Daytona Beach, Florida is a world-famous beach destination and most widely known as being home to the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Here, you will find the Daytona International Speedway, which draws in quite a large number of people each year, but Daytona Beach is so much more than just racing. It is a terrific destination for people of all abilities and there are many wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach attractions to enjoy!
I recently visited Daytona Beach in my powered wheelchair, and I was blown away by all the delicious restaurants, the beautiful coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, and all of the fun activities that I was able to enjoy. I’ve been to a lot of Florida destinations over the years, including wonderful cities like Key West, Jacksonville, and Miami to name a few, and I can confidently say that Daytona Beach is a contender for my favorite Florida destination.
In fact, I loved Daytona Beach so much that I don’t want you to miss any of it, so I have compiled a full itinerary for you. With this day-by-day itinerary, you won’t miss any of the details of wheelchair accessible things to do, starting with where I stayed during my trip. So, let’s start our engines and head to Daytona Beach, Florida!

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DAY 1
Check-in to The Daytona for an incredible stay
The Daytona Autograph Collection Hotel is located directly across the street from the Daytona International Speedway, and only one mile from the Daytona International Airport, right in the heart of it all. It is a beautiful full service hotel with easy, accessible parking at the main entrance.

The Daytona is also located in the One Daytona area, which consists of a vast variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. This area is complete with some incredible restaurants (which I will discuss more in a bit), a donut shop, a Ben and Jerry’s, Foxtail Coffee Shop, an arcade and bowling, a movie theater, and you’ll find Bass Pro and Lily Pulitzer here as well… just to name some of the options in this vibrant area surrounding the hotel.

As you enter the hotel on the first floor, you will see the outdoor pool through the windows to your left, complete with a lift to make transferring into the water easy for everyone. You will then need to take an elevator to the 2nd floor lobby. I was enthralled to see a winning race car on display right in front of the check-in desk. The staff were super friendly and had the key cards for my room ready within minutes.

Once at my room (room number 513), I gasped when I opened the door. This room had floor to ceiling windows with a spectacular view of the Daytona Speedway, and a large balcony that’s accessible for wheelchair users to easily roll out on.

It was a wheelchair accessible 2 bed Queen suite. The two beds were 25 inches tall with space underneath for a Hoyer lift. The spacious room also had a full living area, two large TVs, and a mini bar fully stocked with snack and drink options for purchase.

In the bathroom, there was a roll-in shower, a pull-under sink, and grab bars were positioned behind and beside the toilet. The roll-in shower had smooth entry and a fold-down bench with a handheld sprayer.

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This hotel was perfect for my needs and I would absolutely stay at The Daytona again! If you’d like to learn more about this hotel or check rates for your own future stay, just check out the hotel’s website by clicking here.
Enjoy dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery
Located at One Daytona, Rock Bottom Brewery is just a short roll away from The Daytona. It is literally just outside the back entrance of the hotel, so it’s extremely convenient. This restaurant is very spacious and there is enough room to easily roll to your table. I found service here to be quick and the hostess and waitress were friendly and attentive. While waiting for my meal, I had some of the most scrumptious pretzel sticks with cheese for my appetizer.

Timed just right, our main course meals arrived soon and my mom and I were set for a tasty treat. She chose the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with slaw and fries, and I had the boneless wings with fries. Both of our meals hit the spot and I would highly recommend eating here during your stay.

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DAY 2
Start the morning with Foxtail Coffee Co.
Foxtail Coffee Co. is well known for its expertly crafted coffees and full espresso bar, so I couldn’t resist trying it when I stayed next door at The Daytona. I was able to roll from the hotel to the coffee shop within two minutes, without even having to cross the street, since the coffee shop is located in the One Daytona area. I had coffee here multiple times throughout my stay and it was so good. Every day, I chose the latte with sugar-free vanilla. I honestly wanted to try some other drinks that they offered, but this was so soothing, I couldn’t choose anything else. No matter what you choose at Foxtail, I’m sure you’ll love it!

Have fun on a Daytona International Speedway Track Tour
Without a doubt, a Daytona International Speedway track tour is a necessity during a trip to Daytona Beach. Racing has a huge history in this area and whether you’re a big racing fan or not, this is a really interesting activity. It is certainly one of the best wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach attractions and shouldn’t be missed!

