Must See Sights and Landmarks in Astor Area

"For diehard race fans, Daytona International Speedway is one of the country’s racing meccas, and tickets to its namesake event can be hard to come by and painfully expensive. For those who’d like to get an up-close-and-personal look at the iconic speedway without paying an arm and a leg and fighting hundreds of thousands of screaming and inebriated race fans, there are plenty of options. Tours of the facility last anywhere from half an hour to three hours, and some of the more VIP-experiences even offer a lap or two around the track at relatively high speeds."

"First on our list of things to do in Daytona Beach, it’s the Daytona International Speedway. This is by far, one of the most popular things to do in Daytona Beach – and people visit from all over the country just to visit. Daytona International Speedway is a race track, that much is obvious, but it’s one of the best of its kind, and since it opened way back in 1959, it has been the celebrated home of the Daytona 500!"

"640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune BlvdDaytona Beach, FL 32114(386) 481-2121. The Mary McLeod Bethune House was the former home of Mary McLeod Bethune. It is a National Historic Landmark of Daytona Beach."

"The historic home is located at 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd in Daytona Beach, Florida on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University. Tours are free for all visitors."

"Lilian Place Heritage Center is next on our list of things to do in Daytona Beach. It’s a beautiful Victorian-era home, lovingly resorted and looked after, and representative of the historical era. Lilian Place is also known for its ghost hunting.."

"The Lilian Place Heritage Center is a historic site constructed in 1884. It is one of the oldest houses in Daytona Beach."

"Located on Camphor Lane in Deland, the Stetson Mansion is one of the city’s most well-preserved Victorian-era mansions. Over the years, it’s hosted several national and international dignitaries, including European royalty. The mansion was originally built in the mid-1880s and is named after the family famous for making their fortune in the hat business."

"Stetson Mansion in Deland, Florida is a major historical attraction of the city. The house belonged to John B Stetson and hence is locally known as Stetson Mansion. The mansion was designed by architect George T Pearson who was from Philadelphia in the year 1886."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY 2.5. The mansion holds within itself a tale of woe and revival. Stetson Mansion was once one of the grandest homes in Florida (way back in the 20th century)."

"Choose from four unique experiences, three that put you in the driver’s seat, and enjoy a once in a lifetime event where rubber hits the track of the historic 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway. Take on the 31-degree high banks and the real life racing thrills in an authentic NASCAR, two seater, stock car. Check link for Experience dates and package pricing."

"1801 W International Speedway BlvdDaytona Beach, FL 32114(704) 886-2400. The Richard Petty Driving Experience is a popular activity for tourists held at the Daytona International Speedway."

"The Living Legends of Auto Racing, Inc., was founded in 1993 in an effort to recognize, honor and promote the pioneers of beach racing and stock car racing. Today the organization has over 600 members from around the world."

"Formerly the winter home of multi-millionaire John D. Rockefeller, The Casements now serves as the City of Ormond Beach's cultural center and museum containing art and historical exhibits. Free tours of the Rockefeller period rooms and other exhibits are offered 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 -11:30 a.m., Saturday."

"The Casements welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday, please check the event page for tour times. Come learn about the history of the mansion and grounds. Visit special displays including Boy Scouts of America historical memorabilia and a collection of Hungarian festival costumes and artifacts."

"A short drive away in Ormond Beach, Florida, is The Casements, and it’s worth the trip. This was the winter residence of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, and it’s now a park and museum that’s free to the public. This historic attraction doesn’t get its fair share of publicity, in my opinion."

"Originally designed and built by a famous architect in the early ‘20s, the Athens Theatre on North Florida Avenue in Deland is one of the city’s most well-preserved historic sites and was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. At the time, the city’s founders envisioned that Deland would eventually rival Athens, Greece in its majesty. Since its opening, the theatre has hosted a variety of performances, including dramatic plays, raucous vaudeville performances, and a little bit of everything else in between."

"Designed and built in the early 1920s, the Athens Theatre is one of the few existing examples of a classic American theatre in Central Florida. Today, theatre and film festivals, classic movies, independent art films, concerts, dramas, musicals and other live performances are just a few of the programs that are offered along with lectures and educational activities for students and adults."

"Come see a free concert or enjoy an event at the Daytona Beach Bandshell. Built in 1937, this scenic amphitheater overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and sits next to the Boardwalk amusement area."