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ORANGE CITY

DAYTONABEACH

PONCEINLET

PORTORANGE

DeLAND

REPORTING BY LOLA AUGUSTINE BROWNGRAPHIC BY BRIAN HUGHES/TORONTO STAR

Fun things to do in Daytona

DREAMSTIME PHOTO

LOLA AUGUSTINE BROWN/TORONTO STAR

A guide to attractions, experiences and other phenomena in this famous resort

[ Water Activities1. GO FISH! Head out with Captain Scott Cornelious of The Good Life Charters to find redfish in the serene and shallow waters of the Tomoka River. Check out open waters and hidden fishing spots in the narrow man-made channels. This expert guide will help you reel in a big one. 2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach

2. SURFING. Never surfed before? No problem. Pure Life Surf School says that they get 95 per cent of first-timers up on the board and catching a wave before the day is out. Surf’s always up in Daytona, and the soft white sands make

for a gentle landing should the waves get the better of you. 2705 South

Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach

3. PADDLEBOARDING. Paddle in the surf on Daytona Beach, or take an easy paddle along the Halifax River that runs just behind the beach. (If you’re lucky, you’ll paddle alongside manatees and dolphins.) Three Brothers Boards offer guided tours of the river and along the beach, and are adept at teaching newbies how to stay afloat. 212 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach

[ Beach Stops4. BOARDWALK AMUSEMENTS. Right on the boardwalk, you’ll find a throwback fairground, complete with 30-metre tall Ferris wheel and the Sand Blaster Rollercoaster, which shoots you around the track at 65 km/h. Both rides offer fantastic views out over the ocean. There are also go-carts, a slide, a tilt-a-whirl and other fun rides. 25 Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach

5. PONCE DE LEON INLET LIGHTHOUSE. Climb the 203 steps of the tallest lighthouse in Florida (at 53 metres) to be treated to incredible views over Daytona’s beaches, resorts and waterways. Built in 1835, the lighthouse also serves as museum, with fascinating exhibits on the lighthouse, and the culture of the surrounding area and its history. 4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet

6. DRIVE THE BEACHES! As a throwback to the days when the Daytona 500 raced on the hard-packed white sands of Daytona Beach, you’re allowed to drive your car on the beach and park on the sand. Access ramps are clearly marked all along Atlantic Avenue, and a great place to start is at the Ponce Inlet Jetty.

[ Wildlife7. SEARCHING FOR MANATEES ON THE ST JOHNS RIVER. On a leisurely four-hour kayak tour through mirror-like still waters beneath Spanish moss covered trees with Kenny Boyd of Kayak Central Florida, you’ll get up close with huge manatees, alligators, turtles, and bird species including black vultures, bald eagles, great blue herons, wood storks and red-crested pileated woodpeckers. 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City

8. MARINE SCIENCE CENTER. This cool little aquarium-museum enables you to learn about Florida marine life and hand-feed stingrays, and it has a turtle hospital and rehab centre behind glass walls, and a seabird rehabilitation centre and sanctuary. Get close to bald eagles, storks and pelicans! 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet

9. SMYRNA DUNES PARK. Many species of shorebirds call this protected haven home. There are more than 2 km. of raised walkways over the dunes, and lots of beach access. Expect to see pelicans, herons, storks, snowy egrets and terns. 2995 North Peninsula Avenue, New Smyrna Beach

[ Surprises10. DAYTONA FLEA AND FARMERS’ MARKET. More than 1,000 stalls offer up everything from tattoos, antiques, exotic birds you can pose with, bullet-proof vests, clothing, produce, and everything you never knew you needed. Look for cheap souvenirs or people-watch. 1425 Tomoka Farms Road, Daytona Beach

11. DAYTONA BEACH DRIVE-IN CHRISTIAN CHURCH. For more than 60 years, the devoted of Daytona have been able to attend Sunday service on the grounds of the old Neptune Drive-In, watch the sermon from the balcony where the theatre screen used to be, and tune in their radios to hear what the Reverend says. 3140 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach

12. CASSADAGA SPIRITUALIST CAMP. Kooky Cassadaga is a unique 120-year-old community of “spiritually minded people.” Want your palm or your aura read? This is the place to do it. Dozens of spiritualists call Cassadaga home. Watch for lawn signs outside their homes, find them at the visitor centre, or book appointments through the historic Cassadaga Hotel. 1112 Stevens Street, Lake Helen

[ Cars13. TOUR THE SPEEDWAY! NASCAR fans will love the tours of the Speedway. You’re taken around the track and can see just how steep the corners are, pose at the victory lane podium, and explore the garages. And there’s a museum where you can pose next to last year’s winning car. 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach

14. DRINK WHERE NASCAR STARTED! At Racing’s North Turn, you can eat, drink and be merry right on the spot where the Daytona 500 started on the beach. This historic bar has tons of cool memorabilia to look at. 4511 South Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet

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74DAYTONA

BEACH

FLORIDA