The Daytona International Speedway is one of the most recognizable sporting arenas in the world. The track is in Daytona Beach, FL and has been the site of many historic motorsport events. If you’ve never been there, here’s a quick guide on how to get there and what you can expect.
By Plane
The Daytona International Speedway is about a five-hour drive from New York City so you’ll want to make the most of your layover. The most convenient airport to the Speedway is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). You can connect through to the main terminal and find direct connections to most major destinations. You can also rent a car from the airport to make the trip more pleasant.
By Train
The speedway is also easily accessible by train. The Amtrak line has a stop just two miles from the entrance. Traveling to the airport is much easier than traveling to the center of the city so make sure you book your ticket in advance if you’re planning on traveling this way. Otherwise, you could find yourself waiting in a long train line. If you’re driving to the airport, you’ll obviously want to take the most direct route possible. Otherwise, you could get caught in traffic or have to find a parking space. You can reach the station by following the signs and the tour guides at the train station will point you in the right direction. It’s worth a visit—even if you’re not into cars or racing!
By Car
If you’re driving or biking to the Daytona International Speedway, the best and most direct route is south on I-95/Florida’s Turnpike (SR 520). This is a six-lane highway all the way to the center of the city. From the highway, it’s only a few minutes walk to the entrance. If you’re driving downtown, you can take the Columbus Avenue exit and find lots of parking spaces and easily accessible restaurants and shops.
The drive from New York City is a scenic one with lots of opportunities for rest stops and breaks – making it ideal for a long road trip. If you’re driving, you might want to stop in Atlanta, GA to see the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The stop is about two and a half hours from New York City so you can spend some time wandering the city and checking out the local sights. Another recommended destination is Myrtle Beach, SC due to the beautiful beaches and the historic Grand Theater there.
If you’re biking, you can continue on I-95/FL 520 and get off at Exit 74 (Blanding Road). This will take you to the Center of Daytona – an area with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. You can even catch a ride to the airport with the Monorail service, which connects the center to the airport.
Get A Group Of Friends
If you’re driving or biking to the speedway, consider getting a group of friends together to make the trip more fun. You can plan rides on the fly or spend a few days beforehand planning a route and taking frequent breaks to rest and refuel. You can also bring a soccer ball or frisbee and play games or toss it around the traffic circles. For those who love to camp, you can pitch a tent and shower alongside the highway. When you reach the center of the city, you can grab a bite to eat and have fun walking around the area – taking in the atmosphere and snapping photos.
Explore The Vicinity
There are a lot of attractions close to the speedway that you may not have heard of. Take a look at the Florida Aquarium, which is actually an acronym and stands for the Florida Association of Aquarists. The aquarium is quite large and has a wide variety of sea creatures to look at. You can also visit the Wolf Park in nearby Pasco County. This park is home to a lot of endangered animals including Amur and Asian wolves, as well as black bears.
If you have a day off and you want to spend it sightseeing, you can take a walk along the waterfront and look out at the ocean. There are lots of bars and restaurants nearby so you can stop in for a drink and treat yourself to something nice. You can take a look at the area’s history by visiting the Ponce de Leon Inlet Historic District. It’s a gorgeous area and a great example of the old Florida Keys. You can also take a stroll through the historic district and meet some of its colorful residents. There are also numerous festivals and events held throughout the year so you’ll have your pick of things to do. If you want a more structured tour, you can take a guided tour of the district organized by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Historic Center. You’ll have a local guide as a companion on this outing. This is a great way to learn more about the area and gain an appreciation for its history. You can also use the information provided on this tour to plan your own unguided visit to the historic district. Don’t forget – if you’re traveling to Florida, you’re traveling to Party City! There truly is so much more to the Sunshine State than meets the eye.