Space Coast

Story Ideas

spaceman

Inspiration is easy to find along our 72 miles of coastline.

If you’re looking for a launching point, check out the topics below. Florida’s Space Coast has something for everyone.

Atlantis Kennedy Space Center

Countdown County

You may have noticed our area code is 321! A visit to the Space Coast isn’t complete without experiencing a piece of our namesake. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 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.

A surfer riding a wave in Melbourne Beach, FL

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 we have 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 we also 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!

Embark on Extra Experiences

Why not add a day before or after your cruise to enjoy what the Space Coast has to offer? Even if you don’t have time to leave Port Canaveral before your cruise, you can still shop, dine, enjoy a park, or visit Exploration Tower. Plan to take time to relax between theme park days in Orlando. From enjoying the beaches to visiting Kennedy Space Center, there are so many reasons to include a Space Coast day on your vacation.

Baby sea turtles in Melbourne Beach

Come See our 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.

Kayaking at Zoo

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.

Chain of Lakes Park

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.

Couple outside of the Cocoa Village Playhouse

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 DistrictDowntown MelbourneTitusville, 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 PlayhouseThe Historic Cocoa Village PlayhouseThe Henegar CenterMelbourne 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 OrchestraBrevard Symphony OrchestraBrevard Philharmonic, and the Melbourne Municipal Band. You’ll hear everything from Classical to Swing and Big Band to Film and Musical soundtracks.

A couple has lunch on an outdoor patio in Cocoa Village

Bites and 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 ScienceAmerican Police Hall of Fame, and the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.

Adventure

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, parasailingstand-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 our many escape rooms.