Daytona
Things to Do and See in and around Daytona
On the Water in the Daytona Beach Area
Daytona has been a tourist destination for a lifetime. There have been many changes over the decades that have made it a hot spot at times and sadly, a destination that has seen better times. My opinion today is that Daytona Beach, and the area, is on an upswing and will continue to get better and better. There are some great places in the area and until the hurricane of 2017, the widest and best beaches in Florida were in the Daytona area. The hurricane of 2017 caused a lot of beach erosion, so the beaches are not as wide as before. In time, nature will replenish them to what they once were.
The listings that follow will help a visitor to the area who is not familiar. These are the places that I visit and have found to be to my liking. The restaurant listings are all local establishments. If you are in Daytona, you should experience what is unique to the area. You have ample opportunity to visit the national chains anytime. If a national chain restaurant is your preference, do your internet search and have at it.
Essentials
Grocery Store – Publix This grocery store chain is everywhere, and they handle quality products. The closest one to the house is in the shopping center on the northwest corner of Williamson road and Taylor road. This is just one block west of Exit 256 of I-95 and a 5 minute drive to the north on Williamson Road from the housing subdivision.
Westport Square
1660 Taylor Rd
Port Orange, FL 32128-6753
Car Wash – Superwash Express A good $5 carwash. This is on the southside of Dunlawton a few blocks east (toward the ocean) of I-95.
1786 Dunlawton Ave.
Port Orange, FL
Walmart (24 hour) Follow the link for info about this store location. This is at the southeast corner of Dunlawton and Clyde Morris.
1590 Dunlawton Ave
(386) 756-2711
Walgreens (Closes at 10:00pm) This is one business south of the southwest corner of Williamson Road and Taylor Road. Follow the link for info about this store location.
1625 Taylor Rd
Port Orange, Florida 32128
(386) 761-5578
Entertainment
South East Museum of Photography [click here]
Daytona State College is the parent organization of the Southeast Museum of Photography (SMP), one of the largest photography museums in the nation and one of fewer than 13 such museums in the country. SMP presents more than 12 exhibitions annually, organized around such interdisciplinary themes as “Women’s Worlds”, “Time and Space” and “Behind The News.”
Exhibit home page [click here]
Restaurants
Daytona Beach
Caribbean Jack’s
721 Ballough Road
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
On the waterfront with a small marina
Ocean Deck
127 S Ocean Ave,
Daytona Beach FL 32118
386-253-5224
Beachfront bar
Cucina 214
451 S. Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
High end Mexican Food, on the beach with an outside bar and fire pit.
Port Orange
The Cellar – One of the best restaurants in Daytona. Date night pick Reservations Recommended
220 Magnolia Ave
Daytona Beach, FL
Aunt Catfish’s On The River
4009 Halifax Drive
Port Orange, FL
386-767-4768 for call ahead seating
Southern Cooking on the intracoastal
Stonewood Grill
1078 Dunlawton Avenue
Port Orange, FL 32127
386-760-2282 for Reservations
Good Restaurant
Sushi 99
1781 Dunlawton Ave Suite 3
Port Orange, Florida 32127
386-333-9792
Decent Sushi
Thai Kitchen
1665 Dunlawton Ave. #111,
Port Orange, FL 32129
386-767-9799
Decent Thai
Daytona Beach Shores
Our Deck Down Under
78 E. Dunlawton Ave.
Port Orange, FL 32127
386-767-1881
Bruno’s Pizza
3218 S Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118
386-492-7845
Best Pizza in the area
Ponce Inlet
Off The Hook at Harbor Inlet
133 Inlet Harbor Rd
Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127
386-202-4490
New Smyrna Beach
The Garlic
556 E. 3rd Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
386-424-6660
Great Italian restaurant, They do not take reservations. If you show up on a Friday or Saturday evening at the normal dinner time. Be ready to wait… and wait some more.
Ormond Beach
Club 31 Supper Club Date night pick Reservations Recommended
31 W. Granada Blvd.
Ormond Beach, FL
386-275-1625
Great Art Deco style (inside and outside) restaurant, Upscale
On the Water in the Daytona Beach Area
Beach Weather Forecasts [click here]
Beach Rules [click here]
Driving on Daytona Beach brochure [click here] (pdf)
Driving on New Smyrna Beach brochure [click here] (pdf)
Personal Water Craft (PWC) on Volusia County Beaches [click here]
Weather
National Weather Service Forecast (Daytona) [click here]
FL Visible Satellite Image [click here]
FL Infrared Satellite Image [click here]
FL East Central Region Radar (MLB) [click here]
Hurricane Preparedness
Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist [click here] (pdf)
Coast Guard Suggested Supply List [click here] (pdf)
National Hurricane Center [click here]
National Hurricane Center Preparedness [click here]
Florida Disaster [click here]
Volusia County Shelters [click here]
Volusia County Evacuation Plan [click here]
Evacuation Routes [click here]
FL511.org
Traffic monitoring by the State of Florida
fpl.com
Florida Power and Light. Local electric company. Go here for disaster statements from the electric company
fplmaps.com
Map showing electric power outages