help get me interested in Coco Beach

[loriandmatt]

MIL is paying for condo on Coco Beach for two weeks and invited us along. We usually are WDW nuts and may or may not make a treck to mecca at some point during our two weeks, but just for a day to hit MK or something.

i am having trouble getting as interested in this trip as i know very little about coco beach. what's to do? where to go?

fun/good food venues?
fun/interesting activities?
fishing?

we are not a "veg on the beach all day for 10 days" kind of group, so i am looking for some suggestions that might get my family more psyched about this vacation.

any places you can suggest?

 

[jaxmyraj0]

DH and I are going down there for a rocket launch next month.

We're going to spend most of our time at Kennedy Space Center. I'd check into that. You could also take an airboat ride. They are popular around there.

 

[thepwa]

Well, there is Ron Jon surf shop...and Ron Jon surf shop...and Kennedy Space Center..and Ron Jon surf shop.

Im not much of a beach person, but I know I've heard the surfing is pretty good there.

The drive down A1A is nice. There is some good shopping in Melbourne about 20 miles away...

I remember when I went to college in Melbourne, we'd drive up to Cocoa on Sunday night...there was a bar there that had all you can drink for $5 from 7 to midnight!!!!! Made for some missed Monday morning classes. But that was over 20 years ago....

 

[vicki_c]

Aside from shopping (Viera outside Melbourne), the Brevard Zoo is also in Melbourne.

Other things not too far away - Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, of course the Space Center.

Airboat ride - did someone already say that?

Are you going soon or sometime in the future - there's also baseball at Space Coast Stadium in Viera (Washington Nationals spring training) and the Brevard Manatees I think they're called - whatever they are AAA or AA (I'm not much of a baseball person, sorry).

If you want to take more of a drive someday, you can go up to St. Augustine or down to Vero Beach (Treasure Museum there).

I understand - my family would have a seriously hard time entertaining ourselves at the beach for 2 weeks!

 

[dizneechic]

We stayed at Cape Winds in Cape Canaveral which is right next door to Cocoa Beach. One of our favorite things to do was rent a pontoon boat and ride up and down the Banana River all day. The rental place was right off 528/1A as you cross over the water onto the peninsula. You don't need to know how to operate a boat to rent one. They give you a 10 minute lesson and you are off.

 

[casaazul]

We are planning on 4 nights in Orlando and 4 nights in Cocoa Beach. That is all the time we have. If we had more time, I would spend months on the beach!

Go ahead and go, beach days can be fun. 1 or 2 days seeing Cape Canaveral Visitor Center plus tours. Maybe horseback riding, bikes, hikes, eco tours, fishing, shopping, air boat, alligator farms, Cypress Gardens, plus a few days at Disney!

 

[PrincesCJM]

In terms of air boats, any recommendations for them? good or bad? I'm going to spend 4 nights in Titusville in August (after 8 nights in Disney) and I want to do an air boat tour

 

[loriandmatt]

thanks folks.....so the general concensus is.....if you want to do something other than relax....drive someplace else.

can do.

i am off to scrounge around for things to keep us from going stir crazy.

fishing charter....
nature tour (airboat or otherwise)
sea world maybe and maybe give aquatica a try
space center

sounds like enought to do with some beach time peppered in.

honestly it's my DH that i have to entertain the most. he HATES to sit.

 

[Bay Hill]

This list of dining is off of the cruise critic boards under I work in Port Canaveral in the Cocoa area...

Home to Port Canaveral, you can get a fishing charter, and see the cruise ships go in or out.

Cocoa Beach Dining...


There is Zackery's which is a family restaurant and Dina and Zack have great food and a great staff, then you have Kelsey's Pizza on the other side (south) and subway sandwiches right next door to Kelsey's - across the street you have McD's and then Thai & sushi food next to McD's.
If you have transportation here is a list of other places you may enjoy:



Fishlips http://www.fishlipswaterfront.com/ - takes reservations
Grills http://www.visitgrills.com/ - also serves breakfast
UPDATE 04/21/2008
I spoke to the GM on the guest receiving their 10% discount since I had heard they were no longer offering it, but I was told THAT IF YOU SHOW YOUR HOTEL KEY, YOU WILL GET THE DISCOUNT. Out of State Driver's Licenses are no longer acceptable - there isn't even a "local's discount", but at least you will get yours - if you have any problems OR questions, ask to speak to Howard who is the GM.

Rusty’s http://www.rustysseafood.com/
Rusty's is one of mine and Norm's favorite for you can sit outside or inside and they do have great music and food.
Grills and Rusty’s don’t take reservations but if you call about 1/2 hr before going, they will put your name on the "list".

