Why Live on the Space Coast?

Why Live on the Space Coast?
visitspacecoast.com
Florida’s Space Coast is a vacation
destination where natural wonder and
exhilarating adventures walk hand-inhand.
We have lots of open space…72 miles of
beach along Florida’s east coast.
Home to America’s space program
where human space flight began and
where space shuttle ATLANTIS is now on
permanent display.
Natural space with a spectacular array
of wildlife, unspoiled natural habitats,
sanctuaries and preserves.
From space ships to cruise ships it’s life at the water’s edge when you can chose three to 14 day
itineraries on some of the newest, biggest and most innovative ships sailing year round from
Port Canaveral.
Carve out your personal space and start your adventure now.
Your Space for Arts & Entertainment
With numerous theatre and production companies, choral groups and orchestras, ballets and other
dance expressions, the Space Coast arts and entertainment community thrives year round.
The Cocoa Village Playhouse, the Henegar Center for the Arts and the Titusville Playhouse and a half
dozen other theatrical venues host the talents of many local actors and actresses.
Art galleries, antique shops and museums are sprinkled throughout the Space Coast, but most
are prevalent in our downtown areas, such as the Eau Gallie Arts District, Cocoa Village, historic
downtown Titusville and Melbourne. It’s also here where you’ll find nationally recognized art festivals
and traveling exhibits.
whether you enjoy searching for antiques or catching a Broadway production, our coast offers
endless possibilities to keep you entertained.
1
HEALTH INSURANCE

HOSPITALS

MEDICAL GROUP

OUTPATIENT SERVICES
Your Space to Try Something New
Stretching 72 miles along Florida’s East Coast, the Space Coast continues to enliven, entertain
and inspire more and more visitors each year. While we’re known as the home of America’s space
program, Orlando’s closest beaches and some of the best surfing in the country, this is only a taste of
what our area has to offer.
Whether you dream of excitement and entertainment, or simplistic peace and tranquility, the Space
Coast has what you’re seeking.
Your Space in the Sun
There is something about the beach — the smell of
the salt air, the gentle breeze, the warm glow of the
sun and the rhythm of the waves bringing calm that
goes deeper with every set of surf that washes in.
No one has to tell you to relax at the beach —
it’s automatic.
So when the world gets a little hectic, head for one
our space coast beaches.
You can get far from the crowds along Canaveral
National Seashore, boasting the longest stretch of
undeveloped, undisturbed beach on the east coast,
looking very similar to the way it did when Spanish explorers discovered it 500 years ago. See the
beach as it was meant to be.
Stop by Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park beach and watch the last land ships pass as they head out to sea.
You may see cargo ships, fishing boats, an occasional U.S. navy vessel and (chances are very good)
big cruise ships as they embark, because this is the second busiest cruise port in the world!
Check out the world-famous Cocoa Beach and work your way south. Blend in with surfers, boogie
boarders, joggers, fat tire beach cyclers, sun bathers, sandcastle builders, waders, swimmers and
many more.
Take a look. There’s fun all around.
Your Space to Sail Away
4.2 million cruise passengers can’t be wrong — each year, that’s how many vacationers sail off into
adventure aboard one of the beautiful cruise ships that glide in and out of Port Canaveral. Although
these numbers mean that Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world, you will be
amazed that it is also one of the least congested cruise ports. Start here to begin your journey to the
eastern and western Caribbean. And check out the variety: this is home port for ships from Aida,
Canaveral Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean International.
2
HEALTH INSURANCE

HOSPITALS

MEDICAL GROUP

OUTPATIENT SERVICES
Cruising is great, and it’s even better when you
either start or complete your vacation by exploring
the nearby beaches, nature and area attractions.
The port itself has a multitude of great activities
from fishing to kayaking to swimming to dining
and entertainment.
In the fall of 2013, Port Canaveral opened a
welcome center which contains state-of–theart interactive exhibits depicting the rich history,
maritime resources and recreational offerings of
the Space Coast. The observation decks on the top
floors overlook the Port plus the exciting historical
sites around it relating to early Spanish exploration, revolutionary battles, the voyage of mankind into
space…and more.
From the high seas to the high life, Florida’s Space Coast has it all. State Road 528 (the Beachline)
heads right into the Port, so chart your own course. To entice you to stay with us before or after your
cruise, several hotels offer Snooze & Cruise packages with free parking, special nightly rates, and even
free shuttle transportation to and from the Port. We’re all here to help ensure you get to your cruise,
have a great time, explore more of our area and come back again.
Want to learn more about our coast? Order a vacation guide. Need more information about sailing
out of Port Canaveral? Visit portcanaveral.com.
Your Space for a Great Catch
Wilderness areas known for biodiversity provide many habitats and important sea grasses which
shelter more than 500 species of fish.
Some of the best bass fishing in the world is here.
Surf fishing—and people who can teach you how? Right here.
Fishing excursions with tour guides? Look through the long list of experts ready to provide fishing
fun, on many kinds of fishing vessels, in fresh water, salt water and the Indian River Lagoon.
And ...visit the Sebastian Fishing Museum to see artifacts from fishing families involved in early
commercial fishing.
Your Space for Nature
A distinctive getaway, Florida’s beautiful Space Coast offers miles of natural adventure, across coastal
scrub and pine flatwoods to mangrove forests and salt marshes to casual walkable beaches where
turtles nest in season.
When you think of the coast you naturally think of our beaches, but what’s amazing about this
area is the natural wonders aren’t limited to the beach.
The Space Coast has 20,000 acres of fresh
3
HEALTH INSURANCE

