The Top 10 Things To Do on the Space Coast

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind getaway on the only beach that doubles as a launch pad. Florida’s Space Coast is 72 miles of family-friendly paradise located only 45 minutes east of Orlando.

Florida’s Space Coast is a place where sandy beaches meet world-famous surfing and oceanfront happy hours. A place where nature provides a landscape for visitors to enjoy idyllic year-round temperatures, and where the tranquility of the river and the warmth of the sun will enrich the senses.

And it’s where cruise ships, rocket launches, and natural wonders delight year-round. Florida’s Space Coast really is like no other.

With over 72 miles of coastline, it’s incredibly diverse from north to south and has an adventure for every visitor. As you discover what makes up Florida’s Space Coast, you will learn that it is so much more than the place for space.

So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a cruise from Port Canaveral, plant your beach chair and breathe in the ocean air!

Countdown County

Did you know that the area code for the Space Coast is 321!

A visit to the Space Coast isn’t complete without experiencing Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, this is your gateway to space – here you can learn about the history of the space program and find out about upcoming missions, including Mars 2020, the return to human space flight from US soil, and more.

While you’re in the area, pay a visit to the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame to see artifacts up close and even hands on. While you’re at it, head over to the Air Force Space and Missile Museum via a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bus tour, or their Sands Space History Center, which does not need any special pass or ticket for entry.

Surf’s Up!

Cocoa Beach is world renowned as the East Coast Surfing Capital, and home to Ron Jon Surf Shop (the world’s largest surf shop open 24/7) where you can also sign up for surf lessons. Right next door is the Cocoa Beach Surf Company. To the South there is Sebastian Inlet State Park, one of the best surfing breaks along the East Coast and a stop on the Toyota USA Surfing Prime Series where pro junior surfers can level up to higher championship competition opportunities.

Over on Melbourne Beach they have the Eastern Surfing Association’s Southeast Regional Championship. Want to know more about the history of surfing on the Space Coast? Head over to the Florida Surf Museum. Don’t forget to get your picture with Kelly Slater’s statue while you’re in town!

Come See Sea Turtles

Approximately 90% of sea turtle eggs in the US are laid in Florida, and Space Coast Beaches and Indian River Lagoon (one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America) provide nesting and foraging sites for the loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles.

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is located in Indialantic and is the second-largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting location in the world. It is also a part of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) is based near Archie Carr and conducts night-time Turtle Walks during May, June, and July.

Natural Florida

Brevard County has more than 20 sanctuaries and conservation areas as part of the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. Close to Kennedy Space Center, you will find the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which supports one of the highest numbers of endangered and threatened species found within the National Wildlife Refuge system.

The Space Coast is home to nearly 40 Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT) sites; more than any other county! The GFBWT is along the Atlantic Flyway, an important stretch for migrating birds.

While there’s plenty of reason to kayak through the Space Coast’s waterways during the day, you should make time for a nighttime bioluminescent tour between July and September. No nature trip would be complete without a visit to the Brevard Zoo.

Try The Trails

Titusville and Malabar are two of (currently) ten Florida “Trail Towns.” Three major trails converge in Titusville – the Coast to Coast Trail (Playalinda Beach to St. Petersburg Beach), the St. John’s River to Sea Loop (Titusville to St. Augustine to Palatka and back around), and the East Coast Greenway(Maine to Key West.)

The Florida Trail’s Bull Creek portion runs through Brevard County. You can also check out the Brevard Zoo Linear Trail, a 3.1 mile multi-use boardwalk and asphalt trail that runs from the Zoo, South along I-95 through wetlands and oak hammocks. There are also plenty of trails and boardwalks through the various parks across the county.

Enjoy The Arts

Many cities and towns through the county have beautiful murals painted by local artists. You can find some of these beautiful creations in the Eau Gallie Arts District, Downtown Melbourne, Titusville, and Downtown Cocoa Beach.

You can even explore with a guided tour. If theatre is more your style, the Space Coast is home to plenty of playhouses to suit your needs with plays, musicals, and one man shows. You can even see performances of well-known Broadway musicals.

Check out the schedules for Titusville Playhouse, The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, The Henegar Center, Melbourne Civic Theatre, and Surfside Playhouse, and the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts where you can see touring productions and concerts.

Speaking of concerts, why not enjoy the musical talents of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Philharmonic, and the Melbourne Municipal Band. You’ll hear everything from Classical to Swing and Big Band to Film and Musical soundtracks.

Bites & Brews

Florida’s Space Coast is home to many establishments that will suit diverse tastes. No matter what type of food you have in mind, Florida's Space Coast offers unique dining choices to tempt your palette. From oceanfront dining to locally owned restaurants, it may take a while to settle on one place, but you’ll be hard pressed not to find something you like.

Craft breweries have been popping up in towns all across the country and the Space Coast is no stranger. Home to some of the best brewmasters creating new and unique flavors that incorporate the laid-back Florida style with their one-of-a-kind brews. That first sip will let you know they take their craft seriously.

History and Culture

In addition to the rich space history found in Brevard, you may want to check out some of our other historical sites along the way. The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park in Mims tells the story of the life and death of these civil rights leaders. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is only accessible via special tours, but it’s a great addition to any Space Coast history trip.

Each floor of Exploration Tower is dedicated to a different part of the Cape’s history, from early settlers and traders to space exploration and the rise of the cruise industry. You can even see some beautiful art, and participate in interactive exhibits. Field Manor is a living history museum that includes an 1880s farmhouse and a working citrus grove. It’s also the oldest house on Merritt Island. There are also many other historic buildings around the county, like Sam’s House, the oldest home in Brevard. Just look for the black Florida Heritage Landmark sign out front. Other museums include Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, American Police Hall of Fame, and the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.

Adventure and Adrenaline

There’s more than just surfing and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Space Shuttle Experience to get your heart pumping!

There are multiple helicopter tours available, biplane tours that you can upgrade with aerobatics or performance maneuvers, parasailing, stand-up paddle board and windsurfing lessons, bike rentals for trails or the beach, and two locations for ziplines and aerial challenge courses at Brevard Zoo’s Treetop Trek and Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventure Park.

While you’re at it, check out The Edge for rock climbing, The Backyard and Stumpy’s Hatchet House for axe throwing, Andretti Thrill Park, or one of the many escape rooms.

Cocoa Beach & Cocoa Beach Pier

Known for its cocoa sand and surf breaks, Cocoa Beach is the perfect place to catch some sun and surf the waves, and what makes it even more special is the fact that its the closest beach to Orlando!

Cocoa Beach offers so much, sand volleyball courts, chair rentals, family changing rooms, and some of the best surfing on the East Coast!

A historic landmark on Florida's Space Coast, stretching 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is full of life with restaurants, bars, gift shops, and live music. Order lunch, feel the salty breeze, and watch surfers from Rikki Tiki Tavern, the thatched roof open-air establishment at the end of the pier.

Thanks to the Space Coast for the inspiration! You really gotta explore the Space Coast, its truly breathtaking and so close to Orlando!

Not sure what to? Head over to our Visitor Information Center at 267 W Cocoa Beach Causeway in Cocoa Beach.

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