Daytona Beach is globally known for its stunning shores, high-speed racing, and bustling boardwalks—but beyond the beach lies a cultural treasure that often escapes the spotlight: the Midtown Cultural District. Nestled in the heart of the city, this historic neighborhood is one of Daytona Beach’s most culturally rich and diverse areas, deeply rooted in African American heritage, arts, and community pride.
Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, a music lover, or an art enthusiast, Midtown offers an immersive and authentic experience. From legendary jazz roots to vibrant murals and soul food restaurants passed down through generations, this district celebrates the stories, resilience, and creative spirit of Daytona’s Black community. In this guide, we dive deep into the top things to do in Daytona Beach’s Midtown Cultural District, offering a fresh lens into local life. Discover the culture beyond the coast and embrace a part of Daytona you’ll never forget.
1. Visit the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center
Start your journey in Daytona Beach’s Midtown with a visit to the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center—a cornerstone of the community that celebrates the legacy and culture of Black Daytona. This modern facility offers rotating art exhibits, educational seminars, history panels, and workshops that spotlight African American artists, musicians, historians, and leaders from the region.
Inside the center, you’ll find exhibitions that explore the Civil Rights movement in Daytona Beach, oral history projects, and interactive media displays about the neighborhood’s evolution. For those interested in local arts, the on-site gallery frequently features work by emerging and established Black artists. It’s more than just a museum—it’s a living cultural hub where the past and present meet.
The center also hosts free events, including poetry nights, jazz evenings, youth talent showcases, and cultural festivals. It serves as a starting point for cultural walking tours and is a great place to connect with locals who are passionate about preserving Midtown’s legacy.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning enthusiast, spending time here gives context to everything else you’ll explore in Midtown. It’s a space that not only informs but inspires.
Pro Tip: Check the center’s calendar before visiting to catch community events, storytelling nights, or heritage festivals. It’s one of the best ways to experience the vibrant heartbeat of the district.
Check the center’s calendar before visiting to catch community events, storytelling nights, or heritage festivals. It’s one of the best ways to experience the vibrant heartbeat of the district.
2. Explore the Jackie Robinson Ballpark & Civil Rights Trail
No visit to Daytona Beach’s Midtown Cultural District is complete without a trip to the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark—a place where history and sports intersect in powerful ways. Located along the scenic Halifax River but closely connected to Midtown, this ballpark is where Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier during a spring training game in 1946.
Today, visitors can walk through the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, which highlights Robinson’s courageous career and the racial struggles faced by Black athletes. The site is part of the Florida Black Heritage Trail and represents a landmark moment not just in sports but in the Civil Rights movement.
Adjacent to the ballpark is the Midtown Civil Rights Trail, a self-guided walking tour featuring historical markers and plaques at significant sites throughout Midtown. Stops include churches, schools, and gathering places that were pivotal during Daytona Beach’s Civil Rights era. Through stories, photos, and maps, the trail honors the community leaders and everyday citizens who stood for justice and equality.
Walking the trail is a profound way to connect with the district’s legacy. It’s both educational and moving—reminding visitors that Daytona Beach is more than just sun and surf; it’s a city with a deeply rooted history of resistance and pride.
Pro Tip: Download the Midtown Civil Rights Trail map from the city’s tourism website for a self-paced tour or join a local historian-led group for more in-depth storytelling.
3. Taste Your Way Through Midtown’s Soul Food Scene
Daytona Beach’s Midtown Cultural District is a hidden gem for food lovers—especially those craving authentic soul food and Southern comfort dishes prepared with passion and history. Unlike chain restaurants, these local eateries are owned and operated by families who’ve passed down recipes for generations.
Start your culinary journey at Bethune Grill, an iconic Midtown spot best known for its tangy honey-drenched chicken wings, fried fish sandwiches, and signature sweet tea. The lines are often long, but the flavors are worth the wait.
Next, try Shirley’s Soul Food, a local favorite serving up smothered pork chops, collard greens, cornbread, and mac and cheese that tastes like Sunday dinner. Don’t forget dessert—many Midtown restaurants serve homemade banana pudding, peach cobbler, or sweet potato pie.
For something lighter, visit Midtown Café, where you can grab quick bites like fried okra, catfish nuggets, and chicken gizzards while enjoying conversation with friendly locals.
What makes Midtown’s food scene special is its atmosphere—warm, welcoming, and full of personality. Many of these restaurants double as community spaces, where locals gather to share news, celebrate, and connect.
Pro Tip: Plan your food tour around lunchtime when all the top spots are open, and don’t be afraid to ask for house specialties—they’re usually off-menu and always unforgettable.
4. Discover Local Art & Murals that Tell a Story
The Midtown Cultural District is also an outdoor art gallery, where murals and street art reflect community pride, resilience, and creativity. Walking through the district, you’ll encounter powerful visuals that highlight Daytona Beach’s Black leaders, historical events, musicians, and cultural expressions.
One of the most photographed murals is located on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, showcasing the life and legacy of Dr. Bethune, the civil rights leader and founder of Bethune-Cookman University, just a short distance from Midtown. The mural is colorful, bold, and inspiring—capturing her impact on education and equality.
Another standout is the "Midtown Mosaic" located near the Midtown Community Center. This public art project features tiles painted by local students, artists, and residents that represent their hopes, history, and neighborhood pride.
In recent years, community art festivals like Midtown Art Stroll and Paint Midtown have invited artists from across Florida to contribute to beautifying the neighborhood. These events offer live mural painting, open mic performances, and youth art contests—creating a collaborative and creative atmosphere.
Art here is more than decorative—it’s storytelling. It gives voice to the community and transforms public spaces into places of meaning and memory.
Pro Tip: Bring your camera or phone fully charged—these murals are Instagram gold and perfect for documenting your Midtown experience.
Conclusion: A Deeper Connection to Daytona Beach
While Daytona Beach may be synonymous with speedways and seaside relaxation, its Midtown Cultural District offers something more enduring: a window into the city’s soul. Through its powerful civil rights history, thriving arts scene, soul-nourishing food, and welcoming community, Midtown tells the story of resilience, creativity, and identity that has shaped generations.
Visiting Midtown is more than checking off tourist attractions—it’s an invitation to learn, connect, and celebrate the often-overlooked richness of Black culture in Daytona Beach. From the educational exhibits at the Cultural Center to the historic echoes at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, every experience adds depth to your understanding of this dynamic city.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for a season, make time to walk the murals, eat the food, and hear the stories. Midtown isn’t just a district—it’s a heartbeat. And once you’ve felt it, Daytona Beach will never be the same again.
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