Florida’s Space Coast is a region on the eastern coast of Florida that includes 72 miles of beaches and the communities of Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Viera, Melbourne Beaches and Palm Bay.
Florida’s Space Coast is a popular destination for Orlando visitors who also want to visit a beach. It is also popular with cruise ship passengers departing from Port Canaveral who want to add on a few land days to their vacation. That’s what my husband and I did a few years ago. However, there is so much to do at Florida’s Space Coast, that you could easily stay there for a week’s vacation.
Here are 10 things you could do on a trip to Florida’s Space Coast.
1. See a rocket launch
Seeing a rocket launch is a top priority of many visitors. This website has information about scheduled launches and viewing locations.
2. Visit Kennedy Space Center
I first visited Kennedy Space Center when I was a teenager. I went back with my husband a few years ago. It is a fascinating place to visit. You can easily spend an entire day viewing all the exhibits and learning about astronauts and the space program. A highlight for me was seeing the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
3. Relax on the beach
Whether it’s a secluded and natural beach that you’re looking for, or a family-friendly beach with picnic tables and public restrooms, Florida’s Space Coast has a variety.
4. Visit the Brevard Zoo
My husband and I visited the Brevard Zoo and loved it. It isn’t a large zoo, but it does offer something I haven’t experienced elsewhere: kayaking through a section of the zoo!
5. Take a tour
Florida’s Space Coast offers lots of different tour options by water, air, or land. Try an eco tour by airboat through a swamp. Or maybe you’d prefer to paddle a kayak, ride on horseback, or hike. Or maybe see the area from above on a biplane or helicopter. How about a food tour or fishing expedition?
6. Visit a museum
You’ll find a variety of specialty museums along Florida’s Space Coast. Of course you’d expect to find museums about space and aviation there, but you’ll also find museums about police, dinosaurs, and surfing, along with art and history museums.
7. Explore natural wonders
This region has a total of 108 parks, 6 nature centers, and more than 17,000 acres of environmentally endangered lands sanctuaries and conservation areas, including the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can hike, birdwatch, and look for sea turtles and manatees.
8. Rent a boat
Get out on the water! You can rent fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, or jet skis for a self-guided adventure.
9. Learn to surf
You can learn how to surf at one of the Space Coast’s many surf schools.
10. Admire art
Florida’s Space Coast offers museums, galleries, the murals of the Eau Gallie Arts District, performing arts, and studios where you can paint pottery and paintings.
Would you like to visit Florida’s Space Coast? I would love to help you plan a trip. Please read about how my planning services work here.
