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Titusville | Cocoa | Cape Canaveral | Cocoa Beach | Melbourne
South of the Daytona Beach area and Canaveral National Seashore are Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the John F. Kennedy Space Center, and Cape Canaveral—hence the name “Space Coast.” This area is also home to the laid-back town of Cocoa Beach, which attracts visitors on weekends year-round because it’s the closest beach to Orlando, 50 miles to the east.
Visitor Information
Contact
Space Coast Office of Tourism. | 877/572–3224, 321/433–4470 | www.visitspacecoast.com.
Titusville
34 miles south of New Smyrna Beach, 67 miles east of Orlando.
It’s unusual that such a small, easily overlooked community could accommodate what it does, namely the magnificent Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center, the nerve center of the U.S. space program.
Exploring
American Police Hall of Fame & Museum.
Police officers deserve our respect, and you’ll be reminded why at this intriguing attraction. In addition to memorabilia like the Robocop costume and Blade Runner car from the films, informative displays offer insight into the dangers officers face every day: drugs, homicides, and criminals who can create knives from dental putty and guns from a bicycle spoke. Other exhibits spotlight the gory history of capital punishment (from hangings to the guillotine to the electric chair) and crime scene investigation, terrorism, and a rotunda where more than 9,000 names are etched in marble to honor police officers who have died in the line of duty. A 24-stall shooting range provides rental guns. | 6350 Horizon Dr. | 321/264–0911 | www.aphf.org | $13 | Museum: Tues.–Sun. noon–7. Shooting Range: Tues.–Fri. noon–8, weekends noon–6.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
America’s space program—past, present, and future—is the star at this must-see attraction, just 45 minutes east of Orlando, where visitors are treated to interactive experiences, two spectacular IMAX movies, bus tours, and more. Located on a 140,000-acre barrier island, Kennedy Space Center was NASA’s launch headquarters from the beginning of the space program in the 1960s until the final shuttle launch in 2012. Thanks to an invigorated NASA program and to high-tech entrepreneurs who have turned their interests to space, visitors to the complex can once again view live rocket launches from the Cape. In fact, there were 24 launches scheduled in 2015—even more in 2016 (check the website for launch schedule).
The newest IMAX film, Journey To Space, narrated by Star Trek legend Sir Patrick Stewart, fills a five-story movie screen with dramatic footage shot by NASA astronauts during missions, accentuating the bravery of all space travelers while capturing the spirit of the human desire to explore and expand. The film honors the milestones of the Space Shuttle Program—deploying and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, assembling the International Space Station—and then looks forward to the deep-space exploration missions to come, offering a glimpse of the Space Launch System rocket that will send the Orion crew capsule toward Mars.
The drama of the IMAX films gives you great background for the many interactive programs available at the complex. The bus tour included with admission (buses depart every 15 minutes) takes you past iconic spots, including the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads which are getting ready for future missions. Stops include the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can look up in awe at one of three remaining Saturn V moon rockets, the largest rocket ever built. Other exhibits include the Early Space Exploration display, which highlights the rudimentary yet influential Mercury and Gemini space programs; and the Lunar Theater, which shows the first moon landing. Visitors can dine next to a genuine moon rock at the cleverly named Moon Rock Café.
Several Up-Close tours offer more intimate views of the VAB, the Shuttle Landing Facility, the runway where the shuttles landed (now slated for use by the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser, one of the commercial spacecraft under development), and the Cape Canaveral launch pads, where NASA, SpaceX, and the United Launch Alliance rockets await takeoff. Other iconic images include the countdown clock at NASA’s Press Site, a giant crawler transporter that carried Apollo moon rockets and space shuttles to the launch pad, and the Launch Control Center. The Then and Now Guided Tour (extra charge), visits America’s first launch sites from the 1960s and the 21st century’s active unmanned-rocket program.
The space shuttle Atlantis attraction offers views of this historic spacecraft as only astronauts have seen it—rotated 43.21 degrees with payload bay doors open and its robotic arm extended, as if it has just undocked from the International Space Station. The attraction includes a variety of interactive highlights, including opportunities to perform an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), train like an astronaut, and create sonic booms while piloting Atlantis to a safe landing.
Don’t miss the outdoor Rocket Garden, with walkways winding beside a group of historic vintage rockets, from early Atlas spacecraft to a Saturn IB. The Children’s Playdome enables kids to play among the next generation of spacecraft, climb a moon-rock wall, and crawl through rocket tunnels. Astronaut Encounter Theater has two daily programs where retired NASA astronauts share their adventures in space travel and show a short film.
More befitting a theme park (complete with the health warnings), the Shuttle Launch Experience is the center’s most spectacular attraction. Designed by a team of astronauts, NASA experts, and renowned attraction engineers, the 44,000-square-foot structure uses a sophisticated motion-based platform, special-effects seats, and high-fidelity visual and audio components to simulate the sensations experienced in an actual space-shuttle launch, including MaxQ, Solid Rocker Booster separation, main engine cutoff, and External Tank separation. The journey culminates with a breathtaking view of Earth from space.
