Daytona Beach hotel, Live Oaks Inn, near Daytona Beach Florida attractions

Beach, Beach & More Beach

Distance from inn: 1 mile
Location or address: All along the coast off A1A
Phone: 386-239-7873
Website: http://volusia.org/beach/
Stretching 23 miles along the Central Florida seashore, Daytona’s beaches provide sand, surf and an ocean park atmosphere. Build a sandcastle, try your hand at surfing, or skim the salt-water saturated sand on a boogie board. Rent beach cruiser recumbent bicycles and race your sweetheart down the coastline. Driving on the beach is a Daytona tradition, but take it slow and obey all signs or risk tangling with the ever-present Beach Patrol. Vehicle-free areas also available.

Blue Springs State Park

Distance from inn: 30 miles
Location or address: 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City
Phone: 386-775-3663
Website: www.floridastateparks.org
Rent a boat, fish, hike the trails, bird watch and, in the winter, observe dozens of manatees cavorting in shallow waters. The 72-degree Fahrenheit inland springs at this picturesque state park provide the perfect cool weather habitat for this warm water seeking mammal.

Cape Canaveral National Seashore & Merritt Island

Distance from inn: 30 miles
Location or address: A1A, south of New Smyrna Beach
Phone: 321-861-0667
Website: www.nps.gov/cana
Lovely coastline views, hiking trails, endless primitive beaches, and great ocean kayaking await you at the Cape Canaveral National Seashore and Refuge. A barrier island and peninsula, the seashore provides a home to 14 endangered wildlife species, including loggerhead sea turtles, manatees and wood storks. The park also is home to Turtle Mound, a 50-foot mound of more than 33,000 oyster shells constructed by Timucuan Indians between 800-1400 AD. Don’t expect to see just a big pile of shells, though. The mound is basically a little hill — overgrown with trees and vegetation. But, peek through the plants and you’ll see scores of the oyster shells!

Fishing with Critter Fleet

Distance from inn: 12 miles
Location or address: Ponce Inlet Marina (off Peninsula Drive)
Phone: 386-767-7676
Website: www.critterfleet.com
Haul in grouper, snapper and other large bottom fish with the experienced open-sea fisherman of Critter Fleet. Head 30 miles out on a half- or full-day party boat charter. Excursion fees include equipment and bait. Private charters available.

Parasailing

Blue Sky Parasail
Distance from inn: 1 miles
Location or address: on the beach (behind Treasure Island)
Phone: 386-334-2191
Website: www.blueskyparasail.com
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Daytona Beach Parasail
Distance from inn: 1 miles
Location or address: Silver Beach Avenue
Phone: 386-547-6067
Website: www.daytonaparasailing.com
Sail through the wild blue yonder above the deep blue sea! Reach heights from 800 to 2,000 feet above the ocean as you fly over the waves. Takeoffs and landings are completely controlled from a platform boat. Flights daily, 7 am to 8 pm, weather permitting.

Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens

Distance from inn: 6 miles
Location or address: 950 Old Sugar Mill Road, Port Orange
Phone: 386-767-1735
Website: www.ecotourism.com
Lush gardens and dense native vegetation surround sugar mill ruins at this unusual botanical gardens. Enjoy the scenic flora and fauna along winding walking paths, cast a shadow at the human sundial, and get a giggle out of huge concrete dinosaur statues – remnants of a 1950s amusement park called Bongoland. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Surfing with Daytona Beach Surf School

Distance from inn: 2 miles
Location or address: On the beach
Phone: 386-441-9987
Website: www.daytonasurfingschool.com
Learn how to surf the waves with confidence from a seasoned instructor. Safe, soft surfboards are free-of-charge with instruction. Lessons taught with water safety and marine life awareness always top-of-mind. Private and group lessons available year-round, along with summer surf camps.

Tiny Cruise Line

Distance from inn: Less than a block
Location or address: Across the street!
Phone: 386-226-2343
Website: www.visitdaytona.com/tinycruise
Glide past little islands and grand estates as your cruise through the waters of the Halifax River in a charming 1890s-style launch. Spot leaping dolphins, jumping fish and marine birds galore from the railing of this delightful tour boat. Just walk across the street to the marina and go!