When booking your tour for Daytona International Speedway, let the staff member know that you will be needing the wheelchair accessible tram. This will allow them ample time to have the accessible tram ready and waiting for you when your tour time arrives. The tram is open air and the staff members will assist you with loading onto the electric lift. Then, they will make sure to get your wheelchair buckled down safely with tie-down straps. Please note that since the tram is open air, it can be a bit warm in the summer and a tad cool in the winter, so dress accordingly.

During the tour, you will learn the history of the track, drive through the infield, and see the famous 31 degree banked turns. You will learn that no point on this track is flat. Even in the straightaways, it is sloped at 3 degrees, which I thought was really interesting. This allows rain water to run down, making the track dry more quickly.

You will also learn how the drivers prepare for the biggest race of the year, and even be able to exit the tram halfway through and enter the stadium seating section for a birds-eye view of the track. I’m not a racing fan really, but being in the stands actually made me want to attend the Daytona 500 race one day.

Our tour ended at the Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum, where you can take advantage of the Winner’s Circle for a photo of the most recent winning car from the Daytona 500. You can also watch a short film about Nascar’s history at Daytona and I learned a lot about racing in this museum. Plan to look around the museum for at least 30-45 minutes after your tour.

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You will exit the building through their gift shop, so make sure to grab a souvenir for yourself and your friends back home before heading to the next wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach activity on your itinerary!
Have lunch at Four Rivers Smokehouse
Located in the One Daytona entertainment area, Four Rivers Smokehouse is a great restaurant. As you enter the restaurant, you will immediately smell the aroma of fresh smoked barbecue. Trust me when I say that this place is delicious. It’s making my mouth water just reminiscing about it.

I had a hard time deciding from their extensive menu, but I finally narrowed my meal choice down to the lean brisket, sausages, cheesy grits, and bread pudding. You can choose your BBQ sauce with bottles of their original or hot sauce that are readily available on each table. Of course, I opted for the hot and it was delicious. Also, don’t leave Four Rivers Smokehouse without getting a Bayou Bar for dessert. It’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten!

Go “under the sea” at Daytona Aquarium
Driving up to the Daytona Aquarium, the first thing that you will notice is the huge and colorful mural covering the side of the building. It is a gorgeous painting of fish and the colors are so eye-catching and photo worthy. Free accessible self parking is located near the entrance.

Once inside and you have purchased your tickets, you will make your way around more than 40 exhibits of land and sea creatures. I loved seeing the lizards, frogs, and jelly fish among so many other amazing things. You will also see a 100,000 gallon shark tank. Yikes!

The Daytona Aquarium offers other experiences as well if you want to get a bit closer to some animals. For an extra fee, you can pet the stingrays or have an encounter by holding a baby alligator.

The aquarium was fully wheelchair accessible and I was thrilled to even find companion care restrooms. All of the exhibits were spacious as well, so I easily maneuvered throughout the aquarium and was able to see all of the animals without any issues.
Visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
The Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art are located just a very short drive from one another, and can be paid for all in a one price ticket. They both have free wheelchair accessible parking near their entrances, so definitely plan enough time to experience them both during your wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach trip (I’d recommend at least a few hours).

The Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) is a nationally accredited museum by the American Alliance of Museums and is also a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. This museum focuses on art, science, and history, and houses the most awesome collection of Coca Cola memorabilia that I have seen. The exhibits are very spacious and the flooring is smooth, which allowed me to freely roll throughout the entire museum and enjoy the beautiful and creative exhibits.

MOAS also houses the most important collections of Cuban fine and folk art outside of Cuba. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is also known for its popular Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum, and its out-of-this-world planetarium.
Located just a short drive around the corner from the Museum of Arts and Sciences is the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art. This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Florida art and also features a large rotating collection of oil and watercolor paintings that are Florida themed.

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I enjoyed seeing the Audubon’s Birds of Florida exhibit, which can be seen through March 2nd, 2025. This exhibit was breathtaking, as it showcases nearly eighty original prints, paintings, and related artifacts. The colors and expertise in the details of these pieces made this display really stand out in my memory of this museum. Even if this exhibit isn’t on display when you visit, I’m sure an equally impressive exhibit will be in the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art for you to enjoy.

Get a sweet treat at Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory
Located in the very popular shopping area of Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Florida, you will find Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory. When available, free wheelchair accessible parking can be found street side near the entrance of Angell and Phelps.

