Captured Travel Florida’s Space Coast may be the only place in the world where you can sip on a margarita at a beachfront tiki bar and watch NASA’s latest mission to the stars.
The so-called Space Coast stretches just over 100 kilometres along Florida’s northern Atlantic coast from Canaveral National Seashore to Melbourne Beach. A narrow string of barrier islands run the length of the coast, the largest of which is home to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
All of NASA’s manned missions to the moon and space shuttle happen here. In fact, in the past 12 months there have been 57 rocket launches, so plan a week’s holiday, and you can almost guarantee you’ll see one. Here’s how to have a rocket launch holiday.
Where to go
Port Canaveral & Exploration Tower
Port Canaveral is the third busiest port in the world, often playing host to two or three cruise ships including the Disney Cruise line which now offers Star Wars-themed cruises. It also has great waterfront dining options and rocket launch viewpoints, including Exploration Tower, which has an observation deck on the 7th floor with panoramic views of the beach and Kennedy Space Complex.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Not only is it the base for NASA’s rocket launches, but the visitor complex also has a wide range of attractions. Here you can tour the launch pads, meet veteran astronauts, train in spaceflight simulators and peer inside the windows of a Space Shuttle. Purchase a ticket to the centre on rocket launch days – this is the closest you’ll get to a rocket on launch day without being an astronaut.
American Space Museum and Walk of Fame
The American Space Museum is in Titusville and is home to many space exploration artefacts – everything from spacecraft parts to astronaut suits and working launch consoles, even Soviet cosmonaut mementos. Outside, the Space Walk of Fame honours astronauts and NASA personnel who made American space exploration possible.
Rocket Launch Viewpoints
You can watch rocket launches from almost anywhere along the Space Coast but some of the best viewpoints include Cocoa Beach Pier, Playalinda Beach, Space View Park and Jetty Park. You’ll find an interactive map of viewing options at visitspacecoast.com/launches. Download the Launch Console App for a calendar of upcoming launches and livestreams.
Where to stay
The choice is endless, from campgrounds and B&Bs to apartment rentals and hotels. Check out this handy guide.
The Beachside Hotel and Suites at Cocoa Beach is a fantastic (and reasonably priced) choice for couples or families, with large adjoining rooms surrounding a lazy river pool. The hotel has a fabulous retro theme, painted in pastel colours with funky 60’s inspired furniture. Plus, you’ll be greeted at reception by a life-size astronaut.
Where to eat
The Space Coast and Cocoa Beach have a wide range of dining options. For breakfast (or lunch, or dinner) – be sure to recommend your clients visit the The Tiny Turtle in downtown Cocoa Beach for a great selection of Puerto Rican food.
That Tiki Bar
Where better to watch a rocket launch than a Tiki Bar? There are several on the Space Coast, one of which is located at the end of Cocoa Beach Pier – a fantastic viewpoint for launches! Follow the Tiki Trail here.
Disclosure: The writer Deborah Dickson-Smith travelled with her daughter Holly O’Sullivan – this article is a collaboration between the two writers. Both were guests of Florida’s Space Coast. These opinions and words are a true representation of their experience and have not been endorsed.