A fitting way to end the day is a stop at the black-granite Astronaut Memorial, which honors those who lost their lives in the name of space exploration.
Other add-ons include Lunch with an Astronaut, where astronauts talk about their experiences and engage in a good-natured Q&A; the typical line of questioning from kids: “How do you eat/sleep/relieve yourself in space?” | Kennedy Space Center, Rte. 405 | 877/313–2610 | www.kennedyspacecenter.com | $50 (includes bus tour, IMAX movies, visitor complex shows and exhibits, and Astronaut Hall of Fame); specialty tours $21–$25; lunch with an astronaut $29.99 | Daily 9–5; last regular tour 2½ hrs before closing. Call ahead if visiting on a launch day.
United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
The original Mercury 7 team and the later Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and shuttle astronauts contributed artifacts and memorabilia to make the hall of fame the world’s premium archive of astronauts’ personal stories. Authentic equipment from their collections help tell the tale of human space exploration. You can watch videotapes of historic moments in the space program and see one-of-a-kind items such as Wally Schirra’s Sigma 7 Mercury space capsule, Gus Grissom’s space suit (colored silver only because NASA thought silver looked more “spacey”), and a flag that made it to the moon. The exhibit First on the Moon focuses on crew selection for Apollo 11 and the Soviet Union’s role in the space race. Don’t miss Simulation Station, a hands-on discovery center with interactive exhibits that help you learn about space travel. One of the more challenging activities is a space-shuttle simulator that lets you try your hand at landing the craft—and afterward replays a side view of your rolling and pitching descent.
If you want to live the life of an astronaut, consider enrolling in Astronaut Training Experience (ATX, $175). Held at the Hall of Fame, it immerses you in an exciting combination of hands-on training and preparation for the rigors of space flight. Veteran NASA astronauts helped design the program, and you hear first-hand from them as you progress through an exciting day of mission simulation and exploration at the busiest launch facility on Earth. The cost includes spaceflight simulators, full-scale space shuttle mission simulation, meet and greet with a NASA astronaut, and ATX gear. Age restrictions apply. Space is limited (no pun intended), so call well in advance. | 6225 Vectorspace Blvd. | 877/737–5235 | www.kennedyspacecenter.com | $27 Hall of Fame only; included in KSC Visitor Complex admission ($50) | Opens daily at noon, closing times vary by season (call for details).
Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum & Tico Airshow.
Don’t judge a book by its cover: what’s inside this very ordinary looking building that is extraordinary. Operated mostly through the efforts of an enthusiastic team of volunteers, the museum is a treasure trove of aviation history, with memorabilia from World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as extensive displays of vintage military flying gear and uniforms. There are posters that were used to help identify Japanese planes, plus a Huey helicopter and the cockpit of an F-106 that you can sit in. In the north hangar a group of dedicated aviation volunteers busily restores old planes. It’s an inspiring sight, and a good place to hear some war stories. In the spring the museum puts on the Tico Warbird Airshow, featuring fighter and bomber aircraft that formerly flew in combat around the world. The lobby gift shop sells real flight suits, old flight magazines, bomber jackets, books, models, and T-shirts. | 6600 Tico Rd. | 321/268–1941 | www.vacwarbirds.org | $20 | Daily 9–5.
Beaches
Playalinda Beach.
The southern access for the Canaveral National Seashore, remote Playalinda Beach has pristine sands and is the longest stretch of undeveloped coast on Florida’s Atlantic seaboard. You can, however, see the shuttle launch pad at Cape Kennedy from the beach. Hundreds of giant sea turtles come ashore here from May through August to lay their eggs. Fourteen parking lots anchor the beach at 1-mile intervals. From Interstate 95, take Exit 249 and head east. Bring bug repellent in case of horseflies, and note that you may see some unauthorized clothing-optional activity. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking. | Rte. 402, at northern end of Beach Rd. | 321/267–1110 | www.nps.gov/cana | $5 per vehicle for national seashore.
Where to Eat
Dixie Crossroads.
$$ | SEAFOOD | This sprawling restaurant is always crowded and festive, but it’s not just the rustic setting that draws the throngs—it’s the seafood. The specialty is rock shrimp, which are served fried, broiled, or steamed. Diners with a hearty appetite can opt for the all-you-can-eat shrimp or snow crab, or, if seafood isn’t your choice, the menu offers steaks, chicken, pork and ribs. You might have to wait (up to 90 minutes) for a table, but if you don’t have time to wait, you can order take-out or use the call-ahead seating option. A word to the wise: when that basket of corn fritters dusted with powdered sugar appears like magic on your table, try not to fill up on them. | Average main: $23 | 1475 Garden St., 2 miles east of I–95 Exit 220 | 321/268–5000 | www.dixiecrossroads.com | Reservations not accepted.
Where to Stay
Hampton Inn Titusville.