There are a multitude of tasty chocolatey treats to choose from inside Angell and Phelps for purchase, all covered with milk, dark, and white chocolate goodness. Make sure to roll around the left side of the shop toward the back, and you will be able to watch the candies actually being made. I had no trouble seeing the chocolate factory from my wheelchair, as they had easy viewing areas through glass windows.

This shop offers gift boxes already arranged or you can mix and match your own bag of goodies by paying for them by the pound. It is also an option here to have your chocolates shipped to the location of your choice. I chose to purchase the milk chocolate turtles, some scrumptious dark chocolate covered peanut butter squares, and even a small gift set of assorted truffles just to treat myself. You are sure to find something inside here for every sweet tooth in the family.
Enjoy dinner at Carribbean Jack’s
For dinner, we chose to eat at Carribbean Jack’s. This popular restaurant and bar is waterfront and has the option of dining inside or out. Since it was a little cool, I chose to sit indoors, but the glass windows allowed for perfect views of the water. I could also hear and see the outdoor entertainment of a live band while I enjoyed my delicious meal.

Since I wasn’t incredibly hungry (I had too much chocolate at Angell and Phelps!) but absolutely love crab cakes, I chose the appetizer of the Crabby Patties as my meal. I had recently heard that these are the best around Daytona Beach and I can honestly say that these crab cakes might’ve been the best ones that I have ever eaten. They were just the right amount and seasoned perfectly to make me almost want to lick the plate clean. If you’re in the area, visit Carribbean Jack’s for a truly scrumptious meal with amazing views of the water.

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DAY 3
Visit Ponce Inlet Lighthouse’s various attractions
We started our third day in Daytona Beach by touring the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse area, and it was such a fun and wheelchair accessible experience. I expected there to just be a lighthouse here, but there was so much more and we spent about two hours exploring this area.

While the lighthouse itself only has steps, 203 to be exact, and no elevator, don’t let that deter you from visiting. Seeing the exterior of the lighthouse and exploring the area surrounding the lighthouse is totally worth the visit.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida, sitting at 175 feet tall, and it is a National Historic Landmark. Wheelchair accessible parking is located near the main entrance building and gift shop. Inside the gift shop, you can purchase your tickets to visit both the Lighthouse Museum and the Constance D. Hunter Historic Pacetti Hotel Museum.

Surrounding the lighthouse are paved pathways that lead to several buildings, such as the Woodshed Video Theater. This building has a ramped entry, where you can easily roll inside and watch a quick 20-minute video about the Ponce De Leon Inlet Light Station. This film gives you a terrific insight to the lighthouse and the surrounding area.
I also enjoyed going inside the Principal Keeper’s Dwelling and the Lens Exhibit Building. These, along with several other buildings, all have ramped entryways that allowed my power wheelchair to easily access. There’s so much to see here, I found it easy to spend a couple hours just rolling around this area.

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After touring the buildings that surround the lighthouse, you can either walk/roll or drive to the nearby Constance D. Hunter Historic Pacetti Hotel Museum. This museum has a ramped entry where the entrance is found. Entrance fee is $5 per person.

Once inside, there are several rooms to enjoy. The first room plays a short video that shows the history of how this historic museum came to be. This museum was a popular fishing resort in the late 1800’s to a hotel owned by the daughter of Proctor and Gamble’s founder, James Gamble. In the past, it was even used to host the Cincinnati Reds baseball team from time to time, since the owner of the Reds also owned the museum.

The entire bottom floor of the Pacetti Hotel Museum is wheelchair accessible with smooth wooden flooring. It was interesting to see how well it had been maintained and it has recently been restored as a public museum. Also inside, you will find antique furnishings and glassware dating back to the era.
Eat great seafood for lunch at Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill
Lunch at Hidden Treasure, located on Ponce De Leon Inlet near the lighthouse, was even better than I expected. This restaurant is well known for serving the freshest seafood, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and so much more. Wheelchair accessible parking is located near the ramped entrance.
Once I rolled up the ramp, I found the decked seating on the waterfront offered many choices of dining arrangements. You can choose to dine indoors or out, overlooking the water with tables that surround fire pits or wooden table seating. I had no issue pulling up in my powered wheelchair in the outdoor area to a wooden table with an epic waterfront view. After looking over the extensive menu, I chose the fish dip with chips and crackers for my appetizer. It came to my table very quickly and was delicious. The fish dip was topped with jalapeños, which made it even more tasty.

