Cocoa Beach Space Coast Gem

You rarely hear the words Cocoa Beach Space Coast in the same sentence. They are both attractions on Florida’s east coast between Vero Beach and Daytona Beach.

We recently traveled to both with a perfect three day, two-night itinerary we thought was something Florida Travel Blog readers should consider duplicating. Our trip could be a weekend getaway in Florida or part of a full vacation week that could include Disney or other theme parks in Orlando.

Day One Travel – Cocoa Beach Location

Since we live on the west coast of Florida (Clearwater Beach), the trip across the state is a 3.5 to 4-hour trip. It is scenic through the cattle farms and citrus belt of Florida.

Insider Tips

Cocoa Beach is a perfect first stop on a trip to the Space Coast. We highly recommend the La Quinta Inn & Suites for a hotel with private access to the beach and the Cocoa Beach Pier. The hotel is also within 5 minutes of several restaurants. The beach is also a place to watch any launches into space.

Cocoa Beach Space Coast Gem La Quinta Inn

As you can see, the La Quinta has easy beach access and the Pier is next door!

However, if you were a visitor to Orlando, the trip to Cocoa Beach is just one hour. If you live in or are visiting Miami, the trip to Cocoa Beach would be a 4.5 hour drive.

In our drive, we chose to cross Florida on State Route 60 from Clearwater Beach to Vero Beach. By late afternoon, we were ready to find a hotel near the Cocoa Beach Pier. WE purposely decided to take a chance and not make reservations – a chance you should only do during a slow time like the first two weeks of January.

After looking at the various hotel options, we chose a room overlooking the beach and Pier at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham.

Here is what we very fortunately found;

  • Clean room with a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Private access to both the beach and The Cocoa Beach Pier.
  • Less than a 5-minute walk to multiple restaurants.
  • Amenities like a pool, free breakfast and free parking were a plus.

While we highly recommend the La Quinta, there are several other hotels in the area, including multiple Best Westerns.

Cocoa Beach Pier
The Cocoa Beach Pier is a public pier with access to the beaches and all the restaurants and stores in the Pier. Don’t mind the dark skies. The clouds quickly parted to sunshine.

Day One Evening

After checking into the hotel, we were heading for the beach for a planned SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral. That was an unexpected treat!

It should be noted, you can find all rocket launches at Space Launch Schedule.

After the launch, we headed to the Pier for a cold refreshment. We had hoped to visit the Rikki Tiki Tavern at the end of the Pier, but it was closed on Mondays, we were told. We settled for the bar in the middle of the Pier.

Fish Camp Grill Cocoa Beach
The Fish Camp Grill is one of several restaurants within steps of the La Quinta Inn.

By evening we were looking for a casual restaurant. Less than a block away, we found the Fish Camp Bar & Grill. The Fish Camp is a fun place with a wide-ranging menu anchored by fried catfish that we found very good.

Day Two – Kennedy Space Center

An easy 20-mile drive to the Kennedy Space found us at the entrance of the Center by the 9 AM opening time.

We spent the day being awed by the interactive exhibits, the many remnants of many space flights, videos of good and bad missions, and many other amazing artifacts in numerous buildings.

We came away from the Kennedy Space Center feeling that we learned more than we ever expected from our day-long visit.

The Atlantis Space Shuttle
The Atlantis Space Shuttle carried the first group of astronauts into space

What To Expect at The Kennedy Space Center

Our takeaways from the 144,000 acre complex are:

  • You cannot see everything in one day!
  • Buying a two-day ticket saves money.
  • Don’t miss the Atlantis facility and the Hero’s of Space building.
  • If you ever wondered how astronauts live in the Space Station, you will find out about all aspects of their daily routine.
  • Take frequent breaks. The breaks help you organize your thoughts and plan your next building to visit.
  • Very small children will not enjoy the NASA exhibits. Children over 5 will have a super curiosity about every detail. Many exhibits cater to young children.
  • Expect crowds unless you find those slow fringe seasons in Florida.
  • Parking at Kennedy Center will cost you $15.
  • Tickets will cost $80 with discounts for seniors, military and first responders.

Most of all, expect to be amazed!

Inside exhibits Kennedy Space Center
Inside one of the buildings at Kennedy Space Center, you will see exhibits, most of which are interactive, and spacecraft overhead.

Day Two Hotel Options

Our granddaughter had alerted us to a Marriott called the “Space Hotel”. It turned out to be a Courtyard Marriott in Titusville. Located just 13 miles away, the Courtyard has a space theme that includes:

  • Room lights that mimic the stars at night.
  • Various robotic characters in the hotel.
  • Spaced theme menu.
  • Rooftop Bar that has a view of the sky where launches occur frequently.

This is a fun hotel and will require reservations during tourist season.

Day Three Options

If you took our advice and got a two-day ticket for the Space Center, the first part of your day will be taken up discovering more attractions at the Center.

One thing we recommend is the two-hour bus tour that comes with your admission. We did not take it on day one.

The bus tour takes you to multiple complexes that would not be seen by normal foot traffic. The Center has over 700 buildings. The public has access to about half of them.

When you finish your second day, it’s time to head back to your home destination or take a short drive to relax at one of the nearby beaches.

Cocoa Beach view of Port Canaveral
For the purposes of distances, Cocoa Beach is just south of Port Canaveral. In this picture, everyone is waiting on a launch as a cruise ship heads out from the Port.

FAQs About Kennedy Space Center

How long does it take to tour Kennedy Space Center?

You could spend 3 to 4 days discovering everything in and around Kennedy Space Center. To view the main attractions, two days would be reasonable. You can see the most popular attractions in a day, but it is a small part of the complex.

Can you buy Kennedy Space Center tickets at the gate?

Yes, you can buy tickets for Kennedy Space Center at the gate. However, the lines can be long during peak periods. You can also buy tickets for the same price online.

Where to stay when visiting Kennedy Space Center?

The best place to stay when visiting the Kennedy Space Center is the “Space Hotel”. It is better known as the Courtyard by Marriott 13 miles away in Titusville. Another option is to stay on Cocoa Beach at the La Quinta Inn and Suites next to the Pier about 30 minutes away, but the beach may be worth the drive.

Is the Kennedy Space Center worth it ?

The Kennedy Space Center is one of the top attractions in Florida. It is the quintessential essence of man’s quest to explore space. The Center includes historical space travel as well as plans for the future including man inhabiting space. The cost (about $80 less discounts) is well worth the price for a long day of entertainment.

Is Kennedy Space Center indoors?

The vast majority of the popular attractions and exhibits are indoors. However, there is a short walk between buildings. The parking lot can get full and the distance to the Center can be a long walk without a shuttle.

Conclusion – Cocoa Beach: Space Coast Gem

There is no shortage of things to visit in Florida. From the theme parks of Orlando to the beauty of the Everglades and as far west as Pensacola in the Panhandle, there are attractions everywhere.

We believe the Kennedy Space Center ranks among the top destinations. It reflects man’s obsession with conquering space for the last 75 years.

The exhibits are breathtaking! It is one of the few attractions that people get caught up in to the point of silence. They get immersed in the attractions.

This is a must-visit for all people who want to see where mankind is headed in the future and where he has been in the past.

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larry edger _ author Author’s Bio – Larry Edger – entrepreneur, business owner, consultant and primary author of Florida Travel Blog. After retiring from the fast-paced business world as President of a title insurance company, Mr. Edger went on to successfully invest and develop restaurants. In addition to restaurants and with a passion for travel and love of Florida, he began documenting fascinating destinations in what is now called Florida Travel Blog. Now Florida Travel Blog is one of the top go-to places on the internet for Florida travel information.

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