Side Trips-space Center, Air Boats, Gator Land?

[TAZBOM]

WE WILL BE GOING TO THE SPACE CENTER FOR A SIDE TRIP IN APRIL. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS? HOW LONG CAN WE EXPECT TO SPEND THERE? WE ARE THINKING OF MAYBE GOING TO THE BEACH LATER IN THE DAY AFTER HITTING THE SPACE CENTER EARLY. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR A GOOD BEACH, PIER, SHOPPING AREA, ETC...IN THAT VICINITY? ALSO, WE WERE THINKING OF POSSIBLY DOING AN AIR BOAT THING OR GOING TO GATORLAND...IS IT WORTH IT? ANY IDEAS WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

 

[lejaf]

Cocoa Beach is near the space center, but I don't remember seeing any shopping nearby. We went a few years ago strickly for a beach day. I wasn't impressed with the coarse sand and seaweed everywhere, but it was a nice beach day.

As for GatorLand...if you can search these boards, you'll find a wide range of opinions on it. My family loved it as a half day activity. It's a much slower pace than the Disney parks which is nice for a change. LOTS of gators and lots of birds. It's very "old Florida" which cracks me up, but I can see how people would hate it. It's sort of quirky but still fun especially if you or your kids are the least bit into animals. If you go, look for coupons which you can find almost anywhere. We bought discounted tickets at our hotel and the price came to under $40 for 2 adults and 2 kids.

 

[Hemelman]

If you want to see all KSC offers I would say that its an all day visit. Half a day or so wouldn't do it justice.

Mick

 

[jdm]

Take the day to do the Space Center. I posted a mini review of our day there, a couple of pages back. We really enjoyed it.

Jenn

 

[madcoco]

Yes it does take most of the day to take in the Space Center to it's fullest. It depends on which tours you take and how interested you are.

Cocoa Beach Pier

Stop by RonJons Surfshop in Cocoa Beach.Ron Jon's

Off of SR 520 on the way to/ from the beaches is Merrit Square MallMerrit Square

The City of Cocoa (on the mainland) has a wonderful little area lined with shops.Cocoa Village

I have personally used 2 Airboat Services. It is a neat way to explore the wild side of the St Johns River.

One is in Christmas, FLAirboat Rides
The other is on SR 520 not far from US95 located at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp
Twister Airboat Rides Please feel free to PM or E-mail with any further ?

 

[AJA55]

FYI, take some change with you as the road to the Space Center is a toll road. There is more than one, but I don't remember how many.

 

[SimonV]

If you take a short detour before you start, Boggy Creek Airboats (just the south of the main airport) are well worth starting the day with. Have breakfast at East Lake Fish Camp, do the half-hour airboat ride straight after, and then head for the KSC. That will give you a pretty full day, and you will probably need the best part of a day to do the Space Center justice.