Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral
Amazing beaches, waves, and exploration along Florida’s Space Coast
Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, two of the most well-liked locations in Brevard County, often known as Florida’s Space Coast, are located less than an hour from Orlando on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Central Florida. Kennedy Space Center, the long-standing launchpad for American space exploration, is the area’s greatest claim to fame. Cocoa Beach is a well-known surfing destination, and Port Canaveral is among the busiest cruise ports in the USA. Other cities in the area include Titusville, Palm Bay, Viera, and Melbourne, along with its laid-back beach communities. All of them serve as basecamps for exploring the Space Coast’s stunning beaches, breathtaking natural features, and diverse cultural offerings, yet each has its own distinct appeal.
Space Coast: Not Just a Moniker
If you arrive at the appropriate time, you may be able to see one of the most breathtaking sights in the world: a rocket being launched into space. On a clear day, launches are visible from almost everywhere in the area. To guarantee a space at parks, beaches, piers, and waterfront eateries, arrive early. Get tickets to observe from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the closest encounter.
Kennedy Space Center provides many opportunities to engage with the past, present, and future of space exploration, whether or not there is a rocket launch. Admire the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the enormous Rocket Garden sculptures. Explore the NASA Now + Next exhibit to learn about contemporary missions and space travel icons from the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Settle down for an exciting 8.5-minute simulation of the space shuttle’s ascension into orbit with the Shuttle Launch Experience.
Examine objects contributed by astronauts, space workers, and NASA at the American Space Museum in Titusville. Stroll around the nearby U.S. Space Walk of Fame at Space View Park, which is a great place to view rocket launches, among the striking monuments. Another place to witness a launch that illustrates Port Canaveral’s history and how it grew to be a hub for space travel is the Exploration Tower in Cape Canaveral.
Plenty of nature and beaches
The 116 kilometers of smooth, golden-sand beaches along Florida’s Space Coast are complemented by a number of parks that preserve distinctive Old Florida ecosystems. Discover the unspoiled Canaveral National Seashore, renowned for its dunes and isolated sections of wide-open sand, as the first stop on your beach tour in Titusville. Take peaceful walks through the nature of the barrier island, observe Timucuan shell mounds, or simply unwind in the beach. Take an 11.3-kilometer trip around Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on the Black Point trip Loop in the vicinity. While viewing hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, and coastal marshes, you may see some of the area’s native wildlife. Sebastian Inlet State Park, a well-liked location for surfing and family beach outings, is a natural beach retreat south of Melbourne Beach.
Take surfing lessons in Cocoa Beach, the “East Coast Surfing Capital,” stop into the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop, or stroll along the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, located back at Melbourne Beach, is one of the best places in North America for sea turtle breeding. Make appointments for a guided nocturnal walk in June or July if you plan to see sea turtles breeding. An amazing summertime kayak cruise on the bioluminescent Indian River Lagoon is another fantastic nocturnal activity. Take a kayak trip at the Melbourne Brevard Zoo to see the animals, or try Treetop Trek Aerial Adventures to soar across the forest canopy.
History & Culture of the Area
Beyond the marvels of nature and space, Florida’s Space Coast offers a plethora of chances for cultural discovery. See the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex in tiny Mims, a memorial park dedicated to commemorating Florida’s pioneer civil rights advocates. Explore a museum devoted to conserving Black history and the couple’s legacy, as well as a reenactment of their Dec. 25, 1951, bombed home. A variety of vibrant neighborhoods and historic downtowns may be found, including Cocoa Village, the Eau Gallie Arts District, Downtown Melbourne, and Historic Downtown Titusville. Go restaurant hopping, see live performances, observe vibrant murals, and shop for one-of-a-kind items from neighborhood merchants and artists.