Free Things to Do in Daytona Beach

Travel deals can come and go, but finding free attractions all year round can sweeten the pot when it comes to choosing a vacation spot. Daytona Beach is a fun place to visit for girlfriend getaways, a family vacation, mancations, and for a romantic couple’s escape. There’s a lot to do in the Daytona Beach area that won’t bust your budget. Whether it’s simply a day at the beach or an action attraction, the area offers value after value. Below you will find information on free things to do. ~ CajunMama

Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory Tour
154 South Beach St., Daytona Beach
(800) 969-2634
www.angellandphelps.com

Located in the historic Riverfront Marketplace, Angell & Phelps Chocolates has been a Daytona Beach tradition since 1925. Take a free, guided, 30-minute tour through the chocolate-making process. Tours begin at 10 and 11 a.m., and 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. each Monday through Friday.

Art League of Daytona Beach
433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach
(386) 258-3856
www.artleague.org

Works of state and national artists are on display here, with exhibits changing monthly. The gallery is open from 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Atlantic Center for the Arts
1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach
(386) 427-6975
www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org

An artists-in-residence community providing artists the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most distinguished contemporary artists in the fields of music composition, literary, performing and visual arts. Gallery exhibitions, performances and tours every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on major holidays.

The Casements
25 Riverside Drive
Ormond Beach, FL
(386) 676-3216
www.ormondbeach.org/org/the%5Fcasements.htm

Formerly the winter home of multi-millionaire John D. Rockefeller, The Casements now serves as the City of Ormond Beach’s cultural center and museum containing art and historical exhibits. Tours of the Rockefeller period rooms and other exhibits offered 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 -11:30 a.m., Saturday.

Friends of the Bandshell Concert Series
Daytona Beach Bandshell, Daytona Beach
(386) 673-2080
www.bandshell.org

This seasonal concert series is held from April-October on selected Wednesdays and weekends beginning at 7 p.m. The Concerts are held in the oceanfront, historic coquina bandshell and feature a variety of musical styles including jazz, swing, country, big band, and Latin music.

Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Home & Gravesite
640 Mary McLeod-Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach
www.bethune-cookman.edu

Bethune-Cookman College is one of the richest resources of African-American historical and cultural exhibits in Florida. Bethune’s home, located on the college’s campus, serves as the headquarters of the Mary McLeod-Bethune Foundation. Guided tours by appointment.

North Peninsula State Recreation Area
(5 miles north of Granada Blvd. on Hwy. A1A), Ormond Beach

This 900-acre park offers over two miles of sandy beaches for recreational use. The area features palmetto dunes and sea turtles, as well as some of the best surf fishing in the area. Open daily.

Ormond Bicentennial Park
1800 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach

This park stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River and covers five ecological systems. It features tennis and racquetball courts, a softball field, a fishing pier, an exercise trail, and picnicking facilities. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Ormond Memorial Gardens
78 East Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Thee lush tropical gardens offer a beautiful setting complete with gazebo and nature trails, fish ponds and fountains. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Southeast Museum of Photography
Daytona Beach Community College
1200 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
www.smponline.org

The Southeast Museum of Photography is one of only 12 specialized museums of its kind in the United States, and one of fewer than 30 throughout the world. The museum is Florida’s official museum of photography. Open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.

Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens
950 Old Sugar Mill Road (U.S. 1 to Herbert St.), Port Orange
Set amid 12 acres of lush botanical gardens stands the remains of an English sugar mill.

The gardens were once home to the 1940s theme park, Bongoland. Life-size dinosaur statues remain in the tropical setting and are still a favorite with children. The gardens also house a human sundial. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Sun Splash Park
South Atlantic Ave. and Revilo Blvd., Daytona Beach

This $1.2 million park opened in August 1999. It features an interactive water fountain, decorative walkways, a shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, outdoor showers, two beach access ramps and a Coca-Cola sponsored “cool zone.” The four-acre facility also provides free, off-beach parking. Open sunrise to sunset.

Tuscawilla Park
Off Nova Rd. at Orange Ave., Daytona Beach
Tuscawilla Park has a nature center and trail that offers visitors a glimpse at plant and animal life. The park includes picnicking facilities and a disc golf course. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is also located on the grounds. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Also, an extremely budget friendly attraction is the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet which specializes in sea turtle and seabird rehabilitation. The center also provides an overview of the region’s marine life and eco-system. Admission is $4 for seniors, $5 for adults 13 and over and $2 for kids ages 3-12. Children under 3 are FREE. http://marinesciencecenter.com.

For more information or to plan your visit to Daytona Beach, visit the  Daytona Beach official website,