Can watch the ships sail out of the port at any of the above. The ships leave the port Saturdays at 4:00 PM, Sundays at 5:00 PM if they are on time. Drive time: 5 mins from the Radisson/Residence Inn/CI&S area.
For more info on all port-area eateries: http://www.portcanaveral.org/recreation/dining.php

Restaurants in Cocoa Beach
Recommended on the forum:

Cazoni's Pizza - Free delivery & coupons, has sit in service www.cazonispizza.com/ phone 321-783-1112

Kelsey's Pizzeria located right next door to Radisson -www.kelseycanaveral.com 321-783-9191

Zackary's Greek Restaurant – Just past the port before and next door to Racetrac. Great breakfast and close to Radisson/Residence Inn/CI&S

Durango's Steak house located at 6765 N. Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, Fla 321-783-9988
Excellent steaks/ribs also good happy hour.
This once was the most favorite hang out for the astronauts when it was called The Mouse Trap and they still have many items from those days all over the place.

Pig and Whistle English Pub – sports bar w/ satellite TV 240 North Orlando Avenue 321-799-0724 (NEW LOCATION WITH AN AWESOME SPORTS BAR)

International House of Pancakes (excellent hometype breakfast & lunch) 3830 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach --phone 321-783-0620 - Mom and Pop owned for number of years - Libby, the owner, is a great gal.

Roberto's Little Havana - 26 North Orlando Avenue, Cocoa Beach phone number - 321-784-1868
This is also a Mom and Pop owned cafe.

Sandbar Sport's Grill http://www.sandbarsportsgrill.net/ (right on the beach)


Gregory's Steak & Seafood Grille also has Groucho's Comedy club
http://www.gregorysonthebeach.com/html/links.html and is owned by very nice lady named of Brigitte

Brigitte is now owner also of Izzy's Bistro which is located at 6615 N. Atlantic Avenue in Cape Canaveral and the phone number is 321-783-4548. The manager's name is Jutta Rose if you have any questions. Tidbet: The restaurant is named after her granddaughter Isabella and Izzy is her nickname. What a tribute to a granddaughter.
Izzy's is opened from 4PM to 12PM Tuesday through Saturday. The interior has just been renovated and an atmosphere you would really enjoy plus an extensive wine selection. No reservations needed
http://www.izzysbistroflorida.com/html/links.html

The restaurant is located right next door to Sunseed Health food Store.

Siam Orchid Thai & Japanese Cuisine 1275 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach 321-783-4545
Great sushi bar and right across the Holiday Inn.

Florida Seafood located on Highway 520 (excellent seafood)
http://www.floridas-seafood.com/
This is also mom and pop owned

Murdock's http://www.murdocksbistro.com/ Cocoa Village

Italian Courtyard 350 W, Cocoa Beach Hway 321-783-0413 (excellent Italian food)

Lobster Shanty 2200 State Road A1A, Cocoa Beach 321-783-1350 Out door dining available and can feed huge catfish. This is a super nice seafood restaurant http://www.JackBakerslobsterShanty.com/

Heidelberg Restaurant #7 North Orlando Avenue, Cocoa Beach 321-783-6806 (This was Boot Randolph's
favorite place and was here in March before he passed away in July- (excellent German food & Jazz place)

THAI PARADISE
225 WEST COCOA BEACH CSWAY (AKA HIGHWAY 520)
COCOA BEACH, FLA 32031
PHONE 321-783-1687
OWNER IS ED
great food and presentation

Old Fish House Restaurant 249 W. Cocoa Beach Csway (520) 321-799-9190 (excellent blue crab meals)
http://oldfishhouserestaurant.com/

Pita Garden 269 W. Cocoa Beach Csway (Hwy 520) 321-799-9933 www.pitagarden.com/
(Norm and I just tried this place and the food was excellent along with the service)
Mom and Pop owned by Sue and Eddie and it is Mid-East Kabob & shawarma - I was impressed with the smiles and presentations.

Mr. Cubano Cuban sandwiches and a walk of Cuba history - 6550 North Atlantic Avenue - 321-799-2200
http://www.mrcubano.com/images/Mr_Cubano_r8_c5.jpg

Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant (Excellent shrimp)http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/

LOCAL FOOD COUPON BOOK
www.littlecouponbooks.com/ (go to the left side of screen, click on "view the book" and you will find new coupons very week for specials)

FOR ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

The Mango Tree Restaurant 118 North Atlantic Avenue - 321-799-0513
www.themangotreerestaurant.com

THE BEST ICE CREAM SHOP IN TOWN

Cocoa Beach Dairy Queen
3690 North Atlantic Avenue
Cocoa Beach, Florida
phone 321-784-8787
This is a mom and pop owned shop - owners are John and Ila Jullette
super couple - very honest and the shop is very clean.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Shirley's amazing thread from the Cruise board gives a ton of information. And I think there's a cool new Dinosaur museum.



http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273

 

[mercydisney]

If yuor kids are school age you can easily spend 2 days if Kennedy Space Ctr. I believe if you pay for a day you get the second day free.

We live an hr from Cocoa beach and we love to go for the day. I have seen that they have movie in the parks on some weekends.

Just wanted to warn you wear an old bathibg suit to the beach. Everytime we go my kids bating suit get stained w/black spots. My DH says its because the oil from the ships.