Daytona Beach, known for its beautiful beaches, rich motorsports history and family-friendly attractions, will have new experiences, amenities and exhibits for visitors to enjoy this 2025 Florida summer vacation season.
Whether it’s a first-time or returning visitor, there will be new coastal fun to discover in Daytona Beach this summer. Here’s a look at what’s new this summer in Daytona Beach, FL:
Marine Science Center Set to Reopen
The Marine Science Center is set to reopen on June 24, following a $4.2 million renovation project that began last September. The extensive improvements have enhanced marine exhibits, expanded education facilities, and upgraded visitor amenities. The center, closed for about nine months to accommodate the project, now features several new attractions designed to deepen public understanding of marine ecosystems.
Key additions include:
- The John Crisp Artificial Reef Exhibit, showcasing the benefits of Volusia County’s artificial reef program
- A 1,500-square-foot multipurpose education building
- A living shoreline exhibit
- A living reef exhibit
- A working coral lab that will provide research opportunities to high school and college students
- Enhancements to the parking area and main building to improve the traffic flow for visitors
- An aquarium quarantine deck was added to safely introduce new fish into the exhibits
Rainforest Coming This Summer at Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure
The much-anticipated rainforest portion of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure will open this summer at the destination’s first aquarium offering. The new Rainforest will feature multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, Tamarins, and many more.
The 55,000 square-foot facility, which opened last year, features more than 50 separate exhibits including a 110,000-gallon shark exhibit and a guest-favorite 10,000-gallon stingray touch pool. The Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest will post updates on the official opening date of The Rainforest on their website and social media platforms.
New Exhibits at the Museum of Arts & Sciences
The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) will have three new exhibits for visitors to enjoy.
- Shoosty Bugs Exhibit features the work of Stephen Shooster. Also known as Shoosty, Shooster is a fine artist and writer whose works display multiple themes and styles, concentrating on music, landscapes, and conceptual art.
- Through a collection of enlarged, scientifically accurate insect sculptures, BUGS: Outside the Box, a natural history exhibition, offers a captivating look at some of the tiniest creatures on Earth—at a scale that reveals the incredible beauty and complexity normally hidden to the naked eye
- At the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, which is located on the MOAS campus, It’s a Ship Show has opened and will take guests on a visual voyage through Florida’s maritime history.
Veterans Memorial Plaza
Located on the northwest corner of the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Downtown Daytona Beach, the Veterans Memorial Plaza is a new dedicated location where residents and visitors can memorialize and honor the valiant men and women who lost their lives while defending our freedom. Features include flags representing the six branches of the U.S. Military, a World War I memorial, and a six-foot fire monument with the names of Volusia County residents who died in the line of duty.
Coke Zero Sugar 400
After a one-year absence, the NASCAR regular-season finale returns to the Coke Zero Sugar 400, scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 23. This year’s 160-lap, 400-mile race will be the final opportunity for drivers to secure their spot in the 10-race battle for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
International Speedway Blvd. ramp and World’s Most Famous Beach Sign
The International Speedway Blvd. beach approach at A1A, where the iconic “World’s Most Famous Beach” sign is located, has reopened after the completion of a ramp improvement project. The upgraded ramp features three lanes to improve traffic flow onto the beach and enhance the overall beach experience. Also reopening is Sam’s Coal Fired Pizza, a popular pizza shop located adjacent to the ramp that was closed during the improvement project. Located right next door is a new eatery known around the world for its iconic all-beef hot dogs -- Nathan’s Hot Dogs, which will serve the classic Nathan’s hot dogs as well as half-roasted chicken, 9-inch Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes.
Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Fans attending Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball games this summer will notice significant improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The facility is undergoing a multi-million, multi-year renovation project that will be completed in phases. Among the enhancements completed ahead of this season are the replacement of 1,300 seats, a new sound system, the batter’s eye located in center field, and the foul poles.
Ambros Daytona
Daytona Beach’s newest hotel property, Ambros Daytona, opened in the spring in Daytona Beach Shores. The 50-room independent boutique lifestyle hotel offers an elevated, relaxed environment with a mix of single king rooms, double queen rooms, and suites that cater to families, singles, and couples. Half of the rooms feature kitchenettes.
Mystic Lobster at Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront
Located within the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, a new fast-casual seafood chain, Mystic Lobster, has opened serving a variety of lobster rolls, crab cakes, lobster tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.
Ready to start planning your summer vacation in Daytona Beach? Check out all the great accommodations available in the area now, and start planning your amazing beach getaway today! We’ll be looking forward to seeing you in Daytona Beach soon!
