Orlando → Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach (Space Coast Excursion)

Trip Snapshot:

Distance & time: ~60 miles one-way to KSC (~1 hour); 20 minutes further to Cocoa Beach.
Best time: Year-round (Florida’s Space Coast is warm all year). Rocket launch days are an extra treat if you can catch one!
Ideal for: Families, space geeks, beach lovers.
Quick route: Orlando → SR-528 East (Beachline Expressway, toll road) → Kennedy Space Center (Merritt Island) → A1A South → Cocoa Beach → return via SR-528 West.
Top 3 highlights: Space Shuttle Atlantis up close • Apollo/Saturn V Center • Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset.

Route Overview: This is a straight shot east on the Beachline (SR‑528) a fast, mostly four-lane highway that’s tolled (mostly cashless, so have a SunPass/E-PASS or expect a mailed bill). It’s about an hour to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Plan on 4–6 hours at KSC to see the shuttle and rockets, then in the afternoon head south on A1A along the coast to Cocoa Beach. Stick your toes in the sand and enjoy sunset at the pier before zipping back to Orlando on SR‑528 West. (Note: SR‑528 has both SunPass lanes and “Pay by Plate” billing no cash booths on some segments. If your rental car offers a SunPass option, it can simplify the tolls.)

Top Stops & Experiences:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex(Family-friendly) The gateway to NASA’s storied past and future. Get tickets and check hours in advance (the complex opens at 9 AM). Don’t miss the included KSC Bus Tour, which takes you behind NASA’s gates to the Apollo/Saturn V Center you’ll stand beneath a massive Saturn V moon rocket, one of only three on display in the world. The bus tour is included with admission and runs continuously (last bus about 2.5 hours before closing). Plan on lines for the buses during peak times. Inside the main complex, explore the Rocket Garden (an outdoor display of historic rockets and capsules), the Heroes & Legends exhibit, and more. (Pro tip: if a launch is scheduled, arrive very early the parking and causeway viewing areas fill up fast on launch days.)
Space Shuttle Atlantis(Family-friendly) Come nose-to-nose with the real Space Shuttle Atlantis. This retired orbiter is dramatically displayed with its bay doors open. The exhibit includes a simulated shuttle launch experience and over 60 interactive displays. It’s an inspiring highlight for kids and adults alike seeing the scars and scorch marks on Atlantis’s heat tiles up close is unforgettable. (Allow 1+ hour for Atlantis and the shuttle replica Shuttle Launch Experience simulator.)
Apollo/Saturn V Center(Family-friendly) A must-see hall reachable only by the KSC bus tour. Stand beneath a 363-foot Saturn V rocket laid out in stages above you the sheer size is jaw-dropping. This center also has exhibits on the Apollo Moon missions and a genuine lunar module. There’s a brief reenactment in the Apollo 8 firing room theater (with rumbling sound effects) that leads into the main rocket hall. You can spend as long as you like here before catching a bus back.
Rocket Garden(Family-friendly) An iconic outdoor lineup of early American rockets (Mercury-Redstone, Atlas, Titan II, etc.). Great for photos kids love running up to the towering rockets. The garden is a tribute to the engineers and astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Guided tours by space experts run periodically, or you can self-guide using info plaques.
Cocoa Beach Pier(Family-friendly) After the space center, drive ~20 minutes south to Cocoa Beach. The historic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier juts 800 feet into the Atlantic and offers restaurants, tiki bars, gift shops, and fishing. It’s a perfect late-afternoon stop: grab ice cream or a piña colada and watch surfers ride the waves. Parking by the pier is available in a lot (around $15–20 for the day), or find metered spots nearby. The pier often has live music in the evenings and is very kid-friendly (yes, it’s absolutely fine to bring the kids into the restaurants on the pier).
Ron Jon Surf Shop (Open 24/7)(Family-friendly) Before leaving Cocoa Beach, swing by the flagship Ron Jon Surf Shop on N Atlantic Ave, open 24 hours. It’s a sprawling surfer’s emporium and something of a local landmark. You’ll find every beach accessory imaginable: boards, swimwear, shell necklaces, etc. Even if you’re not buying, it’s fun to wander this megastore (and pick up a famous Ron Jon sticker). Great spot for souvenirs the store has been going strong since 1963 and is iconic in Cocoa Beach.