For my meal, I chose the Sea Bass Bites with a side of french fries. The Sea Bass bites were listed as an appetizer, but I couldn’t resist them. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. My mom chose the fried Mahi platter with fries, hush puppies, and slaw, and she cleaned her plate as well.

Hidden Treasure is a restaurant that you don’t want to miss when visiting the Daytona Beach area, but please note that their restrooms are very small. My powered wheelchair was not able to get inside the hallway to the restrooms, so be sure to use a restroom before you go to Hidden Treasure. I hope that they’ll make their restrooms more accommodating in the near future.
Spend some time on the beach
The great thing about Daytona Beach, which sits along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is that it offers hard-packed sand most of the year. Because of that, cars are allowed to drive on the beach and most wheelchair users can safely roll their wheelchair on the sand as well. Just be sure to check with a lifeguard or have a friend or family member test out the sand to ensure it’s hard-packed enough during your visit before you go rolling out on it in your wheelchair.

If you feel that your wheelchair may be too heavy for the sand, manual beach wheelchairs are available for no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. You can find the manual beach wheelchairs at the lifeguard stations located on Flagler Avenue at New Smyrna Beach, at Dunlawton Avenue at Daytona Beach Shores, at the Beach Headquarters in Daytona Beach, at Cardinal Avenue in Daytona Beach, and at the Volusia County Beach Safety Ormond Beach Station on Cardinal Drive.

I also enjoyed hanging out for a while at Andy Romano Beachfront Park. Wheelchair accessible parking is free here and you will also find accessible family restrooms available. The pathways throughout the park are smoothly paved and there was a wheelchair accessible beach ramp leading to the sand here, but it is currently under renovation. Hopefully it’ll be repaired by the time you visit.

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Being able to enjoy the beach in my own wheelchair and also having the option to use a manual beach wheelchair was great. Daytona cares about each visitor and wants everyone to enjoy their beautiful beaches!
Roll through the beautiful Riverfront Esplanade
The Riverfront Esplanade is a spectacular place to enjoy the outdoors on a nice day in wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach. It runs a mile between Beach Street and the Inter-coastal Waterway, and it is fully wheelchair accessible.

There are smoothly paved paths filled with a botanical garden, accessible bridges that wheelchair users can roll across, and there are even wheelchair accessible restrooms on each end of the esplanade. Along the path are benches in case a rest is needed along the way and a splash pad is offered for those warm summer days.

The gorgeous Riverfront Esplanade area provides a great way to spend a day along the water. It was definitely one of my favorite places to visit in Daytona Beach since it’s so wheelchair accessible and beautiful.
Dine at Rose Villa Restaurant Southern Table and Bar
Upon pulling up to the Rose Villa Restaurant Southern Table and Bar, you will automatically feel the southern charm exuding from this historic building. Wheelchair users can enter from the ramp at the back porch, just like a welcomed neighbor. Once inside, the staff is super friendly and the menu is even better. For a starter, we had the deviled eggs topped with pork belly. You get a generous portion of six eggs and they are absolutely scrumptious.

For my meal, I had the Pork Chop topped with chutney, sitting atop a bed of mashed potatoes with a side of creamed kale. I didn’t even know until this meal that a pork chop could taste so good. I saw my mom’s portion of fried chicken and it would’ve been plenty for two people. She also had the Mac ‘n cheese, which she loved.

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I was way too full after devouring my meal to even try a dessert, but word around town is that they are homemade and delicious. Next time, I believe I will start with a dessert so I can make sure I’m not too full for it. But Rose Villa was a phenomenal final dinner for us in Daytona Beach. What a perfect way to end our trip!

As you can see, spending time in wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach is sure to be a great experience. There are a plethora of options for entertainment, dining, and shopping, not only for yourself, but for your entire family. So don’t waste any more time wondering if this trip would be an accessible option. Take it from me, as I am already planning my next visit to wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach!
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*Thank you to Visit Florida for working with me on this trip and showing me the best of wheelchair accessible Daytona Beach! While my experiences were complimentary, all opinions expressed are authentic and my own.
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