The Daytona 500 may be the main event, but there is enough happening around Daytona Beach to turn race day into a full weekend trip. Between the additional NASCAR races and fan experiences and the beach, waterfront restaurants and local landmarks, arriving a few days early gives you much more time to experience the destination at its fullest.
If you are heading to the 2026 Daytona 500, here is one way to spend Friday through Monday.
Friday, February 13: Arrive and Start With the Racing
Afternoon: Explore Daytona International Speedway
Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Start the weekend at the place you came to see. Spend some time exploring the Speedway and the fan areas before the evening racing begins.
The Midway outside the gates features merchandise, food, vendors and entertainment, while the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone provides closer access to the action for fans who purchase the required add-on.
Evening: Fresh From Florida 250
Stay at Daytona International Speedway for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. The Fresh From Florida 250 was scheduled for Friday, February 13, making it an easy way to begin a full weekend of racing.
After the Race: ONE DAYTONA
Location: 1 Daytona Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Instead of dealing with another long drive after the race, head across International Speedway Boulevard to ONE DAYTONA. The entertainment district sits directly opposite the Speedway and has restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance.
Saturday, February 14: Racing and Daytona Beach
Morning: Daytona Beach and the Boardwalk
Spend the morning away from the track and see the other side of Daytona.
Head to Daytona Beach and the Daytona Boardwalk Amusements around 12 N Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. You can walk along the beach, explore the boardwalk and continue toward the Main Street Pier.
Nearby, the historic Daytona Beach Bandshell at 70 Boardwalk is another easy stop along the oceanfront.
Lunch: Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar
Location: Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar, 127 S Ocean Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
For lunch, stay by the ocean at this long-running Daytona Beach restaurant and bar. Its beachfront location makes it an easy addition to a morning around the Boardwalk.
Afternoon and Evening: Saturday Doubleheader
Return to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday’s racing. The 2026 schedule featured the General Tire 200 ARCA Menards Series race followed by the United Rentals 300, giving fans two races before Sunday’s main event.
If you are only buying tickets for the Daytona 500 itself, you could instead spend the afternoon at the beach and save the Speedway for Sunday.
Sunday, February 15: Daytona 500 Race Day
Morning: Get to the Speedway Early
Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Make Sunday entirely about the Daytona 500.
Race day begins well before the cars take the green flag. The Speedway’s fan areas include the Midway, merchandise stands and other entertainment, while fans with Hard Rock Bet Fanzone and Pre-Race Access can get closer to driver appearances, garage activity, the pre-race concert and driver introductions.
For the 2026 race, parking lots opened at 6 a.m., the Fanzone at 8:30 a.m. and gates at 9 a.m. The race start was ultimately moved forward to 1:30 p.m. because of the weather forecast.
Afternoon: The 68th Daytona 500
This is the centerpiece of the weekend. Give yourself plenty of time to find your seats, explore the Speedway and experience the buildup rather than arriving shortly before the race.
Downloading your ticket before arriving is also recommended by the Speedway, particularly with the large crowds expected on race day.
Evening: Waterfront Dinner
After the race, head to Caribbean Jack’s at 721 Ballough Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
Located at Loggerhead Marina, the restaurant has an outdoor waterfront deck overlooking the Halifax River, making it a relaxed option after spending most of the day at the Speedway.
Traffic leaving Daytona International Speedway can be heavy after the race, so avoid making a tightly timed dinner reservation immediately after the scheduled finish.
Monday, February 16: See More of the Daytona Coast
After three days built around NASCAR, use Monday morning to explore somewhere beyond the Speedway before heading home.
Morning: Ponce Inlet
Drive south of Daytona Beach to Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum.
Location: 4931 S Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127
The historic lighthouse is Florida’s tallest and visitors can climb the tower for views across the Atlantic Ocean, Ponce Inlet and the surrounding coastline. The museum complex also provides a change of pace from the crowds and noise of race weekend.
Late Morning: Ponce Inlet and the Beach
After visiting the lighthouse, spend some time exploring Ponce Inlet or take a final walk along the coast before heading back toward Daytona Beach.
If your flight or drive home is later in the day, you could also return to the Speedway area to visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. It is located at Daytona International Speedway and features historic race cars, artifacts and exhibits covering different forms of motorsport.
Making the Most of Daytona 500 Weekend
You do not need to spend every hour of the weekend at the Speedway. A good Daytona 500 trip can combine Friday and Saturday’s supporting races with the beach, local restaurants and a few of the area’s best-known attractions before dedicating Sunday to the main event.
Staying from Friday through Monday also means you do not have to rush out of Daytona Beach immediately after the Daytona 500. Instead, you can finish the trip with a quieter morning on the coast before heading home.
