Fun things to do in Daytona Beach

We visited the Angell & Phelps chocolate factory and took their free tour. The tour was about 20 minutes. During the tour the guide explained the process of making chocolate while we watched through the viewing glass. We were able to watch them from the cooing process to the packaging, all of which is done by hand! At the ennd of the tour we were able to select a couple of samples of the chocolates that were made during the tour! Overall the tour was very informative and the chocolates are the best I have ever eaten! It's well worth the time to visit here.

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The Tarragona Tower and its twin arches were constructed in 1925 to mark the entrance to a new neighborhood called Daytona Highlands (originally named Coquina Highlands). In the great depression, the plans for this large community were put on hold, and in the 1940s one of the arches was destroyed so International Speedway Boulevard could be widened. In the 1980s, this same road was widened again, and the arches was moved not far to its present location.

The tower and arch were constructed in Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival Style architecture. The building material is local coquina stone, a stone made of ancient coral reef or seashells; this is the same material used to build Castillo de San Marcos in Saint Augustine.

On May 6, 2005, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

the historic daytona beach pier is located on the east end of main street in central daytona beach. the pier offers fishing, a restaurant, bar, and a beautiful view of the atlantic ocean and daytona beach. note: as of jan 2011 the pier is currently under revovation and is closed. there are plans to reopen the pier in the near future.

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So the "Daytona Experience" is an annual rite of passage for tens of thousands of college kids who descend on this beach town to get trashed, have tattoos placed on their ankles and lower backs, flash their privates to TV camera crews, and go home with every person of the opposite sex they see, only to return to school needing loads of antibiotics and morning-after pills. What fun!

The Daytona 500 Experience is another thing altogether. It doesn't involve booze, tatoos, or scantily clad women. This one is all about NASCAR's Daytona International Speedway. This large exhibit near turn four of the track was opened in 1996 and expanded in 2001. It now includes various racing simulators, an IMAX theater, a hands-on pit crew challenge, displays listing the winners of all Daytona races, and more.

My favorite thing at the Daytona 500 Experience was the display of the previous Daytona 500 winner's car. Immediately after the race, as soon as the celebrations and NASCAR inspections end, the car is placed in the museum. It is not washed, fixed, or changed at all. In 2009 Matt Kenseth's car was on display, and it had minor race damage on the back and side, champagne still splashed on the windshield, and dirt and grime from the track. Pretty cool!

If you like the overlooking the water, eating great food, drinking booze (not me though!) and listening to acoustic music try these places on Tuesday and Friday nights!!!
Tuesdays - Caribbean Jacks - by the Mason St Bridge, Ballough Road. Great outdoor tiki bar on the water, live music!!!!
Fridays - I like the Aquarium - Halifax Marina off Beach Ave! Live music and the most awesome grub!!

I hope this isn't considered advertising, but ...

This year at NASCAR's Daytona 500 (on February 15, 2009) at the Daytona Speedway there will be a pre-race performance by Keith Urban. So not only will you get to see a great race, but you'll get to hear some fantastic music by a superb performer, and the only charge is the ticket to the race.

located in the parking lot in front of the speedway is the daytona 500 experience. the daytona 500 experience has a 3D imax movie presentation, acceleration alley were you can drive a race car simulator, and a gift shop that sells NASCAR souveniers. you can also book rides on the daytona race track or drive a race car yourself. these two options must be reserved in advance by calling 1-800- BE PETTY. see the attached website for ticket information. the daytona 500 experience is a very interesting place to visit for stock car racing fans.

the historic daytona beach band shell was built in 1937 as a WPA project during the great depression. the band shell is located at ocean front park near the hilton resort. the band shell was constructed from coquina rock which is a florida stone consisting of compressed sea shells. the band shell hosts numerous concerts during the year check the attached website for dates and times.