The Space Coast is packed with opportunities for fun and adventure for travelers year-round. When you’re looking to expand your itinerary to include some convenient and memorable day trips from Florida‘s Space Coast, there are plenty of options available as well! The following are just a few of the many to consider adding to your must-visit list when you’re excited to make the most of every moment in Florida this year.
When you’re looking for a place to explore that immerses you in the beauty of nature and provides opportunities for viewing inspiring wildlife as well, there’s no better place to plan a day trip than the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Located at 1963 Refuge Headquarters Road in Titusville, Florida, this breathtaking locale is found just 30 miles north of Cocoa Beach. The protected lands were established as part of an agreement within an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center and encompass rich and productive estuaries where wildlife thrive. When you take a day to enjoy time at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll have the chance to unplug, unwind, and let go of the stresses of daily life.
Instead, you’re invited to reconnect with nature and take a moment of tranquility to appreciate your surroundings. Many visitors spend time here bird watching, fishing, hiking, or putting their nature photography skills to work. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was first established in 1963 and today, continues to be a place where the protection of wildlife is a top priority and education around conservation is delivered to the public successfully. The refuge sprawls across 140,000 acres of terrain and is home to habitats ranging from scrub and pinewood flatwoods to coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, and hardwood hammocks as well. There are over 1,500 species of plants and animals that call the refuge home as well as 15 federally listed species to observe. Be sure to bring your binoculars and prepare to be inspired when your day trip in this direction during your Space Coast getaway.
If you’re the type of traveler that’s looking for big city fun to pair with your beach getaway and you have a heart for all things world-class theme parks, you’ll be delighted to find that a day trip to Orlando is within an hour’s reach of Cocoa Beach! A day visit to exciting Orlando is a wonderful way to spend magical moments with family and friends at places like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or SeaWorld Orlando. The city is packed with amazing dining options to check out as well as stellar shopping stops when you’re in the mood for some serious retail therapy. International Drive is always bustling and places like Icon Park offer up a chance to hop on The Wheel and see the city from a vantage point 400 feet in the air. Whether you decide to stroll through the Harry P. Leu Gardens, rent a swan boat at Lake Eola Park, or catch a show at the Amway Center or Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, you’ll find there’s no shortage of options for fun when Orlando is your day trip destination of choice.
Take a walk on the wild side and learn a lot about some incredible creatures too when you make plans to enjoy a day trip to the Brevard Zoo. Just 16 miles from Cocoa Beach, the Brevard Zoo is conveniently located at 8225 N Wickham Road in Melbourne, Florida, and is open to the public daily from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm. The zoo is 75 acres in total and houses over 900 animals spanning nearly 200 species from across the globe. As you make your way through the zoo, you’ll find it’s separated into varying countries where you can get a taste of the terrain and habitats that allow animals to thrive in those places. There are options to book behind-the-scenes tours, watch animal feedings, or participate in educational programs that bring the world of wildlife conservation to life right before your eyes. With exhibits that go from the tree tops to under the sea, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy here.
Sebastian Inlet Park is less than 1 hour from Cocoa Beach and the drive to it is right along the coast giving beautiful views that will make the drive go by even faster! Sebastian Inlet Park is a surfer’s paradise but you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy the area. Whether you’re a surfer in the water, or collecting shells along the beaches a day spent here will be a fun one. Some other activities you can do include going fishing, observing sea turtle nests, checking out the two museums, going kayaking, and much more. Sebastian Inlet Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and costs $8 per vehicle for admission.
Finding your way to Florida in the name of fun is always the right choice. When you book your vacation rental through Stay in Cocoa Beach, you can rest easy knowing luxury, comfort, and style will be part of your experience as well. Our collection keeps visitors close to the places they’re excited to explore while providing them with easy access to the premier amenities and features they deserve too. Reach out to our team of property professionals today to learn more about our exciting options and to start planning your next trip! Be sure to ask about our Space Coast vacation homes with a Jacuzzi as well!
