Things to Do in Ormond Beach
Rockefeller’s winter home, a canopy road and the place where beach racing began.
See top-rated activities »About Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach sits just north of Daytona and is often described as its calmer neighbor. The city has fewer high-rises and more trees, and its beachside neighborhoods give way to marsh, hammock and state parks to the north. Granada Boulevard, the main east-west road, crosses the Halifax River and connects the beach to a small, pleasant downtown with restaurants and shops.
The town’s claim to fame is the Birthplace of Speed. In 1903, early automakers held timed trials on the hard sand between Ormond and Daytona, and racers kept coming back to set land speed records for years afterward. A small park on the beachside marks the spot, and the Ormond Garage, where the racers prepared their cars, is commemorated by a replica nearby. The racing later moved south and inland, but the story still shapes local pride.
Across the river, The Casements was the winter home of John D. Rockefeller, who spent his last winters here and died in the house in 1937. The city now runs it as a cultural center and offers tours of the rooms, and the Rockefeller Gardens beside it line the riverbank. A few blocks away, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens has small galleries set in a shady garden with ponds and paths.
North of town, the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is a roughly 30-mile drive that follows Old Dixie Highway under live oaks, then returns along the beach on A1A. It passes Tomoka State Park, where the Tomoka and Halifax rivers meet and paddlers find calm water and wading birds, and North Peninsula State Park, a long, undeveloped beach with no high-rises in sight. Cyclists ride the loop too, especially on weekend mornings. Back in town, the riverfront parks along Beach Street have paved paths for walking and fishing, and the bridge over the Halifax gives one of the best sunset views on this part of the coast.
Don’t Miss
John D. Rockefeller’s former winter home on the Halifax River, run by the city with guided tours and riverside gardens.
Oak hammock and salt marsh where the Tomoka River meets the Halifax, good for paddling, fishing and birding.
A designated scenic byway of about 30 miles through canopy roads, marsh and beachfront, popular with drivers and cyclists.
A long, quiet Atlantic beach with dunes and no development, along A1A north of town.
A small museum with changing exhibits, set in landscaped gardens with ponds and walking paths.
Markers and a small replica of the Ormond Garage recall the 1903 speed trials on the beach.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Ormond Beach
Tours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Volusia County may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Ormond Beach — FAQ
How long does the Ormond Scenic Loop take?
Allow about an hour to drive the loop without stops, or half a day if you stop at Tomoka State Park and the beach. Cyclists usually ride a shorter section.
Can you tour The Casements?
Yes. The city offers guided tours of the house on most weekdays and some Saturdays, and the gardens next door are open to walk through.
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