$ | HOTEL | Proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and reasonable rates make this four-story hotel a top pick for an overnight near the center. Guests deem the rooms clean, comfortable, and quiet and larger than those in comparable hotels. The property also scores points for conveniences like 24/7 coffee and tea service in the lobby, complimentary hot breakfast, microwaves, and refrigerators in every room, and a fitness room and pool. Pros: free Wi-Fi; extra-comfy beds; convenient to I–95. Cons: thin walls; no restaurant on-site; no room service. | Rooms from: $139 | 4760 Helen Hauser Blvd. | 321/383–9191 | www.hamptoninn.com | 86 rooms, 4 suites | Breakfast.
Sports and the Outdoors
Fodor’s Choice | Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this 140,000-acre refuge, which adjoins the Canaveral National Seashore, acts as a buffer around Kennedy Space Center while protecting 1,000 species of plants and 500 species of wildlife, including 15 considered federally threatened or endangered. It’s an immense area dotted by brackish estuaries and marshes, coastal dunes, hardwood hammocks, and pine forests. You can borrow field guides and binoculars at the visitor center (5 miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville on State Road 402) to track down falcons, ospreys, eagles, turkeys, doves, cuckoos, owls, and woodpeckers, as well as loggerhead turtles, alligators, wild boar and otters. A 20-minute video about refuge wildlife and accessibility—only 10,000 acres are developed—can help orient you.
You might take a self-guided driving tour along the 7-mile Black Point Wildlife Drive. On the Oak Hammock Foot Trail you can see wintering migratory waterfowl and learn about the plants of a hammock community. If you exit the north end of the refuge, look for the Manatee Observation Area just north of the Haulover Canal (maps are at the visitor center). They usually show up in spring and fall. There are also fishing camps, fishing boat ramps, and six hiking trails scattered throughout the area. If you do want to fish, a free, downloadable permit is required. Most of the refuge is closed 24 hours prior to a launch. | Visitor center, Rte. 402, 5 miles east of U.S. 1 across Titusville Causeway | 321/861–0667, 321/861–0669 visitor center | www.fws.gov/merrittisland | Free; $5 per vehicle on Black Point Wildlife Dr. only | Daily sunrise–sunset; visitor center daily 9–4.
Cocoa
17 miles south of Titusville.
Not to be confused with the seaside community of Cocoa Beach, the small town of Cocoa sits smack-dab on mainland Florida and faces the Intracoastal Waterway, known locally as Indian River. There’s a planetarium and a museum, as well as a rustic fish camp along the St. Johns River, a few miles inland.
Folks in a rush to get to the beach tend to overlook Cocoa’s Victorian-style village, but it’s worth a stop and is perhaps Cocoa’s most interesting feature. Within the cluster of restored turn-of-the-20th-century buildings and cobblestone walkways you can enjoy several restaurants, indoor and outdoor cafés, snack and ice-cream shops, and more than 50 specialty shops and art galleries. The area hosts music performances in the gazebo, arts-and-crafts shows, and other family-friendly events throughout the year. To get to Cocoa Village, head east on Route 520—named King Street in Cocoa—and when the streets get narrow and the road curves, make a right onto Brevard Avenue; follow the signs for the free municipal parking lot.
Exploring
FAMILY | EFSC Planetarium & Observatory.
Based at Eastern Florida State College, this planetarium and observatory has one of Florida’s largest public-access telescopes. The 24-inch telescope allows visitors to view objects in the solar system and deep space. The on-campus planetarium has two theaters, one showing a changing roster of nature documentaries, the other hosting laser-light shows as well as changing planetarium shows. Science Quest Exhibit Hall has hands-on exhibits, including scales calibrated to other planets (Vegas-era Elvis would have weighed just 62 pounds on the moon). Show schedules and opening hours may vary, so call ahead. | 1519 Clearlake Rd., Bldg. 19 | 321/433–7373 | www.easternflorida.edu/community-resources/planetarium | Observatory and exhibits free; film or planetarium show $8 | Check website for schedule.
FAMILY | Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science.
This is the place to come to see what the lay of the local land looked like in other eras. Hands-on activities draw children, who especially migrate toward the Imagination Center, where they can act out history or reenact a space shuttle flight. Not to be missed are Ice Age era creatures such as a fully articulated mastadon, giant ground sloth, and saber-tooth cat. The Windover Archaeological Exhibit features 7,000-year-old artifacts indigenous to the region. In 1984, a shallow pond revealed the burial ground of more than 200 American Indians who lived in the area about 7,000 years ago. Preserved in the muck were bones and, to the archeologists’ surprise, the brains of these ancient people. Nature lovers appreciate the museum’s butterfly garden and the nature center with 22 acres of trails encompassing three distinct ecosystems—sand pine hills, lake lands, and marshlands. | 2201 Michigan Ave. | 321/632–1830 | www.brevardmuseum.org | $9 | Wed.–Sat. 10–5.
Porcher House.
As its name suggests, this was the home of E.P. Porcher (pronounced Por-shay), one of Cocoa’s pioneers and the founder of the Deerfield Citrus groves. Built in 1916 and now a National Historic Landmark, the Porcher home is an example of 20th-century Classical Revival architecture incorporating local coquina rock. Historical tours are by appointment only. | 434 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa Village | 321/639–3500, 321/633–0806 tours | Donations welcome | Weekdays 9–5.
