Exploring Florida’s Space Coast: Your Escape from Theme Parks

While theme parks may draw you to Central Florida, a trip east to the beaches and the wildlife-rich Indian River Lagoon near the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast reveals the true essence of Florida that you won’t want to miss.

Located about 55 miles east of Walt Disney World Resort, Florida's Space Coast—home to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral—boasts 72 miles of coastline stretching from Titusville in the north to just north of Sebastian Inlet in the south. This area provides easy access to stunning natural landscapes where you can learn to surf, paddle through glowing bioluminescent waters at night, and spot manatees, dolphins, and alligators during the day.

I totally get why Orlando and its theme parks are popular for vacations, field trips, or excursions before or after a cruise. But as a Floridian, I find it puzzling when visitors come to this vibrant state and only experience animatronic alligators and themed rides. Don’t get me wrong, I love a thrilling roller coaster (the Incredible Hulk at Universal Orlando is my all-time favorite, even if my kids are still too young to ride it). However, making time to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and its surrounding natural wonders is essential.

When you're ready to take a break from the theme parks, here are a few spots where you won't have to wait in line to experience the authentic Florida along the Space Coast.

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Getting to the Space Coast

The Space Coast, named after the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral, is about 45 miles east of Orlando, with the nearest major airport being Orlando Airport (MCO). Airlines operating at MCO include Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, Sunwing, and United.

Alternatively, there's the smaller Orlando-Melbourne Airport (MLB), which is serviced by Delta (from Atlanta), American Airlines (from Charlotte), and Elite Airways (from Newark). Located near downtown Melbourne on the Space Coast, it’s just minutes from the beaches, 45 minutes south of Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, and about an hour from Disney.

Popular destinations on the Space Coast include Cocoa Beach, Palm Bay, Titusville, Melbourne and the surrounding beaches, Port Canaveral, and Viera.

Must-Do Activities on Florida's Space Coast

Here are some exciting activities on the Space Coast that you'll absolutely enjoy:

Experience the excitement at the Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center offers a myriad of attractions where you can easily spend an entire day—or even multiple days. Explore iconic artifacts from space exploration, including the Mars Rover and Apollo program aircraft; interact with real astronauts and enjoy meals with them; uncover behind-the-scenes operations and learn about current NASA missions; and relive key moments from America's journey into space. Ticket prices are $47 for children ages 3-11 and $57 for those 12 and older, with discounts available for seniors and active-duty U.S. military personnel.

Experience historic military aircraft on display or in flight

For enthusiasts of vintage military planes or aerial displays, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville is a must-visit. Spend time admiring over 50 warbirds ranging from the pre-World War I era to modern times, along with a variety of memorabilia. These aircraft represent a significant part of our national aviation heritage and are showcased in two hangars. If you're fortunate, you might witness a restoration project in progress, which can be quite enlightening. The museum also organizes an annual air show (postponed to 2021). Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors and military; $10 for students ages 13-18; and $5 for children ages 5-12.

Set sail on the Indian River Queen

Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river. Hop on this triple-deck paddlewheel boat for an entertaining and educational cruise through the Indian River Lagoon, recognized as one of the most biodiverse estuaries globally. The Indian River Queen offers Sunday cruises only once a month, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly (there’s also one Friday night dinner show cruise each month). These journeys offer great opportunities to spot manatees, dolphins, coastal birds, and more. Tours last about three hours and are priced at approximately $65 per adult; $40 for Sunday cruises, and $20 for Friday night dinner show cruises for kids ages 3–12.

Kayak Among Giraffes

The remarkable Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is beautifully integrated into the natural Florida environment, featuring open-air exhibits that you can explore via elevated boardwalks. It’s the only zoo in the U.S. offering guided tours around a live animal exhibit. Paddle alongside the guide through Expedition Africa, where you might see giraffes, ostriches, zebras, rhinos, and more from the safety of your kayak. You can also embark on self-guided paddling tours in the zoo's Wild Florida exhibit to observe familiar local wildlife. Admission is around $25 for adults, about $20 for seniors (65+), and approximately $15 for children ages 3-11. Kayak tour tickets are about $10; children under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and those under 5 cannot kayak.

Catch Some Waves with a Surf Lesson

Cocoa Beach, the hometown of surfing legend Kelly Slater, offers the perfect spot for you to learn the sport. At Ron Jon Surf School, you can take group or private lessons, as well as join surf camps. Before you hit the water, instructors will show you the basics of paddling, getting into position on the board, and how to pop up for a wave—all right on the sand. While there's no promise of riding a wave, you might just find yourself hooked on surfing. Group lessons start at $50 per person for an hour; private lessons begin at $65 per hour.

Spot Alligators, Bobcats, Birds, and Manatees at a Wildlife Refuge

The Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers a seven-mile self-driving experience that feels like a safari. This elevated road winds through marshes and pine flatwoods, where you might catch sight of an alligator basking in the sun along the way. Keep an eye out for raptors, wading birds, river otters, and even elusive bobcats. Grab a brochure at the visitor center to help you identify wildlife and find the best stops along the route, which takes about 40 minutes. The entrance fee for the refuge is $10 per vehicle.

