Attractions

One of the many advantages of living in this beautiful area is its close proximity to the area attractions and theme parks located just a short hour drive to Orlando, the world famous Mecca of theme parks like Universal Studios, Epcot, Sea World, Islands of Adventure, and Walt Disney World.  But, for local attractions that bring a fun and unique experience to any guest or resident of the Space Coast, the following area attractions serve up what thousands of people experience and enjoy year-round in Brevard County.

• Beaches

Seventy-two miles of white sand beaches lie in wait of sunbathers, surfers, families, and fishermen year-round!  Southern Living magazine rated three Space Coast area beaches in “Florida’s top ten beaches” and from one portion of the coast to another, many different types of beachfront can be found.  Brevard’s most popular beach cities are Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbor Beach, and Indialantic.  From the seclusion of the Bon Steele beach in Sebastian Inlet to the hot surf spots of Indialantic and Second Light at Patrick Air Force Base, Brevard beaches offer any beach experience you could want.  Safety is a high priority for Brevard County beaches and the Space Coast offers eleven lifeguard stations along the coast and a full staff of county lifeguards to ensure your beach experience is fun and safe.

• Kennedy Space Center

Every U.S. space shuttle launch departs from Brevard County’s municipal area known as Cape Canaveral.  In addition to the launches of NASA(National Aeronautics and Space Administration) constructed shuttles, orbiters, and satellites, this space center is also home of the largest and most dynamic space exploration museum in the U.S.!  Here you can visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center and see how the first moonwalk in mankind was accomplished or go to the Launch Complex Observation Gantry and see a bird’s-eye view of the space shuttle launch pads!  This center for space exploration also features an IMAX movie theatre, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and a real-life launch experience!  It also has youth camp programs and tours of the launch sites.  There is so much to do and see here that it would take many return trips to experience it all!
http://kennedyspacecenter.com/

• Brevard Zoo

If you enjoy the outdoors and love to see and observe various types of wildlife, this is your place.  Located in the city of Melbourne, The Brevard Zoo includes over 550 different types of animals from Latin America, Australia, and native Floridian species.  Here you can see alligators, eagles, giant fruit bats, giant anteaters, cougars, river otters, exotic birds in a free-flight aviary, kangaroos, several primate species and more!  It even includes a “Paws-On Interactive Zone” where kids and adults can have fun playing on an, interactive playground.
http://brevardzoo.org/

• Ron Jon Surf Shop

This is more than just a surf shop, it’s known as the kingdom of surfing.  Boasting 52,000 square feet and multiple levels, this shop, located in the heart of Cocoa Beach, is any surfers dream and is known as the most famous surf shop in the U.S.  Open 24 hours a day, it has all of your surfing needs from board shorts to bikinis, surf boards to boogie boards, and other surf accessories.  It’s your one stop surf shop.
http://www.ronjons.com/

• Sebastian Inlet

This historic inlet is home to events like professional surfing competitions, festivals, and concerts and also known for excellent saltwater fishing.  The inlet spans three miles of beautiful oceanfront.  Here visitors can go swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling or just hang out on the beachside.  It’s also home to the McLarty Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Fishing Museum, both of which provide information on the history of this area.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/SebastianInlet/

• Cocoa Beach Pier

Stretching 800 feet out into the ocean, this pier is a place for good food and fun.  Five restaurants serve up an assortment of delicious entrées to fill you up or you can come catch your own dinner; rod and reel rentals are available for ocean fishing.  If it’s shopping you’re looking for, it’s got two gift shops each with a variety of goods.  This pier is also host to a few annual events; the Easter weekend surf competition, the Beach Fest music festival on Memorial Day Weekend, and the “Rockin’ the Dock” New Year’s party.
http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/