HOSPITALS

MEDICAL GROUP

OUTPATIENT SERVICES
water rivers and lakes bordered by approximately 170,000 acres of wetlands. We are located where
temperate and sub-tropical climate zones meet, which means you can find animals and plants here so
rare they are found nowhere else on earth.
Grab a kayak and paddle alongside manatees or dolphins. Look in the air and you may see Bald
Eagles or a flock of Roseate Spoonbills—two of more than 300 species of birds here along 40
stops on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. Ride on horseback, on a bike, try standup paddle
boarding or just take a walk. You’ll love the outdoors on the Space Coast.
The Space Coast is rich in tours and expert tour guides, for land and water excursions, amazing
wildlife observation treks and hidden gems, our curated self-guided adventures reveal secrets only the
natives know. For those looking for something unusual and unique, adventurers can look no further
than nighttime bioluminescent kayaking; a phenomenon unique to the area where tiny luminous
organisms scattered underwater shine like sparkling stars amongst shimmering sea grass.
Your Space for Shopping Fun
Florida’s Space Coast also has an eclectic collection of shopping choices.
The fun begins when you explore our historic shopping districts, search for antiques, discover our
local main streets, visit our art galleries or artists’ studios, museum shops or discover the Dinosaur
Store, and don’t forget, we have the world’s largest surf shop.
The Space Coast boasts several historic downtown areas located in Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Eau Gallie,
Melbourne and Titusville. All of these districts are great destinations for dining, shopping, catching a
play, visiting an art gallery or just taking an afternoon stroll. The cities also host free events regularly.
Your Space for Space
This is where it all began. The Space Coast
of Florida is where astronauts sat atop a fiery
explosion that hurled them 238,000 miles to
the moon and then back. Here is the home of
the men and women who dared to attempt
the impossible and the geniuses who made it
real. And it is where rockets still roar into the
unknown. That’s why they call this the
Space Coast.
This is home of the American space journey, the
only place where men and women embarked
on missions that put footprints on the moon,
where 135 space shuttle missions began, a place that still trembles to the thunder of launches that
propel vehicles past the atmosphere into orbit. Once you feel the thunder of an Atlas or a Delta or a
SpaceX rocket, you’ll never forget the sound.
4
HEALTH INSURANCE

HOSPITALS

MEDICAL GROUP

OUTPATIENT SERVICES
And even if there isn’t a live launch scheduled during your stay, you can still experience the wonder of
spaceflight with a visit to Kennedy Space Center. There you can strap in and launch as part of one of
the most realistic spaceflight simulators in the world or immerse your imagination inside the immense
IMAX Theater experience. And that’s just the beginning. Shuttle Atlantis in a remarkable display that
puts you so close you can actually see the space dust on its nose. Meet astronauts. See Angry Birds
Space Encounter. Fun? You bet.
Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral has long been our nation’s gateway to exploring,
discovering and understanding our universe. View our launch schedule and join us during this era of
space discovery.
Your Space to Ride the Waves
The Space Coast is one of the most
famous surfing spots on the East Coast of
the U.S., with surf temperatures that are
some of the warmest year-round.
Want to give it a try?
Discover surf schools and board rentals
to get you started. Festivals and pro-am
competitions happen periodically year
round. This is the place where surfing
champions are made, like local legend
Kelly Slater who grew up in Cocoa Beach.
This 11-time professional world champion
is widely regarded as the greatest surfer
of all time. Check out his statue at the
south entrance to Cocoa Beach, showing
Slater performing his signature cutback maneuver in a karate-like pose. Kelly learned some of his
tricks while practicing in the challenging surf including at Sebastian Inlet State Park.
If conditions are right (and they are most of the time), you’ll find surfers catching some of the best
waves in the U.S.—up and down the coast. Need some tips on where to go, where to watch and
where to try it yourself? Get the Adventure Destination Guide or stop by one of the surf shops
from Cocoa Beach to Indialantic. While there, don’t be surprised if you may run into one of our surf
legends, famous board designers or a current world class pro.
5
O072715
HEALTH INSURANCE

HOSPITALS

MEDICAL GROUP

OUTPATIENT SERVICES