From marine science to baseball, Daytona Beach offers fun for the whole family

Between taking in the beaches or strolling down the boardwalk, Daytona Beach, Florida has a sweet series of family friendly attractions to make the perfect weekend getaway.

Civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune was a champion for racial and gender equality whose many achievements include acting as an advisor president FDR. Bethune’s home has also been turned into a museum and enshrines important parts of the area’s local African American history.

Curious growing sea-goers can take a closer look at the biome while visiting the Marine Science Center with its interactive touch pool.The center functions as a hub for seabird and sea turtle rehabilitation, making it the perfect place to teach little ones about the importance of ecology and living in harmony with nature while exposing them to marvels of veterinary medicine.

The Main Street Pier is perfect for sighting sea birds and dolphins, a prime spot for anglers and amblers alike. It’s a natural extension of the boardwalk’s bounty of restaurants and shops to sample from.

For adrenaline junkies and car lovers, both the Daytona International Speedway and its companion the Motorsports Hall of Fame show feats of engineering and speed sure to please.

A slower-paced sport, baseball, also plays a role in the city’s history, as Daytona was the place that welcomed Jackie Robinson to play in 1946 when cities throughout Florida rejected his team’s desire to host their spring training game.

This story was originally published July 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM.