History

Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, during his 1513 search for the Fountain of Youth, discovered the now-popular DeLeon Springs, located just west of Daytona Beach. Dr. Andrew Turnbull homesteaded 101,000 acres of land as the New Smyrna colony (now called New Smryna Beach), just south of Daytona Beach. Matthias Day, a wealthy northern tycoon, was so enamored with the area that he became the founding father of Daytona (now called Daytona Beach) and built its very first hotel in 1874. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated spring training baseball game in 1946 at what is now known as Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Civil rights leader and educator Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune overcame great obstacles to found Bethune-Cookman University in 1904. And, of course, Bill France founded NASCAR in 1948 and built the Daytona International Speedway in 1959.

Why you should go

It's a great beach escape, plus there is a wealth of water-related activities to enjoy. The area offers a variety of sightseeing attractions and tours. Spend a relaxing day parasailing over the Atlantic Ocean or cruising the inland waterways. Those of a more scientific bent can visit the Marine Science Center.

Main attractions

* Daytona International Speedway: This Daytona Beach landmark and home to the world-famous Daytona 500 is open to the public every day. Start with a birds-eye view of track and the 31-degree, high-banked turns from the grandstand area. Test your racing skills at the video game arcade. www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com (Click on FAN INFO and go to Daytona 500 Experience)

* The Beach: Spend a day relaxing on the famous beach. The 23 miles of white sand are open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access. Cars are permitted in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset, tidal conditions permitting. Daytona Beach's NASCAR race was contested in part on the beach until the Speedway was built in 1959. http://daytonabeach.com/whattosee.cfm/mode/beach

* The Museum of Arts and Sciences: The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and includes a planetarium and a children's wing. Its collections include exhibitions on Florida history and Chinese, African and Cuban art, among others. And there are always touring collections. www.moas.org

* Historic Ponce Inlet Walking and Biking Tour: Enjoy the fresh outdoors and get a little exercise while learning the fascinating history of the Town of Ponce Inlet. A downloadable map brochure which features the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, water taxi, historic homes and cemeteries, parks, botanical gardens and more. http://daytonabeach.com/whattosee.cfm/mode/historic

How to get there

It's 440 miles to from Atlanta to Daytona Beach and takes about seven hours. Plenty of direct flights are available to Daytona Beach International Airport.

Links of interest

* www.DaytonaBeach.com

* Restaurant finder: http://www.daytonabeach.com/dining/restaurant.cfm

* Chamber of Commerce: http://www.daytonachamber.com/index.cfm

* Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://daytonabeachcvb.org