Rocket Launch - tips on drive and location for viewing?

[Jo-Anne]

There is a launch scheduled on Dec 16 and my husband would be gaga to see it go off. We will have a rental car and I've been to port Canavaral area before to catch a cruise and we were at Kennedy space center last year so I know the area a bit. How bad is it to drive that day to go and watch. Does it get really crowded and traffic jams? Launch is at 3:30 I believe -when should we leave orlando? I've heard Jetty Park is best viewing option. Have other experienced this location or another easy to get to spot? I know that they are often rescheduled - where is the best place to get up to date info so we don't trek out there unnecessarily! Thanks

 

[lbmiller77]

I have always found the the Cocoa Beach Pier to be a great place to catch a launch.Plus there are areas to get food and drinks right there.

 

[RabFlmom]

Since the launch is not a manned flight, the crowds are not as large as the shuttle crowds.

For a fun experience I would head to Space View Park in Titusville. It is the park they always showed crowds watching shuttles from. You will be able to hear and maybe feel the impact of the liftoff from here.
It is a cool spot to go even without a launch. It is right across the river with VAB in the distance.
The park has sections for all the space programs with monuments and even the astonauts hand prints to measure yours to etc. There is a little space museum run by old KSC workers who volunteer near the park, too. It is shaded. Has some parking. You can often see dolphins, manatees, spoonbills and other water birds from the docks.