Add Some Education to Your Beach Vacation in Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (September 23, 2020) – Whether your family is homeschooling, roadschooling, or virtual learning, adding first-hand experiences to the mix is a great way to make family time fun AND educational. From tasting new food to exploring history to experiencing a new adventure, travel can be a fun and rewarding way to enrich a child's education. The Daytona Beach area offers many resources that will help make your beach vacation an edu-cation. Get started with this short list and for more ideas go to https://www.daytonabeach.com/blog/post/add-education-to-a-family-vacation-in-daytona-beach/
ART AND SCIENCE
Spend the day and explore the universe at the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS). With exhibits for all interests, there is something for everyone at MOAS. Unleash your child's imagination in the Children's Museum and try out interactive exhibits that demonstrate various principles of science. Travel through the universe in the Planetarium that features live star shows and full dome animated movies daily. Learn about the history of Coca-Cola, explore the Train Station featuring two full size train cars, and visit with our Giant Ground Sloth skeleton. If you go: MOAS.org | 386-255-0285
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
With five state parks, a national seashore and a national wildlife refuge you'll want plenty of time to explore the Daytona Beach area. Native Americans once dwelled in what is now Tomoka State Park, living off fish-filled lagoons. Today, the inland waterways surrounding the park are popular for canoeing, boating and fishing. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species and is a bird watcher's paradise, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Canoe and kayak rentals, along with snacks and beverages, are available onsite at The Tomoka Outpost. If you go: FloridaStateParks.org | 386-676-4050
HISTORY
The Town of Ponce Inlet, located just south of Daytona Beach on tip of the barrier island, is the home of the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Along with historic displays, carefully preserved keepers' cottages and an exhibit of rare Fresnel lens, climbing the 203 steps to the top of the 175-foot Ponce Inlet Lighthouse will reward you with spectacular 360-degree views of the beautiful Atlantic shoreline and inland waterways. If you go: PonceInlet.org | 386-210-3660
Step back in time at the Barberville Pioneer Settlement. This historical village features 19 structures nestled within a charming, moss-draped oak hammock in western Volusia County. Discover what living in rural Florida in the bygone days of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was like. Choose from self-guided or docent-guided tours. Self-guided and docent-guided tours are available. If you go: PioneerSettlement.org.| 386-749-2959
The home and gravesite of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune presents fascinating memorabilia and artifacts from this leader's high-profile career. This National Historic Landmark is situated on the grounds of Bethune-Cookman University and offers guided tours. The daughter of former slaves, Dr. Bethune became a renowned educator, educator, civil rights leader and advisor to five U.S. presidents. For most of her life she resided in Daytona Beach where in 1904 she founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for the Training of Negro Girls with little more than $1.50 in cash, faith in God and five little girls for students. The school eventually became a co-ed high school and later merged with Cookman Institute of Jacksonville. In 2007, it became Bethune-Cookman University as it is known today. If you go: Cookman.edu | 386-481-2121
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Marine Science Center is the area's only sea turtle hospital and environmental learning center. Expand your knowledge of our unique marine environment and learn about conservation and rehabilitation efforts that protect sea turtles, seabirds and other marine life. If you go: MarineScienceCenter.com | 386-305-5545
The 360-acre Lyonia Preserve located west of Daytona Beach features hiking trails throughout the natural Florida scrub habitat, home to several threatened species including the scrub jay and gopher tortoise. The naturalist staff and volunteers at the Lyonia Environmental Learning Center provide a variety of educational programs throughout the year – classroom, group tours, guided hikes – as well as hands-on, interactive learning experiences for homeschoolers. If you go: Volusia.org | Lyonia Environmental Learning Center 386-789-7207
OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS
When the whole family wants to try something new, having a bit of expert instruction might be just what's needed. From eco-tours to surfing lessons with a pro, to dolphin and manatee tours for first time paddlers to fishing outfitters with all the gear, enlisting an experienced guide is a great way to help ensure everyone will have fun and be safe. For more information go to DaytonaBeach.com
About the Daytona Beach Area
Experience endless adventures in the Daytona Beach area, a destination comprised of eight distinct communities offering visitors the perfect beach base camp to explore East Central Florida. Choose thrilling activities or embrace the tranquility of days spent on 23 miles of world-famous white-sand beaches. Daytona Beach's famed heritage claims the headquarters of LPGA and NASCAR -- and is home to Daytona International Speedway, the 'World Center of Racing.' With more than 12,000 beds, the destination boasts accommodations for all lifestyles and budgets from 4-star resorts to hotels, B&Bs and everything in between. Ranked #1 in Travel Channel's “Top 10 Attractions in Florida, and named a TripAdvisor Best Weekend Getaway in Northeast Florida, TripAdvisor also named Daytona Beach to its “10 Most Affordable Beach Vacations on Florida's East Coast” and “25 Most Popular Summer Vacation Rental Spots in the US.” Visitors can enjoy experiences beyond the beach by choosing from a surprising list of outdoor adventures, family-friendly attractions, arts and cultural venues and an eclectic culinary scene. With expansive beaches ideal for strolling, swimming and surfing, it is no surprise Daytona Beach was chosen as a Best Florida Attraction and Best Spring Family Beach Break Destination in the Top 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contests sponsored by USA TODAY.
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