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Venue / Location Attractions |
Daytona Beach was founded in 1870 and has been a popular vacation destination ever since. Matthias Day, the founding father of Daytona Beach established what was then called Daytona. He purchased 3,200 acres in the fall of 1870 for $1,200. He built the first hotel in 1874 and called it the Palmetto House. Later, John D. Rockefeller made his winter home at the Casements in Ormond Beach. Called the Birthplace of Speed, Ormond Beach hosted many land records set by racing pioneers on the hard-packed sands. The world-famous Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959 and made Daytona Beach an international destination. It is a two-and-one-half-mile race track which welcomes visitors from all around the world. A wide variety of outdoor activities further Daytona Beach's reputation as a must-visit destination. Water activities from paddle boarding and kayaking to fishing and jet skiing are available year-round. Nature lovers can see Manatees in the rivers and canals during the summer, and migrating whales in the winter months. The Daytona Beach area consists of seven cities and towns including Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, South Daytona and Holly Hill. |