Do you need pristine seashores, nature shut at hand, in addition to an journey? Then look no additional than Cocoa Beach in Florida. Located on Florida’s Space Coast, as it’s generally identified.
If you might be searching for the closest seaside to Disney World and Orlando, you’ll end up heading to Cocoa Beach.
Popular with surfers, Cocoa Beach has numerous browsing merchandise to purchase. It can also be the closest metropolis to the fast-growing Port Canaveral. The port is the place you’ll be able to catch a cruise to play a on line casino. If you want to know what else there may be to do there, learn on to find the highest 15 issues to do in Cocoa Beach.
1. Kennedy Space Center
At Cape Canaveral Gateway, guests have the possibility to go to the well-known Kennedy Space Center. Since December 1968, this has been NASA’s primary launch web site for human area journey. The heart options movies, pictures, and interactive displays linked to area flight.
The historical past and the move of the tour are very well crafted. It is beneficial to start out with the Apollo bus first, then be taught concerning the historical past of the US area program and watch gorgeous IMAX movies. You can buy tickets on-line prematurely right here.
Guests get the possibility to stroll underneath a Saturn V rocket. There is a shuttle simulator the place guests can try and fly and even a digital moonwalk expertise! Great for area lovers in addition to households. Kennedy Space Center caters to each, and it’s simple to spend a whole day right here.
2. Ron Jon Surf Shop
Trading for over 50 years in Cocoa Beach, that is the oldest surf store in Florida. Ron Jon Surf Shop has over 52,000 sq ft of devoted ground area. Packed from ground to ceiling with surfer and different merchandise. Discover the most recent surf, swim, skate, and seaside necessities for the 12 months. You can even prepare for surf classes on the store. Equipment rent can also be not an issue and is included within the lesson worth.
If you might be into water sports activities of any variety, then Ron Jon Surf Shop is for you. Recommended for all watersport lovers and households searching for surf classes at affordable costs.
- Address: 4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach
3. Cocoa Beach Pier
Originally often known as the Canaveral Pier, this landmark was first in-built 1962. Throughout the years, it has seen many modifications however stays a favourite with locals and vacationers.
In 2014 native businessmen injected a big quantity into renovating the pier. Since then, it has change into one of many high issues to do in Cocoa Beach. Housing bars, retailers, and eating places it’s also a fantastic spot for fishing. We actually like to go to throughout lunch.
- Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach
4. Exploration Tower
This architecturally spectacular landmark might be discovered on the east coast of Florida at Port Canaveral. The Exploration Tower is devoted to instructing by means of enjoyable studying. There are seven flooring of displays and interactive actions which give attention to the native space. Rocket launches are additionally viewable that happen on the Kennedy Space Center. With two remark decks, guests can put what they be taught into impact.
The superb space-related pictures is just gorgeous and completely awe-inspiring. There can also be a present store for all of your souvenirs. Further to this, there’s a café in addition to an auditorium. However, this excellent attraction is at the moment closed for upkeep work till early 2023. Please telephone or verify their web site for updates on the work in progress.
- 670 Dave Nisbet Drive, Port Canaveral
5. Historic Cocoa Village
Well-known for its quaint and old style Southern appeal, historic downtown Cocoa Village is a must-visit in Cocoa Beach. This cobbled-stoned city with its caringly restored historic buildings is each pleasant and enchanting. There are nice purchasing, consuming, and leisure alternatives all through this city.
Settled in 1860, this riverfront group has continued to thrive and prosper since then. The appeal and welcoming nature of the residents will depart you glowing. There are garments and guide retailers, arts and crafts shops, galleries, and vintage retailers.
The eating places serve up conventional Southern soul meals with a contact of spice. With over a dozen consuming institutions, it is possible for you to to seek out one thing for each urge for food. A beautiful spot for households and is beneficial for everybody visiting the realm. To be taught extra about Cocoa Village shops, occasions, eating places, and extra, click on right here for his or her web site.
- Address: Historic Cocoa Village Main Street 434 Delannoy Ave, Cocoa Beach
6. Take a Surfing Lesson
With among the most secure coasts for browsing, arranging a lesson may be very simple to do. Many surf colleges in Cocoa Beach supply one or two-hour classes. We advocate this one-hour personal lesson. Groups might be catered to as effectively, which makes the charges extra affordable.
No matter whether or not you might be an absolute newbie or a novice, store round, and there’s positive to be a surf college that matches your wants. So go seize a wetsuit and a board and trip some waves!
7. Eat Fresh Seafood and Enjoy the View at Coconuts On The Beach
Coconuts On The Beach is the one true seaside bar/restaurant in Cocoa Beach. With a lined tiki deck, company are handled to excellent service with nice seafood. With dwell performances from the realm’s native artists, the music flows usually.
The meals ranges from creamy clam chowder to freshly caught fish and seafood dishes with specialty dishes like salmon in caper sauce or twin lobster tails. Click right here to see the menu. We additionally begin with the bom bom shrimp appetizer, pictured above.
The meals is exceptionally recent and cooked to perfection by the cooks. Nothing higher than consuming good meals and sharing a drink in a pleasant, welcoming setting. Sit on the deck and admire the view of the Atlantic. On our final go to, we got here for pleased hour and stayed for the sundown and dinner, and it was the proper ending to our day in Cocoa Beach.
