Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Holly Hill, Florida

Spanning merely 4.5 square miles, Holly Hill is a serene, predominantly residential municipality situated between Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach.

Perched on the Halifax River, Holly Hill features a scenic waterfront park that offers opportunities to witness breathtaking sunrises, enjoy picnics, or launch boats.

The primary commercial establishments in Holly Hill are situated along Ridgewood Avenue (US 1), where visitors can explore a range of antique shops, motels, and other accommodations.

Notably, Holly Hill boasts an advantageous location. Within a ten-minute reach, one can access the Atlantic coastline and a multitude of attractions, including the Daytona International Raceway and Gilded Age mansions.

1. Holly Hill History Museum

Source: Holly Hill Historic Preservation Society, Inc. / Facebook

This local history museum is conveniently located across from City Hall on Ridgewood Avenue. Although modest in size, it is an essential stop for those eager to delve into the region’s history.

The museum is operated by devoted and knowledgeable local volunteers, featuring an array of unique exhibits. Visitors can browse photographs, historical artifacts, and firsthand narratives of early pioneers and settlers.

Exhibits include details about the Holly Hill-based rum-runner, Bill McCoy (1877-1948), and a display regarding the Merci Boxcar, which will be elaborated upon below.

During my visit, the museum had just debuted a temporary exhibit space focused on archival photography.

2. Sunrise Park

Bill McCoy utilized this small parcel of land along the Halifax River as a landing site during his era of rum-running in Prohibition. My preferred picnic location in Holly Hill, Sunrise Park is a delightful area, complemented by a lengthy fishing pier.

True to its name, this park offers a fantastic vantage point for early risers to witness stunning sunrises. On the northern side, there exists a wooded region complete with a brief boardwalk, bordered by an open grassy area on the south featuring picnic pavilions and a children’s playground.

At the southernmost part of the park, visitors will find a boat ramp with additional pavilions, all providing uninterrupted views of Daytona Beach’s skyline.

3. Copper Bottom Craft Distillery

Source: Copper Bottom Craft Distillery / Facebook

The Holly Hill area has a fascinating historical link to spirit production. From the mid-18th century, this site was home to the Three Chimneys plantation, sugar mill, and rum distillery.

Furthermore, I have already mentioned Bill McCoy, who resisted prohibition from these shores. Continuing that rich heritage is the award-winning Copper Bottom Craft Distillery.

From Wednesday to Saturday, visitors can partake in complimentary tours of the facility, which also include ample sampling opportunities. The vodka, in particular, stood out to me for its exceptional clarity.

4. Seabreeze Boulevard

Since most of the local businesses are concentrated on US 1, Holly Hill lacks a traditional downtown district. However, just across the Mason Avenue Bridge lies a vibrant neighborhood.

Now incorporated into Daytona Beach, Seabreeze was once an independent city during the early 20th century.

At the time of writing, the five-block area along Seabreeze Boulevard was flourishing as the Seabreeze Entertainment District. This area is teeming with independent establishments, making it a superb destination for dining.

Diverse options include vegan cuisine, Mexican fare, classic breakfast offerings, Italian dishes, burgers, Mediterranean selections, Japanese cuisine, pizza, and an array of lively bars—all located along a palm-lined thoroughfare.

5. Daytona International Speedway

Source: 4kclips / shutterstock

For avid motorsport enthusiasts, Daytona International Speedway stands as one of the premier racing venues in the United States. It is likely unnecessary to mention that tickets for its renowned 200-lap event can be challenging to obtain.

During other times of the year, numerous options exist for those seeking an intimate glimpse at the renowned speedway.

Facility tours vary in duration, ranging from thirty minutes to three hours. Select VIP experiences even offer guests the chance to complete a lap or two around the track at relatively high speeds.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is an engaging establishment that honors the history of competitive racing, including stock cars and land-speed record holders.

6. Andy Romano Beachfront Park

Source: Silver Beach Club / Facebook

Located just five minutes away in Ormond Beach, this public beach park is surrounded by the amenities of a thriving seaside community.

If convenience and choice are valued over seclusion, Andy Romano Beachfront Park is my preferred destination for local beach outings. It is no exaggeration to assert that this park is within a bustling vicinity of accommodations, dining, retail options, and family attractions.

The entrance is grand, featuring twin towers at the parking lot, as well as a beautiful pavilion and plaza at the top of the stairs and ramps leading to the beach.

The park is equipped with restrooms and shaded seating areas that are ideal for picnics or unwinding with a good read. Particularly beneficial for families with young children, there is a playground and a seasonal splash pad available on-site as well.

7. The Casements

Overlooking the Halifax River in Ormond Beach, there is a rich local history to uncover. I was captivated to learn that the wealthiest individual in modern history, John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), wintered just five minutes from Holly Hill.

His winter residence was The Casements (1913), an elegant Shingle-style home located near where his associate Henry Flagler operated the Ormond Hotel.

After a period of decline, The Casements has been restored and is currently owned by the City of Ormond Beach, serving as a community center.

