Florida’s Space Coast could be your perfect winter getaway
Florida’s Space Coast is a favorite vacation destination. It features such a wide range of enjoyable activities for all ages. The area is rich in entertainment and adventure, new learning experiences and natural beauty. As a result, the area is considered very affordable for tourists. Planning a visit to the Central Florida area? The Space Coast is only a 45-minute drive due east from Orlando, making it an ideal option for extending your next wintertime getaway.
There are good reasons for the popularity of Florida’s Space Coast, notes Gabe Saglie, the senior editor for Travelzoo, in a recent report he wrote for ABC News. Firstly, space fans flock here to visit the Kennedy Space Center to learn about NASA and watch rocket liftoffs in person. In addition, this 72-mile stretch of beach along the Sunshine State’s Atlantic shores offers gourmet discoveries and outdoor adventures to some of Florida’s most spectacular scenery.
Moreover, the wintertime weather is near-perfect, with an average high of 72 degrees during the cold months, along with minimal humidity. If you’ve never experienced this fun-filled destination, consider adding these Space Coast attractions to this winter’s itinerary.
* To infinity and beyond.
TripAdvisor calls Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the only location worldwide where you can view the space shuttle Atlantis, touch a moon rock, meet NASA astronauts, tour a NASA spaceflight facility and get up close to a Saturn V moon rocket all in the same day. In addition, you might also witness a spectacular rocket launch firsthand. Other prime spots along the Space Coast for viewing launches include the shores of the Indian River, Space View Park in Titusville, Playalinda Beach on the Canaveral National Seashore and Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral.
* Big, beautiful beaches.
You’re likely to find the beach of your dreams here. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful shoreline retreat or a surfing paradise, an oceanside oasis for family fun or a place near the sand that also has some decent nightlife. Tourist favorites include Cocoa Beach, a nostalgic coastal community featuring a historic pier and more than 50 locations for shopping, dining and enjoying the arts, and Sebastian Inlet State Park, which is great for surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and camping.
* Unparalleled fishing and boating.
The Space Coast is a dream territory for all kinds of angling. If you prefer the saltwater variety, Port Canaveral is your all-in-one resource for chartering an offshore fishing boat. Try your hand at bottom fishing or relax on a party barge with friends and family. Other locations along the coast offer dolphin watching, manatee viewing and the exploration of area islands. If freshwater fishing is your thing, the headwaters of the St. Johns River feature more than 6,500 acres of shallows harboring largemouth bass.
* Animal encounters.
The impressive Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is home to some 650 animals representing species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Zoo visitors can kayak through the Africa exhibit; zip line over gators and crocs in the South America territory; hand-feed the giraffes; pet the rhinos; stroll the boardwalks that are surrounded by lush Florida fauna; paddleboat around some 22 acres of wetlands; and cool off in the Indian River Play Lagoon. For additional eye-opening encounters, explore in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The 140,000-acre refuge is home to at least 1,500 species of plants and animals. It’s also ideal for hiking, bird-watching, fishing and simply enjoying some of nature’s wonders.
Think about it: Florida’s Space Coast could be the place you’ve been dreaming about for your next wintertime adventure. For more information, check out VisitSpaceCoast.com.
(BPT)
