By Lynn Jones | Urban Travel Columnist | Celebrating my winter solstice November birthday in Ormond Beach—just a stone’s throw from Daytona—became a time to reflect, project, prepare, and manifest a prosperous 2026. A Detroit, Michigan native, I’ve called Florida home for more than 30 years, but my roots remain deeply connected to Detroit—where there would be no sound without Motown!
With Daytona Beach so close, and Jacksonville just a short drive away, a weekend getaway along Florida’s Atlantic coast is always an invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature and history. Daytona Beach’s new mantra, “Beach On, and on and on,” truly rings true. The coastline is smooth and expansive, and the activities—both past and present—are rich with history. Incorporated in 1876, Daytona Beach emerged at a time when the twentieth century was approaching and Florida’s shoreline played a critical role in guiding immigrants and American sailors safely to land.
One especially historic destination is the Ponce de León Inlet Light Station in nearby Ponce Inlet, Florida—again, just a stone’s throw from Daytona Beach. The lighthouse complex includes preserved keeper’s dwellings that reveal Florida’s deep maritime and social history. Included in the tour is the Constance D. Hunter Historic Pacetti Hotel Museum. According to the brochure, “Constructed in 1887, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse has guided mariners along Florida’s coast for more than 135 years.”
The tour was both fascinating and immersive. It was striking to realize that the restored cabins could still be lived in today. Climbing the lighthouse’s 203 steps led to a breathtaking view across the Atlantic Ocean—a rewarding experience in every sense. The staff was warm and accommodating, even as a steady stream of visitors continued throughout the day.
While the lighthouse carried tremendous historical weight, the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art proved to be a truly eye-opening experience. The museum is home to the largest collection of Florida art in the world, featuring a rotating exhibition of more than 2,600 Florida-themed oil and watercolor paintings depth of the Hyatt and Brown collection is remarkable, encompassing Cuban and African-American influences, various artists, iconic Florida landscapes, signature pieces, and thoughtfully curated galleries. The museum also includes a gift shop and conference rooms for meetings and presentations, making it both culturally rich and community-focused.
I was genuinely in awe of the art and the sheer scope of the collection. Moving through the galleries required patience and intention—taking time to absorb the vibrant colors, the layered brushstrokes, and the vivid depictions of Florida life across different eras. Each painting told a story, capturing the rhythm, diversity, and spirit of the state in a way that felt both historic and alive.
This birthday week in the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beaches area became more than a getaway—it was a meaningful journey through memory, culture, and creativity, perfectly aligned with reflection and renewal.
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