Where do I start? Racing, Bike Week, Spring
Break, the weather, the ocean, the list is virtually endless, so,
I'll attempt to cover some of this alphabetically.
A is
for 'Aura', the aura that surrounds this area. The
happiness that people feel here is contagious. Everyone is
generally happy, whether it's the events that they look forward
to going to, the sunshine, or the fact that everyone seems to be a
transplant from somewhere else and are now genuinely happy to be
here and not there.
B is
for 'Bike Week'. A time of year, when one hundred
thousand plus motorcycles surge into the area for a week of events
that includes beer, bands, and babes. Not necessarily in that
order. For the biggest part, it's a tremendous amount of fun,
whether it is at 'Main Street' in downtown Daytona, or out
on US 1 in Ormond Beach, you have a wide variety of things to see
and/or do. The food always seems to taste a little better with an
ice cold draft beer, while your looking at a beautiful 'beer
tub babe', as your listening to one of the numerous bands that
play in the background, all surrounded by burnt rubber smoke, loud
pipes, and the smell of gasoline. All in all, it's basically
contained chaos and wonderful. When driving, be sure to look twice
during these weeks. Incidentally, Biketober (which is the fall
version of 'Bike Week') begins with 'B' also, but
has the same crazy antics as Bike Week, just a shorter time frame.
Did I happen to say beaches? B is also for 'Beaches',
enough said.
C is for
'Cubs'. As in the Daytona Beach Cubs baseball team,
which is a class 'A' affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Their
home stadium is the 'Jackie Robinson Ballpark'. This is
where a family of four can see a professional baseball game
including snacks for approximately $75. By the way, parking is free
and they have special 'all you can eat' and 'all you
can drink' nights.
D is
for 'Daytona Beach'. Made famous by it's racing
(more on that later), and Spring Break (more on that later
too).
E is
for 'Excitement' of all the things to do here. There
is no way possible to describe everything that goes on here or all
there is to do, therefore, one word seems to sum it all up and that
word is most definitely excitement.
F is
for 'Fishing'. Fishing in this area is wonderful.
Basically, you have the best of both worlds…saltwater and
freshwater. A license to fish in both is only thirty-five dollars
and well worth it. Take a boat offshore for marlin or toss a line
from one of the area's numerous piers into the brackish waters
of the HalifaxRiver. Either way, if you're a fisherman, you
will enjoy it. Note to the northerners, down here we use live
shrimp for bait, so leave the night crawlers at
home.
G is
for 'Get-Away'. Daytona Beach is not far from major
world-renowned destinations such as Disney World, Universal
Studios, Seaworld, and it's not hard to find a three-day cruise
to the Bahamas. There is also a quaint little international airport
nearby for your flight needs. 'Golf' could also be added to
this list due to the fact that there are many golf courses around
the area, not to mention LPGA boulevard is located in Daytona
Beach.
H is
for 'Haven' by the sea. Daytona Beach is located
right on the Atlantic Ocean and is a 'haven' for surfers
and beachcombers alike. Try a scenic coastal drive and stop to shop
at one of the numerous stores along the way. Note: Don't forget
to get your 'Can of Sunshine' or your 'Florida
Snowman' souvenir along the way.
I is
for 'Inexpensive'. If you journey off the beaten
path, you will find that Daytona Beach is basically cheap. Daytona
Beach doesn't have to break your bank. From restaurants to
attractions, you can find coupons good for discounts on just about
everything. Search online before your visit to take advantage of
the specials.
J is
for 'Journey'. Your journey will begin the day you
set foot in Daytona Beach. Choosing what to do and/or creating your
personal itinerary will be a journey in itself.
K is
for 'KennedySpaceCenter'. Where you can ride in a
'Space Shuttle' simulator, view the 'Astronaut Hall Of
Fame', or take a bus tour of all the historical launching pads.
There is absolutely too much to list here, but it's a
tremendous way to spend a Saturday. Personal note: They close at
5:00 pm so take an early tour so that you can attempt to see it
all. If you don't get to see it all, your ticket is good for a
second day just as long as you reaffirm on your way out and use it
within seven days.
L is for
'Launch', as in the Space Shuttle launch. Daytona
Beach is just about fifty miles north of the launch pad at
KennedySpaceCenter and you will, weather permitting, see the launch
from practically anywhere in town. My personal favorite is watching
the launch from the beach. However, although you can see it from
here, it is much more impressive to travel down to the
KennedySpaceCenter to watch it.
M is
for 'Museums'. There are a wide variety of museums
around the area as well as a MarineScienceCenter. Daytona Beach is
full of history. Be sure to check out 'The Casements' aka
the Rockefeller House just north in Ormond Beach.
N is
for 'Need', as in need another week to see it all.
Fortunately, this is not one of my dilemmas since I live
here.
O is
for 'Ocean', which is probably the number one reason
people travel to here. Like I've said previously, it is
'The Worlds Most Famous Beach'.
P is
for 'Ponce Inlet Lighthouse'. See the entire area
from the top. Bring your camera. The view is worth remembering and
saving for posterity.
Q is for
'Quiet' which Daytona Beach relatively is, with the
exception of 'Bike Week' and 'Race
Week'.
R is
for 'Racing'. This area is the birthplace of speed.
Cars, motorcycles, buses, boats, campers and more surge into
Daytona Beach at certain times of the year… all for racing.
There are numerous dirt tracks located within a thirty-mile
vicinity of Daytona International Speedway, from Volusia Speedway
to New Smyrna Speedway.
S is for
'Spring Break,' or what's come to be known as
'Spring Family Beach Break.' This is the time of the year
when students and families alike converge upon the area in their
swimsuits and shorts, with a great beach getaway in mind.MTV used
to come here, but they've since decided to take their cameras
and head a bit further south.Now there's a great mix of
students, seniors and families - perfect for everyone.
T is
for 'Traffic'.Daytona Beach is spread out. Traffic
congestion, with the exception of certain times of the year, is
virtually unheard of. And even at those times of the year, it is
really not that bad. Air-conditioned public transportation is
inexpensive and will take you practically
anywhere.
U is
for 'Underwater'. Whether SCUBA or snorkeling,
either is just a short distance away. The area's numerous
natural constant seventy-two degree, crystal clear water filled
springs is both inexpensive and enjoyable. Don't forget to buy
a disposable underwater camera to document your underwater
adventures.
V is for the
'Vacation'.Daytona Beach is one of the world's
premiere destinations and is called 'The Worlds Most Famous
Beach' for a reason.
W is
for 'Weather'. This area's weather is wonderful.
Sometimes it rains, but mostly it's sunny and warm and it never
snows. Well, almost never, if I'm not mistaken, they have seen
a flake here and a flake there. After all, it is extremely hard to
be depressed when you walk outside. It's warm, bright and sunny
and the birds are chirping while the squirrels are playing through
the rushing sound of the ocean waves…. You get the
picture.
X is for
'xenophobia' which Daytona Beach is not. What is
'xenophobia'? It's a fear or hatred of strangers. If we
were, we would be terrified 85% of the year. No, I would have to
say that this area enjoys its visitors and will strive to make
their visit memorable and enjoyable.
Y is
for 'Yankee', which Daytona Beach has many.
Transplants (folks from other states) are plentiful and odds are,
you will find someone from your home state, if not your home
city
Z is
for 'Zoos', many of which are located within a fifty
or seventy-five mile perimeter around the
area.
This is what I like to call the
Daytona Beach Alphabet. I hope it's enlightened you to all the
wonderful and exciting things this area has to offer. I'm sure
that I've missed a few things, but that's only because I
haven't experienced them………yet!
