A look inside this overlooked Florida city with one of the world’s most famous beaches, a Peppa Pig theme park, and a leisurely safari drive

When you think of Florida, you probably think of Orlando’s Mickey Mouse-inspired theme parks.

But the Sunshine State has so much more to offer.

About 50 miles north on the east coast lies the city of Daytona, home to one of the most famous beaches in the world, with a whopping 23 miles of soft white sand.

It’s so large that visitors can drive into certain sections and do day camping.

You can also rent a golf cart and drive along the coast, stopping at seafood restaurants along the way.

It may seem odd to me, but cars are nothing new in Daytona Beach.

These sandy beaches were once home to America’s most prestigious speedway race, now known as the Daytona 500, which attracts millions of tourists each year.

British motor racing legend Sir Malcolm Campbell set the land speed record here on February 22, 1933, reaching 272 mph in a Bluebird Supercar.

The car is currently on display at the Daytona International Speedway Museum within the American Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Racing fans will also want to enjoy racing on the Daytona International Speedway race track.

Forget roller coasters, this NASCAR experience is enough to get the heart pumping for any thrill-seeker who wants to get behind the wheel of a race car and hurtle around the track at breakneck speeds.

It’s an unforgettable experience, but you’ll need some strong libations afterwards – there are plenty of options nearby.

Rose Villa, a Victorian villa-turned-restaurant near Tomoka State Park, is known for its Smoked Old Fashioned cocktail, which pairs well with its signature fried chicken and shrimp and grits.

For something a little more lively, the new Mama Foo Foo serves vibrant cocktails, hearty burgers and steaks and offers stunning views of the Halifax Harbour marina.

The drinks were equally good at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, where I stayed, which also has some iconic memorabilia on display, including a shiny car that once belonged to Madonna.

But if you want a truly wild stay, check into the glamping site at Safari Wilderness Ranch, located about 100 miles south of Daytona in central Florida.

The great thing about Florida is that it’s very easy to combine two vacations into one if you rent a car, which is what I did.

Away from sprawling Daytona Beach and its seaside restaurants, central Polk County offers a collection of theme parks with a more subdued atmosphere than Orlando.

These include the recently opened Peppa Pig theme park, located right next to the Legoland Resort.

Safari Wilderness Ranch is a sort of theme park, where visitors experience the thrill of an open-top safari through lush wilderness and spotting animals such as zebras and buffaloes.

I decided to stay in the laid-back town of Lakeland, about a 50-minute drive west from here.

The Terrace Hotel enjoys a fantastic location, just steps from the central square where you’ll find an array of bars and restaurants, including the award-winning fine dining restaurant Nineteen61.

After dinner, enjoy a beer from Swan Brewing, just around the corner.

An extensive menu of beers and ales, including IPAs and Scotch Bonnet Stouts, are all made in-house.

It’s easy to combine two holidays into one

Some of them are stronger than you might expect, so be careful. Once you start, you might not be able to stop.

Add in the countless beautiful lake views that surround the county and the occasional alligator and Polk County gives you a taste of another side of Florida.

The next time you book a trip to meet Mickey Mouse and his friends, why not add a few days to relax on the sandy beaches of Daytona or interact with buffalo in Polk County?

Florida is home to many bucket list gems.

And they are calling out to be explored.