Kennedy Space Center - what can you see for free?

[Tabbymom]

We'll have a few hours after the cruise before our 4:00 flight from MCO. DH and I have been to KSC a couple of times before; last was 10 years ago when he got a NASA SFA award and we attended the STS-91 launch. We had a VIP tour - inside the VAB, walked under the transporter, photo op (from afar) with the shuttle on the launch pad, and much more. With those great memories, it really doesn't seem worth it to pay admission to the visitor center or take the bus tours, especially with the limited time. But we'd like to take our 20 year old son if there's anything to see for free. It looks like the Memorial is OK, but is there anything else you can do? Can you even see the Rocket Garden and Space Shuttle Plaza or are they past the admission gates?

 

We'll have a rental car so if there really isn't anything we can do (cheap) at KSC we'd appreciate other recommendations. We could always go to a beach or Ron Jon's, I suppose!

 

Thanks much :)

[pms4104]

I believe virtually everything is beyond/inside the paid admission point.

[Tanker4]

I believe virtually everything is beyond/inside the paid admission point.

 

 

We were there a couple of weeks ago (and saw the shuttle launch):) and yes, you are correct. Virtually everything is inside.

[Tabbymom]

Drat. :( Thanks anyway; we'll find something else to do.

[whirlybird3]

We were there a couple of weeks ago (and saw the shuttle launch):) and yes, you are correct. Virtually everything is inside.

 

Wow! :eek: I am envious!

[Tanker4]

Wow! :eek: I am envious!

 

It was pretty awesome.:D Especially after we had spent the day touring the space center (for the first time) on the previous Thursday. One of the tour drop off points is and observation tower which was the closest point they would allow you to get to the launch pad. Got some great pictures of the shuttle on the pad.:)

[snelsonbrown]

I have lived here for 45 years and remember when the space center was open to the public,I remember we could wander just about everywhere, I remember we could watch the astronaut practicing for their moon walk on an area not too far from KSC, I remember when security was almost nil, I remember when it was ok to walk up the astronauts while they rode down A1A in their red, white and blue corvettes and got their autographs, and then I remember all the tragic accidents that began to happen.

I sinerely believe to anyone that has never done KSC, should at least try it once.

Now as to what to do to spend time with something to do. I have listed a few suggestions to help you if you decide you needed some help and information

 

You can go to Cocoa Village in Cocoa and spend sometime there walking around and just looking back at history of that little city.

 

 

ENJOYMENT OF OUR "VILLAGE" WITH A LITTLE FOR EVERYONE

http://cocoavillage.com/

http://www.ulyssesprimesteakhouse.com/

http://www.margaux.com/ This is a 5* French restaurant and not only world known but has received many awards

The Black Tulip http://www.theblacktulip.net/

FOR THE COCOA VILLAGE NEWSPAPER FOR MORE INFORMATION AND MAPS

 

http://www.cocoavillage.com/cvnews

or write lori@theblackdoggallery.com for questions

 

HOW ABOUT ALLIGATORS AND WILDLIFE? (food is great also and no the food isn't you)

http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/cabbage.htm

 

Like kayaking?

http://www.cocoabeachkayaktours.com/index.html

 

Tico Warbird Air Museum (Titusville, Fla) http://www.vacwarbirds.org

 

Ron Jon's Surf Shop: http://www.ronjons.com/DisplayContent.aspx?ContentID=39

Cocoa Beach Surf Shop http://cocoabeachsurf.com/

Casino boats:

Sun Cruz Casino sails at 11AM and 7PM and then you have the Sterling Casino that sails at the same time. Both are located at the port - Sun Cruz is located on Glen Cheek Road by Grills and Sterling is about 1/2 mile East of SC, close to Ron Jon's resort and the Jetties.

 

Airboat Tours: http://www.airboatecotours.com/ or Adventure 321-636-2091

 

Fishing and Diving Center 6300 North Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral 321-783-3477 Excellent place for local information one to one on fishing, diving etc. Also a mom and pop owned shop.

Owner Rob Lamontagne

Brenda @ Fishing and Diving Charters---321-298-3690

 

Brevard Zoo which is located about a 25 min. drive from Cape Canaveral is located at 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, Fla and website is http://www.brevardzoo.org phone number is 321-254-9453 opens from 9:30am to 5pm.

 

The Dinosaur Store is located at White Rose Shopping Center and located at 299 W. Cocoa Beach Cswy and phone number is 321-783-7300.

http://www.dinosaurstore.com/

Their new building will be opening up sometime this year and it is HUGE - it will have 2 or 3 story high musum

It will be located right accross the street from the old place. What a place for kids and adult kids to enjoy.

Will post when it opens.

 

The 5600 gal aquarium located at 4 Points Sheridan Hotel located right next door to Ron Jon's.

 

Brevard Community College Planetarium-1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa. Fla --321-433-7373

http://www.brevard.cc.fl.us/planet/

[Tabbymom]

Shirley -

 

Thank you so much for all the great suggestions - I'm printing them off and we can see how we feel after disembarkation. I did look into a couple of the boat/airboat tours and the timing didn't seem to work out.

 

After touring KSC 10 and more years ago, it just seems too "Disney" now. Our Honoree VIP tour was so great; we could never see now what we saw then, including a tour inside the VAB, driving on the shuttle landing strip, walking through a space station mockup, "meet the astronaut" reception, and of course seeing the launch itself from the stands. It hit a high of 98 degrees that day; launch was late afternoon; one more degree and they would have had to scrub. It was so hot that our bus broke down on the way back from the launch; fortunately right outside a bar! We all went in and had a few drinks until the replacement bus could show up.

 

Everyone kept saying, don't try to take a picture; it'll never come out but I tried anyone with my old 35mm camera with the 400x lens and guess what - everyone was wrong!