Cocoa Beach
Central Atlantic Coast of Florida

Cocoa Beach and the surrounding area are world famous for being the home to NASA and the Kennedy Space Center and also for the world class surfing found along the miles of sandy beaches. The Space Coast is dominated by the 46,000 acre site that comprises NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore.

MEET GENUINE ASTRONAUTS AND LISTEN TO THEIR EXPERIENCES...
Kennedy Space Center, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2002, is a vast complex dominated by the massive vehicle assembly building which has the stars and stripes painted on it. The building can be clearly seen from over 10 miles away and it is said if the flag was placed on the ground the stripes would be wide enough to drive a bus along without touching the neighboring stripe! The visitors' complex houses several fascinating attractions as well as being the starting point for the tours that take you deeper into the NASA facility. The first stop must be the IMAX theatre where you are treated to stunning views of the earth filmed by the astronauts as they orbit the planet. You can view the various rockets used to launch satellites into orbit in the rocket garden, and marvel at the tiny capsules the astronauts had to squeeze themselves into when man first ventured into space. The life size replica of the Space Shuttle gives an insight into the cramped conditions that the astronauts have to endure on their missions. Situated next to the Space Shuttle replica is the Astronaut Memorial which provides a sobering reminder of the dangers of space exploration and pays tribute to the brave men and women who have lost their lives in the pursuit of man's exploration of space. Always happy to take visitors' questions, real astronauts give fascinating talks at the Astronaut Encounter, recounting their own experiences in space and giving a firsthand insight into what it is like to be an astronaut.

THE VAST NASA COMPLEX...
It’s not until you head out on one of the tours that you realize just how big the NASA complex is - it’s vast. Visit the Mercury Mission Control Room where you can view the actual consoles that were used to monitor the first eight manned space missions - see International Space Station modules in the International Space Station Center. The center is where all the components are assembled into the individual modules prior to being loaded into the shuttle. Driving past the two shuttle launch platforms, your guide gives an idea of what a launch day is really like - there is real drama and a sense of power as the shuttle blasts its way into orbit. The final stop on the Up Close Tour is the Apollo / Saturn Centre that celebrates man's achievement in getting to the moon. It is here when you see the colossal Saturn V moon rocket that you finally understand the scale of what was involved in getting Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts to the moon in 1969.

DON'T MISS THE ASTRONAUTS' HALL OF FAME OR THE MUSEUM WITH SOME CHILLING EXHIBITS...
Focusing on the Kennedy Space Center it would be easy to miss the US Astronauts' Hall of Fame, an interactive museum commemorating the early astronauts. This fascinating museum contains an archive of the astronauts' personal stories along with memorabilia and equipment from their collections. Next to the Astronauts' Hall of Fame is the American Police Hall of Fame - a fascinating museum, especially for all the fans of Law and Order and CSI. If you have ever wondered what it would feel like being in a prison cell or sitting in a gas chamber or in the electric chair, the museum's recreations will send a chill down your spine. Come face to face with Robocop - see Harrison Ford’s police cruiser from Blade Runner and a 1960s' police issue Harley Davidson. The museum also has a serious side, as more than 7,000 names of officers killed in the line of duty are etched into the marble walls of the Law Enforcement Memorial.

HISTORIC AIRCRAFT...
The Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum was founded in 1977 by 17 likeminded friends who were dedicated to finding and preserving historic aircraft. The museum has grown and now includes the Tico Belle, a Douglas C-47 that was formally the official carrier for the Danish Royal Family, a F-14 Tomcat, a Huey helicopter and a F-106 cockpit.

DON'T FORGET THE SURFING...
Finally, Cocoa Beach itself is known for two things - the world class surfing and the legendary Ron Jon Surf Shop (which is more of a palace to the art of surfing and beach life than a shop). This area is a beach lover's paradise, but can become crowded at peak times, especially when there is a surfing contest taking place.

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