Florida’s Space Coast: the name itself screams adventure, a place where rockets launch, rivers are home to ancient gators, and sunsets settle over beach homes as dolphins cruise by. I headed to this stretch of coastline ready for a mix of high-tech thrills and down-to-earth encounters, and let’s just say the Space Coast delivered on every front. From stargazing at 4 a.m. to dodging gator-infested waters in a rainstorm, this trip was a rollercoaster of unforgettable moments.
We kicked things off with a stay at the Courtyard Titusville Kennedy Space Centre. Just a short ride from Melbourne Orlando Airport, this place set the bar high. There was a Starbucks right in the lobby, a lifesaver for any traveller needing a jolt (soya Chai Latte) before a day of cosmic exploration, and a healthy breakfast hit the spot, keeping me fuelled for some intense space tourism. But the real star (literally) was the tiny robot in the room that projected lights onto the ceiling. With a night sky above me, it was like prepping for an intergalactic journey right from the bed.
And an intergalactic journey was exactly what we got. I dragged myself out of bed at the unspeakable hour of 3:30 a.m. to watch the live feed before catching sight of a 4:45 a.m. rocket launch from the hotel’s rooftop bar. MENTAL. I was buzzing with excitement, and when the rocket finally lit up the sky, it was magic. Watching it soar, feeling the shockwaves, hearing the crack of the sonic boom—it was hands down one of the most surreal experiences of my life. Seeing a rocket launch that close? It’s impossible to put into words. All I can say is that it’s something everyone needs to do at least once.
The next stop was the actual Kennedy Space Centre, where we spent two days immersed in the world of space exploration. Every inch of that place has something to thrill you, from the shuttle replicas to the mind-blowing Shuttle Launch Experience that left me feeling like a real-life astronaut. We wandered, explored, and were awestruck at every turn. And then, as if we weren’t already floating on a space cloud, we got the chance to chat with Astronaut Steve Smith. Yes, a real astronaut! Hearing him talk about the challenges, the excitement, the pure thrill of being out in the universe—it was one of those pinch-me moments that reminds you just how small we are in this vast galaxy. AND HE HUGGED ME. An astronaut hugged me… a girl with a rocket tattoo!
The second half of our trip brought us to Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port, a short drive up the coast. This hotel was a lovely place to recharge, with all the comfort we needed after long days of exploring. It was cozy, welcoming, and conveniently close to our next round of coastal adventures.
First up: Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours. We boarded, armed with snacks, beers, and canned Margaritas, because let’s face it, a dolphin tour is even better with a few laughs and a drink in hand. Between sips and chatter, we spotted a few river dolphins, fins flashing as they swam around us. Some might say they were having fun with us, I’d say they were just living life. While we didn’t exactly catch every word of the guide’s explanations, the joy of spotting dolphins while chatting with friends was more than enough to make this tour a highlight.
Then it was time for some Florida-style wilderness with an airboat ride at Camp Holly on the St. Johns River. Cruising over the water in an airboat, spotting gators lurking along the edges, felt like stepping into a scene from a nature doc (or a horror movie!). Just when I thought things couldn’t get more exciting, the skies opened up with one of those classic Florida downpours. The rain poured so hard we couldn’t open our eyes so we had to turn back… but not without a full-throttle, rain-soaked ride that had us laughing all the way. Once back on dry land, we enjoyed some hearty eats that hit the spot after such an adrenaline-pumping ride.
Finally, we wrapped up with a Village Food Tours tour in Melbourne, and wow—talk about saving the best for last. Each stop served up delicious bites, and our guide was genuinely lovely, a wealth of local knowledge and stories that made every dish even tastier. By the end, I was hooked on the idea of food tours, which I now consider essential on any trip.
So, here’s the deal: if you’re looking for a destination that offers thrills and charm in equal measure, Florida’s Space Coast is the place. Whether you’re blasting off with rockets, cruising with dolphins, or sharing laughs under a stormy sky, this stretch of coast will leave you with stories you’ll be telling for a lifetime.
PENNY LEE TAYLOR-BROWN
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex / TUI / Space Coast Office of Tourism – Fact Box
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (www.kennedyspacecenter.com) brings to life the epic story of the US space programme, offering a full day or more of fun, inspiration, and educational activities. Single-day admission is $75 per adult/$65 per child plus tax, and the two-day ticket is $89 per adult/$79 per child. Located just 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open daily at 9am, with closing times varying by season.
Chat With An Astronaut is offered twice daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Tickets are in addition to general admission and cost $50 plus tax for adults and $35 plus tax for children. Price includes a continental breakfast in the morning, or chef’s choice of culinary samplings in the afternoon, soft drinks, one alcoholic drink per adult ticket, a commemorative gift and lithograph (signed portrait) of the astronaut.
Guest can embrace their passion for outer space at the Courtyard Titusville Kennedy Space Center (www.marriott.co.uk). The hotel offers spectacular views from the hotel’s rooftop bar, The Space Bar, which serves local food and drinks and provides a prime viewing area for rocket launches. Rooms start from $170 plus taxes per night, on a room-only basis.
Rooms at Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port (www.hilton.com) start from between
$169 and $299 plus taxes per room, per night, with breakfast included, depending on the season and day of the week.
Activities
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours (www.cocoabeachdolphintours.com) – the Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River costs $39.50 per adult & $29.50 per child (aged 3-13, free for u3s)
- Camp Holly (https://campholly.com/) – Camp Holly offers 35 to 40-minute airboat rides on the St. Johns River from $40 plus tax per adult and $30 plus tax per child (aged 12 and under)
- Village Food Tours (www.villagefoodtours.com) – Village Food Tours offers a variety of food tours throughout the Space Coast, including in Melbourne, Cocoa Village, Cocoa Beach, and Port Canaveral. We did the “Melbourne Florida Food Tour” which costs US$88 per person. These are the restaurants we visited and sampled food from:
- Mangetsu Korean Barbecue
We kicked off the tour with their delicious Drunken Noodles with shrimp, made with house-made rice noodles, stir-fried with bell peppers, onions, scallions, and fragrant Thai basil. We also enjoyed some sake to complement the dish.
- Aya Mediterranean Cuisine
Specializing in Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine, we were treated to a flavourful assortment of grilled kebab skewers, including shrimp, beef, chicken, and kafta, along with other delicious sides and accompaniments.
- Ember & Oak
We ended the evening on a sweet note at Ember & Oak, indulging in a variety of decadent desserts paired with a glass of champagne, the perfect way to wrap up our culinary journey.
Restaurants/Bars
- Playalinda Brewing Company – Brix Project in Titusville (https://www.playalindabrewingcompany.com/taprooms/brix-project/)
- Long Doggers, Cocoa Beach (https://www.longdoggers.com/location/cocoa-beach/)
- 4th Street Fillin’ Station, Cocoa Beach (https://www.4thstreetfillinstation.com/)
- Hotel Melby, Downtown Melbourne (https://www.hotelmelby.com/)
For more information on visiting the Space Coast, go to www.VisitSpaceCoast.com.
TUI (www.tui.co.uk) offers return flights to Melbourne Orlando International Airport from a range of UK airports including London Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Belfast and Newcastle. Return prices for summer 2025 start from £550 per person.
For full information go to www.tui.co.uk/destinations/the-americas/united-states-of-america/florida/holidays-florida.html
