15 Best Things to Do in Ormond Beach (FL)

Located in Florida’s Volusia County just north of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach is known for its smalltown charm, scenic beaches, and the variety of natural, cultural, and historical attractions close by.

Nearby Tomoka State Park is an often-visited city attraction that includes a number of outdoor activity options, as well as a former Native American site that was home to indigenous cultures for thousands of years before the area was explored and settled by Europeans.

Ormond Beach has plenty of dining and lodging options too; many of them are within walking distance from the beach and other attractions, making it perfect for those without access to a car.

Below are 15 things to do in and around Ormond Beach, Florida.

1. Tomoka Oaks Golf Club

Florida is a mecca for golfers unlike any other state in the country, and with more than 1,000 courses, the choices for visitors are seemingly endless.

Construction on the Tomoka Oaks Golf Club was completed in 1964, and since then, it’s been a favorite of locals and visiting tourists alike.

The par 72 course plays slightly more than 6,700 yards and is known for its small greens and abundant sand traps, making it a challenge for even the most skilled golfers.

The club’s facilities include a driving range, putting, chipping, and sand practice areas, and a fully stocked pro shop.

2. Central Park

Though you probably won’t mistake it for New York’s Central Park, Ormond Beach’s Central Park is pretty majestic in its own right and includes a number of ponds, canals, and pathways that are perfect places for a morning or afternoon stroll or a picnic with your significant other.

The trail along the boardwalk includes plaques that let visitors know about the trees, plants, and flowers they’re seeing. It’s common to see animals as well, especially in the low-light morning and afternoon hours.

The park is comprised of about 150 acres and includes covered picnic areas, a fishing pier, and a launch area for those who’d like to do a little exploring by canoe or kayak.

3. Skate and Shake

Located on U.S. Highway 1 in Ormond Beach, Skate and Shake is one of the area’s most popular family activity destinations, and not surprisingly, can get downright crowded during peak times.

Skate and Shake is part roller rink, part arcade, and part party headquarters, and often hosts birthdays and other large group events.

It features a smooth concrete skating floor, and skate rentals are available in all sizes to accommodate even the largest and smallest feet.

Skate and Shake is the home of a local amateur hockey team and hosts a roller derby league as well, so swing by and check it out.

4. Ormond Lanes

Featuring 40 lanes and helpful staff to get even the most novice bowlers up to speed quickly, Ormond Lanes is another fun and exhilarating attraction that’s particularly popular when the weather isn’t conducive to being outside.

Ormond Lanes offers discounts for birthday parties and other large groups, and there are several youth and adult bowling leagues for those who’d like to take up the sport and meet likeminded bowlers.

Voted the best bowling venue in the Fort Lauderdale area for seven consecutive years, they offer shoe rentals and a restaurant with lots of tasty items on the menu.

5. Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park

Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park’s main feature is the old homestead that was the residence of John Addison, who owned and managed a plantation in the tumultuous and dangerous early 1800s.

For much of its existence, the house was more fort than home, as settlers fought against the Native American Seminoles who weren’t too pleased with having their ancestral lands pulled out from under their feet.

Today, the structure has partially toppled, but it’s an interesting glimpse into the past and is set along a scenic portion of the Tomoka River.

The park’s entrance is on North Beach Street in Ormond Beach.

6. Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum and Gardens

The state of Florida has more museum’s and botanical gardens per-capita than most other states, and for those staying in the Ormond Beach area, there’s none better to visit than the Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum and Gardens.

The museum and gardens were founded in the mid-‘40s and were intended as not only a natural oasis amid a continually expanding metropolitan area, but also as a community resource and gathering place that would bring people together.

The outdoor area features a number of distinct cultivated garden areas connected by paths, and the museum includes permanent and temporary exhibits reflecting a wide variety of artistic techniques and cultural influences.

7. Andy Romano Beachfront Park

Though it’s smaller than many of the nearby parks, Andy Romano Beachfront Park is known for its long stretch of white sandy beach that’s easily accessible and only a few minutes from downtown Ormond Beach.

