Distance: 180 miles (290km)
Time: One to two days
Start: Orlando
End: Cocoa Village
Points to note: Be aware that the Space Coast’s attractions are spread out. A stay in the surf capital of Cocoa Beach for a night or two is recommended to take in the area’s other highlights.
The Atlantic shores of Florida’s Space Coast are the closest beaches to Orlando. Spread along barrier islands, they are connected to the mainland by causeways across the broad Indian and Banana rivers.
Kennedy Space Center
Leave Orlando on Toll Road 528, known as the Beachline Expressway (or Beeline Expressway, an older name). Turn left (north) on SR 407 and right (east) on SR405, which leads to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 1 [map] (State Road 405, Merritt Island; tel: 855-433-4210; www.kennedyspacecenter.com; daily from 9am).
Witnessing a launch
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Although at first glance it appears small compared to the theme parks, even with a full day you’ll be hard pressed to fit everything in. In addition to the visitor complex, a main component is the bus tour that takes you to assorted outlying sites. This alone takes around three hours, as much time is spent getting on and off the buses and lining up for the next leg of the tour. A daily schedule that gives starting times for the various films and attractions is included with your map of the complex.
For an extra dose of education, rent a KSC Smartguide for the day. It provides maps, a customized audio tour, and fun facts in eight languages. If you’re carrying a smartphone, you can also upgrade to the Space Visor, which provides virtual tours of restricted areas.
Exhibit at the Space Center
Nasa
Additional tours are available for a fee; click the Add On Enhancements and Packages buttons on the Tickets & Packages webpage or ask at the ticket booth. If you want to view a rocket launch, this is available as an add-on package. Alternatively, you can view the launch from along US Highway 1 North, near Titusville, where you can see the launch pad across the Indian River. Check www.spacecoastlaunches.com for the schedule.
The Visitor Complex is fun and informative
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The Visitor Complex
Walk through the information center to the outdoor plaza. We recommend you make a beeline for the bus tours, as the waits get longer and the sun hotter as the day goes on. If you’d rather, explore the visitor complex first, which has a range of different buildings, exhibits and outdoor displays.
Make sure to make the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Shuttle Launch Experience a priority. This new exhibit, in the far right of the complex, is super interactive with 60 hands-on exhibits. You’ll get to see the actual Atlantis shuttle, take an 8.5-minute simulated ride that feels as if you’re aboard, and be entertained by short films made by astronauts.
If you’d prefer to go in order, look to the left of the entrance for Heroes & Legends, featuring the Astronauts Hall of Fame. This three-part interactive exhibit uses cutting-edge technology to delve deep into astronauts’ experiences. Nearby is the Rocket Garden, a low-tech collection with an impressive array of historic rockets from early space missions. Try and catch one of the fascinating 15-minute guided tours.
Another highlight is the Astronaut Encounter area, where you can meet an astronaut who has flown into space; for an additional fee you can actually have Lunch with an Astronaut, see 1. At Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, multimedia-based exhibits enlighten visitors about past and current Mars-related events. In the building behind, the IMAX 3D space films are interesting, too. Towards the back of the complex, the dramatic Space Mirror Memorial honors 24 astronauts who died in service on three missions.
The Rocket Garden impresses at sunset
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Space Center tours
Turn right at the entrance to reach the pick-up point for the KSC bus tour. The drivers give a running commentary, and point out the resident wildlife.
The restricted areas you’ll get to see change periodically, and more than one tour might be available per day, but all are fascinating. A frequent destination is the Vehicle Assembly Building, where rockets are put together; at 525ft (160-meters) tall it is the largest single-story building in the world. You might also be shown the future mobile launcher of NASA’s Space Launch System and the Launch Control Center, which controlled all space-shuttle launches. The Apollo/Saturn V Center allows you to walk around and under a fully restored Saturn V moon rocket, and watch a fascinating multimedia recreation of the first Saturn V manned mission launch.
US Astronaut Hall of Fame
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Kennedy Space Center wildlife
Only about 10 percent of the Kennedy Space Center’s 140,000 acres (34,000 hectares) is used for the space program. The rest is a designated nature reserve. On the KSC bus tour, keep an eye out for alligators sunning beside the ponds. You may also see some of the reserve’s 10,000 wild pigs. Drivers will point out enormous eagle’s nests; there are now 16 nests in the reserve, some measuring 7ft (2 meters) wide and weighing around 1,000 pounds (450kg).
There is no public access beyond the Space Center visitor complex, so you must drive back across the SR 405 causeway and north on US 1 through Titusville to reach the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 2 [map] (tel: 321-861-0667; www.fws.gov/merrittisland; open sunrise–sunset). It is signposted from town – take SR 406/402 (Garden Street). If you are coming from I-95 take exit 220.
