Quick . . . Name the only place in America where you can loll on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in the morning, tee up at a challenging course at midday, and take a real race car for a spin around one of the world’s iconic racetracks in the afternoon.

The answer, of course, is Daytona Beach! The 37-kilometre-long beach has long been acknowledged as one of the best on Earth, and perhaps the widest. The sand is soft powder, the waves are warming, and the colours are vivid on Florida’s east coast.

FOR SPORTS BUFFS

Golf anyone? There are some two dozen excellent, challenging and lushly landscaped courses in the Daytona Beach area. And golf is not just a summer sport here. Thanks to coastal Florida’s mild temperatures, you can play year-round on courses such as those at LPGA International or the award-winning greens at Cypress Head Golf Club.

Head over to the Daytona International Speedway, home of the famed Daytona 500, the biggest race in NASCAR, which takes place on February 17, 2019. Even if you can’t attend the race, get behind the wheel of one of these babies and actually take it for a spin at the NASCAR Racing Experience! While here, you can also tour the speedway and view perhaps the world’s greatest collection of racing memorabilia at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

RETAIL THERAPY AND MORE

Daytona’s “best of” list doesn’t stop there, however. Shop ’til you drop at the brand new One Daytona complex across from the track, where you’ll find a unique collection of first-to-market retail outlets and specialty shops, restaurants and live entertainment. In fact, Daytona Beach is filled with great restaurants, more than 40 of which are on the waterfront.

The region is rich in history as well. Walk along paths leading to ancient Indian grounds, sugar-mill ruins and historic villages. Visit Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest at 53 metres, completed in 1887.

Also, don’t forget to take the kids out for miniature golf and to the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier for rides and amusements.

Travel Planner

Plan your Daytona Beach getaway at daytonabeach.com. Effective January 2019, Sunwing Airlines (sunwing.ca) is adding direct service from Toronto to Daytona Beach International Airport.