Where to Eat & Stay:
– Food: The KSC Visitor Complex has a couple of cafés (Orbit Café and Moon Rock Cafe) for lunch typical burgers, pizza, and astronaut ice cream. Near Cocoa Beach Pier, you’ll find casual eateries on the pier itself: try Rikki Tiki Tavern at the pier’s end for tropical drinks or Pelican’s Bar & Grill for fish tacos and burgers with an ocean view. In Cocoa Beach town, Coconuts on the Beach and Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill are popular. If you have a sweet tooth, the pier has a dessert stand and you can always stop at Ice Cream Hut Cocoa Beach on A1A.
– Lodging: If making this an overnight trip, Cocoa Beach has plenty of beachfront hotels and condos wake up to a sunrise over the Atlantic. The Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort and Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront are options right on the sand. For budget travelers, look at the motel chains along SR-A1A (they’re basic but put you close to the beach). Alternatively, you could stay near KSC at hotels in Titusville, but most prefer the beach vibe for a night.

Detours & Extensions:

Port Canaveral (add 1–2 hours): Just north of Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports. Drive up to Jetty Park or the Grills Seafood Deck to watch massive cruise ships depart (around 4–5 PM on many days). There are waterfront restaurants where you can dine and wave bon voyage to the ships kids are wowed by their size.
Playalinda Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) (add 1–2 hours): If you crave a more natural beach, head to Playalinda, about 30 minutes north of KSC. It’s a undeveloped seashore with pristine sands and dunes (no facilities except bathrooms). Note: access may close if a rocket launch is imminent, and a small entry fee or park pass is required as it’s part of Canaveral National Seashore.

Practical Tips:

Tolls: SR‑528 (the Beachline) has several toll points. Many segments are cashless, meaning you must use SunPass/E-PASS or you’ll receive a toll bill via your rental car (often with extra fees). Check if your rental car offers a toll transponder. Otherwise, you can pay tolls online after the trip via the license plate. Expect around $5–6 total in tolls round-trip.
Launch days: KSC can be extremely crowded on rocket launch days (especially big launches). Arrive when the complex opens if you have tickets, and be prepared for heavy traffic leaving the area after a launch. Also, the KSC Bus Tour and some attractions may close early on launch days. Check the KSC website or Twitter for advisories.
Parking & beach gear: Bring quarters or download the Passport Parking app for Cocoa Beach, as many lots are metered. Beach essentials: sunscreen, hats, towels. The Florida sun is strong even in winter. There are outdoor showers by the pier to rinse off sand. If you plan to swim, note that lifeguards are seasonal and watch for any posted rip current warnings.
Wildlife & nature: On the drive to KSC, keep an eye out for wildlife in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You might spot alligators in roadside canals or ospreys on telephone poles. At the beach, don’t feed the gulls (unless you want a mob of seagulls around you!). And yes, free ice water really is available at Wall Drug (not that you’ll find that in Florida that’s in South Dakota, see itinerary #9!)

Rentals & Logistics: A minivan is a smart choice for families on this trip easy to load the stroller, beach chairs, and space memorabilia you’ll accumulate. Couples or solo travelers will find any car class fine (a convertible for the causeway drive, perhaps?). Just ensure your vehicle has working AC (almost guaranteed in Orlando rentals) because Florida humidity is real. The drive is entirely on well-maintained paved roads. When departing from MCO (Orlando Airport), follow signs to “North Exit 528 East” and be ready to merge onto the expressway. One perk: no mountains or snow to worry about just occasional heavy rain in summer, where you should slow down and keep headlights on. With your car booked and these tips in hand, you’re cleared for launch on your Space Coast excursion!

Orlando → Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach (Space Coast Excursion)

Trip Snapshot:

Distance & time: ~60 miles one-way to KSC (~1 hour); 20 minutes further to Cocoa Beach.
Best time: Year-round (Florida’s Space Coast is warm all year). Rocket launch days are an extra treat if you can catch one!
Ideal for: Families, space geeks, beach lovers.
Quick route: Orlando → SR-528 East (Beachline Expressway, toll road) → Kennedy Space Center (Merritt Island) → A1A South → Cocoa Beach → return via SR-528 West.
Top 3 highlights: Space Shuttle Atlantis up close • Apollo/Saturn V Center • Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset.