Manatees are a must-see during your visit to Merritt Island, with several spots offering great viewing opportunities. About 30 miles south of Black Point Wildlife Drive lies Manatee Cove Park, a 30-acre community river park featuring a small lagoon ideal for observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Additionally, just under 10 miles north of Black Point is the Manatee Observation Deck on SR3 at Haulover Canal, which provides a fantastic year-round vantage point, particularly in spring and fall. You can also spot manatees at the nearby Bairs Cove boat launch.

Don't miss the chance to see loggerhead sea turtles on the island. Their nests can be found at Canaveral Seashore, and you can participate in Turtle Walks organized by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. While sightings are not guaranteed, these walks take place near the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, which is the second-largest nesting area for loggerheads in the world. You can also find green and leatherback sea turtles along Florida's Space Coast. Turtle Walks are $14 for ages 16 and older; free for ages 8-15. Participants must be at least 8 years old.

Paddle Through Glowing Waters

From June to early October, the Space Coast's warmest months, it's the perfect time to kayak on the Indian River Lagoon and experience the stunning bioluminescent phenomenon. A Day Away Kayak Tours offers excursions on clear-bottom kayaks, allowing you to glide through the waters of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You'll be amazed as your paddles create shimmering blue-green trails around you, reminiscent of fairy dust. Kids aged 5 and older are welcome, and the 1.5-hour tours are priced at $65 per person. Remember to bring eco-friendly bug spray!

Enjoy a Perfect Beach Day at Cape Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore offers the quintessential Florida beach experience, featuring a protected barrier island with expansive sandy beaches and beautiful dunes. The further you stroll from the entrances, the more secluded your beach experience becomes.

The pristine Playalinda Beach is an ideal spot to catch rocket launches from Cape Canaveral and is also excellent for surfing. Alternatively, spend your day soaking in the tranquility of the area, with its picturesque dunes and sea oats swaying in the wind. Just a heads-up: some sections of the beach are clothing-optional.

When the beach loses its charm, venture along wooded trails to catch a glimpse of what the untouched Florida looked like to its original settlers. Be sure to mark your calendar for seasonal events like the Turtle Watch programs from June to July, where you might witness a loggerhead nesting. During the winter, Night Sky Exploration events provide an intriguing view of the stars, guided by local astronomers and their telescopes.

Approximately 85 miles south of Playalinda Beach lies Sebastian Inlet State Park Recreation Area in Melbourne Beach. Dubbed "a true beach lover's paradise," it boasts three miles of shoreline that attract surfers (don't miss Monster Hole and First Peak) and anglers (especially at the fishing pier), along with two museums. A shallow, protected lagoon is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Entrance fees are $2 for pedestrians and cyclists, $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $8 per vehicle with up to eight occupants.

Cocoa Beach Pier, a historic landmark located halfway between Playalinda Beach and Sebastian Inlet State Park, extends 800 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Established in 1962, it features a variety of restaurants, bars, gift shops, and live music. Fishing is excellent here, with many shops offering rental equipment. The pier is a local favorite for surf lessons from Cocoa Beach Surf School by Flohana, and it hosts annual events like beach concerts and surf festivals, all while having lifeguards year-round.

Jetty Park at Port Canaveral, located about three to four miles north of Cocoa Beach Pier, is another sought-after attraction on the Space Coast. This 35-acre park offers surfing, kayaking, biking, and camping, along with fishing from its 1,200-foot paved and lighted pier. With over 4.5 acres of beach, there's ample space for beach walks or leisurely watching cruise ships. The park also includes a playground for children, numerous pavilions with tables and grills, and rental shops for boogie boards, kayaks, chairs, and umbrellas. Admission starts at $15 per vehicle per day, with pavilion rental available from $25 per day.

Accommodations on the Space Coast

The Space Coast is home to a plethora of hotels that accept points, primarily concentrated around Cocoa Beach and Melbourne. You can earn and redeem points with Marriott, Radisson Rewards, IHG Rewards Club, and Hilton Honors at various establishments. Here are some solid options:

• Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront: 40,000–50,000 Hilton points per night
• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront: 39,000–50,000 Hilton points per night
• Hampton Inn Melbourne/Viera: 33,000–40,000 Hilton points per night
• Residence Inn Melbourne: Category 4, starting from 20,000 Marriott points per night during off-peak dates
• Courtyard Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral: Category 4, starting from 20,000 Marriott points per night during off-peak dates
• Radisson Resort at the Port (Cape Canaveral): Starting from 38,000 Radisson points per night
• Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront (Melbourne): Starting from 44,000 Radisson points per night
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort: Starting from 35,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night
• Crowne Plaza Oceanfront-Melbourne: Starting from 30,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cocoa Beach: Starting from 35,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night

Final Thoughts

Given the convenience of renting a car in Orlando and driving east to the Space Coast, there's no reason not to extend your theme park trip with a few days in authentic Florida. After all, nothing beats the rejuvenating effects of saltwater, sunshine, and sand after dealing with long lines and crowds.