Biketoberfest is back again! With races at the Daytona International Speedway, various events, live music, bike shows, stunts and more! If it isn’t already on your calendar it’s not too late. The 4-day rally is taking place from October 14 to October 17, 2021 so you still have time.
Whether you’ve been planning for the event the entire year or are just thinking about going right now, we’ve got the run-down on everything you need to know to have the best time at Biketoberfest 2021.
First things first, let’s go ahead and just get the elephant in the room out of the way: COVID. How is COVID going to be impacting the event? On the surface, not all that much. It’s definitely not going to have the same impact that it did on all of the events last year. In fact, expect to see the same number of vendors and rally-goers that we have in years past. The only real change we can see is that COVID is being recognized on every page of the website with suggestions to social distance, stay home if you’re not feeling well, and wear a mask. But it doesn’t seem like any of these measures are going to be strictly enforced, so it’s up to you how many precautions you want to take (if any).
With that out of the way, there’s an important change to this year’s event that we haven’t seen in the past. In addition to an event website, they’ve released a smart-phone app that you can download on your iPhone or Android that contains all the information you’ll need: where to stay, where to park, when certain events are taking place, what concerts are happening and when, and also what dining options are available.
For anyone who prefers to do things the old-fashioned way, the official Biketoberfest Welcome Center can be found at One Daytona, which is the retail, dining and entertainment district directly across from the International Speedway. There you’ll find all the same information and be able to get any of your questions answered.
Although the app has all the information you could ever need, here’s our top 5 recommendations for things to do/see at Biketoberfest 2021:
- Best place to eat: Riverfront Beer & Peanuts inside Tomoka Sate Park Head over to Ormond Beach to try their world famous Cup-ah Cajun (cajun boiled peanuts) and a cold beer. Enjoy the ride there and the view when you arrive, where you can see manatees, dolphins, alligators, and all difference species of birds. Park entry is $2 for motorcycles and the address is 2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.
- Best bar: Froggy Saloon
It’s the most popular bar in Daytona for a reason. Froggy’s is where all the action happens during Biketoberfest, so if you don’t want to miss out, this is where you need to be. They’ve got live dancers, live DJs, various food vendors, a cigar stand, and an outdoor “Frog Garden” that’s known for having some of the most beautiful bartenders in Daytona.
- Best place to shop: National Swapmeet by Jam On Productions
Located at 1471 Tomoka Farms Rd, this swapmeet is a great place to find aftermarket parts, vintage nuts and bolts, and all kinds of biker paraphernalia. Get a tattoo, an oil change, or watch the stunt riders perform (every hour on the hour). There’s plenty to do and see and even more to buy!
- Best ride event: Ruff Ride Poker Run
The Halifax Humane Society is hosting a Poker Run during Biketoberfest this year. It takes place on the first day of the event (Oct 14) and check-in is 10am. If you’re interested in signing up the registration fee is $25 which includes a short sleeve t-shirt, one poker hand, a bbq dinner, and a drink at the Iron Horse Saloon. You can sign up here.
- Best place to just hang out: Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona
If you’re not sure where to go, head to Destination Daytona. Throughout the entire event they’ll have live music, bike shows, demo rides, food, vendors, and more. It’s definitely the place with the most going on.
**Special mention: The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
During Biketoberfest, the lighthouse is featuring a special exhibit chronicling the history of motorcycle on the beach. It’s included in the price of admission ($6.95 for adults) so if you’re a history buff, this could be worth checking out.
