A Perfect (and Mostly Free) Day Trip in Daytona Beach
Planning a visit to the Daytona area? Have friends or family coming into town and want to show them a good time? You’re in luck! I’ve put together the perfect day trip – at least, according to me. Best of all? Nearly everything on this list is free! Plus, most of these spots are a little bit quirky, so you can feel extra special and unique when you tell your friends what you were up to.
Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
We’re kicking off the day with a morning walk in the park! This public garden, with free admission, sits on the site of a historic 1800s sugar mill. But more importantly, it was once home to Bongoland – a 1950s theme park.
Stroll through quiet garden trails, meditate at the gazebo (this is your sign to finally start that breathwork routine you keep telling yourself you’re going to do), and read about the mill’s history and its connection to the Second Seminole War. But let’s be honest… really, what we are here for… is to take a selfie with the concrete dinosaur statues…
Location: 950 Old Sugar Mill Rd, Port Orange, FL
Time Needed: 30-45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Last Resort Bar
Next stop: a bar? Before 5 o’clock?? I know, I know. But hear me out – there’s no hard liquor, just good vibes and a totally respectable pre-lunch Smirnoff Ice.
This biker-friendly spot is a great place to let go of any stereotypes about men in leather vests. I promise you they’re some of the friendliest and talkative people you’ll ever meet at a bar!
And for true crime fans, this is also where Aileen Wuornos had her last beer before her arrest for multiple murders. The bar leans into this history with a somewhat questionable shrine to the infamous serial killer out back.
Location: 5812 S Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange, FL
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Cost: Varies, but a Smirnoff Ice is a solid choice, I guess.
Halifax Historical Museum
Need a break from the heat? This next stop is a museum, and it’s the perfect spot to take advantage of some air conditioning while studying the history of the Daytona area. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and up, and the friendly staff love answering questions.
While you’re here, you may want to ask the museum staff about our next stop: Brownie.
Location: 252 S Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL
Time Needed: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Cost: $10 (Ages 12+), Free for Kids
Brownie the Town Dog Memorial
Across the street from the museum is our next stop. In the 1950s, Daytona had a local celebrity – a dog named Brownie. This beloved stray was embraced by the entire town, and when he passed, the community came together to honor him with a grave and memorial statue along the Halifax River. Over 100 people attended his funeral, including the mayor, who delivered a eulogy.
Location: Riverfront Park, Daytona Beach, FL
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Cost: Free!
Angel and Phelps Chocolate Factory
More air conditioning – and free chocolate! Drop by for a complimentary sample and browse an impressive selection of chocolate in every shape imaginable. Angel & Phelps is the perfect place to pick up a sweet souvenir to bring back to your family – if you can resist eating it on the drive home.
They also offer free factory tours, where you can watch the chocolate-making process in action. Be sure to call ahead to confirm their current tour schedule.
Location: 154 South Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Cost: Free! (Unless you buy chocolate… which you should.)
Brownie the Post Office Dog
Yep, Daytona had two famous Brownies. About 20 years after the original Brownie’s passing, another dog by the same name became a popular figure in the community. This less famous but equally lovable dog loyally kept watch over the mailroom, cared for by the post office employees.
His grave can be found on the right side of the Beach Street USPS building.
Location: 220 N Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Cost: Free!
Daytona Beach Main Street Pier
To wrap up the day, we’re heading to the beach! Before dinner, take time to wander the nearby shops, feel the ocean breeze on your face, and listen to the waves. To be real, the Main Street Pier isn’t that great… Honestly, it’s less of the boardwalk you’re probably imagining, and more of just a long walkway to a Joe’s Crab Shack… but it’s definitely an okay spot to wrap up the day.
Location: 1200 Main St, Daytona Beach, FL
Time Needed: However long you want!
Cost: Free!
📸 Highlights from this Day Trip
Final Thoughts
I visited all these spots on a Saturday in Bike Week, which added an extra layer of fun and chaos to the mix. Now, this is my ideal day in Daytona, but I know everyone has different tastes. Some of you probably want to visit something boring like the Daytona International Speedway instead.
Is there something you’d add or remove from the itinerary? Have you visited any of these spots? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!