Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral: Things to do in Florida’s Space Coast

If you have always dreamed of becoming an astronaut and you are fond of shuttles and space missions, the two places that you must absolutely visit in the United States are: the Johnson Space Center in Houston, in Texas, and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This strip of land overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is known as the Space Coast, because it is from here that spacecraft take off to discover the secrets of space.

Brevard County

Nasa’s space center is located in Brevard County, which occupies the coastal sector of central Florida, east of Orlando. If you visit the Nasa center, you will also have the opportunity to see something of the surrounding area. The county seat is Titusville, a small town on the Indian River that is important for its historical sites and museums. The same goes for Melbourne, the city where Juan Ponce de Leon, Florida’s first explorer, landed in 1513. Across from Melbourne, on the narrow strip of land connected by a bridge, pop into Coconut Point Park, where you’ll have a chance to see sea turtles in the sea turtle sanctuary.

Cocoa Beach, between Melbourne and Cape Canaveral, is the ideal place to watch space launches, but since this certainly doesn’t happen on a daily basis, there must be other reasons to go there. The main one is surfing: the excellent location for waves attracts many surfers every year and it’s no coincidence that the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame museum, dedicated to this sport, is located right here.

Here in the Easter period, the Easter Surfing Festival takes place, a great event where surfing is the protagonist and that attracts not only surfers, but also many people who simply love to watch the people riding the waves or want to entertain with side events. Finally, in downtown Cocoa, take a stroll through Historic Cocoa Village, the lively historic district with tree-lined streets full of restaurants and small stores.

Visit Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is undoubtedly the main attraction of the area, as well as being one of the most important space centers in the world. It is located on Merritt Island, a tongue of land that also houses a nature reserve where the protagonist is the bald eagle, symbol of the United States of America, which shares the wildlife refuge with alligators, sea turtles, bobcats, Florida panthers and several species of birds such as ibis, storks and pelicans.

Before arriving at the Space Center Visitor Center, you can stop in Titusville, where you will see the US Space Walk of Fame &  Museum. Here you will have the testimony – accompanied by plaques and monuments located in a large open space – of some of the most important space programs, such as Mercury, Apollo, Gemini and Space. Inside the museum, however, photos and objects of space missions will help you learn more about them.

The large NASA logo will welcome you as you arrive at the Visitor Center, where the real tour begins. It starts at the Rocket Garden: the garden where rockets from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions are on display. Entering the building, you are immersed in the space context and you can get inside the Atlantis shuttle: a giant of the skies that for over twenty years made the history of space exploration.

The interactive tour continues with Module, a life-size lunar module, and a series of experiences that will make you feel like a real astronaut. There’s a mini course to learn how to pilot a spacecraft and space station exploration, the shuttle launch simulator, and the solar system exploration simulator. With Eyes on the Universe you will understand a little more about the origin of the universe and looking through the space telescope you will be fascinated by what can be observed through lenses.

During the visit you can also attend two shows: the first is a 3D movie projected in the impressive and huge IMAX screen, where you will feel completely immersed in deep space. The second, called Meet an Astronaut, is a theatrical show where you will have the opportunity to meet an astronaut live and ask him any question you can think of. Among the highlights of the tour is the Saturn V rocket, housed in a huge hangar. This is the rocket that took 12 astronauts to the Moon, including Neil Armstrong: the first man to set foot on the satellite on July 20, 1969. The LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) from which Armstrong descended is also here to visit.

Finally, the US Astronaut Hall of Fame is where astronauts are remembered and honored, while the Space Mirror and Forever Remembered specifically commemorate those who have fallen on missions. And if you get hungry during the tour, what better time than Lunch with an astronaut? You’ll be treated to an extensive buffet and share a table with an astronaut who will tell you about his experiences working in space. In any case there are several choices for eating something: there is also the possibility to grab a sandwich or have a small bar meal.

Kennedy Space Center Tickets

The entrance ticket can also be purchased online and varies depending on the package you choose, age and includes many attractions, activities and visits that can be done within the six areas of the complex. Below, for your convenience, you will find some links where you can buy the entrance ticket and other combined packages.

