Attractions
Attractions
Things to do in Daytona
In September, Daytona Beach offers a delightful respite from the summer heat, making it perfect for outdoor exploration. Below are some excursion ideas to enhance the conference experience by exploring the beauty and attractions of Daytona Beach while enjoying the pleasant early fall weather.
Beach Activities
Daytona Beach is renowned for its wide, sandy shores. Attendees can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, or simply relaxing by the ocean. Additionally, various water activities such as surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or jet skiing are available, with rentals readily accessible along the beach.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier
Attendees can soak in the lively atmosphere of the boardwalk, complete with amusement rides, arcades, shops, and restaurants. A stroll on the pier offers stunning ocean views and opportunities for fishing.
Nature Trails
The Daytona Beach area boasts over 60 miles of scenic trails perfect for exploring diverse ecosystems. From the lush hammock forests of Lyonia Preserve (30 miles/48 km) to the coastal dunes of Smyrna Dunes Park (20.7 miles/33.3 km), September offers comfortable temperatures for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature at its finest.
Just 7.6 miles (12 km) from the venue, Kayaking enthusiasts can explore the Halifax River and Intracoastal Waterway, spotting manatees, dolphins, and a variety of birdlife along the way.
Daytona International Speedway
At 4.8 miles (7.7 km) from the venue, attendees can tour the Daytona International Speedway, a must-visit destination for motorsport enthusiasts and home to the famous Daytona 500. If a race is scheduled during their visit, they can also catch the action firsthand.
12 miles (19 km) from the venue, attendees can learn about local marine life at the Marine Science Center, featuring educational exhibits, rehabilitated sea turtles, and interactive displays.
Starting 2.4 miles (4 km) from the venue, attendees can enjoy narrated sightseeing tours or sunset cruises along the Halifax River, which provide a unique perspective of Daytona Beach and its surroundings.
12.2 miles (19 km) from the venue, attendees can explore Florida’s tallest lighthouse and its accompanying museum, offering panoramic views of the coastline and insights into the area’s maritime history. Additionally, a boat tour to spot dolphins and manatees is available.
Things to do outside Daytona
Orlando (~120 km from Daytona)
Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, bird watcher, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshiper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, you’re always welcome here in Orlando. Immerse yourself in unforgettable adventures at the world’s top theme parks when you visit Orlando. Whether it’s the magic of Walt Disney World ®Resort, endless excitement at Universal Orlando Resort, an aquatic wonderland at SeaWorld ®Orlando, or building family fun at LEGOLAND ®Florida Resort, Orlando has theme parks that are perfect for you.
Cape Canaveral (~120 km from Daytona)
Some 5 million passengers cruise from its port annually, making it one of the world’s busiest. But this is also one of Florida’s most nature-adoring beach communities, with two of three area parks noted on the Great Florida Birding Trail. One of them, Jetty Park, also features a well-equipped 24-hour fishing pier; free, public boat ramps; camping; and a life-guarded beach for swimming. In season, right whales and manatees glide by, and sea turtles nest. Watch the cruise liners come and go from The Cove, a waterfront leisure area at Port Canaveral, where bars of all ilk (oyster, martini and tiki) rule, and most nights promise live music, comedy or karaoke. For the kids and kids at heart, try the Wizard of Oz Museum, a celebration of all the classic’s enduring appeal.
Cocoa Beach and Melbourne (~120 km from Daytona)
Surf is the word in these beachy locales – Cocoa Beach’s Ron Jon Surf Shop stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the town’s Easter Surf Festival, centered at the Cocoa Beach Pier, is one of the longest-running events in the U.S. (2012 marks year 48). South in Melbourne Beach, surfers swear by Sebastian Inlet State Park’s consistent breaks and long rides. Off-board pursuits explore space, nature and cultural attractions. In Cocoa, head to the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory or plan a family beach day at Fischer Park. In Melbourne, take in a show at the King Center for the Performing Arts or visit the Brevard Zoo. If wildlife watching is your thing, a respectable 2,200 animal species reportedly inhabit the Indian River Lagoon. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as we embark on a thrilling 2-hr tour of the Indian River Lagoon Estuary in beautiful Florida! Now serving 2 locations- Cocoa Beach and Melbourne! These family-friendly boat ride offers a unique opportunity to witness the incredible wildlife that calls this area home. As we cruise along, keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins leaping through the waves where you will have a front-row seat. But that’s not all – be prepared to encounter gentle manatees gliding through the water.
Kennedy Space Center (~120 km from Daytona)
Experience the past, present and future of space exploration at the family-friendly Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The space complex offers visitors the opportunity to meet their favorite astronauts, tour replicas of shuttles and space stations, and watch moving films in the immense IMAX Theater. Most of the presentations are educational and engaging for adults and teens, and they can also be enjoyed by toddlers.
Bioluminescent Tours on the Space Coast (~120 km from Daytona)
Space Coast tour operators gear up for bioluminescence season every year. No matter if you’re paddling a kayak or relaxing on a pontoon, any tour you take will be the most memorable part of your Space Coast summer vacation. Knowledgeable operators guide you through various parts of the lagoon to secluded spots known for fish and wildlife activity. As your kayak and the wildlife move through their native habitat, an explosion of activity lights up the water and reveals the magical world just beneath the surface. You’ll never experience something quite like it.
Key West
At the bottom of the U.S. and the top of many travelers’ life lists, Key West is colorful and free. Delight in innocent debauchery along Duval Street and celebrate the sunset at Mallory Square; then hop between historic digs along the Pelican Path (the sites are plenty, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Audubon House and Tropical Gardens and Harry S. Truman Little White House). Take off in a seaplane (or boat) to reach one of the country’s most remote recreational areas, Dry Tortugas National Park. The ultra-clear, jewel-blue water makes for unmatched fishing, diving and snorkeling.
Everglades City
With Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands as neighbors, it’s not difficult to imagine what Everglades City stands for. If you can resist the call of the wild, duck into the Museum of the Everglades. From Everglades City, just follow the signs to reach Everglades National Park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center. One-third of its 1.5 million-acre subtropical wilderness is waterlogged. Fish the flats, paddle the Everglades Wilderness Waterway Trail or take an airboat tour just outside national park boundaries – plenty of outfitters operate back in the “city.”
