Daytona Bike Week is an annual motorcycle event and rally held during the first full week in March. With roughly 500,000 bike enthusiasts hopping on their choppers and heading to northeast Florida each year, Daytona Bike Week rivals the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the most popular motorcycle event in the country.
If you plan to take your bike on its maiden voyage to Daytona in 2022 (the event is set to run from March 4-13, 2022), the following breakdown looks at eight of the best ways to make the most of your ten days in the Sunshine State.
Cruise Main Street
As people get caught up in the mayhem of trying to find exciting things to do during Bike Week, they can overlook the fact that the reason they made the trip to Daytona Beach, in the first place, was to enjoy the company and admire the bikes of other motorcycle enthusiasts.
Therefore, the best thing you can do during Bike Week is to enjoy the sights and sounds that the festival offers. While the event has spread out over the years (the first rally was in 1937), the epicenter of activity is on Main Street.
Soak in the plethora of custom bikes, the daily burnout competitions, or simply stop in at one of the numerous restaurants or bars to share some stories with other visitors.
Visit Daytona International Speedway
It is hard to say Daytona without thinking of the famed International Speedway. Home to the Daytona 500—the most prestigious event on the NASCAR calendar—and numerous other top-tier racing events, the Speedway is a sight to behold in and of itself.
However, during Bike Week, the venue transforms into a hub for vehicles of the two-wheel variety. Top motorcycle manufacturers, such as Yamaha, Indian, and Harley-Davidson, offer free demo rides on the racetrack. In addition, Thunder Alley regularly offers live music, drink specials, and contests.
Ride on the Beach
The whole aura of Daytona stems from the days when racers would take their cars to the beach to chase land speed records.
While you will not be able to chase any speed records of your own (the speed limit is 10 MPH, and the beach is heavily patrolled during Bike Week), Daytona Beach is just a few blocks from Main Street and offers 23 miles of open sand for you to casually cruise along and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Visit Rockefeller’s Ormond Beach Home
If you think back on your middle school days, you probably remember studying how John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil helped revolutionize the American auto industry. Well, it just so happens that the “wealthiest American of all time” kept his winter home in Ormond Beach, just six miles north of Daytona.
Restored in 1979, the home now serves as a museum, offering tours and exhibits throughout the massive home and grounds.
People Watch
With over half a million people flocking to Daytona Beach, Bike Week is a lock to attract a colorful cast of characters.
A melting pot of some of the country’s most eccentric and extroverted people, don’t let anyone arrest your attention for too long—Bike Week draws some of the biggest celebrities in the motorcycle industry, and you would not want to miss an interaction with an iconic biker!
Stop by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
At 175 feet in height, Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is one of the country’s tallest lighthouses. Climb to the top of the iconic landmark and take in the breathtaking views of the beach and endless ocean.
Ride the Ormond Scenic Loop
No matter how entertaining the festivities, every true biking enthusiast will not be able to go for ten days without opening the throttle on their chopper and going for a ride.
Fortunately, the Ormond Scenic Loop is the perfect location to scratch that itch. A 30-mile loop cutting through the scenery of northeast Florida, the route offers ready access to the Atlantic Ocean, state parks, and trails, giving bikers the opportunity to escape from the bustle of Bike Week, go for a hike, and get lost in nature, if so desired.
Take a Trip to Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier
Finally, a trip to the beach is not complete without taking a little time to do beachy things. Throw on your tank top, kick on a pair of flip-flops, and take a stroll along the boardwalk. Don’t forget to stop in at some of the local shops along the way and enjoy a meal with beachfront views.
Final Thoughts
With over 500,000 biking enthusiasts converging in northeast Florida each March, Daytona Bike Week rivals Sturgis as the largest motorcycle event in the country. If this is your first time planning a trip to this iconic event, make sure that any or all of the eight ideas mentioned above are on your itinerary to help you make the most of your time in Daytona Beach!