Page 18 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Winter 2021-2022

DAYTONA BEACH Welcome Back! We Missed You
BY ROBIN TIERNEY
Daytona Beach has rolled out an alluring welcome mat with its 37 kilometres of wide Atlantic beach- front, covered in smooth, clean, hard-packed sand. Come this winter get ready to sunbathe, bicycle, and stroll hand-in-hand as waves gently roll and seabirds swirl in the sky.
It’s time to celebrate the comeback of the “World’s Most Famous Beach.”
ACTIVITIES
With so much to enjoy beyond the beach, it’s easy to extend your stay. The area has ample springs and rivers perfect for pad- dling. Tomoka State Park and Bulow Creek State Park beckon to the north, and to the south, veer over to Spruce Creek Park. Bird- watch along the Great Florida Birding Trail in Ponce Preserve, a protected scenic refuge in Ponce Inlet.
Bicycle the 55-km Ormond Scenic Loop surrounded by subtropical foliage where wildlife resides.
Pickleball, anyone? Head to Holly Hill, home of the new Pictona pickleball courts. The heart-happy facility is equipped with 24 premium courts, eight covered with skybox viewing stands.
CULTURE
Cultural attractions here are inspiring, accessible, and family-friendly. Not-so- hidden gems include the free-admission Southeast Museum of Photography, which features Florida nature and other images
DINING
Bring your appetite, because you’ll want to taste what’s new. On the oceanfront, Top of Daytona recently reopened, pairing fabu- lous fare with stunning 360-degree views from its 29th floor. Savour sassy tapas, cock- tails, and the cool vibe at Mama Foo Foo, where you can “chillax” on the harbourside deck. It’s near downtown’s lovely Beach Street, which is lined with casual gourmet spots such as Ichi Ni San and Little Italy’s Ristorante. Just north in Ormond, new choices include Istanbul Turkish Mediter- ranean Cuisine and Fugu Sushi.
EVENTS
At Daytona International Speedway’s Magic of Lights, drive through a dazzling course of one million holiday lights. Its new 12-metre mega tree features dancing lights synchro- nized to holiday tunes. Open through January 1, 2022. magicoflights.com/daytona
In Ormond Beach, snap pictures of gin-
24 At DAYTONA will compete, roaring in their exotic sports cars ( January 27–30, 2022). Catch the DAYTONA 500 scheduled on February 20, 2022, or the American His- toric Racing Motorcycle Association’s Classic MotoFest (January 7–9, 2022).
DEALS
Save even more on everyday Daytona values with the Canadian Sand Dollar program. Deals include discounts from the TripAd- visor favourite Tropical Manor’s oceanview suites and low daily rates at Sun Viking Lodge, to 10 percent off at select Marriott hotels and more. daytonabeach.com/cana- dian-sand-dollars/
After your return, you won’t want to leave. Welcome back! DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
Come back to Daytona Beach this season.
daytonabeach.com
captured by regional and national photog- raphers. For coastal-themed galleries and shops, pop into downtown’s riverside Beach Street; and, in Ormond Beach, stroll across the Granada Bridge abutted by funky local shops and galleries.
gerbread giants and green-fringed topiary snowmen at Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar’s Gingerbread Fantasy event, running through January 9, 2022.
How about something racy? At the Speedway, all-star drivers racing the Rolex
PHOTO: A family takes a walk on the legendary Daytona Beach Pier. Daytona Beach CVB/Chris Garrison
18 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2021/2022