Where to Eat
Fodor’s Choice | Café Margaux.
$$$ | ECLECTIC | Eclectic, creative, and international is the best way to describe the cuisine and decor at this charming Cocoa Village spot, featured in 2015 on the Food Network. The menu blends French, Italian, and Asian influences with dishes such as lollipop pork chop over English pea–and–orzo risotto, sweet onion–crusted fresh red snapper, and braised veal scaloppine. Themed dining rooms are elaborately decorated with dramatic window treatments, wallpaper, and artwork. An outdoor courtyard with umbrella tables adds to the Continental flair. | Average main: $26 | 220 Brevard Ave. | 321/639–8343 | www.margaux.com | Closed Sun.
Lone Cabbage Fish Camp.
$ | ECLECTIC | The word “rustic” doesn’t even begin to describe this down-home, no-nonsense fish camp restaurant (translation: you eat off paper plates with plastic forks) housed in a weathered, old, clapboard shack along with a bait shop and airboat-tour company. Set your calorie counter on stun, as you peruse the plates of fried fish, frogs’ legs, turtle, and alligator (as well as burgers and hot dogs). Dine inside or on the outdoor deck overlooking the St. Johns River with live music every Sunday. Who knows, you might even see your dinner swimming by. | Average main: $10 | 8199 Rte. 520, at St. Johns River | 321/632–4199 | Reservations not accepted.
Performing Arts
The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
In 1918 the building that now holds this theater was a Ford dealership that sold Model Ts. After that, it evolved into the Aladdin Theater, a vaudeville house, and then did a turn as a movie theater before returning to live theatrical productions in 1989. The performance schedule features touring professional productions, concerts, and shows geared to children on vacation. | 300 Brevard Ave. | 321/636–5050.
Shopping
Cocoa Village.
You could spend hours browsing in the more than 50 boutiques here, along Brevard Avenue and Harrison Street (the latter has the densest concentration of shops). Although most stores are of the gift and clothing variety, the village is also home to antiques shops, art galleries, restaurants, a tattoo parlor, and a spa. | Rte. 520 and Brevard Ave. | 321/631–9075 | www.visitcocoavillage.com.
Renninger’s Super Flea & Farmers’ Market.
You’re sure to find a bargain at one of the 800-plus booths at this market, which is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 to 4. | 4835 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. | Melbourne | 321/242–9124 | www.superfleamarket.com.
Sports and the Outdoors
Boating
Twister Airboat Rides.
If you haven’t seen the swampy, alligator-ridden waters of Florida, then you haven’t really seen Florida. This thrilling wildlife tour goes where eagles and wading birds coexist with water moccasins and gators. The Coast Guard–certified deluxe airboats hit speeds of up to 45 mph and offer unparalleled opportunities to photograph native species. The basic tour lasts 30 minutes, but 60- and 90-minute ecotours are also available at an additional cost by reservation only. Twister Airboat Rides is inside the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, about 9 miles west of Cocoa’s city limits, 4 miles west of Interstate 95. | 8199 Rte. 520, at St. Johns River | 321/632–4199 | www.twisterairboatrides.com | $22 | Daily 10–4:30.
Cape Canaveral
5 miles east of Cocoa via Rte. A1A.
The once-bustling commercial fishing area of Cape Canaveral is still home to a small shrimping fleet, charter boats, and party fishing boats, but its main business these days is as a cruise-ship port. The north end of the port, where the Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines set sail, has some good waterfront restaurants, with big viewing decks. Port Canaveral is now Florida’s second-busiest cruise port for multiday cruises, which makes this a great place to catch a glimpse of these giant ships. It’s also a great place to catch sight of an unmanned rocket being launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base.
Exploring
FAMILY | Exploration Tower.
The best view at Port Canaveral is no longer from the top of your cruise ship. In fact, the view from atop this towering seven-story structure, which opened in late 2013, makes the cruise ships look—well, not so massive after all. The tower, a short walk from the cruise port, is equal parts museum and scenic overlook. The seventh-floor observation deck offers impressive views of the cruise port, the Atlantic Ocean, the Banana River, and even the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. Other floors house exhibits highlighting cultural history of the area, from space flight to surfing, bird and sea life to the rich maritime history. Kids will enjoy interactive exhibits, including a virtual ship’s bridge that allows you to pilot a boat through the Canaveral Channel and into the Atlantic. A theater shows a 20-minute film dedicated to the history of Brevard County, and a small café sells refreshments and baked goods. The ground floor houses a visitor information center. | 670 Dave Nisbet Dr. | 321/394–3408 | www.explorationtower.com | $6.50 | Daily 10–7.
Beaches
Jetty Park.
A wonderful taste of the real Florida, this 4½-acre beach and oceanfront campground has picnic pavilions, bike paths, and a 1,200-foot-long fishing pier that doubles as a perfect vantage point from which to watch a liftoff from Cape Canaveral or to glimpse the gigantic cruise ships as they depart the port for the Bahamas. Lifeguards are on duty year-round, and all manner of equipment from beach chairs and umbrellas to boogie boards to beach wheelchairs is available for rent. A jetty constructed of giant boulders adds to the landscape, and a walkway that crosses it provides access to a less populated stretch of beach. Real and rustic, this is Florida without the theme-park varnish. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. | 400 Jetty Rd. | 321/783–7111 | www.jettyparkbeachandcampground.com | $5–$10 cars, $7–$15 RVs.
