Greater Daytona Daytona Beach, FL

Once home to the Timucuan Indians, Daytona Beach has a rich history dating back to the early days of Florida. In the 18th century, Samuel Williams purchased 3,000 acres of land from the Spanish and developed plantations producing rice, cotton, and sugar cane. During the second Seminole War, these plantations were burned to the ground. In 1871, Mathias Day, Jr., who recently relocated from Ohio, built a hotel along the Halifax River in what is now known as the Daytona Beach Historic District. The hotel went bankrupt, but the name "Daytona" stuck with the small town. By 1902, the hard-packed sand of the beaches of Daytona were being used for automobile racing. It was this sport that would launch Daytona Beach into the fame that it holds today with Daytona International Speedway. Annual events make up the majority of activities in Daytona Beach. Starting in January, Speedweeks draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Rolex 24 Hour is a 24-hour race at the Daytona International Speedway the last week in January, followed by the intense NASCAR races leading up to the Daytona 500 in February. Come March, 500,000 bikers roll into town for the annual Bike Week, a bike rally that takes place on the otherwise sleepy Main Street. The street roars to life for 10 days with parties, concerts and the best people-watching in the country.

March and April also bring in visitors for spring break, including college undergrads and families on vacation during their school breaks. At this time of year, the beaches are packed full of visitors, and locals opt to enjoy less busy beaches on the outskirts of town.

In the fall, Biketoberfest swings into gear, although it is not usually as busy as Bike Week. The weekend of Thanksgiving is another draw for car enthusiasts with the Turkey Rod Run, a car show and race springs to life at Daytona International Speedway.

Restaurants in Daytona Beach uphold the laid-back, casual atmosphere of the area. Most local eateries surround the ocean or river along A1A or downtown Beach Street.

A popular spot, the Ocean Deck, sits right on the beach and allows patrons to step off the back deck and have a drink in the sand. The upstairs restaurant offers a view out over the ocean, while downstairs a reggae band has the place grooving as guests jam out to the tunes meshed with the sound of crashing waves through the open windows. Its famous fish sandwich, along with the rest of the menu, is served in both the upstairs and downstairs locations. The menu focuses on seafood with a kick, including its rasta shrimp quesadillas, nautical nachos, and an assortment of fried seafood baskets perfect for the whole gang.

A favorite sushi destination rests just on the mainland side of Daytona: the Ronin Sushi and Sake Bar. Locals know that Ronin serves up the freshest sushi in town and has an elegant atmosphere with intimate seating, perfect for date night or a girls' night out.

For nightlife, locals enjoy the multitude of bars on Seabreeze Boulevard including Razzle's Nightclub, 509 Lounge, and Daytona Taproom.

The most common way to get around outer Daytona Beach is by car or taxi. Taxis cannot be hailed on the street and must be ordered over the phone. Votran, the local bus system, provides the only public transportation. Fares cost $1.50 per ride, but locals rarely use these buses. The beachside area of Daytona is walkable, though some areas may not be recommended for safety reasons. Daytona Beach was named one of the most dangerous small towns in the country in 2014, making it better not to walk, especially alone or at night.

Daytona Beach hosts numerous beachfront parks along A1A complete with restrooms, grilling stations and playgrounds. Patrons visit to spend a day at the beach while enjoying the amenities of a place to grill food for lunch and clean up at the end of the day. Sunsplash Park is a popular hit with its interactive water fountain, shaded playground and outdoor showers, all directly on the beach with ample parking. Admission is free, as it is to all the beachfront parks. Most of the beaches in Daytona also are open for vehicles to drive directly onto the hard-packed sand. Admission is only $5 per car per day or $20 for the season for residents. The daily fee is the same for non-residents, but a season pass costs $40 for those not residing in Volusia County.

Nearby Tuscawilla Park, on the mainland side of Daytona Beach, is home to ZoomAir Adventure Park, with ziplines and challenge courses throughout the trees, perfect for kids and kids at heart. Although not technically a park, a local favorite destination is commonly known as Disappearing Island. This sandbar, located south of Daytona Beach where the Halifax River meets the ocean, draws in hundreds of people daily in the summertime for relaxation and drinks in the sand. Locals enjoy this tourist-free area; you need a boat to get there. While the beaches in Daytona Beach are not dog-friendly, Disappearing Island is often filled with plenty of dogs frolicking in the sand.

The cost of living in Daytona Beach is significantly lower than the rest of the country, despite being so close to the ocean. Housing costs are about 50 percent of the national average, with the only categories higher than the national average being public transportation and groceries. Dining out does not break the bank, nor does a night at the bar, with the average price of a beer being around $3. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs $660 per month, while the gas prices are consistently below national average as well.

Outer Daytona Beach, along the Atlantic Ocean, has with shops on every corner, ranging from surf shops carrying name-brand clothing including Billabong, Roxy and Volcom, to gift shops consisting of giant shelves of souvenirs stacked with picture frames and beach balls. High-end and luxury shopping remains hard to come by in Daytona Beach. The Volusia Mall, located on the mainland side of Daytona Beach, features a Macy's, three Dillard's department stores and the usual array of shopping mall specialty stores.

Publix is the main grocery store, with many locations throughout the area and a loyal following.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmers Market opens its doors, located west of the city center. Ranked as one of the top five markets in the country, the flea market hosts more than 1,000 booths of artwork, souvenirs, home decor, fresh produce and specialty gifts.