The Space Coast boasts 72 miles of beaches, the longest stretch in the state of Florida and is home to the famous beach resorts of Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville. The year-round warm weather, steady waves and world-class surf shops have earned the area the designation as the East Coast surfing capital of the United States. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region obtained its name from its historic relationship with the nation’s space program. The Space Coast is located 35 miles east of Orlando, less than an hour from Orlando and is Orlando’s closest beach.

The Space Coast is one of the largest intact eco-systems in Florida. There are more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, where Florida’s beautiful and rare creatures live. Bird nesting areas are found throughout the Indian River Lagoon. The beaches are home to a variety of sea turtle nesting areas.

Visit Space Coast is the home to Port Canaveral and this exceptional seaport is a popular gateway to the joys of the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re cruising or not, it’s a great place to explore. The Port Welcome Center, contains state-of-the-art interactive exhibits depicting the rich history, resources, industries and recreational offerings of the Space Coast, observation decks will overlook the Port plus the exciting historical sites around it relating to early Spanish exploration, revolutionary battles, the voyage of mankind into space…and more.

Top 10 Must Do’s

1. Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex - NASA's launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, have lunch with an astronaut, train in a spaceflight simulators and visit Atlantis the Experience.

2. Cocoa Beach Pier - This historical landmark offers shopping, restaurants, live musical entertainment, beach volleyball courts, lifeguards year round and some of the best surfing on the east coast.

3. Brevard Zoo – the only Zoo where you can kayak on-site through the Africa Exhibit and feed a giraffe.

4. Learn about manatees and other wildlife on a riverboat cruise with Island Boat Tours. See living lights in the water; schools of mullet hurdling through the air that look like popcorn on the surface and fireworks down below.

5. One of the world’s largest sea nesting turtle areas (seasonal May – July); Loggerheads, Green Sea Turtles and Leatherbacks.

6. Food & Drinking – Try Rock Shrimp, the shrimp that tastes like lobster, at Dixie Crossroads Restaurant in Titusville.

7. Sightseeing - Visit the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  Free tours each Wednesday and Thursday.

8. Canaveral National Seashore - Situated on a barrier island along Florida's east coast, park highlights include pristine, undeveloped beach, dunes and lagoon offering sanctuary to an abundant blend of planets and animals.

9. Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge - Bird and wildlife observation, a wildlife drive, manatee observation deck, fishing and hunting opportunities, and boating and paddling are a few of the activities you can enjoy while visiting the 140,000 acres Refuge.

10. Shopping - Historic Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint area for shopping for everything from antiques to clothing; along with great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual.