Just before summer we decided to go to Cape Canaveral for a few days to check out Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center. Now it has been quite a long time (1976) since I had been to the launch facilities; in fact the shuttle had not yet been built and the Apollo rockets were just starting to be moth balled, so to see what has changed over this time was going to be very apparent.


Another reason for going up there is that they have a growing cruise port named Port Canaveral (go figure) and I wanted to see how the access to the terminals are and how easy it is to get there. Since Port Canaveral touts its accessibility in all the travel trade publications and I have sent some clients on cruises through there, I wanted to see for myself if this was true.

Upon arrival, I was not disappointed. It is unbelievable how simple it is to get to the terminals and the layout is surprisingly non-industrial; for those that have sailed out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Another benefit is the slew of nearby hotels that offer you a comfortable stay near the ocean before and after the cruise to unwind, while providing transportation directly to your ship while your vehicle stays safely parked (and free) at the hotel until you return.

We stayed at this delightfully tropical Radisson Hotel that was so close we were able to watch the ships depart in the evening. The pool area provided a secluded yet theme park type atmosphere with giant rocks, waterfalls and lush landscaping. This place is well recommended even if you are not going on a cruise but just want to visit the space center and surrounding attractions.

So speaking of Kennedy Space Center, we bought a one day ticket, which turned out to be good for an additional day (bonus) and spent them fully seeing all that we could. It is quite interesting, reverent, awe-inspiring and fun all in one location. Definitely take the bus tours and you are able to see multiple locations on the cape like the Vehicle Assembly building, the launch pads and the Saturn 5 rocket museum. All in all this made for a fun couple of days.

So if you are heading up there for a cruise (like I am in 3 weeks), or want to see something other than theme parks in central and western Florida, give this area a try. And one last thing, take some time to head up to Titusville to The Dixie Crossroads restaurant and try some of their famous Rock Shrimp. You will never look at regular shrimp the same way again.