Daytona: Vacationing In Your Home Town with Kalesha


I don't know anyone who goes to Daytona Beach, Florida more than my friend Kalesha. Every time I talk to her she is either just coming back (to Atlanta) from Daytona or planning a trip to Daytona. I don't know much about this city, so I decided to ask my Daytona Beach expert friend some questions about what she likes about her hometown. 

What is the first thing you want to do when you get to Daytona?

4 words; go to the BEACH!



How would you describe Daytona?

Slow paced, hidden, normal, calm, nostalgic, and  peaceful.




Where would you recommend people to go?

I would definitely say visit Bethune Cookman University—preferably during a time where you could hear their amazing band. The city is rich with HBCU-esque history—even the local elementary, middle, and high schools mirror themselves after that style of performance and musicality. Go to the beach! You’ll love it—even try Ormond Beach if you want a little calmer vibe. Visit Nascar at least once. And eat some really good seafood while you’re there!  




Favorite place to eat?

Hmmmm Daytona is touristy and relatively small. So of course there’s really a slew of your regular chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Outback, Bahama Breeze etc.). My favorite place to eat was really my beloved Grandmother’s cooking, but if I had to choose a place outside of the house to go eat would be Bethune Grill (your hole in the wall chicken wing spot) or Stoney Crab (small crab spot where they cook the crabs to order and they also have tasty sides). 





Favorite place to shop?

Volusia Mall is ok. It’s not on the level of what I’m accustomed to here in Atlanta, but if I need to run and get jeans or a cute top, I’ll go to the Volusia Mall. If I have a little more time, I’ll drive about 50 minutes down the interstate and go to Millenia Mall in Orlando. 50 minutes seems long to Floridians, but for Atlantans that commute all the time, I don’t mind the drive to go to a mall that has a lot more variety. 




Favorite hometown memory?

Wow! I have so many memories of Daytona. I lived here until the age of 13 and I visit Daytona every year without fail. My favorite memory would be having family get-togethers on a regular weekend day. We would clear out the front and backyard and cook so much food. My family would grill ribs, chicken, corn, hot dogs, and hamburgers. We would also boil and fry crabs(MY FAV!). We would get some earlier that day from a local crab shop and get about 3-4 dozen and steam half and fry the other half. There would be music, tons of laughs, games, and just genuine good ole’ family time. Those are my favorite, most vivid memories I hold closest to my heart.



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