Seven Sizzling Spots in Daytona Beach for the Off-Season
It’s not hot nor is it beach weather. However, on any given day, temperatures might rise to resemble summer and a wet suit will definitely aid in dealing with the cool waters of the Atlantic.
There’s plenty of activities that keep the beach rocking, but these seven (or more) stops need to be experienced during a visit. Off-season and shoulder-season travel are the ideal times to take advantage of a beach destination. Avoid the crowds and savor the personal attention showered upon you by these small business owners, museums docents, and restaurant chefs.
They say it’s the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” It very well could be, and it’s waiting on you.
Crossing the Halifax River
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, Fl | Daily 8 a.m. until sundown
Only a 35-minute drive from Daytona Beach and located on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Florida. Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge, and during the winter months (mid-November through March), manatees seek refuge in the spring's warmer waters. Each day, a manatee count is posted on social media—ranging from the low hundreds to near a thousand—and drives visitors to the spring, often requiring a wait in line. The creatures swim, seeking warmth, from the St. Johns inward toward the spring, which remains a constant 72-degrees. Water activities are closed during manatee season (November-April).
Activities within the park include canoeing, kayaking, fishing and scuba diving and more. Florida State Parks offer a camp sites that are sheltered by live oaks and within minutes from the water. For RVs, hookups make it easy and if pitching a tent is your passion, there’s showers and restrooms for you.
Blue Spring State Park | Blue Spring State Park is a popular state park located in Orange City, Florida, USA. It is best known for its crystal-clear freshwater spring, Blue Spring, which is a designated manatee refuge. The park covers more than 2,600 acres and offers a variety of outdoor activities and natural attractions.
Dunn’s Attic & Rosie’s Cafe
136 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL
“Yes, please” to $1 mimosas (a double for $2, yes please) and antique shopping. Dunn’s Attic along Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach puts the fun in being downtown. Elevating the antique shopping experience is Dunn’s priority, with their ever-changing selections from over 4,000 consigners. Looking for a Chinese jade carving? They have it. Their website has online auctions and sales. Their Etsy shop sells books, BooksRedunn. If hunger mounts, step inside Rosie’s Café (located in the same space) for breakfast or lunch. Don’t forget to end with the crack cake. The cinnamon roll is a monster, too.
An Evening in Ormond Beach | 31 & Rosevilla
Ormond Beach is part of the larger Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metropolitan area. Only about a 20 minute drive from Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach’s hub is Granada Boulevard, often referred to as the beach’s downtown. It’s a charming area with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's a great place for strolling, shopping, and enjoying local cuisine. It’s the answer to where to eat and shop in Ormond Beach.
31 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL | Opens 4 p.m.
Start the evening by turning back the clock with cocktails at 31 Supper Club. It’s eclectic atmosphere is made more dazzling by its history and speakeasy vibe. Every piece inside the restaurant has a story, including the wooden bar said to be an Al Capone relic from Chicago. The zebra-stripped chairs offer a slam-dunk in the atmosphere category. You’ll forget where you are once you walk inside.
43 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL | Lunch and Dinner | Upstairs Bourbon Bar Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar | It’s casual. It’s comfy. It’s a revival of the past. The chef prepares Southern inspired cuisine from the signature Southern fried chicken (be hungry for the one-half bird) and the famous Rose’s Deviled Eggs (yellow and white top the crispy pork belly, red cabbage chow chow). This local favorite sets the palate for high expectations and never disappointment. Maybe the Southern Style Cuban, the Shrimp and Grits or the Jambalaya. For lunch or dinner, it’s all good.
The building was built in the late 1800s as a companion to Henry Flager’s decadent Ormond Hotel. For those that wanted more privacy, this elegant lady was the choice. There’s even a speakeasy on the second floor. Reservations recommended.
The Riverfront Esplanade
249 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL
Edging the Halifax River, the Riverfront Esplanade now defines downtown Daytona Beach. Walking trails, running trails, a dog park, and a splash pad invite people to arrive and stay. And even more impactful than the physical beauty of the park is the dedication of Cici and Hyatt Brown and the Brown Riverfront Esplanade Foundation to ensure that this natural space remains a beautiful respite for generations to come.
Across the street, there’s shopping for every taste. Enjoy the esplanade and then wind down at Madeline’s Wine Bar, an intimate space serving curated wines, champagnes and chef-inspired small plates for nibbling. Don’t forget to stop at Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory and watch the magic happen. The samples are but a prelude to your purchases; consider the honeybees or the customer favorite (#1 seller), chocolate covered potato chips.
Millie’s Restaurant
3218 South Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, FL | Daily from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
As far as hole-in-the-walls go, Millie’s Restaurant takes the cake (or the Pressed Cuban as the case may be). It didn’t take Food Network or Guy Fieri long to discover and tackle the Alligator ribs. Located on Daytona Beach Shores, this small space serves the freshest seafood and local produce. And who is Millie? The dog who inspired Chris and Amy Chibbaro, the owners, to showcase the community. Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended.
Pressed Cuban Sandwich
Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
352 S. Nova Rd., Daytona Beach, FL
Understanding that the art before you is a personal collection is mind-blowing. This epic collection is the largest collection of Florida art in the world, whether by artist or location. The grand gallery introduces visitors to the six small galleries with rotating exhibitions.
Cici and Hyatt Brown’s permanent gallery is the most significant paintings in their collection. In 2012, the Brown’s donated money for the construction of the museum which now houses their curated work.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
4931 S. Peninsula Dr., Ponce Inlet, FL | Daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The tallest Florida lighthouse, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, reigns over the eastern coast. Constructed in 1887, the lighthouse has guided mariners for more than 130 years. Climb the 203 steps to view the whole of Daytona Beach; if the climb is not an option, visit the multiple historic and modern buildings to learn more about the keepers of the light.
To plan your adventure to Daytona any time of year, visit Daytona Beach.