Top Stops & Experiences:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex(Family-friendly) The gateway to NASA’s storied past and future. Get tickets and check hours in advance (the complex opens at 9 AM). Don’t miss the included KSC Bus Tour, which takes you behind NASA’s gates to the Apollo/Saturn V Center you’ll stand beneath a massive Saturn V moon rocket, one of only three on display in the world. The bus tour is included with admission and runs continuously (last bus about 2.5 hours before closing). Plan on lines for the buses during peak times. Inside the main complex, explore the Rocket Garden (an outdoor display of historic rockets and capsules), the Heroes & Legends exhibit, and more. (Pro tip: if a launch is scheduled, arrive very early the parking and causeway viewing areas fill up fast on launch days.)
Space Shuttle Atlantis(Family-friendly) Come nose-to-nose with the real Space Shuttle Atlantis. This retired orbiter is dramatically displayed with its bay doors open. The exhibit includes a simulated shuttle launch experience and over 60 interactive displays. It’s an inspiring highlight for kids and adults alike seeing the scars and scorch marks on Atlantis’s heat tiles up close is unforgettable. (Allow 1+ hour for Atlantis and the shuttle replica Shuttle Launch Experience simulator.)
Apollo/Saturn V Center(Family-friendly) A must-see hall reachable only by the KSC bus tour. Stand beneath a 363-foot Saturn V rocket laid out in stages above you the sheer size is jaw-dropping. This center also has exhibits on the Apollo Moon missions and a genuine lunar module. There’s a brief reenactment in the Apollo 8 firing room theater (with rumbling sound effects) that leads into the main rocket hall. You can spend as long as you like here before catching a bus back.
Rocket Garden(Family-friendly) An iconic outdoor lineup of early American rockets (Mercury-Redstone, Atlas, Titan II, etc.). Great for photos kids love running up to the towering rockets. The garden is a tribute to the engineers and astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Guided tours by space experts run periodically, or you can self-guide using info plaques.
Cocoa Beach Pier(Family-friendly) After the space center, drive ~20 minutes south to Cocoa Beach. The historic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier juts 800 feet into the Atlantic and offers restaurants, tiki bars, gift shops, and fishing. It’s a perfect late-afternoon stop: grab ice cream or a piña colada and watch surfers ride the waves. Parking by the pier is available in a lot (around $15–20 for the day), or find metered spots nearby. The pier often has live music in the evenings and is very kid-friendly (yes, it’s absolutely fine to bring the kids into the restaurants on the pier).
Ron Jon Surf Shop (Open 24/7)(Family-friendly) Before leaving Cocoa Beach, swing by the flagship Ron Jon Surf Shop on N Atlantic Ave, open 24 hours. It’s a sprawling surfer’s emporium and something of a local landmark. You’ll find every beach accessory imaginable: boards, swimwear, shell necklaces, etc. Even if you’re not buying, it’s fun to wander this megastore (and pick up a famous Ron Jon sticker). Great spot for souvenirs the store has been going strong since 1963 and is iconic in Cocoa Beach.

Detours & Extensions:

Port Canaveral (add 1–2 hours): Just north of Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports. Drive up to Jetty Park or the Grills Seafood Deck to watch massive cruise ships depart (around 4–5 PM on many days). There are waterfront restaurants where you can dine and wave bon voyage to the ships kids are wowed by their size.
Playalinda Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) (add 1–2 hours): If you crave a more natural beach, head to Playalinda, about 30 minutes north of KSC. It’s a undeveloped seashore with pristine sands and dunes (no facilities except bathrooms). Note: access may close if a rocket launch is imminent, and a small entry fee or park pass is required as it’s part of Canaveral National Seashore.

Practical Tips:

Tolls: SR‑528 (the Beachline) has several toll points. Many segments are cashless, meaning you must use SunPass/E-PASS or you’ll receive a toll bill via your rental car (often with extra fees). Check if your rental car offers a toll transponder. Otherwise, you can pay tolls online after the trip via the license plate. Expect around $5–6 total in tolls round-trip.
Launch days: KSC can be extremely crowded on rocket launch days (especially big launches). Arrive when the complex opens if you have tickets, and be prepared for heavy traffic leaving the area after a launch. Also, the KSC Bus Tour and some attractions may close early on launch days. Check the KSC website or Twitter for advisories.
Parking & beach gear: Bring quarters or download the Passport Parking app for Cocoa Beach, as many lots are metered. Beach essentials: sunscreen, hats, towels. The Florida sun is strong even in winter. There are outdoor showers by the pier to rinse off sand. If you plan to swim, note that lifeguards are seasonal and watch for any posted rip current warnings.
Wildlife & nature: On the drive to KSC, keep an eye out for wildlife in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You might spot alligators in roadside canals or ospreys on telephone poles. At the beach, don’t feed the gulls (unless you want a mob of seagulls around you!). And yes, free ice water really is available at Wall Drug (not that you’ll find that in Florida that’s in South Dakota, see itinerary #9!)