What to do in Port Canaveral?

[4bellablue]

Hi Any suggestions on what to do in Port?

I have 15 year old girl and 8 year old boy.

Should we rent a car ?

 

Thanks,

Jeane

[snelsonbrown]

Hi Any suggestions on what to do in Port?

I have 15 year old girl and 8 year old boy.

Should we rent a car ?

 

Thanks,

Jeane

 

Here is a few choices in case this is what you decide to do

 

 

Car Rental

All agree that the cheapest option is to rent a car one-way from the airport, drive to the port, drop luggage/family off at port, drop rental car off and take rental car shuttle back to the port. Repeat in reverse for your post-cruise trip back to the airport. Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Avis & Enterprise, all have drop off locations and free round trip shuttles very close to the port (companies are listed in order of closeness to the port). These four places are open on Sundays and their port shuttles start early in the morning until the afternoon.

 

National does not have shuttle service to the port. Enterprise has a location on Merritt Island which is a barrier island between the mainland and the beach. They will shuttle you both ways during normal business hours which are M-f 9-6 and Sat 9-12. Your best bets are Budget, Thrifty/Dollar, Avis, Enterprise and Hertz.

Look here for car rental coupons and discount codes:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=558119

 

Enterprise Car Rental is now located in Cape Canaveral where Hertz once was

Address is:6211 North Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral 32920

Phone number is 321-866-0324

fax number is 321-866-0325

http://www.enterprise.com/

The General Manager is Shakeira Tennort and what a sweetie - she said they have 4 shuttles to and from the port - open at 7AM and closes at 6PM - Stopped by and spoke to Shakeira the assistant manager and now they are opened 7 days a week. The email address is shakeira.l.tennort@erac.com

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU ARE OFF THIS BOARD OK?

Their hours are Monday to Friday 7:30AM to 6PM and Saturday & Sunday 8AM to 4PM

 

Avis car rental has agreed to meet or beat prices per Bob Fink

Located at 6650 North Atantic Avenue

Cape Canaveral, fl 32920

321-783-3643

Also remember you have Jeremy that is a great guy and will do what he can to help you - another of my favorite places

http://www.aviscapecanaveral.com

Their email is now working so you can email Avis with any questions or problems.

 

BEWARE THRIFTY CAR RENTAL UPDATE 02/11/08 --THRIFTY HAS NOW CHANGED ITS DROP OFF FEE TO $15.00.

ALSO THRIFTY CAR RENTAL IS ALSO NOW ACCEPTING DOLLAR CAR RENTAL CARS AND THEY NOW HAVE A DROP OFF FEE of $15.00.

 

THRIFTY/DOLLAR CAR RENTAL

6799 NORTH ATLANTIC AVENUE

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA 32920

321783-2600

GM STEPHANIE BAILEY (great gal to work with)

 

BUDGET CAR RENTAL (sister to Avis Car rental)

8401 ASTRONAUT BLVD (AKA AS A-1-A)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL 32920

321-784-0634

 

HERTZ CAR RENTAL

8960 ASTRONAUT BLVD

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL 32920

321-783-7771

 

NATIONAL CAR RENTAL

1675 North Atlantic Avenue

Cocoa Beach, Fla 32931

321-783-7575

 

(no shuttle service)

 

 

 

 

LOCAL TROLLEY/BUS INFORMATION

http://routefinder.ridescat.com

 

 

INTERESTED IN RENTING A BICYCLE??

Matt's Beachside Bicycle Rental

Owner Keith Coffman

Free Delivery

166 North Atlantic Avenue

Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931

321-536-4420 (cell)

mention this board for discount

 

 

WHAT TO DO HERE??

CLOSEST MALL/MOVIE THEATRE TO CAPE CANAVERAL/COCOA BEACH

http://www.merrittsquaremall.com 321-452-3270

http://www.cobbtheatres.com/merritt.htm

 

 

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

 

MUSEUM

 

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

The Manatee Park

Manatee Sanctuary Park located at 701 Thurm Blvd which is off West Centeral Street - this is located right between Zackery's and Traxx (Zackery's is right next door to the Radisson) - park hours are from 7AM to dark. You can walk to it from the Raddison: 2 long blocks approx 10 mins walking, but you do have a sidewalk and the walk is nice althought not shady. There is no cost and it does have a super nice and clean rest room, places to sit out of the sun. Best time for manatees: early morning or just before dusk

 

 

Kennedy Space Center - http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Tickets: $38 adult/$28 child (ages 3-11). Ticket valid for two days of admission (must be used within 7 days of first use).

Discount tickets can be had at some hotels (like the Radisson or the Country Inn and Suites) or at ticket brokers (Google for discount Kennedy Space Center tickets).

