Synonymous with space travel, Cape Canaveral is home to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and the famed site of many NASA shuttle launches, including the Apollo missions. Naturally, learning about the cosmos is one of the top things to do in Cape Canaveral, which is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, also known as the Space Coast. But beyond offering the chance to learn about the history of NASA, Cape Canaveral is also a gateway to nearby outdoor activities including kayaking, eco tours to see dolphins and manatees, and fishing charters.
Florida’s Space Coast is a fitting place to launch an out-of-this-world vacation. The “dry” season (the opposite of hurricane season) from November through May is the best time to visit, as rocket launches have a lower chance of being scrubbed during this time. If you do visit during hurricane season, make it during the early fall—the weather is still warm enough for beach days but the crowds have thinned as summer vacation ends.
Whether you’re stepping off of a cruise or landing at a nearby airport, you’ll likely hop on a Port Canaveral shuttle or rideshare to get to Cape Canaveral’s downtown area. Public buses run a daily route from George King Boulevard, near the port, all the way down to where Cape Canaveral turns into Cocoa Beach. It’s best to skip the long, hot waits at the bus stop and opt for a rental car that offers more comfort and convenience.
Kennedy Space Center is worth the visit, though it’s technically not in Cape Canaveral. A 20-minute drive stands between you and the visitor’s center, however, and a viewpoint to see the rocket launches is right beside the cruise terminals. Waking up to watch the sunrise is a must, regardless if there’s a rocket launch. This barrier island is just over a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide, so getting to Banana River Park or Manatee Sanctuary Park for morning sunrises and evening sunsets is as simple as it sounds.