Where to Eat
Seafood Atlantic.
$ | SEAFOOD | Locals think of this casual waterfront seafood market/eatery as a well-kept secret, but more and more cruise patrons are making their way here for a pre- or postcruise treat. The market is connected to the restaurant, guaranteeing not only freshness but an array of choices. You don’t just order a fish sandwich or plate of steamed shrimp; you choose from at least four varieties of fish (try the Golden Tile in season) and several varieties of shrimp (the Royal Reds may be the best you’ve ever tasted). Seating is alfresco, with views of the Port Canaveral waterway and passing cruise ships. Best for lunch or an early dinner, the restaurant closes at 8 on Friday and Saturday, earlier other nights. | Average main: $15 | 520 Glen Cheek Dr. | 321/784–1963 | www.seafoodatlantic.net | Reservations not accepted | Closed Tues.
Thai Thai III.
$$ | THAI | The mouthwatering photos on the menu aren’t just a marketing ploy. The pictures don’t do the real stuff justice. Locals and cruise-ship vacationers frequent this casual Thai/Japanese eatery within walking distance of cruise-port hotels. Seafood is an emphasis here, with specialties like lobster pad thai and snapper with ginger and scallion. The Thai curries, noodles, and soups can be prepared “Thai hot,” but “medium” packs a subtle punch, too. On the sushi side, try the Beauty and the Beast roll: half tuna, half eel, with avocado, asparagus, scallions, and roe. Decor is eclectic and relaxing, with brightly painted walls and low-hanging sconces. Don’t fret if you see a crowd out front. The place does a brisk take-out business. | Average main: $20 | 8660 Astronaut Blvd. | 321/784–1561 | www.thaithai3.com.
Where to Stay
Radisson Resort at the Port.
$ | HOTEL | For cruise-ship passengers who can’t wait to get under way, this splashy resort, done up in pink and turquoise, already feels like the Caribbean. Guest rooms have wicker furniture, hand-painted wallpaper, tropical-theme decor, and ceiling fans; others have a more modern style. The pool is lushly landscaped and features a cascading waterfall, tiki bar, and occasional appearances by the “Radisson parrots,” about a dozen renegade birds who call the resort home (can you blame them?). This resort, directly across the bay from Port Canaveral, is not on the ocean, but it does provide complimentary transportation to the beach, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and the cruise-ship terminals at Port Canaveral. Pros: cruise-ship convenience; pool area; free shuttle; free Wi-Fi. Cons: rooms around the pool can be noisy; loud air-conditioning in some rooms; no complimentary breakfast. | Rooms from: $123 | 8701 Astronaut Blvd. | 321/784–0000, 888/201–1718 | www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl | 284 rooms, 72 suites | No meals.
Residence Inn Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach.
$ | HOTEL | Billing itself as the closest all-suites hotel to the Kennedy Space Center, this four-story Residence Inn, painted cheery yellow, is also convenient to other area attractions such as Port Canaveral, the Cocoa Beach Pier, the Brevard Zoo, and Cocoa Village, and is only an hour from the Magic Kingdom. Considerably larger than traditional hotel rooms, the one- and two-bedroom suites include a full kitchen—dishwasher and all—and separate living and sleeping areas. The morning buffet and nightly manager’s reception are popular with guests who aren’t hoping to remain incognito. Pros: helpful staff; free breakfast buffet; free Wi-Fi; pet-friendly. Cons: less than picturesque views; street noise in some rooms. | Rooms from: $189 | 8959 Astronaut Blvd. | 321/323–1100, 800/331–3131 | www.marriott.com | 150 suites | Breakfast.
Shopping
Cove Marketplace.
Whether you’re at Port Canaveral for a cruise or are just passing through, this retail marketplace on the south side of the harbor has enough shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues to keep you occupied. Since most of the bars and eateries are located on the public waterfront area, you’ll have a view of the cruise ships—and their colorful passengers. | Glen Cheek Dr., at Scallop Dr. | Port Canaveral | www.portcanaveral.com/covemarketplace | Free | Hrs vary by business.
Sports and the Outdoors
Boating and Fishing
Outfitters
Cape Marina.
This full-service marina is a great place to arrange fishing and sailing charters. | 800 Scallop Dr. | 321/783–8410 | www.capemarina.com.
Cocoa Beach
5 miles south of Cape Canaveral, 58 miles southeast of Orlando.
After crossing a long and high bridge just east of Cocoa Village, you drop down upon a barrier island. A few miles farther and you’ll reach the Atlantic Ocean and picture-perfect Cocoa Beach at Route A1A.
In the early 1960s Cocoa Beach was a sleepy, little-known town. But in 1965 the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie premiered. The endearing show centered on an astronaut, played by Larry Hagman, and his “Jeannie” in a bottle, Barbara Eden, and was set in Cocoa Beach. Though the series was never shot in Florida, creator Sidney Sheldon paid homage to the town with local references to Cape Kennedy (now known as the Kennedy Space Center) and Bernard’s Surf restaurant. Today the town and its lovely beach are mecca to Florida’s surfing community.
