Daytona Beach Favorites

Favorite thing: I'm using this area to just say that although I had a nice time, I was there with colleagues mainly on business. The area isn't really all that kid-friendly and is heavily into the "biker" scene. There are many biker bars (some quite nice, one with a great blues band!) but there is only a very small boardwalk area with limited family activities.

Fondest memory: I was able to watch the Space Shuttle launch from the beach! It was absolutely fantastic!

Favorite thing: Christopher, the graduate, is on the left with beard. He cut off his long hair just prior to graduation and the beard went when it was time to find a job.
Brother and sister were along for support....or aggitation....wherever their moods took them. These three are sometimes very funny when they get together after long periods of separation.
All our kids have enjoyed Daytona over the years with their various interests...and have been in and out of that town since early childhood.

Fondest memory: My fondest memory is without a doubt...my son's graduation.
However, we had lots of wonderful days on the beach when the kids were young.

Favorite thing: Plenty of palm trees around Daytona. Live oaks dripping with Spanish moss....all sorts of big old pine trees too. Once you remove yourself from the "main drags" and all the traffic, hotels, and madness....there are many very pleasantly planted roads and neighborhoods to enjoy the natural beauty of Daytona.
This scene of Embry Riddle Campus gives you a taste of the palm trees.....and the one waving belongs to me. :-)

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Favorite thing: Aside from the splendid Daytona Beach, there's another attraction. It's the Daytona Speedway. Reasonable entry fee ( children are discounted) includes fun games shows, Imax theatre, Toyota- sponsored simulator and a guided tram tour . Exciting simulator rides for a fee can also be had . Lots of race mementos are on display. Huge souvenir shop.
Will only take half day to cover everything,preferably get there after lunch. To top it all, Staffs are all attentive and dedicated.
Highly Recommended to all motorsports fans out there, never miss it !!!

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Favorite thing: While in Daytona Beach, visit Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. It's considered to be #1 aeronautical school in the world and 1/4 of all commercial pilot are trained there. In fact, Air Force is using ERAU for training their pilots.

It's a beautiful campus, too!

Visit www.embryriddle.com for more information.

Favorite thing: Seeing the different types of people that go to Bike Week - the stories that play out on the bikers' faces....this is the best thing you can hope for, in my opinion.

The bikers themselves are definitely the Main Attraction.

Fondest memory: This couple are the best representatives for Bike Week, in my opinion. Age aside, they have a kind of scary look to them....lots of tattoos and body piercings, maybe even a little mean expression....

...but then you ask them if they'd mind posing for a photo, and they graciously stop and wait for you to snap a picture of them.

That's when you notice that the man is holding a non-alcoholic Gatorade drink in one hand, and the woman's fingernails are polished.

Yeah, they had their Hey-Day back in the late 60s and it probably involved a lot of Grateful Dead Shows and some peyote and tequila out in the deserts of New Mexico....but they're older, they're wiser...and they're mellow ambassadors from an Age of Freedom and Carefree Spirit that we'll never see again in our lifetime.

And that's when you recognize in yourself a kind of feeling of respect, wistfulness and yes, maybe even a little envy.

That's what I like about Bike Week.

Favorite thing: Daytona Beach is known for Bike Week, Spring Break, and NASCAR. But did you know that you can drive on our beaches. I love to drop the top on my convertable, or rent a 4 wheeler, and cruise up and down the beach for hours. It's so beautiful, and you can park and just hang out, swim or even play volley ball. It's just and increadable experience, a must try if you are ever to Daytona. Driving on the beach makes the trip worth it from anywhere.

Favorite thing: VISIT THE BOARDWALK. FULL OF FUN GAMES AND RIDES FOR THE THRILL SEEKER IN ALL OF US. RIDE IT IF YOU DARE....

Fondest memory: MY FONDEST MEMORY OF THE BEACH IS THE DAY I SPENT WITH THE WIFE ON OUR ANNIVERSERY. WE SPENT A ROMANTIC EVENING JUST WALKING ON THE BEACH AND MAKING OUT UNDER THE MAIN STREET PIER. WAS EVEN MORE EXCITING WHEN WE ALMOST GOT CAUGHT.