A Local's Guide

Things to Do

From the sand outside our door to the nation's oldest city — where we send our own friends and family. Most tours fill fast in summer and race weeks; nearly all offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Tours and day trips from Daytona Beach — Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine, and Port Canaveral
Jump to: Daytona New Smyrna St. Augustine Orlando

Daytona Beach & the Shores

Right outside your door
On the Water
Dolphin & Manatee Tour — Paddleboard or Kayak from $65+
2 hrs · all skill levels
★ 4.9 with 2,500+ reviews — the top-rated tour in Daytona

A slow-paced guided paddle under seven bridges and through scenic canals in a calm bay, seeking out dolphins and manatees. Geared to all ages — guides are famously patient with first-timers.

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St. Johns River Cruise — Blue Spring State Park from $38+
~45 min inland · 2-hr narrated cruise
★ 4.7 · best November–March for manatees

A relaxing boat tour through old Florida — bald eagles, alligators, and in the cooler months the manatees that gather at Blue Spring by the dozens. Note the small per-car park entrance fee.

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Catamaran Sail — Dolphin & Manatee Watch from $64+
1¼ hrs · Halifax River
★ 4.6 · small group, sit right over the water

A relaxing sail down the Halifax with seating that hangs out over the water. Dolphins make regular appearances. The one to book when you want a beautiful afternoon without planning anything.

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2-Hour Sunset Dolphin Tiki Boat Cruise from $42+
2 hrs · BYOB
★ Island vibes on a 40-ft tiki pontoon

Cruise the Intracoastal at golden hour with your own drinks, Bluetooth music, and frequent dolphin and manatee sightings. Shaded roof, restroom onboard, snacks included.

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Daytona Beach Champagne Sunset Cruise from $66+
1½ hrs · max 8 guests
★ 4.9 · the romantic pick

A chilled glass of champagne on a luxury Sea Ray as the sun drops over the Intracoastal. Small group only — book this one for anniversaries and date nights.

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Paddle Pub Daytona Beach from $66+
2 hrs · BYOB · groups
★ 5.0 · the group celebration boat

A pedal-powered pontoon where your crew provides the muscle and the drinks. Perfect for birthdays, reunions, and bachelorette weekends on the Intracoastal.

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Discovery Dolphin Boat Tour from $40+
2 hrs · easy for all ages
★ Guided by certified Florida naturalists

A comfortable 40-passenger pontoon through the Indian River Lagoon — North America's most biologically rich estuary. Dolphins, sea turtles, and seasonal manatees, no paddling required.

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All-Day St. Johns River Fishing Trip from $446/group+
~9 hrs · private group charter
★ 5.0 · everything provided, kids welcome

A full day of freshwater fishing on the St. Johns with a local captain who knows every bend of the river. A different kind of Florida day than the beach — and the photos with the catch are keepers.

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On Land & After Dark
Polynesian Fire Luau & Dinner Show from $53+
2 hrs · evening · book early
★ The most popular night out in Daytona

A full luau buffet with live music, hula, and fire-knife performers right on the beach. Guests consistently tell us this was the highlight of their trip, especially with kids. It sells out regularly.

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Learn to Surf — Beginner Lessons for All from $84+
2 hrs · first-timers welcome
★ 5.0 · most guests stand up on their first lesson

Professional instructors at the World's Most Famous Beach, with coaching matched to your comfort level. A bucket-list memory for kids and adults alike.

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Family Sunset Photos on the Beach from $260/group+
1 hr · professionally edited
★ 5.0 · photos delivered the same night

A golden-hour beach photo session with a professional — the vacation souvenir that outlasts every t-shirt. Edited images delivered the same evening.

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NASCAR Race Day at Daytona International Speedway from $99+
Race weekends · packages with transportation
★ The World Center of Racing — a bucket-list day

Race day tickets and packages for NASCAR events at the Speedway, with round-trip transportation available. If your stay lines up with a race weekend, this is the easiest way to experience it.

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Full-Day E-Bike Rental — Ormond Beach from $100+
Up to 7 hrs · just north of the Shores
★ 5.0 · cover miles of coast without breaking a sweat

Cruise A1A, the Loop, and the hard-packed sand itself on a GoTrax e-bike — a full day of exploring at your own pace, no parking required.

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New Smyrna Beach

~25 minutes south · Old-Florida beach town charm
Dolphin & Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure from $65+
2 hrs · guided · beginner-friendly
★ 4.9 with 500+ reviews

Paddle through the mangroves and out to the islands where dolphins feed in the shallows — rays, herons, and sea turtles make regular appearances. Guides share local history along the way.

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Jet Ski Rentals — New Smyrna Beach from $139+
1–4 hrs · ocean, Intracoastal, or river
★ 5.0 · you choose the water

Ride the Atlantic, the Intracoastal, or the Halifax depending on conditions and comfort level. Dolphins, sea turtles, and rays often join the ride.

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Flagler Avenue & Canal Street +
Beach town stroll · free
★ Old-Florida beach town at its best

Flagler Avenue runs right down to the sand — surf shops, galleries, and easy lunch spots. Historic Canal Street across the causeway has antiques and boutiques.

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St. Augustine

~1 hour north · The nation's oldest city
On the Water
Dolphin, Manatee & Sea Turtle SUP Adventure from $65+
2 hrs · kayak or paddleboard
★ 4.8 with 1,400+ reviews

Paddle around the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Anastasia State Park with a guide, spotting dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees along the way.

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Dolphin & Wildlife Adventure Cruise from $29+
1½ hrs · easy for all ages
★ 4.9 with nearly 1,000 reviews

A calm Intracoastal cruise past the Bridge of Lions, the Castillo, and the lighthouse — dolphins, manatees, and spoonbills included. Great value at the lowest price on this list.