• Entrance ticket (Getyourguide)
• Entrance ticket (Viator)
• Transportation tours and combination packages (from Orlando)

Things to do at Cape Canaveral

As already mentioned, the long strip of land of Cape Canaveral is an ideal place for those looking for great beaches and perhaps to practice water sports such as surfing. But that’s not the only reason why so many travel to this corner of Florida. It is here that the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is located: the large area from where rocket launches to space lift off. Who does not remember the scenes of the movie Armageddon, as well as other films, where you see the striking departure of the rocket from here? Well, if you are lucky enough to be in Florida on one of the days when there is a space launch (don’t worry, if it happens you will see it well publicized on the Kennedy Space Center website!), you can’t miss watching it from Cape Canaveral.

But where do you watch a spacecraft launch into space from? You won’t have to drive around haphazardly looking for a good location: there are four observation areas, one at the space center and the others reachable by shuttle, equipped with bleachers to sit down and with live commentary every time there is a launch. Although the distance to the rocket considerable, it is always recommended to wear headphones to protect your ears and it is definitely exciting to watch the countdown and feel the vibrations that follow the roar of the giant rocket engines. Here are the four viewing areas.

• LC-39 Observation Gantry. Located at the historic Launch Complex 39, from where astronauts first departed for the Moon, this is the best area to observe launches 2 to 3 miles away.
• NASA Causeway. Along this road, which connects the Cape Canaveral launch station with the Space Center, you can get a good view of launches made across the Indian River at a distance of 3 to 5 miles.
• Apollo/Saturn V Center. This is also the final stop on the bus tour that can be taken to the Kennedy Space Center. In this case, the distance to the launch pads varies between 5 and 8 miles.
• Main Visitor Complex. Finally, the area located at the Kennedy Space Center, to be exact next to the Space Shuttle Atlantis, 7 miles from the launch pads. All you need to access it is a space center ticket (while the cost of the shuttle bus must be added to reach the others), but it is also the one with the view most disturbed by trees.

Space Coast: how to get there

Places to eat on the Space Coast

You will certainly be looking for a place to stop for lunch or dinner, before or after visiting the space center. So here are some suggestions for playing it safe at the various coastal locations.

• River Rocks Dining & Drinks Dockside (6485 S.US 1, Rockledge). With the Indian River lagoon as a backdrop and live music, this restaurant is perfect for a nice dinner at the end of the day. The cuisine is typical American, and the bar with its porch overlooking the river is reached by walking on a beautiful walkway over the water.
• Cafe Margaux Restaurant (220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa). A fine dining establishment with mixed cuisine where French flavors intersect with Asian ones. It is considered one of the best restaurants in Florida and certainly is among the ones with the best wines.
• Djon’s Steak & Lobster House (522 Ocean Ave., Melbourne Beach). On the strip of land between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean, here you can eat both quality fish and meat, with the mood enhanced by the piano bar.
• Molly’s Seafood Shack (1580 E.Merritt Island Cswy., Merritt Island). An environment decorated in nautical style that offers good seafood dishes, at prices that are not exorbitant.

Places to stay on the Space Coast

In the county it is not difficult to find accommodation and we also suggest you take a look at our article on where to stay in Orlando, since it is a large city within a short distance, which offers a large number of opportunities for overnight stays. Here are some tips if you are looking for accommodation in the area.

• Port d’Hiver (201 Ocean Ave., Melbourne Beach). A cozy and refined historic B&B with garden and pools. It has a tropical style setting, and is really very nice. If you opt for the suite, you’ll be able to admire the ocean from your room.
• Casa Coquina del Mar B&B (4010 Coquina Ave., Titusville). Here’s a B&B from where you can watch rocket launches from Cape Canaveral (of course, if you’re staying overnight here at the time of a launch). The rooms are cozy and you can often participate in tea tastings.
• Four Points by Sheraton (4001 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach). A good hotel in the famous chain, with a contemporary style. It is located near the beach and ideal for those who also want to enjoy some of the sea.
• Holiday Inn Club Vacation Beach Resort (1000 Shorewood Dr., Cape Canaveral). Another good hotel, with a pool, direct access to the beach and rooms with balconies. It is located in Cape Canaveral, not far from the launch station.

All accommodations in the area