Originally Posted by PIT CART:
Leaving north east Indiana Friday plan is Saturday, Monday, Tuesday Volusia and New Symerna Wednesday and back to Volusia Thursday. Then Ocala Friday and Saturday. Being my first time any suggestions on places to stay and eat? Any must see attractions? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance
During the day be sure to go to Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, FL. As cold as it's been in Florida last month and into Feb. there should be a bunch of manatee's in the springs run. Orange City is between Deland and Deltona and the park is west of route 17. Get there early! All the times we've been there the crowd wasn't all that big but parking is limited.
Be sure and go to Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing off of I 75 just south of Ocala. It'll take you about 2 1/2 hours to see it all but it's worth every minute!!
If you enjoy fresh seafood there is a place called Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill in Ocala. Good food and service.
Another decent seafood restaurant is Castaways just west of the St. Johns river on Rt. 40 near Aster, FL. It's west of Volusia Speedway Park on Rt. 40 directly south of the Rt. 40 bridge over the St. Johns river. It's right on the river, good food and nice atmosphere.
If you have time and the inclination, go to the Ponce De Leon inlet light house. Ponce Inlet is south of Daytona on A1A. The lighthouse and the surrounding buildings have been completely restored and refurbished and it's a very cool experience. While you're in Ponce Inlet give Racing's North Turn (
https://www.racingsnorthturn.com/) a try. The Lighthouse and The North Turn are only about 50 minutes from Volusia Speedway Park. The North Turn is a very cool racing themed restaurant and bar directly on the beach in the exact spot where the north turn of the old beach/road course was located when the stock cars and motorcycles raced on the beach. GREAT food and the beach and Atlantic Ocean make for a very cool place to have a meal and a beer or two.
In regards to places to stay that can be a crap shoot. February is peak snowbird time in Florida and things can be a bit tight, lodging-wise. However, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting a place to stay. Most all of the major motel chains are in and around Ocala and most are decent places.
Silver Crown Championship Dirt Cars properly driven on a one mile dirt track are classic poetry in motion. Using that analogy, Jack Hewitt is one of the greatest poets of all time.