Porpoises can usually be noticed enjoying in teams within the surf. A energetic occasion and gathering spot, this bar is beneficial for {couples} and teams of associates.
- 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach
8. Rikki Tiki Tavern
If you have got ever visited Cocoa Beach Pier, you’ll learn about Rikki Tiki Tavern. Located on the finish of the 800-foot-long promenade sits Rikki Tiki Tavern. Featuring open air seating, the tavern provides a restricted meals service together with drinks. The superb ocean views and sea breeze might be skilled sipping on a cocktail.
Equipped with a thatched roof and tables and seating for 100 company. Rikki Tiki Tavern is a superb place to loosen up and seize some shade and a drink. It is considered one of our favourite locations in Cocoa Beach for sundown and pleased hour.
- Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach
9. Florida Surf Museum
Formerly often known as Cocoa Beach Surf Museum, the Florida Surf Museum is a superb place. Preserving and documenting every little thing linked to East Coast browsing, the museum explores the historical past and evolution of browsing within the space. With historic images and displays, guests can lose themselves for hours.
The merchandise is in depth, to say the least – items, souvenirs, browsing attire, and surfboards too. It is simple to get misplaced for a few hours all of the displays and photographs. The Florida Surf Museum isn’t only for these avid surfers. It’s extremely beneficial for anybody with even a slight curiosity within the surf scene.
- Address: (Ron Jon Surf Shop) 4275 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
10. Lori Wilson Park
If you might be searching for issues to do in Cocoa Beach outside and in nature, save a day to discover Lori Wilson Park. With three pavilions and a 1000-foot-long boardwalk, the facilities are plentiful. There are outside showers, restrooms, consuming fountains, and barbecue grills. An ideal place for a household beachside picnic or cookout. With six dune crossovers and a public volleyball courtroom for the extra lively.
The Atlantic Ocean can also be there for these hardy and courageous souls. There are lifeguards year-round, and the surf is mild sufficient for all learners. The pure great thing about the hammock and the dunes depart an enduring impression, with ample parking on each the north and south sides of the hammock. The park is dog-friendly and is nice for teams and households.
- Address: 1500 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
11. Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures
Opened to the general public in 2017 with an estimated price to construct of $3.7 million, this museum spreads its displays and shows out over two flooring. It is privately owned and runs as a not-for-profit group.
The journey zone is an space with interactive displays for all of the household. Along with this, there are mineral and fossil panning workshops and a Nile Craft carnival-style trip that may take as much as 6 individuals. Both of those further actions are charged with a supplemental charge. Whatever worth level is set upon, guests won’t be upset. Highly beneficial for households and anybody with curiosity in dinosaurs and historic cultures.
- Address: 250 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
12. The Florida Key Lime Pie Co.
Visitors to this cute little store are usually stunned by the extravagantly coloured inside. Then they’re delighted in any respect the tasty treats which might be supplied inside. As the title suggests, Key Lime Pie might be discovered right here in lots of types. Have a slice, on a stick, in a cup or a coconut, and even get an entire pie.
But not solely that, there are a lot of extra provides to be discovered. Specialty snacks like alligator jerky, ice lotions, and many alternative sizzling sauces. Spices, tropical fruit wines, scented candles, and bathtub salt scrubs can be found too. Open seven days every week from 10 am, price a go to simply to style the samples.
- Address: 102 Dixie Ln, Cocoa Beach
13. Visit the Dinosaur Store
Located in the identical constructing because the Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures. This retailer is free to enter, and you may browse many alternative items and souvenirs, together with merchandise like minerals, crystals, and jewellery, in addition to academic replicas from area.
Of course, there are additionally fossilized and reproduction dinosaur enamel, claws, and bones. For individuals with a ardour for historical past, a go to is beneficial, alongside households with kids who will discover a go to to the shop a fantastic distraction.
- 250 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach
14. Golf N Gator
Located at Cape Canaveral, this mini-golf heart is a superb day trip. With two 18-hole programs, gamers can take pleasure in a spherical or two. Both programs monitor by means of tropical landscapes with waterfalls, caves, and different options. With bridges and boardwalks crossing the waterways, fish and turtles might be seen.
Even greater than that, that is the one outdoors habitat with alligators. Visitors can feed, maintain, and actually have a {photograph} taken with them. Even greater than the golf and ‘gators, guests can also visit the ‘mining company.’ Treasure hunt by digging up gems, arrowheads, shark enamel, or fossils. Great enjoyable for all of the household.
- Address: 6355 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral
15. Kayak Thousand Islands Looking for Manatees and so forth.
The Thousand Islands space is a spectacular spot for kayaking lovers. The 338-acre web site is a preservation space and maintains the wildlife habitat. This means it’s a nice location for bird-watching and manatee recognizing.
Kayak by means of mangrove tunnels and cease at a sandy seaside to loosen up. You would possibly even be capable to paddle with the manatees and bottlenose dolphins. A beautiful option to spend time in nature that can impart superb recollections.
Some of the perfect moments are at sundown when the colours begin to change. An exhilarating and energetic exercise that will get the muscle tissues and thoughts shifting.
To entry this a part of Banana River, go to Ramp Road, which is south of Minuteman Causeway. Of course, in case you are hiring your kayak, the corporate will take you there. With numerous kayak rental firms within the space, it’s extremely beneficial to buy round.