Hotels in Daytona Beach Shores, USA

Daytona Beach Shores: A Getaway on the Florida Coast

Incorporated in the 1960s and with a population of a little over 4,000 people, Daytona Beach Shores is a resort and retirement community within a ten-minute drive of Daytona Beach. The area survives on the tourism trade so if you plan to visit, you can expect to be treated well. There are less hotels here than in nearby Daytona Beach but those that are available, along with the many self-catering condominium options, are often situated within steps of the sand.

Enjoy the Outdoors

People tend to come to Daytona Beach Shores for two reasons: to escape the hustle and bustle of Daytona Beach proper and to enjoy the beautiful beach. You can expect clean white sand here, which combines with the warm shallow waters of the Atlantic to create the perfect spot for a beach holiday. While you’ll probably be happy enough relaxing on the sand, rental shops along the beach offering motorised beach carts, bikes, and surfboards for hire. Plus, you can enjoy ocean fishing from Sunglow Pier (fishing equipment is available to hire). In addition to the beach, Daytona Beach Shores features several parks. Dahlia Avenue Park offers picnic areas, direct beach access, and views of the pier. Parks such as McElroy Park, Frank Rendon Park, and Andrinopoulos Park feature a children’s playground.

Shopping and Dining

Shopping in Daytona Beach Shores isn’t a particularly diverse experience. The area’s stores tend to focus on tourist essentials although there are surf shops and gift shops too. Shopaholics need not despair, though, as there are several excellent shopping destinations nearby. Options such as the historic Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach and the Ocean Walk retail centre are within a ten-minute drive. Volusia Mall and the Tanger Outlet are slightly further afield but still worth a visit. Dining options here are also limited although there are some excellent seafood restaurants to be found within the area’s hotels. More options are available in nearby Daytona Beach and at the Pavilion at Port Orange, the latter an open-air combined retail and dining destination within a 20-minute drive of Daytona Beach Shores.

Arts & Culture

The Shores Pavilion in Daytona Beach Shores opened in 2012, providing a space for community events such as free concerts. The pavilion is also home to the Court of Flags; a collection of flags representing the origins of residents and visitors. Within a short distance of this small city, visitors will find museums and galleries such as the Art League of Daytona Beach, the Daytona Maritime Museum, and Hanksters Hot Rods & Museum. The area also offers an abundance of historic houses and buildings. Visitors can explore the likes of the DeBary Hall Historic Site, the Lilian Place Historic House, and the Stetson Mansion. Also, with venues such as the Athens Theatre, the Daytona Playhouse, and the Peabody Auditorium so easily accessible, the opportunities to spend an evening enjoying the performing arts are numerous.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors to Daytona Beach Shores will find many attractions within a short distance of their hotel or vacation home. There’s family fun to be had by the bucket load at attractions such as the Daytona Lagoon Water Park Entertainment Center, the Joyland Amusement Center, and the Planetarium at Museum of Arts & Sciences. To the east of the city (within a 20-minute drive), the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse offers 360-degree Ocean views as well as amenities such as an on-site museum and gift shop. The Marine Science Center, home to a sea turtle rehabilitation facility, is nearby. Another must visit during any trip to this area is the Daytona International Speedway; a landmark in the area and home to the iconic Daytona 500, the speedway opens daily to the public.

Day Trips

If you want to devote some of your stay to exploring the wider area, you will find many points of interest, both along the coast and further inland. Palm Coast, where attractions include the Long Creek Nature Preserve and the Florida Agricultural Museum, is a little under an hour away. Also within a 60-minute drive is the Ocala National Forest, a 600-mile square mile space where activities include hiking and horse riding. If you’re happy to travel a little further afield, you could spend the day at St. Augustine, just 80 minutes away. Here, the highlights include Castillo de San Marcos, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and Anastasia Island. And, of course, Orlando and theme parks such as Universal, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom are also within easy reach.