Daytona Beach's 23 miles of sandy shoreline attracts all kinds of beachgoers. People come to Daytona Beach to party, whether it's a mob of college kids for spring break or tattooed motorcycle riders and biker babes for Daytona Bike Week. With such a game for anything crowd, there are thrill-oriented attractions right on the beach and boardwalk to keep everyone entertained.

The best time to visit is May to September, when it's the hottest (90 degrees and above), making it the vacation venue of choice for teens when school's out. It's also prime time to cool off with parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, scuba and snorkeling, all of which are offered along the beach. But those play second banana when it comes to water activities. The top spot goes to the banana boats (seriously, they are big yellow banana inflatables). Mount one of the massive fruits (Bongo Billy's Banana Boat Rides, 386-235-2598; www.bongobillysbananaboatrides.com) and get pulled behind a motorboat as it speeds through the ocean. May through October also draws a different kind of beach bum: the sea turtle. At night, watch the endangered turtles emerge from the sea, dig nests in the sand, lay their eggs in them and then return to the water. If you come back two months later, you'll see a bunch of baby turtles crawl out of the nests and into the ocean.

Though summer is high season, the rest of the year is a fine time to visit. Daytona has mild winters, as temps hover around 70 degrees. That's still warm enough for swimming, but weather wimps can opt to enjoy the ocean scenery from the seat of a rented bike, moped or motorcycle. And it's always a good time to go shopping. Go to Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory (154 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach 386-252-6531; 800-969-2634) for some handmade sweets and a hunger-inducing factory tour. Or stroll the Ocean Walk Village (www.oceanwalkvillage.com), where you'll get a seaside view as well as create your own body scrubs and lotions from Bath Junkie (250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, 386-255-3975; www.bathjunkie.com) while the kids glide through 10 huge waterslides, ride go-karts or play mini golf at Daytona Lagoon Waterpark.

But Daytona isn't only an attraction for beach bunnies and shoppers—it's NASCAR country, home to the Daytona 500. This place is so car-friendly, you can drive your four-wheeler on a designated 18-mile area of the beach (weather and tides permitting; one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset, during sea turtle nesting season hours are set from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.). But if that 10 mile per hour limit on the sand doesn't fill your need for speed, get behind the wheel at the NASCAR-themed Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway (1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach; www.daytonaintlspeedway.com) and you'll feel like an Earnhardt in seconds flat. This racing simulator lets you lap the speedway with 3-D IMAX special effects.

One of Daytona's biggest attractions—and the world's largest motorcycle gathering—is Bike Week, which usually coincides with the Daytona 200 race. You'll see tricked-out Harleys, ladies in backless chaps flashing crowds and non-stop street parties teeming with leather-clad, inked dudes. This week is not for the faint of heart or families, so you may want to pick another vacation week for the kids. Motorcycle shows, concerts, street festivals and racing at Daytona International Speedway are just some of the Bike Week happenings.

If NASCAR and Harleys don't rev your engine, check out the Halifax Art Festival. The annual November art show includes a variety of exhibitions, such as watercolors, photography and jewelry. It's a good culture outing the whole family can enjoy before hitting the beach.

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Daytona Beach Attractions

Daytona Beach Attractions
Daytona Beach isn't just a place for sand and sunbathing. In this Travel Channel segment, check out the Daytona Beach Boardwalk -- and take a wild ride on two of its gravity-defying attractions.

Daytona Beach Driving

Daytona Beach Driving
Daytona Beach offers a lot of attractions: sun, sand, rides, driving. Driving? This Travel Channel clip takes a look at Daytona Beach's history of allowing vehicles to drive, park and even race on its sands.

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"Daytona Beach Attractions ". October 23, 2008 http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/tc-beaches-daytona-beach-attractions.htm (November 24, 2009)