Do you need pristine seashores, nature shut at hand, in addition to an journey? Then look no additional than Cocoa Beach in Florida. Located on Florida’s Space Coast, as it’s generally recognized.
If you’re searching for the closest seashore to Disney World and Orlando, you’ll end up heading to Cocoa Beach.
Popular with surfers, Cocoa Beach has a number of browsing merchandise to purchase. It can be the closest metropolis to the fast-growing Port Canaveral. The port is the place you’ll be able to catch a cruise to play a on line casino. If you wish to know what else there’s to do there, learn on to find the highest 15 issues to do in Cocoa Beach.
1. Kennedy Space Center
At Cape Canaveral Gateway, guests have the prospect to go to the well-known Kennedy Space Center. Since December 1968, this has been NASA’s foremost launch web site for human house journey. The middle options movies, photographs, and interactive reveals linked to house flight.
The historical past and the circulation of the tour are very well crafted. It is really helpful to begin with the Apollo bus first, then study concerning the historical past of the US house program and watch beautiful IMAX movies. You can buy tickets on-line upfront right here.
Guests get the prospect to stroll underneath a Saturn V rocket. There is a shuttle simulator the place guests can try to fly and even a digital moonwalk expertise! Great for house lovers in addition to households. Kennedy Space Center caters to each, and it’s straightforward to spend a complete day right here.
2. Ron Jon Surf Shop
Trading for over 50 years in Cocoa Beach, that is the oldest surf store in Florida. Ron Jon Surf Shop has over 52,000 sq ft of devoted ground house. Packed from ground to ceiling with surfer and different merchandise. Discover the most recent surf, swim, skate, and seashore necessities for the 12 months. You can even prepare for surf classes on the store. Equipment rent can be not an issue and is included within the lesson worth.
If you’re into water sports activities of any variety, then Ron Jon Surf Shop is for you. Recommended for all watersport lovers and households searching for surf classes at affordable costs.
- Address: 4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach
3. Cocoa Beach Pier
Originally often called the Canaveral Pier, this landmark was first in-built 1962. Throughout the years, it has seen many adjustments however stays a favourite with locals and vacationers.
In 2014 native businessmen injected a big quantity into renovating the pier. Since then, it has change into one of many prime issues to do in Cocoa Beach. Housing bars, outlets, and eating places it’s also a terrific spot for fishing. We actually like to go to throughout lunch.
- Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach
4. Exploration Tower
This architecturally spectacular landmark might be discovered on the east coast of Florida at Port Canaveral. The Exploration Tower is devoted to instructing by way of enjoyable studying. There are seven flooring of reveals and interactive actions which concentrate on the native space. Rocket launches are additionally viewable that happen on the Kennedy Space Center. With two statement decks, guests can put what they study into impact.
The superb space-related images is just beautiful and completely awe-inspiring. There can be a present store for all of your souvenirs. Further to this, there’s a café in addition to an auditorium. However, this excellent attraction is at present closed for upkeep work till early 2023. Please telephone or test their web site for updates on the work in progress.
- 670 Dave Nisbet Drive, Port Canaveral
5. Historic Cocoa Village
Well-known for its quaint and old school Southern appeal, historic downtown Cocoa Village is a must-visit in Cocoa Beach. This cobbled-stoned city with its caringly restored historic buildings is each pleasant and enchanting. There are nice procuring, consuming, and leisure alternatives all through this city.
Settled in 1860, this riverfront group has continued to thrive and prosper since then. The appeal and welcoming nature of the residents will go away you glowing. There are garments and guide outlets, arts and crafts shops, galleries, and vintage outlets.
The eating places serve up conventional Southern soul meals with a contact of spice. With over a dozen consuming institutions, it is possible for you to to seek out one thing for each urge for food. An exquisite spot for households and is really helpful for everybody visiting the realm. To study extra about Cocoa Village shops, occasions, eating places, and extra, click on right here for his or her web site.
- Address: Historic Cocoa Village Main Street 434 Delannoy Ave, Cocoa Beach
6. Take a Surfing Lesson
With among the most secure coasts for browsing, arranging a lesson may be very straightforward to do. Many surf colleges in Cocoa Beach provide one or two-hour classes. We suggest this one-hour non-public lesson. Groups might be catered to as nicely, which makes the charges extra affordable.
No matter whether or not you’re an absolute newbie or a novice, store round, and there’s certain to be a surf faculty that matches your wants. So go seize a wetsuit and a board and trip some waves!
7. Eat Fresh Seafood and Enjoy the View at Coconuts On The Beach
Coconuts On The Beach is the one true seashore bar/restaurant in Cocoa Beach. With a lined tiki deck, company are handled to excellent service with nice seafood. With dwell performances from the realm’s native artists, the music flows frequently.
The meals ranges from creamy clam chowder to freshly caught fish and seafood dishes with specialty dishes like salmon in caper sauce or twin lobster tails. Click right here to see the menu. We additionally begin with the bom bom shrimp appetizer, pictured above.
The meals is exceptionally contemporary and cooked to perfection by the cooks. Nothing higher than consuming good meals and sharing a drink in a pleasant, welcoming setting. Sit on the deck and admire the view of the Atlantic. On our final go to, we got here for completely happy hour and stayed for the sundown and dinner, and it was the right ending to our day in Cocoa Beach.
