History is alive and well in Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club’s hometown of Ormond Beach.
This part of east central Florida — along with much of Florida’s Atlantic coast — has witnessed centuries of notable happenings, and the Ormond Beach area offers numerous historical sites and natural wonders for Plantation Bay residents to explore.
All are good starting points for fun excursions with Plantation Bay neighbors, or visiting family and friends. They’re also a great way to get to know your new hometown if you’re a new or prospective Plantation Bay resident.
The five places spotlighted here are only a sampling. More await elsewhere — yet another bonus for one of ICI Homes’ signature master-planned communities in east central Florida.
Check out these five unique places near Plantation Bay and Ormond Beach.
Key takeaways
- Plantation Bay residents are close to some of Ormond Beach’s most distinctive landmarks, from scenic drives to historic sites and natural treasures.
- Places like the Ormond Scenic Loop, Fairchild Oak, The Casements, and Birthplace of Speed make it easy to explore the character and history of the area.
- These destinations give residents a fun way to experience the local culture, natural beauty, and stories that make Ormond Beach unique.
- Living at Plantation Bay means enjoying not only a premier community, but also easy access to memorable places just beyond its gates.
The Loop
Technically, the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail.
The Loop is a 34-mile drive incorporating mostly rural two-lane roads and a bit of Ormond Beach proper. It’s part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Scenic Byways program and is immediately accessible just down the road from Plantation Bay’s main entrance.
Exit the community and turn right on Old Dixie Highway. Head east, cross Interstate 95, and you’re on the Loop. It’s a beautiful drive, or ride if you’re a cyclist, passing soaring coastal forests, historical sites, marshes, state parks and eventually, the Atlantic Ocean.
The Fairchild Oak
Bulow Creek State Park is an easy first stop once Plantation Bay residents exit their community.
There’s tons of history here, but don’t miss the Fairchild Oak, king of surrounding forests and one of the region’s largest live oaks, estimated to date to the 1600s.
Bonus: there’s no entry fee. Located at 3351 Old Dixie Highway.
Birthplace of Speed
Ormond Beach’s wide sands and cache as a winter resort for Gilded Age notables became a natural proving ground for early land speed records in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The city’s beachside Birthplace of Speed Park delivers highlights, along with a replica of the original Ormond Garage, where daring racers housed their machines.
Located at 21 Ocean Shore Boulevard.
Bonus: Toast your exploration at Ormond Garage Brewing in downtown Ormond Beach. Also located in a historic garage, it’s not THE Ormond Garage, which was lost in a 1976 fire.
The Casements
Gilded Age scion John D. Rockefeller’s winter home. Now restored, it serves as a busy arts, cultural and events venue in Ormond Beach and was named for its big windows.
Don’t miss its adjoining public gardens. Located at 25 Riverside Drive.
The Ormond Hotel Cupola
Near the Casements is Fortunato Park, a Ormond Beach city park with a unique centerpiece — the restored cupola that once crowned the Hotel Ormond roof.
It’s the only remaining artifact from the hotel (1887-1992), which dominated the northeast corner of Granada Boulevard behind it and hosted many land-speed-record aspirants.
Located at 2 John Anderson Drive.
Ready for your Plantation Bay lifestyle? Talk to ICI Homes here.