Start at the Visitor Center (Nov–Mar daily 9am–4pm, Apr–Oct Mon–Sat 9am–4pm), where you can pick up maps and information about the wildlife, walking trails, and drives in the reserve. Some 43 miles (69km) long, the island is the habitat for over 500 wildlife species, many of which are threatened or endangered. In addition to osprey, bald eagles, heron, egrets, and pelicans, you may see alligators, raccoons, wild hogs and river otters.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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Highly recommended is the Black Point Wildlife Drive, a 7-mile (11km) self-guided auto tour through one of the best wildlife-viewing areas, with information on 12 numbered stops. Just before stop 11, watch for the large alligator often seen sunning him- (her-?) self on the right side of the road.
Another highlight is the Manatee Observation Deck beside the Haulover Canal on SR 3. Manatees thrive here year-round, thanks to a ban on motorized vessels in the surrounding area, and are most frequently seen in spring and autumn.
Canaveral National Seashore
Adjacent to the wildlife refuge is the Canaveral National Seashore 3 [map] (tel: 321-267-1110; www.nps.gov/CANA). At the southern end, lovely Playalinda Beach is accessible via SR 402 through the reserve. To reach Apollo Beach at the northern end, drive north on SR 3 and US 1 to SR A1A, where you’ll also find the visitor center, walking trails, and other facilities. In between are miles of beautiful, undeveloped stretches of beach backed by barrier dunes and the Mosquito Lagoon. This area provides a haven for loggerhead turtles, fish, and shellfish, waterfowl, migrating birds and, of course, human beachcombers.
Cocoa Beach
Take US Highway 1 south and turn left (east) on SR 528. After passing Cape Canaveral and Port Canaveral, with its busy cruise terminal, the road curves south towards Cocoa Beach 4 [map]. Known as Florida’s surf capital, it has long stretches of broad sandy beach, a laid-back, youthful vibe, and a string of upbeat, barefoot-casual restaurants and bars.
The town’s landmark is the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, which juts 800 feet (245 meters) out above the ocean from Meade Avenue. The arcade atop its rustic wooden pylons is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and a fishing deck, with lifeguards on duty. Right at the end of the pier, Rikki Tiki Tavern, see 2, offers seafood, cocktails and panoramic ocean views.
On the corner of SR 520 and Atlantic Avenue you’ll find the ‘one of a kind’ Ron Jon Surf Shop (tel: 888-757-8737; www.ronjonsurfshop.com), a temple to the glorified beach lifestyle filled with surf clothes, accessories, and boards of every size and style, and open 24 hours. Next door is the Cocoa Beach Surf Company Surf Complex (tel: 321-799-9930), selling more beach gear and with its own shark-filled aquarium. The Shark Pit Bar & Grill, for more information, click here, is a relaxing bar and restaurant inside the retail emporium.
Cocoa Beach bathed in sunshine
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Take SR 520 across three causeways to the west side of the Indian River. Turn left on Brevard Avenue to reach Cocoa Village 5 [map], an artsy enclave of historic buildings that now house galleries, antiques shops, boutiques, and specialty stores.
Continue west on SR 520. Four miles (6km) past the junction of I-95, before you cross the St Johns River, look out on your left for the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, see 3. This rustic roadhouse-style bar and restaurant is a popular place for airboat rides along the river, spotting alligators and other wildlife.
Beyond the bridge, SR 520 curves north to intersect with SR 528 which will take you back to Orlando.
Brevard Zoo
If you have extra time, visit the Brevard Zoo (8225 N Wickham Road, Melbourne; 321-254-9453; www.brevardzoo.org; daily 9:30am–5pm). To get there from Cocoa Beach Pier, drive south down A1A for about 10 minutes, then turn east on Pineda Causeway to US 1. Go north on US 1 and then turn left onto Suntree Boulevard, right onto North Wickham Road, and follow the signs. Home to more than 800 animals, this zoo has a bonus: active travelers can opt to kayak around the animals or go zip-lining over them.
Food and drink
1 Lunch with an Astronaut
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; tel: 321-449-4400; $$
After a buffet lunch, an astronaut presents an entertaining and informative talk on his or her experiences in space, answers questions, and signs autographs. Book ahead as places are limited.
2 Rikki Tiki Tavern
Cocoa Beach Pier; www.cocoabeachpier.com/dining/rikki-tiki-tavern; $
Enjoy a drink, bites and splendid ocean views from the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier. The pier has four additional restaurants.
3 Lone Cabbage Fish Camp
SR 520 at St Johns River; tel: 321-632-4199; www.twisterairboatrides.com/fishcamp.html; $
Try alligator tail, turtle, catfish, and other local favorites at this rustic riverside bar and restaurant. Live music on Sunday afternoons.