After the spirited festivities of the holiday season and the promise of a clean slate that occurs at the start of the year, there’s typically an overall drop in morale — the high of the holidays is over, yet summer seems so far away. If your family is starting to feel the winter blues, start planning a spring family getaway to Daytona Beach —news that is sure to brighten their day!
Daytona Beach provides endless adventures for all ages and interests, so your list of things to do, see and explore is endless. To serve as a starting point, we’re rounding up a list of fun places and can’t-miss activities that are ideal to share with your whole family this spring.
Go Fishin’ with the Family
Grab your rod and reel and head to the Sunglow Pier a popular local fishing spot. There’s no cost to fish on this pier, and fishing licenses are not required, making it the perfect activity to embark on last-minute. And if you’re doing a lot of fishing and not a lot of catching, pop into Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill right on the pier for some fresh seafood and house specials.
If you have your own gear, Ames Park in Ormond Beach is a wonderful place to go fishing with the whole family. The 2.2-acre riverfront park includes picnic tables, a gazebo, a playground, restrooms, the historic Ames House and — most importantly — a 75-foot fishing pier. The beautiful Halifax River is not only scenic, but also chock-full of trout, black drum, flounder and more. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
Enjoy an Outdoor Adventure
If your crew loves to soak in the sunshine, exert a little energy and get up close to nature, there’s no end to the options available in Daytona Beach. Experience marine life like dolphins, birds and even manatees with a paddleboard or kayak adventure. Exploring the area’s vast waterways is a great way to spend time together and stay active!
If you’re into the exploring, but no so much the paddling, try your hand at a jet ski excursion. You can easily rent your watercraft here and get everything you need, including life jackets — and that makes for easy vacation packing! Of course, the beach itself offers days and days of fun on its own. Walk, run, bike, splash, play and let imaginations run wild — the expansive, white-sand beaches allow plenty of elbow room for your whole crew.
Marine Science Center
To learn a little bit about wildlife and create one-of-a-kind memories like petting a stingray, head to Ponce Inlet for the Marine Science Center. A favorite among area visitors of all ages, the Marine Science Center is an especially smart destination choice for those with young children. Go on an educational journey through marine life, explore various sea-creature exhibits, , see sea turtles up close in the rehabilitation hospital, and meet the creatures of the artificial reef system. It’s a wonderful way to learn how to appreciate the wide, wonderful waters surrounding Daytona Beach, as well as how we can play a role in keeping them safe.
Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum at MOAS
Want to incorporate some entertaining, yet educational, fun into your spring vacation? Explore a dazzling array of exhibits and enjoy hands-on learning at the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS). Located in the lush, 90-acre Tuscawilla Preserve, MOAS is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The kids likely won’t care about those accreditations — but they will LOVE the interactive fun that awaits at the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum inside MOAS!
In this engaging environment, children can safely experience the principles behind engines by assembling and racing a race car. Learning how to take vital stats — an activity that’s just what the doctor ordered — is also among the activities on tap. And, music is even more fun when you get to play a harp with laser beams!
Whether you decide to splash all day long at Daytona Lagoon Premier Water Park and Entertainment Center, stroll the Riverfront Shops, enjoy a waterfront dining experience or stretch out on 23 miles of sunny beaches, Daytona Beach has the cure to whatever winter blues your family feels. Start planning your spring family beach break now to get the best rates!