Visitor Information
Contacts
Cocoa Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. | 321/454–2022, 877/321–8474 | www.visitcocoabeach.com.
Exploring
Cocoa Beach Pier.
By day, it’s a good place to stroll—if you don’t mind weather-worn wood and sandy, watery paths. Although most of the pier is free to walk on, there’s a small charge to enter the fishing area at the end of the 800-foot-long boardwalk (even to look around), and a separate fishing fee. You can rent rods and reels here for an additional $15. Surf competitions can be viewed from the pier, as it’s a popular surf spot. By night, visitors and locals—beach bums and surfers among them—head here to party. Weekends see live music. TIP The pier is a great place to watch launches from Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral. | 401 Meade Ave. | 321/783–7549 | www.cocoabeachpier.com | $2, $7 to fish.
Beaches
Cocoa Beach.
This is one of the Space Coast’s nicest beaches—and the place where the great professional surfer Kelly Slater got his start. The beach boasts one of the steadiest surf breaks on the East Coast and has wide stretches that are excellent for biking, jogging, power walking, and strolling. In some places there are dressing rooms, showers, playgrounds, picnic areas with grills, snack shops, and surfside parking lots. Beach vendors offer necessities, and lifeguards are on duty in the summer.
A popular entry road, Route 520 crosses the Banana River into Cocoa Beach. At its east end, 5-acre Alan Shepard Park, named for the famous astronaut, aptly provides excellent views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Facilities here include 10 picnic pavilions, shower and restroom facilities, and more than 300 parking spaces. Beach vendors carry necessities for sunning and swimming. Parking is $7, $10 on weekends and holidays March through Labor Day. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Another enticing Cocoa Beach entry point is 10-acre Sidney Fischer Park, in the 2100 block of Route A1A in the central beach area. It has showers, playgrounds, changing areas, picnic areas with grills, snack shops, and plenty of well-maintained, inexpensive parking lots ($5 for cars). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer); parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. | Rte. A1A from Cape Canaveral to Patrick Air Force Base,401 Meade Ave.
Where to Eat
Heidelberg.
$$$ | GERMAN | As the name suggests, the cuisine here is definitely German, from the sauerbraten served with potato dumplings and red cabbage to the beef Stroganoff and spaetzle to the classically prepared Wiener schnitzel. All the soups and desserts are homemade; try the Viennese-style apple strudel and the rum-zapped almond-cream tortes. But if German specialties are not your favorites, there are other European-influenced dishes aplenty. Elegant interior touches include crisp linens and fresh flowers. There’s live music Wednesday through Saturday evenings. You can also dine inside the jazz club, Heidi’s, next door. | Average main: $29 | 7 N. Orlando Ave., opposite City Hall | 321/783–6806 | www.heidelbergcocoabeach.com | Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Sun.
Keith’s Oyster Bar.
$ | SEAFOOD | At the only open-air seafood bar on the beach, at the entrance of the Cocoa Beach Pier, the main item is oysters, served on the half shell. You can also grab a fish sandwich or burger here, crab legs by the pound, or one of the popular buckets of steamed shrimp or coconut shrimp. Drinks range from beer (the best accompaniment to oysters) to cocktails sporting paper umbrellas. The atmosphere is ultracasual (e.g., plastic chairs) and laid back, just what you’d expect on a fishing pier. During high season, there’s live entertainment on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. | Average main: $14 | 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach Pier | 321/783–7549 | www.cocoabeachpier.com.
Where to Stay
Best Western Oceanfront Hotel & Suites.
$ | HOTEL | Families love this Best Western for its affordable suites; everyone loves it for its oceanfront location (just a half block from the Cocoa Beach Pier), the great views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and the fact that it’s just five minutes from the cruise ships at Port Canaveral. The renovated suites are modest but have two TVs, a separate living room, wet-bar area with sink, refrigerator, microwave, sofa bed, and a private balcony. Pros: free Wi-Fi and HBO; free parking; complimentary hot breakfast; cruise terminal shuttle. Cons: not all rooms have an ocean view; small bathrooms; noise from the pier. | Rooms from: $169 | 5600 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/783–7621, 800/962–0028 | www.bestwesterncocoabeach.com | 230 rooms, 62 suites | Breakfast.
DoubleTree by Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
$$ | HOTEL | Proximity to the beach and comforts like in-room microwaves and refrigerators—and DoubleTree’s famous chocolate-chip walnut cookies—make this six-story hotel a favorite of vacationing families, particularly Orlandoans on weekend getaways. Newly renovated guest rooms all have ocean views and private balconies. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Pros: private beach access; comfy beds; complimentary parking. Cons: extra charge for beach-chair rental; thin walls; slow elevators. | Rooms from: $224 | 2080 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/783–9222 | www.cocoabeachdoubletree.com | 148 rooms, 12 suites | No meals.
