GO FOR LAUNCH
EXPLORING FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST
WRITTEN BY: DAVE KELLY
Florida is well known for its history. It’s the state
with St. Augustine, this country’s oldest city.
Henry Flagler’s flagship railroad opened up South
Florida to tourism in the late 1800s. And worldclass cigars have been rolling out of Tampa for almost 150 years. We Floridians are proud of our history. But if you want to check out some history that has profoundly changed the world, head on over to Florida’s Space Coast. The area contains a myriad of space-themed attractions, including the famous NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — Trip Advisor’s Number One Travelers’ Choice Award destination of 2025.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
VISITOR COMPLEX (KSCVC)
Originally built in 1967 during the height of NASA’s legendary Apollo missions, this 70-acre attraction has been completely enhanced and reimagined over the years so that visitors can enjoy the thrill of simulated experiences while learning about the rich history of the space program. Hands-on features immerse visitors in real-time encounters that recreate the feel of actual missions. While you are visiting, be sure to take in:
• The Rocket Garden:
Check out the eight authentic rockets on
display, from classics like Alan Shepard’s
1961 Mercury-Redstone 3 to the modern
From the roar of a simulated rocket engine at The Gantry at LC-39 to the iconic NASA Vehicle Assembly Building and KSCVC’s Rocket Garden filled with authentic rockets, Florida’s Space Coast brings America’s past, present, and future of space exploration to life.
United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, the tallest in the garden. Space experts guide you through the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo program rockets during daily tours, sharing stories and facts about these amazing machines.
• Space Shuttle Atlantis:
Visit the permanent home of the original Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is mounted with its cargo bay doors open and at the precise angle as she was attached to the International Space Station, allowing visitors to see exactly
what it was like to work and live in space. Launched each time as a rocket but returning to Earth as a glider, Atlantis flew a whopping 33 missions over its 26 years of service. The entire building contains over 60 interactive and immersive exhibits. Don’t miss the Shuttle Launch Experience, where
you can strap in for an exciting eight-minute ride that simulates a shuttle launching into orbit.
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex:
Catch up on what is happening right now in our space program,
then learn about the visionary designs that are paving the
way for human deep space travel in the future. When you are finished, you
can enter Spaceport KSC, where your commander will help you launch aboard one of four unique journeys through our solar system and beyond. Choose from the trips to Mars, Cosmic Wonders, Uncharted Worlds, or Daring Explorers. Each trip is different and awe-inspiring.
• Meet an Astronaut:
There are many opportunities to meet real-life astronauts throughout your day at KSCVC. Attend one of the live question-and-answer presentations in the Universe Theater at specific showtimes and meet the commanders, pilots, and mission specialists who have worked and lived in space. You
can fly with an astronaut on the Shuttle Launch Experience and hear about space life. There is also an Astronaut of the Day program, where you can visit, chat, and get autographs from these brave heroes.
• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour:
Head out beyond the gates of the KSCVC in the comfort of a new motor coach and get a glimpse of the inner workings of daily life at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center — the actual working facility where America launches rockets. You will see such legendary structures as the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), one of the largest buildings by volume in the
THIS TRIP WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE MOON FLIGHTS AS WELL AS EVENTUAL MISSIONS TO MARS.
PHOTO 1 COURTESY OF AMERICAN SPACE MUSEUM; PHOTO 2 BY KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ; PHOTOS 3-6 COURTESY OF KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR CENTER
From monuments honoring the pioneers of America’s space program and hands-on displays to Apollo artifacts, a lunar landing exhibit, the Microgravity Simulator and immersive journeys through Spaceport KSC, visitors can experience the history, excitement and future of space exploration.
From the legendary Space Shuttle Atlantis and the pioneering missions celebrated at Heroes & Legends to Tico Belle, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum’s historic C-47 Skytrain, Florida’s Space Coast showcases the machines and missions that helped make history.
world. You can stop at The Gantry at LC-39, the KSCVC’s newest attraction next to Launch Complex 39, and watch a full-scale rocket engine model come to life during a simulated test firing. You will visit the Apollo/Saturn V
Center, where you can see parts of many of the rockets that visited the moon. You can also learn about the biodiversity of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, which Kennedy Space Center is built around. And, since multiple buses regularly run each day, you are not tied to a schedule — take as much
time as you like as you visit these amazing spots.
Other attractions, such as Heroes and Legends, educate guests on the history of space pioneers and the qualities that defined them all. The Journey to Mars multimedia exhibit highlights NASA’s plans right now for a trip to the Red Planet. Space-themed restaurants such as the Orbit Café and Space Bowl Bistro are scattered throughout the attraction, as are convenient snack bars and drink stations.
Of particular excitement right now is the Artemis II program, which is currently scheduled to launch four astronauts on a test flight to orbit the moon for 10 days before returning to Earth. The launch will take place on
Launch Complex 39B, where the Space Launch System rocket and its Orion spacecraft will be visible to visitors in the days before its flight. This trip will pave the way for future Moon flights as well as eventual missions to Mars.
MUSEUMS AND MORE Before man had the ability to rocket to the Moon and beyond, he first had to master the art of flight. No collection better exemplifies the history of the planes of the U.S. Military than Titusville’s Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum. Founded in 1977 by aviation enthusiasts, veterans, and pilots who had a passionate interest in historic airplanes, this collection showcases
over 50 classic warbirds, jets, and helicopters on site.
Throughout the day, resident docents are available to help usher guests through the vast museum, relating real-life stories of each model, the aviators who flew them, and their place in history. The collection features styles from pre-World War I through and including helicopters and
jets from the modern era. Many of the old planes are still flightworthy and can be seen at local and regional air shows. There is also a collection of artifacts and displays about the U.S. Military that tie in to the resident warbirds. This classic museum is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Another must-visit for fans of America’s space program is the American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame in Titusville. The museum, founded in 2001 and originally named the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum, sits across from Space View Park. Built in 1994, the park is home to monuments that have been added over the years commemorating the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, as well as the Space Shuttle and those who lost their lives in the line of duty. It is also an excellent viewing spot for rocket launches from nearby Kennedy Space Center.
With a mission of preserving achievement and inspiring innovation, the museum itself is an incredible mix of genuine artifacts from space trips, historic photos of astronauts, and unique stories about their missions.
There are dedicated galleries to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions, as well as a Women of Space room. There are even photos and souvenirs from NASA’s first astronauts, Abel the rhesus monkey and Ham the chimpanzee.
The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum showcases more than 50 historic aircraft, preserving the stories of the planes and people who served in conflicts throughout America’s military history.
The museum also produces and hosts group classes, workshops, and educational tours targeted to students. It is open every day from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Annual memberships are available, starting at only $100, that include unlimited free entry for two and special Members-Only events.
Enhance your stay on the Space Coast by visiting these great restaurants.
Sunrise Bakery & Café – Enjoy specialty coffee and espresso to begin your day of exploration. They also offer flights, consisting of four different signature coffees in one sitting. Or grab a high-end breakfast or lunch sandwich on one of their fresh homemade breads.
Pier 220 – Located at the base of the historic Titusville Fishing Pier, this overthe-water restaurant and outdoor tiki bar specializes in a menu of fresh seafood sustainably sourced from regional fisheries. Try their amazing Seafood Boil.
Dixie Crossroads – A Titusville staple, this down-home restaurant has been serving up fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, and their famous corn fritters for over 40 years. Kids and young-at-heart adults enjoy feeding the fish and turtles from the bridge over the pond outside. FCM
