Kennedy Space Centre - Florida

Kennedy Space Center

35 miles east of Orlando

The area around Cape Canaveral, known as "The Space Coast," was once an out of the way place where city dwellers from Miami and Jacksonville came to escape the crowds. The NASA space program changed all that and today the region generates its own crowds, most of whom have come to marvel at the exhibits housed in the Kennedy Space Center.

This incredible attraction is situated in the middle of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, now known to be the best breeding grounds for one of the nation's most recognizable symbols,  the endangered bald eagle.

The original plans for the space center involved far more land than was actually required and the surplus was given to the Canaveral National Seashore and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which has preserved these areas in their natural state.

The visitor center features popular interactive exhibits, bus tours, a rocket garden, an art gallery and a gift shop. An IMAX theater taking up 5 levels features film footage shot in space by astronauts.  Many of the exhibits recall early space exploration and future directions.

There are several dining outlets and shop facilities selling a variety of memorabilia and souvenirs. The town of Cape Canaveral has a good selection of hotels for stays in the area.

Its best to arrive early to plan your visit. Allow at least 2 hours to see the bus tour highlights, up to 5 hours if you linger at the stopping points and a full day to see and do everything. Many of the tourists who come to visit the Kennedy Space Center also take the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding area's 72 miles (115 km) of beaches, excellent fishing, surfing, and golfing.

Several Caribbean-bound cruise ships depart from the man-made Port Canaveral.  The number of cruise ships has grown over the years as a result of the port's proximity to the Orlando theme parks and flow of tourists from those parks. The south side of the port is lined with seafood restaurants and marinas, which serve as home base for gambling ships and the area's deep-sea charter and  fishing boats.

Kennedy Space Center Highlights

The visitor complex displays actual NASA rockets and the 1960's control room of the Mercury Mission.  Space themed hands-on activities are popular with all ages and there is an opportunity for an encounter with a real astronaut. The IMAX theatre shows space as few people will ever get to see it. 

The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame provides a more personal insight into space exploration where visitors can view memorabilia from the original Mercury Seven and Gemini space programs.  Visitors can board a full-sized replica of the shuttle orbiter and take a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of NASA's Launch Center. 

Take a tour of the space center where rockets and shuttles are prepared and launched and check out the 360° view from LC-39 Observation Gantry over the space shuttle launch pads.

The impressive Apollo/Saturn V Center includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, photos and the 363 feet (111 meters) tall Saturn V, the most powerful rocket ever launched by the United States.

The poignant Astronaut Memorial is a monument that carries the names of the U.S. astronauts who have died on missions or while in training. The 60-ton structure rotates on a track that follows the movement of the sun. 

Kennedy Space Center - Getting There & Getting Around

The nearest airport is Melbourne International Airport  located 22 miles (35 km) south of Cocoa Beach. It is served by Continental and Delta. Orlando International Airport, about 35 miles (56 km) to the west, has many more flight options and generally less expensive fares due to the competition. It's an easy 45-minute drive from the Orlando airport to the Cape Canaveral beaches. 

A personal vehicle is essential. If you're not arriving by car, rentals are available at the airport. Space Coast Area Transit operates a local bus service but the routes are time-consuming.

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