11 Best Things to Do in Cape Canaveral

A visit to Kennedy Space Center is a must in Cape Canaveral and it’s impossible to fully appreciate the Space Coast without it. The site is one of the world’s most well organized and comprehensive displays of historic and current developments in space travel.

The center is interesting for visitors of any age. You will get a tour of the functioning launch equipment and space crafts, hold rocks from the moon, talk and even dine with real astronauts, and get the full pilots’ experience when you strap into the Apollo Launch Simulator. The center’s expansive display can fill 2 days of family fun. Book the 'Ultimate Space Adventure Tour' to get the full experience, travel included.

You can visit the largest producer of craft beer in Florida while in Cape Canaveral. Not only will you enjoy the variety of over 25 different ales, ciders, and lagers in the Tasting Room, but if you plan ahead and wear proper shoes, you can embark on a journey into the full brewing process.

The plant opens several areas for guests to see first-hand how their favorite brew is processed. Children 16 years or older are welcome to partake in the process as long as they bring ID and are accompanied by a parent who is 21 or older.

Manatee Sanctuary Park is a 10-acre outdoor park in Cape Canaveral that offers plenty of fun for everyone. It consists of several exercise areas and jogging trails, horseshoe pits, shade trees, a children's playground, covered picnic areas on the boardwalk, and even a private kitchen when booked in advance. Located along a beautiful stretch of the Banana River, you can spend the evening searching for wild manatees as they approach the land to feed on river grass.

Manatees are a highly endangered species that love warm water, so visit in the summer months for the best chance to capture a photo of these magnificent creatures.

Cape Canaveral’s nickname as the Space Coast owes its name to the artifacts and exhibits displayed at the Air Force Space & Missile Museum. Stand on the launch pad that sent the first Americans into space and experience the evolution of rocket engineering first-hand as you walk through the towering missiles and space crafts in the outdoor rocket garden.

You can visit the museum personally or enjoy it as part of the Cape Canaveral Early Space Tour, which will introduce you to the many space-related sites across Cape Canaveral. The tour begins at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center.

Grab your clubs and hit the greens at Golf N Gator, a large alligator and wildlife conservatory that boasts 2 18-hole putt courses, called Gator Mountain and Swamp Cave, where you can test your golf skills while playing through caves, waterfalls, and ponds filled with alligators (safely of course).

You can choose to play one course or both, and when you’re finished, meet with the gator experts who will teach you how to properly hold and handle baby alligators, snakes, and other creatures of Florida. Golf N' Gator opens their private facilities to host bookings for birthday and other private events.

The rocket launch viewpoint at Playalinda Beach offers the closest view to see spacecraft blast off into space. Located only 5 miles from the launchpad, you can set up your camera on the beach, a part of Canaveral Sea Shore National Park. A $10 entry fee gets you full access to the land and beach where you can set up for the perfect photo and video location.

If you’re just coming to watch, the park also provides bleachers with a panoramic view of the launch. Though the park remains open daily, it will take some planning to catch a launch. You can review the launch schedule on the Kennedy Space Center website.

The modern Port Canaveral is one of the largest cruise terminals in the US. Located in Cape Canaveral, it's just 45 minutes from Downtown Orlando. Port Canaveral is Florida's fastest-growing port and the 3rd busiest cruise port in the world. The port is a well-designed hub set to ensure that your arrival into or departure from Florida is completely stress-free. Cruises that depart from the port include the Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Carnival Cruise Lines.

Pack your tent or bring your RV to the well-kept beaches of Jetty Park. Whether you’re coming for the camping or taking the kids to the playground, a stroll through the beach will leave you with a full day and night of fun near the crashing waves.

Public fishing is a popular activity along the pier, which is surrounded by the city’s best restaurants, bars, and malls. You can view rocket launches and the docking of the multitude of cruise ships arriving at Port Canaveral. Be sure to bring your swimsuit to splash in the warm Floridian waters, then shower at Jetty Parks’ excellent public facilities.

Savannahs Golf Club lets you tee off in style and test your skills as you play through the forests, water hazards, and well-manicured fairways of this 18-hole course. Don't forget to bring your driver as this course boasts some of the most beautiful and challenging links on the Space Coast.

Book your round, then have a pre-match warmup at the unique 'aqua range' as well as the chipping and putting ranges. After a full day of golf, enjoy an icy-cold beer and a meal at the clubhouse, designed in the style of a southern plantation. Not only does this course offer stunning views and service, but it’s also very wallet-friendly.

Rikki Tiki Tavern is a beachfront bar that you can find at the end of Cocoa Beach Pier. You will find this unique tiki bar over the water where you the ocean breeze is as refreshing as the ice-cold drinks. Ask the bartender for fresh Florida oranges in your mai tai while you gaze across the Atlantic Ocean. Look out for a pod of dolphins that can be regularly spotted playing off the pier.

The Tavern offers a selective but exceptional selection of food. If you’re an angler, cast a line over the pier and Rikki Tiki Tavern will even deliver their drinks to you.

A trip aboard the Victory Casino cruise ship is a fairly unique night-time attraction in Cape Canaveral. Boarding at Port Canaveral, this floating gambling den is the premier gambling hub of Florida, boasting 40,000 sq ft of casino floor where you can test your poker and blackjack skills or take a spin on one of the 600 slot machines.

You will enjoy free drinks while playing and betting on a variety of sports and horseracing. Once you collect your winnings, hit the dance floor at Big Norm's Club V or have a cocktail at any of the 5 bars onboard. The 6-hour cruise departs twice a day.