The beach’s entrances are along South Atlantic Avenue and include a number of amenities, like a splash pad, restrooms, and covered picnic areas that are the perfect place to escape from the midday sun and enjoy a sandwich and cold drink.

The park’s beach can get relatively crowded during peak times, but generally not as much as nearby beaches like Daytona Beach.

Consider visiting in the morning to avoid the masses.

8. Bulow Creek State Park

At nearly 5,500 acres, Ormond Beach’s Bulow Creek State Park is one of the area’s largest parks and is home to a diverse variety of habitats full of local plants and animals.

Much of the park’s area includes submerged humps or islands that are unique Florida ecosystems; the best way to explore the area is along the Bulow Woods Trails, which winds its way for nearly seven miles through the landscape.

The park’s entrance fee is relatively inexpensive, and most guests end up staying longer than they’d originally planned.

Due to its vastness, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout before heading off into the wild.

9. Paddle the Tomoka River

Ormond Beach boasts some of the most magnificent shorelines in the area, and is also close to several rivers that empty into the Atlantic; these are the perfect places to burn some calories and explore via canoe, kayak, and paddleboard for those looking for more than just lounging on the beach.

Much of the Tomoka River is lined by canopied forests and towering palms, and the river is home to an abundance of animal species that are easily seen from the water. Near the river’s mouth, there’s an archaeological site that was home to Native Americans for generations before the area was officially settled.

10. Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center

Florida’s coastline is home to a vast array of habitats and ecosystems that support an abundance of plant and animal life; there’s no better place to get a good look at them up close and personally than the Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center.

Located in Central Park, the center includes a number of engaging and interactive exhibits that focus mainly on science and the natural world.

The center’s entrance is on Division Avenue, and in addition to their indoor displays, there are outdoor seating areas and a pond full of turtles and fish that’s a favorite with little ones.

11. Ormond Brewing Company

Nothing goes better with white beaches, blue skies, and sparkling water than an ice cold beer; for those who’d rather savor a locally made brew with more character than you’re likely to get from one of the national brewery’s offerings, Ormond Brewing Company would be the perfect place to do just that.

They typically have about 20 beers on tap at any one time. With so many choices and flavor profiles, there should be something for every adult regardless of taste.

12. Daytona International Speedway

Every year since 1959, the City of Daytona Beach has been overrun with race fans from all over the world, who come in mid to late February to experience one of the most iconic auto races in the world.

Tickets aren’t easy to come by, and the ones that are available are usually pretty expensive, but for guests who want to get in on the excitement without actually watching the race, there are a variety of race-related events going on for days before the race actually starts.

In the offseason, it’s possible to take guided tours of the facility. And in the week prior to the race, there is live entertainment and automobile events that can be lots of fun for traveling families.

13. Three Chimneys Historical Site

Three Chimneys Historical Site on West Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach was originally the site of one of the oldest English settlements in the American south.

For much of its existence, the home was part of a large sugar plantation that was among the most successful of its kind at the time.

The home and land once belonged to a wealthy and influential man who was widely credited with brokering peace between the United States and Great Britain at the end of the Revolutionary War.

Most visitors to the site choose to go as part of the Ormond Beach Historical Tour.

14. Daytona Beach Pier and Boardwalk

There’s nothing like a casual stroll down a beachside boardwalk as the sun sets to bring back nostalgic memories of yesteryear; the Daytona Beach Pier and Boardwalk are big draws for tourists who want to soak up all the action before returning to their mundane lives.

Featuring hundreds of shops, restaurants, and arcades, there’s a little something for everyone regardless of age or interests. At different times of the year, there are free events – like fireworks on the 4th of July and live concerts during the fall and winter months.

There are even a variety of amusement park rides that are appropriate for most ages.

15. Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Located on one of the largest barrier islands in South Florida, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, making it an interesting mixture of manmade and natural attractions that aren’t often found together.

The waters around the island are teeming with life, and it’s not uncommon to see manatees relaxing in the warm shallows.

The refuge is also a favorite destination for bird-watchers and amateur photographers, but access can be restricted at certain times due to NASA activity, so it’s always a good idea to check online or give them a call before heading out.