Cocoa Beach
Visit KSC
Your exploration of NASA's launch headquarters, Kennedy Space Center traverses an amazing area that includes towering launch pads, huge rockets, history-making technology, and vast stretches of Florida wildlife.
NASA Up-Close Tour: The highlight of this tour for most visitors is the A/B Camera Stop, where visitors have the closest possible Space Shuttle Launch Pad viewing, and ends at the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center.
Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour: You'll relive the launch of America's first satellite at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum and see today's active rocket program. Ends at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Reservations are limited.
Both tours sell out daily and reservations are strongly suggested. ID is required.
Call 449-4444 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com
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Visit Port Canaveral
 If you enjoy going on cruises, fishing, swimming, watching manatees, picnicking and creating new family memories, you’ll find all this and more at Port Canaveral. A cruise, recreation and entertainment mecca, Port Canaveral is located at the end of the Beachline (State Road 528).
For a wide variety of recreational fun, choose from three waterside parks - Jetty Park, Ports End Park and Freddie Patrick Park. Jetty Park is bordered by the harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. It features a gentle family beach with showers and changing facilities, a concession stand, a boardwalk, a nature trail, a playground, and picnic grounds with barbecue grills. Land a big one from the 1,200-foot recreational pier equipped with fish cleaning tables and lighting for nighttime use. As an added bonus, you may be able to see a rocket or shuttle launch. The pier is the closest public viewing point for unmanned rocket launches and one of the most popular vantage points for witnessing spectacular space shuttle launches.
Ports End Park is a popular shore fishing spot and features an observation tower where you can take in all the fascinating views of the harbor, including occasional manatee gatherings. It also features a double wide boat-launching ramp.
Freddie Patrick Park is particularly popular with offshore boaters because of its three double wide boat-launching ramps and closer proximity to the ocean. Both Ports End and Freddie Patrick parks feature covered picnic tables, restrooms and boat washing facilities.
Enjoy freshly caught seafood and live entertainment at a variety of restaurants located in the cove, a festive, harbor-side retail marketplace. For cruises and details about Port Canaveral, call 783-7831 or visit the web site at www.portcanaveral.org.
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Closer to the Stars
Adjacent to the Cocoa Campus of Brevard Community College is a world-class planetarium that has seating for 210 under a 70-foot dome projection screen.
Two star projectors team up to produce a stunningly realistic sky and 3D computer effects.
The Minolta Alpha Infinium shines 28,000 little points of light to create the feel of a real skyful of stars, and has auxiliary projectors to add the Sun and Moon.
In the Discovery Movie Theater, you'll find a wide variety of science and nature films.
There is also an Observatory that is open for public use. The mirrors in the Observatory's 24-inch telescope have been recoated, and images are now brighter than ever. Visitors can participate in discussions with the volunteers from the Brevard Astronomical Society who faithfully man the Observatory on Friday and Saturday nights, from about 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. (except holidays). Call 433-7372 or visit the web site at www.brevardcc.edu/planet.
Go Shopping
The Avenue Viera - an upscale specialty retail, dining and entertainment center, is now open. The open-air, traditionally themed center includes fountains and benches along with an impressive roster of retail shops including Kohl's, Belk, Talbots, Old Navy, and Ann Taylor Loft. Also, unique restaurants like Chili's, Long Horn Steak House, and The Melting Pot, and the Rave 16-screen movie theater.
Main Street Titusville, Historic Cocoa Village, Downtown Eau Gallie and Downtown Melbourne offer quaint antiquing boutiques, alfresco cafes, old-time theaters and art museums for an afternoon of culture and shopping. Specialty shops along the tree-lined streets sell items from clothing and gourmet food to crafts and gifts.
Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach features its own waterfall and glass elevator and showcases "everything under the sun" from boards and bikinis to beach rentals and vacation mementos. Located beachside just a few feet from the ocean, Fifth Avenue in Indialantic includes ethnic and specialty restaurants, independent boutiques, interior design, unusual gifts, used book stores and Starbucks.
The Merritt Square Mall on Route 520 in Merritt Island, Melbourne Square Mall on U.S. 192 in Melbourne and Miracle City Mall in Titusville are conveniently located and feature such stores as Macy's, Dillard's and JC Penney.
The Super Flea and Farmers Market - off I-95 and West Eau Gallie Boulevard in Melbourne - is an open-air, covered market with more than 800 merchants who entice visitors with handmade jewelry and handbags, antiques and collectibles. The Space Coast Frontenac Flea Market on U.S. 1 near Cocoa is also a great place to find bargains.
For sales, specials and deals at area stores, visit ShopLocal.com