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
$ | HOTEL | You can’t get any closer to the beach than this seven-story oceanfront hotel. Most rooms have ocean views, but for true drama get a room on the east end, facing the water. The decor is minimalist modern, from the lobby to the guest rooms and suites, which feature soft sea-foam walls and crisp white linens on Hilton Serenity Beds. The pool and beach are only steps away, and the hotel offers beach chair rentals along with boogie boards, bikes, and surf lessons. If sand isn’t your thing, enjoy the ocean breeze and live music on the 10,000-square-foot deck, “the largest pool deck on the Space Coast.” Pros: beachfront; friendly staff. Cons: fees for Wi-Fi and parking; small pool and bathrooms; no balconies; room windows don’t open. | Rooms from: $179 | 1550 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/799–0003 | www.hiltoncocoabeach.com | 285 rooms, 11 suites | No meals.
Inn at Cocoa Beach.
$ | B&B/INN | This charming oceanfront inn has spacious, individually decorated rooms with four-poster beds, upholstered chairs, and balconies or patios; most have ocean views. Deluxe rooms are much larger, with a king-size bed, sofa, and sitting area; most also have a dining table. Jacuzzi rooms are different sizes. Included in the rate are afternoon socials in the breezeway, evening wine and cheese, and a continental breakfast. Pros: quiet; romantic; honor bar. Cons: no on-site restaurant; “forced” socializing. | Rooms from: $165 | 4300 Ocean Beach Blvd. | 321/799–3460, 800/343–5307 outside Florida | www.theinnatcocoabeach.com | 50 rooms | Breakfast.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | The Resort on Cocoa Beach.
$$ | RESORT | Even if the beach weren’t in its backyard, this family-friendly, oceanfront property offers enough activities and amenities—from tennis and basketball courts to a game room, pool, and 50-seat movie theater—to keep everyone entertained. Organized activities begin at 9 and can run until evening, with offerings including arts-and-crafts projects and scavenger hunts for kids and pool volleyball and bingo for adults. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites are decorated in typical beachy colors, and they offer the comforts of home, with a separate living room, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, including dishwasher, 42-inch plasma TV with DVD player, whirlpool tub, and washer and dryer. Pros: kids activities; full kitchens; in-room washers and dryers; large balconies; free Wi-Fi. Cons: check-in not until 4 and checkout at 10; not all rooms are oceanfront; slow elevators. | Rooms from: $245 | 1600 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/783–4000, 866/469–8222 | www.theresortoncocoabeach.com | 124 suites | No meals.
Wakulla Suites Resort.
$$ | HOTEL | This kitschy two-story motel in a converted 1970s apartment building is clean and comfortable, surrounded by tropical gardens, and just off the beach. Some rooms are a block away from the water, and a few are just a walk down the boardwalk. The bright rooms are fairly ordinary, decorated in tropical prints. Completely furnished suites, designed to sleep five, are great for families; each includes two bedrooms and a living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen. This throwback property isn’t for everyone, but those who dig it return year after year. Pros: kitchen; barbecue grills. Cons: lots of kid noise; a hike to the beach; seven-day cancellation policy. | Rooms from: $108 | 3550 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/783–2230, 800/992–5852 | www.wakullasuites.com | 117 suites | No meals.
Nightlife
The Cocoa Beach Pier has several nightspots as well as live-music sessions a couple of nights a week.
Heidi’s Jazz Club.
Local and nationally known jazz musicians (Boots Randolph and Mose Allison have taken the stage) play Tuesday through Sunday, with showcase acts appearing on weekends. | 7 Orlando Ave. N | 321/783–4559.
Shopping
Merritt Square Mall.
The area’s only major shopping mall is about a 20-minute ride from the beach. Stores include Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears, Foot Locker, Island Surf and Skate, and roughly 100 others. It’s an indoor mall, a rapidly diminishing fixture in the Florida landscape, making for comfortable shopping in the heat of summer. There’s a 16-screen multiplex, along with a food court and several restaurant chains. | 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway | Merritt Island | 321/452–3270 | www.merritsquaremall.com.
Sports and the Outdoors
Kayaking
Adventure Kayak of Cocoa Beach.
Specializing in manatee encounters, this outfitter organizes one- and two-person kayak tours of mangroves, channels, and islands. Tours launch from various locations in the Cocoa Beach area. Rates run about $30 per person. | 599 Ramp Rd. | 321/480–8632 | www.kayakcocoabeach.com.
Surfing
Cocoa Beach Surf Company.
The world’s largest surf complex sits inside the Four Points by Sheraton resort, and has three floors of boards, apparel, sunglasses, and anything else a surfer, wannabe-surfer, or souvenir-seeker could need. Also on-site are a 5,600-gallon fish and shark tank and the Shark Pit Bar & Grill. You can rent surfboards, bodyboards, and wet suits, as well as umbrellas, chairs, and bikes. And staffers teach wannabes—from kids to seniors—how to surf. There are group, semi-private, and private lessons available in one-, two-, and three-hour sessions. Prices range from $40 (for a one-hour group lesson) to $120 (three-hour private). All gear is provided. | Four Points by Sheraton, 4001 N. Atlantic Ave. | 321/799–9930 | www.cocoabeachsurf.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Ron Jon Surf Shop.