Porpoises can frequently be noticed enjoying in teams within the surf. A full of life celebration and gathering spot, this bar is really helpful for {couples} and teams of buddies.
- 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach
8. Rikki Tiki Tavern
If you will have ever visited Cocoa Beach Pier, you’d find out about Rikki Tiki Tavern. Located on the finish of the 800-foot-long promenade sits Rikki Tiki Tavern. Featuring open air seating, the tavern provides a restricted meals service together with drinks. The superb ocean views and sea breeze might be skilled sipping on a cocktail.
Equipped with a thatched roof and tables and seating for 100 company. Rikki Tiki Tavern is a superb place to loosen up and seize some shade and a drink. It is one in every of our favourite locations in Cocoa Beach for sundown and completely happy hour.
- Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach
9. Florida Surf Museum
Formerly often called Cocoa Beach Surf Museum, the Florida Surf Museum is a superb place. Preserving and documenting all the pieces linked to East Coast browsing, the museum explores the historical past and evolution of browsing within the space. With historic images and reveals, guests can lose themselves for hours.
The merchandise is in depth, to say the least – items, souvenirs, browsing attire, and surfboards too. It is simple to get misplaced for a few hours all of the reveals and pictures. The Florida Surf Museum isn’t only for these avid surfers. It’s extremely really helpful for anybody with even a slight curiosity within the surf scene.
- Address: (Ron Jon Surf Shop) 4275 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
10. Lori Wilson Park
If you’re searching for issues to do in Cocoa Beach outside and in nature, save a day to discover Lori Wilson Park. With three pavilions and a 1000-foot-long boardwalk, the facilities are plentiful. There are out of doors showers, restrooms, ingesting fountains, and barbecue grills. An ideal place for a household beachside picnic or cookout. With six dune crossovers and a public volleyball court docket for the extra energetic.
The Atlantic Ocean can be there for these hardy and courageous souls. There are lifeguards year-round, and the surf is light sufficient for all learners. The pure great thing about the hammock and the dunes go away an enduring impression, with ample parking on each the north and south sides of the hammock. The park is dog-friendly and is nice for teams and households.
- Address: 1500 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
11. Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures
Opened to the general public in 2017 with an estimated price to construct of $3.7 million, this museum spreads its reveals and shows out over two flooring. It is privately owned and runs as a not-for-profit group.
The journey zone is an space with interactive reveals for all of the household. Along with this, there are mineral and fossil panning workshops and a Nile Craft carnival-style trip that may take as much as 6 individuals. Both of those further actions are charged with a supplemental price. Whatever worth level is determined upon, guests won’t be disenchanted. Highly really helpful for households and anybody with curiosity in dinosaurs and historical cultures.
- Address: 250 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
12. The Florida Key Lime Pie Co.
Visitors to this cute little store are usually stunned by the extravagantly coloured inside. Then they’re delighted in any respect the tasty treats which can be supplied inside. As the title suggests, Key Lime Pie might be discovered right here in lots of types. Have a slice, on a stick, in a cup or a coconut, and even get an entire pie.
But not solely that, there are lots of extra provides to be discovered. Specialty snacks like alligator jerky, ice lotions, and many alternative sizzling sauces. Spices, tropical fruit wines, scented candles, and bathtub salt scrubs can be found too. Open seven days every week from 10 am, price a go to simply to style the samples.
- Address: 102 Dixie Ln, Cocoa Beach
13. Visit the Dinosaur Store
Located in the identical constructing because the Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures. This retailer is free to enter, and you’ll browse many alternative items and souvenirs, together with merchandise like minerals, crystals, and jewellery, in addition to instructional replicas from house.
Of course, there are additionally fossilized and duplicate dinosaur tooth, claws, and bones. For individuals with a ardour for historical past, a go to is really helpful, alongside households with youngsters who will discover a go to to the shop a terrific distraction.
- 250 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
14. Golf N Gator
Located at Cape Canaveral, this mini-golf middle is a superb time out. With two 18-hole programs, gamers can take pleasure in a spherical or two. Both programs observe by way of tropical landscapes with waterfalls, caves, and different options. With bridges and boardwalks crossing the waterways, fish and turtles might be seen.
Even greater than that, that is the one exterior habitat with alligators. Visitors can feed, maintain, and also have a {photograph} taken with them. Even greater than the golf and ‘gators, guests can also visit the ‘mining company.’ Treasure hunt by digging up gems, arrowheads, shark tooth, or fossils. Great enjoyable for all of the household.
- Address: 6355 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral
15. Kayak Thousand Islands Looking for Manatees and so on.
The Thousand Islands space is a spectacular spot for kayaking lovers. The 338-acre web site is a preservation space and maintains the wildlife habitat. This means it’s a nice location for bird-watching and manatee recognizing.
Kayak by way of mangrove tunnels and cease at a sandy seashore to loosen up. You would possibly even be capable to paddle with the manatees and bottlenose dolphins. An exquisite option to spend time in nature that may impart superb reminiscences.
Some of the perfect moments are at sundown when the colours begin to change. An exciting and energetic exercise that will get the muscle groups and thoughts transferring.
To entry this a part of Banana River, go to Ramp Road, which is south of Minuteman Causeway. Of course, in case you are hiring your kayak, the corporate will take you there. With a number of kayak rental firms within the space, it’s extremely really helpful to buy round.