cold. Very good bar also. They do have music on some afternoons and evenings.

http://www.caribbeanjacks.com/

Try Flamingo Ice Cream. Excellent flavors all homemade. Very good sandwiches at lunctime. A friend loves the egg salad along with a Pineapple Malt

http://local.yahoo.com/info-13938132-fl ... tona-beach

If you want a very cool breakfast experience head out of town to the Northwest to DeLeon Springs. Roughly 30 miles out of Daytona. Go to the DeLeon Springs State Park. Beautiful Park with plenty of things to do. Bring along your swim suit to swim in the spring fed pool (72 degree water year round). Then have breakfast at anytime of the day. The specialty is All You Can Eat Pancakes. The twist is that you cook your own at the griddle built into your table. Add extras: blueberries, pecans etc. Many other great items and even have lunch stuff. Everything is great. Do not be surprised with a good one hour wait on the weekends. But it is worth the wait. We go there at least once while we are down there. We go every year for the Daytona 500 and most times Bike Week.

http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/sugarpage2.htm

Krispy Kreme Donuts on Speedway Blvd

Popeye's Chicken, especially if you do not have one where you live. They are on Speedway Blvd just west of Downtown.

For a beautiful drive take the Loop. Follow Beach Street in downtown on the mainland side by the river and go north. It will turn into Riverside, the street that Parks Seafood is on. Follow all the way up into Tamoka State Park, you'll enjoy it. Then take the turn to the east, there will be signs for the loop. This will lead you to the coastline drive A1A, decide whether you want to head back to Daytona or cruise on up to St. Augustine. Many fabulous homes along the coast whichever way you decide to drive.

As others have said the Lighthouse at Ponce Inlet. Climb the stairs to the top and go out on the catwalk. Great museum for Fresnel Lenses (lighthouse lights). You do have to pay an entrance fee.

Down the Hatch is very good, We've meant to go for breakfast that is served on weekends but have not made it yet.

Walk on the beach in your barefeet, the sand is soooo soft. There is a nice little park south of main street about 8 blocks with plenty of Free parking. Beach access, rest rooms, seating and water to rinse the sand off your feet. You can also Pay to drive your car on the beach. Watch out that you don't get your car stuck in the sand when off the travelled portion where the sand is packed down very well. Usually there are guys around that will help push you out.

Places not to go: McDonalds! There are too many other good food places. You can have McDonalds when you get home.

Just returned from there along with Orlando and Key West. Fun Trip!!!!!

[big john]

Aaaaahhhh! Just got back. Thank's for everyone's input. The resort I stayed at had so much I didn't
have to go far for entertainment. Monday was wine and cheese party (free). Tuesday was free
margaritas and $1.50 tacos. Wednesday was free beer and $1.50 hot dogs. Went to the Ocean Deck.
They had a great band and beer specials. Good food too. Also went to Cruisin. Great place and had fun
with karaoke there. Resort had an outside tiki bar, indoor pool and jacuzzi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 outdoor
jacuzzis. The place was right on the beech and conditions were pretty good. Air temp was 75-85 and water
was about 66. Yes I did swim in the ocean and did get a burn/tan. Had a pretty good time for my first
trip there.