It’s impossible to miss Ron Jon: it takes up nearly two blocks along Route A1A and has a giant surfboard and an art deco facade painted orange, blue, yellow, and turquoise. What started in 1963 as a small T-shirt and bathing-suit shop has evolved into a 52,000-square-foot superstore that’s open every day ‘round the clock. The shop rents water-sports gear as well as chairs and umbrellas, and it sells every kind of beachwear, surf wax, plus the requisite T-shirts and flip-flops. | 4151 N. Atlantic Ave., Rte. A1A | 321/799–8820 | www.ronjonsurfshop.com.
Melbourne
20 miles south of Cocoa Beach.
Despite its dependence on the high-tech space industry, this town is decidedly laid-back. Most of the city is on the mainland, but a small portion trickles onto a barrier island, separated by the Indian River Lagoon and accessible by several inlets, including the Sebastian.
Exploring
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Brevard Zoo.
At the only Association of Zoo and Aquariums–accredited zoo built by a community, you can stroll along the shaded boardwalks and get a close-up look at rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, alligators, crocodiles, giant anteaters, marmosets, jaguars, eagles, river otters, kangaroos, exotic birds, and kookaburras. Alligator, crocodile, and river-otter feedings are held on alternate afternoons—and no, the alligators don’t dine on the otters. Stop by Paws-On, an interactive learning playground with a petting zone, wildlife detective training academy, and the Indian River Play Lagoon. Hand-feed a giraffe in Expedition Africa or a lorikeet in the Australian Free Flight Aviary, and step up to the Wetlands Outpost, an elevated pavilion that’s a gateway to 22 acres of wetlands through which you can paddle kayaks and keep an eye open for the 4,000 species of wildlife that live in these waters and woods. Adventurers seeking a chimp’s-eye view can zipline through the zoo on Treetop Trek. | 8225 N. Wickham Rd. | 321/254–9453 | www.brevardzoo.org | $16.95; $20.50 with train and giraffe and lorikeet food; Treetop Trek $22–$57 | Daily 9:30–5, last admission 4:15.
Beaches
Paradise Beach.
Small and scenic, this 1,600-foot stretch of sand is part of a 10-acre park north of Indialantic, about 20 miles south of Cocoa Beach on Route A1A. It has a refreshment stand, volleyball courts, outdoor showers, a beachfront park with pavilions, grills, picnic tables, and lifeguards in summer. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. | 2301 N. Rte. A1A | www.brevardcounty.us/parksrecreation/south/HowardFutch.
Satellite Beach.
This sleepy little community just south of Patrick Air Force Base, about 15 miles south of Cocoa Beach on Route A1A, sits on a narrow barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Indian River lagoon on the other. Its beach is protected by dunes, and sea turtles flock there to lay their eggs. A popular spot for family vacations because of its slow pace and lack of crowds, Satellite Beach has several beachfront parks with playgrounds, pavilions, and picnic facilities. One park, which teaches visitors about the importance of the dune system, has boardwalks that meander over the dunes to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. | Rte. A1A | Satellite Beach | www.satellitebeachfl.org.
Sports and the Outdoors
Baseball
Space Coast Stadium.
Even though they play in our nation’s capital during the regular season, the Washington Nationals use this 8,000-seat stadium for their spring training site. For the rest of the season, the facility is home to the Brevard County Manatees, one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor-league teams. | 5800 Stadium Pkwy. | Viera | 321/633–4487 stadium, 321/633–9200 Brevard County Manatees | www.viera.com.
Golf
Baytree National Golf Links.
“Challenging but fair” is how golfers describe this award-winning, links-style course, designed by PGA legend Gary Player (aka “The Black Knight.”). This semiprivate course, built in 1992, is known for its unique red shale coquina waste areas. A round can be something of a roller coaster ride, with an easy hole or two followed by a perplexingly challenging one. The 454-yard, par-4 18th, for instance, is rated among the toughest in Brevard County. It plays into the wind and requires an imposing carry over wetlands, followed by an approach into a green guarded by water on all sides. The club has a restaurant and full practice facility. | 8207 National Dr. | 321/259–9060 | www.baytreenational.com | $30 for 9 holes, $59–$70 for 18 holes | 18 holes, 7043 yards, par 72.
Viera East Golf Club.
Rated among the best public courses—and values—on the Space Coast, Viera East reflects course architect Joe Lee’s credo that “golf should be enjoyable, not a chore.” Novices appreciate the forgiving, open layout with generous landing areas; more advanced players embrace the challenge of Lee’s strategically placed bunkers (there are 66), water hazards, and expansive, undulating greens. The coastal breezes can make club selection tricky at times. Opened in 1994, the course is framed by marshlands, lakes, ponds, and pine and cypress trees. The par-5 14th is among the more picturesque and challenging holes, with a green surrounded by water. | 2300 Clubhouse Dr. | Viera | 321/639–6500 | www.vieragolf.com | $60 | 18 holes, 6720 yards, par 72.