Explore History, Nature and Culture on Florida’s Space Coast

     The Space Coast has numerous activities for history buffs, nature enthusiasts and those looking for culture along Florida’s east coast.

History

     From space to military to local history, the Space Coast offers a variety of opportunities for visitors to experience and explore some of the most significant aspects of the nation’s treasured heritage.

     As home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region makes U.S. history as the only place in the country where visitors can see a live space shuttle launch. At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the nation’s space history can be further explored. Visitors can marvel at The Rocket Garden, showcasing historic NASA rockets. The Apollo/Saturn V Center features rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon. The space center’s Astronaut Hall of Fame is where the sights, sounds and experience of famed astronauts are captured and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia is located.

 

     Nearby, the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum is the first and only walk in the nation that honors America’s astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes of the space program. It features shuttle launch memorabilia and an outdoor park comprised of monuments dedicated to U.S. space missions. Most notable is the intricate Apollo monument, which took 10 years to construct. Guests will enjoy unique finds like x-rays of boots that went to the moon and actual pieces from a shuttle. Best of all, visitors have the rare opportunity to actually touch the showcased items, including consoles from past shuttles.

     To celebrate our nation’s military history, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville showcases a range of historic airplanes and aircraft from World War II to current day. Valiant Air Command is comprised of a group of volunteers who assembled the museum as a tribute to the valiant pilots who flew over the years. The organization is known for its excellence in the promotion of aerial shows featuring military aircraft. Each year, the Valiant Air Command holds its TICO Warbird Air Show and guests are treated to three days of performances by pilots guiding a range of military craft ranging from F-15, Corsairs and P-51s to FM1 Wildcats and C-47 Skytrains.

     The American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville is the nation’s first national police museum and memorial dedicated to American law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

     The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science showcases the Space Coast’s unique place in history as home to some of the earliest inhabitants in the United States, as well as America’s space program. Visitors can explore colorful dioramas depicting the region from the days of woolly mammoth and saber tooth cats to the modern era of rockets and space shuttles. Guests can also handle fossils, specimens and artifacts from the animals and cultures that lived in central east coast Florida over many thousands of years.

Nature

     The Space Coast is one of the largest intact ecosystems in Florida. The area’s natural treasures can be explored with guided and unguided tours. There are more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, where Florida’s beautiful and rare creatures live. Along the Indian River Lagoon, there are bird nesting areas as well as manatee and dolphin habitats. The beaches are home to sea turtle nesting areas.

     Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the area is within close proximity to 40 sites on the Great Florida Birding trail and is a perfect place to watch for migrating species. The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, the country’s most popular birding festival, is held here each January.

     Some exciting options for exploring the area’s natural side include: the 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where a seven-mile journey provides views of a wide array of animals found in the marshes and a special viewing area is available to observe manatee; The Maritime Hammock Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach where there is a hiking trail, boardwalk over wetlands and an observation deck over a marsh pond; Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, a coveted five-acre mangrove island in the Indian River lagoon recognized as America’s first wildlife refuge; the Jordan Scrub Sanctuary in Malabar, ideal for spotting bald eagles; the Viera Wetlands, a 200-acre wetland system which is an ideal locale for waterfowl and wildlife viewing. Turtle enthusiasts can also join the Sea Turtle Preservation Society for a nighttime Turtle Walk along the area’s beaches in June and July to discover nesting areas for various species of sea turtles.

Culture

     The Space Coast boasts more than 20 cultural venues, including museums, playhouses and cultural centers. The destination features more than 100 events each year, providing year-round options for guests to explore. Cultural enthusiasts can discover the area’s resident symphony orchestra, theater companies and enjoy dance, touring Broadway shows and other performances at the Henegar Center, King Center and Melbourne Civic Theatre.

    The Brevard Cultural Alliance is responsible for building and sustaining the vibrant and dynamic arts and cultural sector of Florida’s Space Coast. As the official arts agency for the destination, the organization offers resources to provide insight and access to the area’s vast arts and cultural programming. Visitors looking for details on the destination’s offerings can take advantage of the organization’s Cultural Concierge program for planning or booking performances or rely on these local arts and cultural experts for general insight into the Space Coast arts and cultural scene.

     Whether visitors prefer history, cultural activities, nature or all three, the Space Coast is an ideal destination for a fulfilling tour experience.

     Located 35 miles east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. A tour-friendly destination with more than 10,000 guests rooms, the area is an ideal, value getaway, offering adventure, history and nature.  Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, the Space Coast also is noted for surfing, its numerous history and art museums, and a popular cruise port, Port Canaveral. For more information contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.space-coast.com. 

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