You will enjoy this site:

http://www.texasjim.com/NASApix/NASA%20pix.htm

 

 

Wildlife park http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/

 

Dolphin and manatee watch cruise (ask for Joann for your $2.00 off but must mention THIS board for discount

http://www.funtimetour.com

 

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

Beaches:

 

Jetty Park - 397 Jetty Park Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Jetty Park is at the beginning or ending of the channel where all the ships go out. There is a $5 per car charge to get in, but well worth it. It has nice bathrooms, showers, place to eat, fish, walk and a super nice beach. It does have shade and camp grounds also. Directions: Take the Beachline (520) from the airport due East. After you pass the cruise ship port get into the left lane and slow when it says to 45mph (police fav. hiding place) the road turns into a city street with a RateTrac store on your right. Look to the left at the big white bldg with the blue roof and turn left between there and McDonalds. Go to the traffic light (2 blocks) and turn left. Go to the traffic light (3 Blocks) and turn right.

 

http://www.jettypark.org/

 

Cocoa Beach & Pier - http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/ - Their beach shower is outside, FYI. The Cocoa Beach has 2 restaurants, gift shop, volley ball court and of course the beach and then you have shopping close to the pier. Note: you cannot see the ships from the Cocoa Beach pier.

 

Manatee Sanctuary Park located at 701 Thurm Blvd which is off West Centeral Street - this is located right between Zackery's and Traxx (Zackery's is right next door to the Radisson) - park hours are from 7AM to dark. You can walk to it from the Raddison: 2 long blocks approx 10 mins walking, but you do have a sidewalk and the walk is nice althought not shady. There is no cost and it does have a super nice and clean rest room, places to sit out of the sun. Best time for manatees: early morning or just before dusk

 

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

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

 

Mini-golf and go-carts:

 

Traxx at Jungle Village located at 8801 Astronaut Blvd,

Cape Canaveral – phone number 321-783-0595. Traxx has miniature golf, go-carts, laser tag and arcades.

 

Funntasia Fantasy Golf which is that 6355 North Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral - phone number 321-799-4856. It has a huge miniature golf course. If driving in from the airport on Beachline 528 depending on where you are staying, you will pass both of them since they are both on the main road of A1A. This is a great family entertainment. They have places for birthday parties, banquets, tourments and they do have group activities.

If there are any questions, you can ask for Bob Petersen who is the GM

Mention the board as Mr. Petersen for discount.

 

http://www.cocoabeach.com/parks.html (additional information on entertainment for kids)

 

 

Deep-Sea Fishing:

 

Ocean Obession http://www.fishobsession.com/

Miss Cape Canaveral http://www.misscape.com/

Orlando Princess http://www.orlandoprincess.com/

 

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

 

PARASAILING

Cocoa Beach Parasail - will pick up from Rusty's -PHONE 321-212-8277

See the Space Coast from a bird's eye view - Safe, fun and no experience neccessary

Owner Pam

http://www.cocoabeachparasail.com

 

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/

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

4bellablue, are you arriving on a ship originating someplace else that is making a port-of-call at Port Canaveral? If yes, then definitely rent a car for the day and get away from the port where there really is nothing to do. (There is a nearby beach though, if that interests you.) The Kennedy Space Center is close by but most of the attractions are over in Orlando which is 45 minute to 1 hour drive. If you and your kids have never been to Orlando, there are dozens of attractions to consider!

 

BobK/Orlando

[Ladibri]

Magicsmom - here is alot of good information about the rental car situation from Orlando to Port Canaveral. Hope it helps. As I said before, we already rented our van for March - just in case. I don't like doing things at the last minute. Good luck. Thanks.

[magicsmom]

Thank you so much!

 

snelsonbrown~ this is just the info I have been looking for, thanks for sharing :)

[avp1234]

We are also trying to decide what to do. This is a stop on our cruise in Feb. I'm afraid the weather won't be warm enough to enjoy the beach so I'm trying to decide between Kennedy Space Center or maybe SeaWorld. It's my husband and I so I don't really care about Disney.

[Ladibri]

Dear avp1234 - either one of the sites (SeaWorld or Kennedy Space Center) would be a wonderful day trip. I have been to both and loved both of them. It all depends on what are you interested in -- space or sea. Your breath will be taken away at the Space Center, as we have all watched the liftoffs, but to see the actual site and some of the components that go into the launch, you will be beside yourself. You can't go wrong with going to either one of them. Like was said previously, you can simply rent a car at Port Canaveral and drive. The Space Center is a short distance from the port and SeaWorld is at least an hour away. You and DH will greatly enjoy either one of them. Good luck.