What to Do In and Around The Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is located near Cape Canaveral in Florida and is a great place to visit on your vacation because it is so close to other Florida attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and other fun attractions. Not to mention the Space Center is located close to many Orlando Vacation Rentals, on what is called the Space Coast so not only will you be able to visit many attractions, you will also be able to relax and soak up the sun at the beach. The Kennedy Space Center is not only a fun and exciting place to visit for youngsters and adults, but is also incredibly educational and sheds light on the darkness and unknown of space.

When you visit the Kennedy Space Center you will expose yourself to the amazing world of space and the only Space Shuttle launch site in the entire world. This in itself is worth checking out, but the Kennedy Space Center has so much more to offer as well. All International Space Station hardware is prepared at the Space Center before being launched into space forever. One of the most amazing offerings provided by the Kennedy Space Center are the shuttle and rocket launches. These are truly amazing events and launch missions can be attended by visitors. So, it is important to check out the Kennedy Space Center's website before planning your vacation to see if there are any upcoming missions you and your family can attend. Or, if it is a day time launch simply avoid crowds and driving and head out to the beach where you can enjoy a nice picnic, the beach, and have a great view of the launch.

Also, the Kennedy Space Center also boasts the nearby US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Here individuals may take tours and learn all about famous astronauts, what influenced them to choose such a line of work, and the different missions they participated in. The Hall of Fame also has moon capsules, simulators and exciting hands on activities for both children and adults to enjoy. The Hall of Fame is separate from the Space Center and costs $13.95 for adults and $9.95 for children.

The Kennedy Space Center also has a visitor's center that is certainly worthwhile if you are interested in learning more about space. At the center you will view actual space center mechanisms, launch pads, other space paraphernalia as well as IMAX films and general museum like items that outline the history of space travel and the many accomplishments and "leaps" made by mankind. If you head to the Space Center around lunchtime you will also be able to enjoy a meal with an astronaut. This program is known as Dine with an Astronaut and costs $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids. Entrance into the Kennedy Space Center's visitor area costs $26 for adults and $16 for kids. While this might not be considered economical by many it is a once in a lifetime experience that is really educational, enjoyable and worth the money. Millions of visitors have visited in the 30 years of existence and the majority are glad they did.

Once you have taken in all the Kennedy Space Center has to offer you can visit the Merritt Island National Refuge which is close by and offers hundreds of acres of beach, marshes, and nature to explore. You can access the Canaveral Seashore from the Refuge which is a great place to relax and take in the amazement of a scheduled launch.

There are of course many other activities close by the Kennedy Space Center including a zoo, The Warbird Air Museum, and Jungle Adventures just to name a few. If you are interested in a truly educational vacation make sure you head to Space Beach and enjoy all the area attractions as well as others such as Disney World and Universal Studios just a few miles down the road. Or, if you only have a weekend simply focus on the Kennedy Space Center and a couple days of learning all you can about space and the technology used to explore the dark unknown.

About the Author
Article written by Laura Rupert on behalf of Villas2u. For more information on Orlando Villas and visitor attractions visit the Villas2u site.

Experience a Space Shuttle Launch From Cape Canaveral

Author: Kirby Collins

Cape Canaveral Sunday, March 15th 2009 - Being a local Floridian, I've had the chance all my life to see the Space Shuttle launch off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. However, nothing was like the time on that wonderful Spring day on the beach, in Cape Canaveral. The sun was warm, the water cool, the people were active, and food was being cooked and served. All up and down the area of the Florida Space Coast, people were out and about, enjoying their day until they could see the Space Shuttle Discovery launch that night at 7:43 PM. Their mission? To take off and head to the International Space Station, bringing along with them the final pair of US-built Solar Wings and the last segment of the Space Station's backbone-like main truss for Mission STS-119. Around the initial launch pad, the cities of Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, and Cocoa Beach were sprawling with business and activities.

Everywhere you went, people had found their place to see the launch from. In Merritt Island, people were parked all up and down the Merritt Island Causeway, enjoying the Indian River and watching the wind surfers ride around. Places such as Applebee's Tiki bar, also located on Merritt Island, allowed for cold drinks and hot food to be consumed while sitting at and around the Tiki bar or just outside on it's deck, both with a clear view of the river and over towards the Launch Pad itself. In Cocoa Beach, the ever packed Cocoa Beach Pier barely had walking room, as many locals and tourist knew it to be one of the best locations for "Launch Days". Too much for you? Well it was for me, so a few of my buddies headed just south of the Pier to a restaurant named Coconuts on the Beach and enjoyed some drinks and a bite to eat. Heading north back to my home town of Cape Canaveral, there are some of the closest land-based places you can legally get to see the Launch. The majority of these places are located at Port Canaveral; a place of fun and excitement all of the time. Now, if you plan to visit the Port or one of its restaurants, be sure to call ahead and get a reservation, or you may not get a spot! But if you really want to enjoy fine dining and enjoy your view of the Launch Pad, I'd recommend Grills, Fish Lips and Milliken's Reef. All have a fine dining style of food and service with two different atmospheres to choose from: Fine Dining inside and Party/Laid-Back style outside.

However, if you're not into eating or drinking at a restaurant, then you can simply pay homage to Mother Nature and enjoy one it's most beautiful creations, much like I did: The Beach! Bring your own food and drink and camp out with all of the rest of us, basking in the sun and watching the waves. From the Cape Canaveral beaches, you can look north and see Port Canaveral and the Delta Two Rocket Launch Pads, and turn around south to see the Cocoa Beach Pier. With only a few houses or apartments to shield you from the shockwave of sound, the Cape Canaveral beaches allow the ultimate viewing, hearing and relaxation experience of Space Shuttle and Delta Two Rocket Launches.

About the Author:
Tourist and locals agree, you just have to watch a Cape Canaveral Launch to experience it for yourself! Enjoy the Port, beaches, fishing, boating, fresh seafood and many other things to do in Cape Canaveral during your next vacation to Central Florida.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Experience a Space Shuttle Launch From Cape Canaveral

Have a great Florida vacation!