Decided on a trip to Daytona instead...booked the flight today. First time I've been during Bike Week - any survival tips I need to be aware of?
Have been to Daytona and loved it. It was not for a race week or for Bike week. Just a few thoughts:
1. Loved where we stayed. We stayed at the Wyndham Oceanwalk. Overlooks the ocean, has several pools with a pool bar (moderately priced cocktails and beers), has a putting green between pools, a few hot tubs, and easy access to the beach. Very cool to have vehicles able to drive on most parts of Daytona Beach but it is prohibited in front of the Oceanwalk. Connected to the Oceanwalk is a small shopping plaza with cool restaurants (Bubba Gump Shrimp, cool wing place with scantily clad ladies (still family friendly), Johnny Rockets 50s themed,and a Joe's Crab Shack (within walking distance maybe 200 yards). Also in the plaza are some cool stores, a movie theater, and Cold Stone Ice Cream along with a Pop Fizz candy/ soda shop. A few bars in there too to stop in for a few chillies while overlooking the ocean. The Oceanwalk Bandshell is connected and you can watch talented cover bands from your balcony. We were lucky and had Styx cover one night and a Guns N Roses the next evening. Next weekend was a Motown night and I think a Bon Jovi cover. Plenty of liquor stores nearby to load up and enjoy a free show. Also check with NASA and see if there is a launch scheduled. Saw a launch from the beach. Could still feel the ground shake. Pretty cool.
2. Lots of mini golf in the area. Cool, fun courses if that's something that you get into.
3. Cool greyhound track near the Daytona 500 track. Not sure if its still open but that was a blast. Kids enjoyed it and I gave them $5 a race to guess a dog and they got to keep the winnings.
4. Make it appoint to go to a minor league baseball game there. The Daytona Tortugas. This is the site that Jackie Robinson played his first game as a minor leaguer. They put on a good show, Wednesdays are all you can eat seats and those went for between 15 and 20 bones per seat but you leave there full and ashamed.
Some touristy things include escape rooms, trampoline parks, wineries, chocolate tours, and the Daytona Boardwalk. Stay off the roller coaster!!!! It had a pretty bad accident a few years back and right before we went too.
Boardwalk was cool but remember that it is a haven for the young teens the later in the night it gets. They have a sling shot, carnival games and rides, and some cool little places to eat. Security in the area is something that stood out as a positive. They are everywhere cracking down on the youngins who are up to no good but I never saw one officer looking to be a dick and any "talks" that needed to take place were warranted. All that I encountered were super friendly and helpful.
Last thing of note, there are LOTS OF HOMELESS everywhere. I heard it was an issue but found after 13 days there, we did not experience any issues. Was more sad really. They never once bothered us or asked for a handout. Gave a young kid my leftovers from Joe's Crab Shack one night but I offered it. Was never asked for it.
