Building sand castles, swimming and playing at one of 40 city parks are some of the many activities for children in Daytona Beach, Florida. The city features 23 miles of sandy white beaches and tropical Florida weather that is ideal for family fun, according to the Daytona Beach Visitors' Bureau. Tours, aquatic adventures and historical sites also offer endless ways to spend a day in Daytona Beach.
The beaches of Daytona Beach welcome endangered sea turtles each year that emerge at night to lay their eggs in nests in the sand. Two months later, about 100 hatchlings make their way from the nests to the ocean, according to the city's visitors' bureau. Restrictions are placed on beach driving and parking during the sea turtle season, and visitors are asked to stay a minimum of 30 feet away. Sea turtles can also be seen at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, where they are rehabilitated and cared for before being returned to the ocean. Marine Science Center is located 12 miles south of downtown Daytona Beach at a waterfront site off of South Atlantic Avenue.
Marine Science Center
100 Lighthouse Drive
Ponce Inlet, FL 32127
386-304-5545
marinesciencecenter.com
Daytona Beach's Florida Tennis Center features 24 clay courts and certified staff members. A junior tennis program features a variety of options for children. Private 30- or 60-minute lessons give students individual attention to improve strokes and footwork while group classes are offered by age and skill level. "Little Tennis" is geared to children between the ages of 5 and 8 and teaches fundamentals of tennis. Junior Novice and Intermediate Leagues are available for youth up to age 12 who can rally 10 times from the baseline with a tennis pro. Weekly tennis camps area also offered in the summer at Florida Tennis Center of Daytona Beach. The center is located off of LPGA Boulevard near Highway 92.
Florida Tennis Center, Daytona Beach
1 Deuce Court, Suite 200
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
386-671-8901
floridatenniscenterdaytona.com
Known as Daytona Beach's "highway over the ocean," Main Street Pier offers fishing access and sky-high views from a revolving space needle. The pier extends 1,000 feet into the Atlantic. Fishing rods and bait are available for rent. The Space Needle offers views from 180 feet up and a gondola sky ride carries passengers out beyond the end of the pier and back again. Young anglers and their families can also enjoy a meal at the pier's restaurant after a day of play. Main Street Pier is located at the eastern end of Main Street after crossing the Main Street Bridge from downtown Daytona Beach.
Main Street Pier
1200 Main St.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386-253-1212
