Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Daytona Beach?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Daytona Beach?

Many visitors spend seven days in Daytona Beach during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This beach city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the nightlife, the beaches, the big city activities, and the live music.

Daytona Beach has long been at the heart of Florida's Spring Break culture. There are long beaches of hard packed sand that are perfect for playing or sunbathing. The beaches are lined with hotels and the energy is all consuming. There are also many summer concerts, waterparks, family-friendly activities, and wild bars and clubs.

Do you have one or two days to visit Daytona Beach? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Daytona Beach?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this beach city. After all, As a popular and famous beach city, Daytona Beach offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. To fully embrace Daytona Beach, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate seven days to take advantage of the local nightlife, relax at the beach, enjoy the city's energy, and enjoy the live music scene. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Daytona Beach

Don't miss the Daytona International Speedway during your trip to Daytona Beach, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This beach city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Daytona Beach?

Daytona Beach offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. A weekend is probably not enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities. You will likely feel rushed to see the nightlife, the beaches, the big city activities, and the live music. To thoroughly enjoy your trip, you'd need more time, as most vacationers schedule seven days to fully experience the party-hard beach city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Beach, Florida

How to spend 2 days in Daytona Beach

With a weekend (two to three days) in Daytona Beach, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the beach city has to offer.

The beautiful beaches await you in Daytona Beach, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour ($65)
  • Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach ($65)
  • Guided Wildlife Eco Kayak Tour in New Smyrna Beach ($45)

Live music is very popular in Daytona Beach, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Daytona Beach, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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