As one of the biggest cruise ports in the world, Port Canaveral sees hundreds of thousands of passengers come and go every year. And because it is situated right in the middle of Florida’s 72-mile-long “Space Coast,” the port makes a perfect home base for fun-loving cruisers who want to tack on a few extra days of fun before or after a cruise.
The area earned the name Space Coast because it is home to Kennedy Space Center. As one of NASA’s preeminent rocket launch facilities, the Space Center on Merritt Island draws countless tourists each year to learn about the rich history view the amazing technology of the US space program. The Space Center and nearby Astronaut Hall of Fame offer visitors the opportunity to meet astronauts, experience the G-forces of a launch, drive a virtual moon rover, and much more.
Merritt Island is also the site of two wilderness preserves: the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore. Nature lovers will enjoy touring around the island by car or along one of several hiking trails. Often, visitors can spot endangered species such as loggerhead turtles or Southern bald eagles.
For a classic Space Coast beach visit, Cocoa Beach is a short drive away from Port Canaveral. The area offers lots of family-oriented attractions, although the main attraction is the Cocoa Beach Pier, with its fishing spots, restaurants, boutiques, and tropical-themed beach bars.
Visitors seeking a more historic perspective can spend a day at Cocoa Village. Because many of its buildings are restored or protected as historic sites, the town offers a laid-back, picturesque look at what Florida looked like 100 years ago.
Perhaps the biggest draw to the Space Coast is the immense complex of theme parks in the Orlando area. In addition to the most popular parks, like Universal Studios, Sea World, and (of course!) Disney World, there are other entertainment venues scattered throughout the area.