Daytona Beach seems to be economically booming as of recently. It has always been a great place for visitors, after all, it is the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” a motor racing mecca, and a haven for spring breakers and bikers. But now, Daytona is beginning to draw local crowds once again from neighboring areas such as DeLand and Flagler/Palm Coast. With the Volusia Mall struggles to keep locals coming, there are now three new exciting and fun reasons to visit Daytona with your family. This new revitalization is expected to continue, but for now, we came up with three “must do’s” that will easily take up a Saturday with the family.
1) Bass Pro Shops
It’s more than shop. It’s an experience, truly. Are you an outdoor enthusiast or aspire to be one? Bass Pro Shops is opening a new location in Daytona Beach on February 17, across from Daytona Beach International Speedway. Bass Pro offers every type of equipment to get you started enjoying the outdoors, including fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, golf and so much more. Not sure where to get started? Bass Pro’s staff is always willing to help. The stores regularly have seminars and classes throughout the year on various outdoor activities and offers seminars for children as well, all for free. Each store is decorated to uniquely fit the area that it is located, and this store will have a large aquarium that will feature some Florida’s native freshwater fish species. Even if you don’t purchase a thing, Bass Pro is an experience you won’t want to miss.
2) Cobb Theater
Movies theaters have come a long way since the days of the drive-in. Luxury theaters with high definition, high quality seats and plenty of legroom are becoming popular, adding to the movie experience for many. The new Cobb Theater in Daytona meets all of those expectations, and then some. Next to the Bass Pro Shops, the new theater merges a more casual time with the movie-going experience, including a freshly made dining feature, Cobbster’s Kitchen & Bar, that serves an assortment of movie favorite foods from pizza to nachos. In addition, the new seats in the theaters are leather and electrically recline to provide a more comfortable experience with more legroom than typically found at cookie-cutter theaters. Other theater features include a 7.1 dynamic Surround Sound and 2K and 4K projection delivering crystal-clear images capable of 3D. You may never take your family to another theater again!
3) Tanger Outlets
Shopping has taken a twist, thanks to the new Tanger Outlets in Daytona. Near the intersection of I-95 and LPGA Boulevard, the North Carolina-based company Tanger has opened a complex that houses over 70 different outlets. Some of the major brands include Lane Bryant, Nike, Adidas, Columbia, Michael Kors and so much more. Other than the fewer crowds experienced at the Orlando area outlet malls, Tanger Outlets have a much more relaxed atmosphere. The other major difference is the modern design of the complex. Many of the outdoor walkways in front of the stores are shaded, giving it a much better experience in the hot Florida summer. Also, visitors will find comfortable seating throughout the mall and even porch-style swings to relax for a few minutes before entering that next shop.
Do you have a free Saturday coming up and looking for something to do? Take the short drive to Daytona, and enjoy all these new attractions have to offer.