Travelers across the globe are constantly faced with wanderlust. There’s seemingly no end to the adventures to be had or the new destinations to be discovered and they wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s why every year, the team at National Geographic puts together a list of the top 25 places that are worth experiencing. This list is ideal when it’s time to pack a suitcase, grab the passport, and hit the road or skies in the name of adventure.
In 2021, National Geographic’s list has taken a turn for the cosmic! Florida’s family-friendly Space Coast was featured in the lineup as a must-visit destination this year. It’s not hard to see why the Space Coast is so endlessly appealing to travelers from near and far. Featuring over 72 miles of scenic coastline, the Space Coast is as beautiful and refreshing as it is committed to the concept of space travel. Between the beaches, family-friendly activities, and space-focused facilities, the Space Coast is a dream come true for those seeking a destination where education, natural beauty, and entertainment are equally balanced.
The answer might just lie in the stars! For all of its coastal beauty, the Space Coast earns its name from the many space centers that call this area home base. Visitors to the Space Coast often bring a passion for pursuing galaxies unknown with them. It’s a place where those who have ever dreamed of what it would be like to be an astronaut can get an idea of what the job is like in reality!
The Space Coast is home to the Kennedy Space Center as well as the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Both of these destinations are known for their NASA-launched spaceflights that can be observed by visitors as well if travel lines up with a launch date. A trip to the Kennedy Space Center promises to be out of this world. It’s a family-friendly stop where guests can learn more about how space travel has evolved over time and even get a close-up look at the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The entire center is divided into mission zones and if you’re wanting even more from the experience, you can sign up for a behind-the-scenes bus tour that takes you out to the launch pad!
While there’s so much to learn and see about space in this area, it’s likely the destination made the list of must-visit locales thanks to its beach scene as well. Situated just 35 miles east of Orlando, the Space Coast is the perfect place to catch some Florida rays and relish in the impressive swells. Keeping your eyes open for seabirds is half the fun, especially when paired with the 8-foot swells this stretch of coastline is known for producing.
While watching the waves roll in can be a captivating sight, many visitors make their way to the Space Coast to indulge in the fun from a vantage point on the waves. Not to worry, there are many options from which to choose! Surfing is a popular activity in this area as is fishing thanks to the variety of species that linger below the surface of the water. If you’re up for more of a guided experience, you can hop on a Space Coast River Tour for a more leisurely moment, or an airboat tour when a heart-pounding pace is what you long for. Partnering up with the team at Wildside Tours is a great place to start when you just can’t wait to get up close with some of nature’s most amazing creatures. This area of Florida is home to everything from manatees and alligators to dolphins, coastal fish, and many migrating birds!
Of course, if you’re the type of person that can’t imagine a trip without a tee time on the itinerary, the Space Coast has a lot to offer you as well! This part of Florida is outfitted with 20 courses to pick and choose from when time on the greens is your idea of the perfect vacation. Whether you head to the Cocoa Beach Country Club or The Habitat at Valkaria, you’re sure to find yourself perfecting your short and long game in scenic surroundings.
There’s a reason National Geographic is showcasing the Space Coast this year, and there’s nothing like experiencing this destination for yourself! When you’re ready to make the most of an adventure this way, the property professionals at Stay in Cocoa Beach are here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our many Space Coast vacation rentals and how we can help you start planning your trip!
Happy Fall!More businesses and events are opening up again (safely, of course), so we are excited to share with you some of our favorite fall festivities coming up! We hope this list of upcoming fall events will give your family something to look forward to. Make sure to add these events to your calendar. You won’t want to miss out!
Each night, Wickham Park transforms into a drive-through winter wonderland with a million shimmering lights on display! This event is perfect for safe social distancing while still experiencing holiday fun. Single-car tickets start at $10 and are available online.
Dates: Nov 13- Jan 3
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Date: Nov 26
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We hope you and your family enjoy all of the exciting fall festivities as much as we do. Wishing you all safe and happy holidays!