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Red Boat BYOB Sunset Cruise from $39+
1½ hrs · adults-only or family sailings
★ 4.9 · bring your own drinks

Sunset over the old city from the water with your favorite drinks in hand — choose the adults-only or family-friendly departure.

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Wine Tasting Cruise from $49+
1½ hrs · six wine samples
★ 4.9 · wine + dolphins in one trip

Six wine tastings while cruising past the Castillo and Bridge of Lions — the date-afternoon pick.

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Parasailing in Historic St. Augustine from $77+
1 hr · soar over the oldest city
★ 5.0 · history from 400 feet up

Fly over the Atlantic with views of the Castillo and Bridge of Lions — dolphins and sea turtles in the water below.

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Airboat Adventure with a Guide from $80+
1½ hrs · headsets included
★ 4.8 with 1,000+ reviews

Skim the St. Johns River tributaries spotting gators and manatees while your captain tells the story of a sunken pirate ship.

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History & Haunts
Ghost Tour: A Ghostly Encounter from $30+
1½ hrs · evening · family-friendly
★ 2,400+ reviews · costumed guides

A lantern-lit stroll through cemeteries and the Old Fort grounds — spooky enough to be fun, tame enough for older kids.

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History Walking Tour from $26+
1½ hrs · small group
★ 4.9 · the best-value history primer

The oldest fort, the oldest streets, and Flagler College with a guide who brings 450 years to life — often under $30.

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Private Historic Electric Cart Tour from $150/group+
1½ hrs · private, up to 6
★ 5.0 with 1,200+ reviews

Your own guide and electric cart through streets and landmarks most tours can't reach — the effortless way to see it all as a family.

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Castillo de San Marcos +
Historic district · 1–2 hrs
★ Oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S.

A 1600s Spanish fortress on the bay, with cannon firings on weekends. Then wander St. George Street's shops and cafés right next door.

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Food & Wine
Corks & Forks Food & Wine Pairing Tour from $135+
3 hrs · strolling
★ 4.9 with 780+ reviews

Eat and sip your way through the Historic District with paired local cuisine and wines — the foodie's afternoon.

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On Wheels
Polaris Slingshot Rental from $127/group+
2 hrs · self-guided
★ 4.8 · the memorable way to cruise A1A

Three wheels, open air, and a pre-loaded map of the landmarks — explore the coast and historic district your own way.

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Orlando & the Space Coast

~1–1.5 hours · Rockets, parks & real-Florida wetlands
Kennedy Space Center from $89+
~1 hr south · full day, transport included
★ Our top day-trip pick — closer than Orlando

Real rockets, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and astronaut encounters — and if a launch is scheduled during your stay, you can sometimes see it from our balcony. Check the launch calendar!

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Theme Parks — Buy Ahead

The parks are an easy morning drive down I-4. Parks use date-based pricing, so buying ahead locks in the best rate and guarantees entry on busy days.

Walt Disney WorldBuy tickets →

Universal OrlandoBuy tickets →

SeaWorld OrlandoBuy tickets →

The parks are an easy morning drive down I-4. Parks use date-based pricing, so buying ahead locks in the best rate and guarantees entry on busy days. We just point you to the ticket, then keep exploring below.

Walt Disney WorldBuy tickets →

Universal OrlandoBuy tickets →

SeaWorld OrlandoBuy tickets →

Flavors of Winter Park Foodie Walking Tour from $67+
2.5 hrs · 6+ tastings
★ 4.6 with 45 reviews

Stroll Park Avenue's brick streets sampling six tasting stops from Winter Park's best boutique restaurants, with history and local stories along the way.

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Medieval Times Dinner Show from $83+
3 hrs · dinner + tournament
★ 4.6 with 173 reviews

A four-course feast with jousting, falconry, and horsemanship in a castle-sized arena — a family-friendly evening the kids won't forget.

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Clear Kayak Glow in the Dark Tour from $90+
1.5–2 hrs · Winter Park canals
★ 4.9 with 103 reviews

Paddle LED-lit clear kayaks through Winter Park's historic Venetian canals after dark, spotting wildlife and grand lakeside estates along the way.

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Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour from $55+
2 hrs · Ocala
★ 4.8 with 459 reviews

Meet America's first Gypsy Vanner Horses on a guided walk through Spanish-moss-draped paddocks — a gentle, story-rich outing for horse lovers of any age.

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90-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour from $89+
1.5 hrs · Kissimmee
★ 4.8 with 1,356 reviews

Skim across open marshland on a small airboat spotting alligators, birds, and wildlife — real Florida, no crowds, no lines.

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Happy Hour Downtown Pub Crawl from $139+
3 hrs · Winter Haven
★ 5.0 (1 review)

A small-group happy hour crawl through Winter Haven's award-winning downtown hot spots, with drinks and bites at every stop.

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Wekiva River Guided Kayak Tour from $200+
4 hrs · spring-fed river
★ 4.8 with 196 reviews

Paddle the crystal-clear, spring-fed Wekiva River past cypress trees and wildlife — one of Central Florida's most beautiful and least crowded waterways.

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48-Mile Helicopter Tour — Theme Parks & Downtown from $208+
25–30 min · private flight
★ 5.0 with 23 reviews

A private helicopter flight over Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and the Orlando skyline — every seat is a window seat.

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85-Mile Private Helicopter Tour to Space Coast from $446+
1 hr 10 min – 1.5 hrs · private flight
★ 5.0

Fly the Space Coast by private helicopter — Port Canaveral, the Vehicle Assembly Building, the rocket garden, and the Shuttle runway from the air.

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Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour from $80+
2 hrs · Blue Spring waters
★ 4.9 with 300+ reviews

A small-group paddle through crystal-clear spring-fed waters that hundreds of manatees call home each winter. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets included.

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