Open six days a week, visitors can tour the facility and learn about Rockefeller’s time in the area, along with his notable guests, including Henry Ford and Edward VIII.

8. Museum of Arts and Sciences

Source: Sloth1979 / Wikimedia

A premier attraction in the area, Daytona Beach’s Museum of Arts and Sciences features a collection of tens of thousands of items.

The collections are highly diverse, emphasizing strengths in Chinese art, Florida’s natural history, Cuban art, and works produced in the state.

Most intriguing to me were the assemblages belonging to Coca-Cola entrepreneur Chapman Root (1864-1945). There exists an extensive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, featuring the original patents for the contoured bottle he assisted in designing.

In addition to Root’s artifacts, the museum showcases an impressive array of Americana and includes a pair of lavish private railcars. Prior to a visit, I recommend checking the schedule for the planetarium and planning to attend a show.

9. Daytona Lagoon

Situated midway between the pier and Seabreeze Boulevard, this water park has been a local fixture since 2005. Daytona Lagoon operates year-round; however, the ‘wet’ attractions are available from March through September.

Some highlights for me included the Blackbeard’s Revenge slide, which accommodates up to three people, the Pelican’s Drift lazy river, and the Kraken’s Revenge, a four-lane mat racer that stands over 50 feet high.

Essentially a large family amusement center, Daytona Lagoon also offers a variety of ‘dry’ attractions, such as miniature golf, a ropes course, bumper cars, go-karts, laser tag, a rock wall, and an arcade—all awaiting visitors.

10. Daytona Playhouse

In a sea of community theaters, the Daytona Playhouse stands out. This local institution has been operational since 1946 and features a remarkable purpose-built venue.

Completely not-for-profit, the playhouse is maintained by over 200 volunteers and supports itself through donations and ticket sales.

The seasonal lineup includes performances for various age groups, encompassing adults, children, and teens, complemented by an annual family musical each summer.

I found the affordable ticket prices to be a delightful contrast to the exceptional quality of both the performances and the recently remodeled venue. During my visit, I attended a spirited rendition of the comedy “How to Steal a Picasso,” thoroughly enjoying myself.

11. Pictona at Holly Hill

Holly Hill is undeniably at the forefront of the rapidly expanding sport of pickleball. Completed in two phases in the early 2020s, Pictona at Holly Hill is an expansive pickleball facility.

This modern campus features nearly 50 courts, 13 of which are covered. The highlight includes a championship court, equipped with stadium seating for 1,200 spectators.

Each court is distinctly separated by a fence, and there is stadium seating throughout the complex. Additionally, two shops are present on site, alongside a clubhouse, restaurant, and various amenities for table tennis, horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, and more.

While Pictona boasts over 1,100 members, non-members are welcome to visit for a day to utilize the facilities.

12. Merci Train Boxcar

Source: Stacey Vandiver / Facebook

Post-World War II, the US government dispatched a ‘friendship train’ to France to aid in the recovery efforts. Presently, a segment of that train has returned to the United States and is now located next to city hall in Holly Hill.

In gratitude, this boxcar is one of 49 sent back to the United States, filled with various gifts including wine, perfume, art, and bicycles.

For history and military enthusiasts, this is an accessible and complimentary attraction that should not be overlooked.

After its arrival in Florida, the boxcar fell into disrepair until it was relocated to Holly Hill in the 1980s. When I visited, it had just received a fresh coat of paint and was sheltered for protection.

13. University Blvd. Beach Park

For those eager to reach the beach quickly, University Blvd. Beach Park is my top recommendation due to its sheer convenience. Located just five minutes from Holly Hill, it features nearly 100 parking spaces adjacent to the Hard Rock Hotel.

This area is also within the Driving Zone, allowing vehicles to traverse onto the compact sands of the beach.

The stunning views at sunrise are nothing short of extraordinary and should be experienced at least once while visiting Daytona Beach. In summary, the shoreline here is characterized by rolling waves, shallow waters, and a vast beach expanse ideal for relaxation.

14. Our Old Stuff Antique Mall

Source: Our Old Stuff Antiques / Facebook

Florida’s coastal towns are renowned for stellar antique hunting, and Holly Hill presents a superb option along Ridgewood Avenue.

The antique mall comprises two distinct buildings, both filled with items ranging from antique furniture and crystal to vintage clothing and jewelry. In particular, I found its offering of mid-century furniture and decorative items to be especially impressive.

To my mind, it is an ideal place to spend an hour or two out of the sun, with always the possibility of uncovering a remarkable find.

15. Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center

Source: Environmental Discovery Center / Facebook

With a variety of habitats, Ormond Beach’s Central Park has gradually developed through multiple phases.

One compelling reason to visit this nature center is its location on Division Avenue, just a short distance from Holly Hill.

The Environmental Discovery Center features interactive exhibits that focus on wildlife and their habitats. An interpretive trail is accessible outside, lined with informative signs, while the interior showcases a range of interactive and live displays.

Among the engaging displays, I particularly enjoyed the working beehive, which is visible through a glass panel.