Daytona Beach Travel Forum

We're looking at Daytona Beach on March Break. Our kids are 12 and 9. I'm seeing mixed reviews about Daytona; some say it's great for kids but others call it "seedy" and a biker town, filled with partying college kids. I've been looking at the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn that has great reviews. We'd be driving down all the way from Toronto so to be disappointed after driving such a long way would be terrible! (We've also been looking at other beaches along the coast but I'm attracted to Daytona because we would like to go to the Daytona500 Experience.)
Your input?
Thanks in advance,
Tracy

Bike Week is Feb. 29 - Mar. 9, 2008. Avoid those dates - Daytona will be packed with Bikers.

College Spring breaks will also be during March, various weeks, as there is not one week that is Spring Break, but whatever week each college gives as a week off. therefore many college students will be staying in Daytona around that time as well.

May I suggest going to other beaches that are not as popular with the Spring Break crowd. On the west coast near Clearwater beach is Indian Rocks Beach, I think it is a nice place for families.

I agree with Donna. That is prime spring break time and territory. The major east coast beaches (Daytona, Fort Lauderdale, Miami) may not be the best choice for families. Although Cocoa Beach is just south of Daytona and may be worth considering. And other smaller spots on the east coast such as Jupiter do not have the spring break draw.

Anyways, the west coast is full of beautiful beaches and overall is a more mellow, family-friendly scene up and down the entire coast. St. Pete/Clearwater, Venice Beach, Ft. Myers, all great options. Like you said, you are driving all the way from Toronto, so in my mind driving a few hours more to the Gulf coast in order to assure the type of beach vacation you want wouldn't hurt. If you really want the Daytona 500 Experience, consider doing 1 day in the Daytona area either on the way down or the way back to Toronto, perhaps stay close to the Speedway or possibly don't spend the night at all.

Hope this helps.

Spring Break in Daytona Beach is not what it used to be and definitely not at the Aku Tiki. The BW AK is a family oriented hotel on the quiet end of Daytona, Daytona Beach Shores. Unless you go looking for it, you will not even know it is Spring Break.

I agree to avoid Bike Week unless you ride. Rates are higher and streets are crowded.

Come and enjoy the beach and the Daytona 500 Experience...great fun.

We drove down to Daytona last year in May and EVERYTHING along the beach front was SEEDY! We HATED it. We were staying in St Augustine so we just headed back, the beach at Augustine is WAAAY nicer!

There've been many good points made above. Depending on the week and the luck of the college spring break draw, you could have a great experience or end up having to go home unsatisfied. Given your kids are 12 and 9, they should enjoy the Daytona 500 and I think they will also enjoy the NASA/Kennedy Space Center which is just an hour south of Daytona. Maybe you can think about using Daytona as just a transit town to experience the 500, and drive further down South or West to a more remote beach that doesn't have a Spring Break reputation.

We will be arriving in Daytona for the first time on April 8. Can anyone tell me if most of the spring breakers are gone by then? Also, has anyone stayed at Perry's Resort? If so, I'd be interested in what you thought about it.

Thanks,
Bonnie