Seniors Enjoy the Fun Coast

We know where the famous Daytona 500 race takes place and this senior was confident that there is a lot more to see and do in a city of over 60,000 than watching race cars speed by at the International Speedway.

Today, the Daytona Beach area entertains nearly 8 million annual visitors who come from around the world to relax and enjoy the area’s treasures, both old and new. Learn about the history of the city at the Halifax Historical Museum housed in the former 1910 Merchants Bank building. The two-story interior walls are graced with hand-painted murals depicting area scenes. The building is a destination in itself and you won’t want to miss it.

Senior visitors learn that Daytona Beach was once inhabited by the indigenous Timucuan Indians who were nearly exterminated by contact with Europeans through war, enslavement and disease and became extinct as a racial entity through assimilation and attrition during the 18th century.

Seniors Enjoy Great Beach Views

Daytona Beach is roughly 50 miles northeast of Orlando and 240 miles northwest of Miami. There are some great beach views and wonderful lodging all along the Atlantic shores. You will also see the name “Halifax area” (for simply Daytona) in the area. This refers to the Halifax River that flows through Daytona Beach and other nearby municipalities.

Recall your US History and Ponce de Leon, who was searching for the Fountain of Youth? During his 1513 search for the Fountain, he discovered the now-popular DeLeon Springs located just west of Daytona Beach.

Later, a fellow by the name of Matthias Day, a wealthy northern tycoon, was so completely enamored with the entire area that he became the founding father of Daytona (now called Daytona Beach) and built its very first hotel in 1874.

 Seniors Find Daytona Boardwalk And Pier

The Daytona Beach Pier is the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach and has been the center of beach life since the founding of the community. The original pier, built by Thomas Keating and known as Keating Pier, was constructed of palm logs, was built before the turn of the 20th century and extended 600 feet into the ocean.

While senior visitors stroll the pier, stop in at Jake’s Crab Shack that offers its unique brand of seafood and casual entertainment. I think that my wife and I would spend a lot of time at the Shack.

The Boardwalk and Pier is the premiere entertainment center in the area and features outdoor and indoor rides and amusements including a classic arcade. Here senior visitors enjoy fireworks display every Saturday night at 9:45 from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Enjoy your stay in Daytona Beach. -jeb