THE SPACE COAST: From moon walks and dune overwalks to cruise ports and water sports, a galaxy of options await visitors at Florida's Space Coast, a 72-mile stretch of sun-bronzed Atlantic shore, space age attractions and protected wildlife refuges flourishing along the surf -- all at down-to-earth prices. Featured among Money magazine’s “Best Places to Vacation,” the Space Coast is comprised primarily of area cities Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay. Only 35 miles east of the arena of Orlando attractions, this spectacular East Coast getaway is the perfect Florida destination for the vacationer with beach dreams for just a few bucks.

OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach

Mega 6.2 million pound space shuttles and delicate sea bird sanctuaries entwine along nine distinct coastal settings from secluded, sea-oat scattered strands to sun-splashed sand playgrounds all skipping along the cobalt blue Atlantic. More than 30 special events and festivals year-round combine with three historic clusters to provide a quaint atmosphere from antique boutiques and old-timey theaters to vintage air shows and fantastic surfing competitions. The Space Coast offers exciting professional baseball as the spring training home of the Montreal Expos, fantastic surfing, 310 species for breathtaking bird watching, links and links of golf, fantastic fresh and saltwater fishing and thrilling airboat rides along the scenic St. Johns River. Three of “Florida’s Ten Best Beaches,” as declared by Southern Living, along with six other beaches, ribbon along Florida's Space Coast offering distinct settings from secluded, sea-oat scattered strands to sun-splashed excitement beside the breakers. The endless coastlines are tempting year-round with gentle breezes, warm Southern waters and a comfortable average daytime temperature of 73° F. For a far out time, the technology of tomorrow awaits at the 140,000-acre megaplex of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, that features actual launch pads, space shuttles, galactic spin-offs and a rocket garden boasting an out-of-this-world collection of aerospace originals. Nearby excitements include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which showcases America's first galactic explorers; the B.C.C. Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Planetary, acknowledged as “the Best in the World”; the U.S. Space Walk of Fame; and Camp KSC, a week long program at Kennedy Space Center designed to immerse youth in motion-based simulators, space mission training, interactive learning, space science and interaction with Astronauts. In sweeping contrast and absolutely free, surrounding the Kennedy Space Center, is the 220-square-mile Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which is home to more federally endangered species – such as the Western Indian manatee, Southern bald eagle and Atlantic loggerhead turtle – than any other refuge in the United States. Archie Carr National Park, the largest sea turtle nesting area in America, and Turkey Creek Sanctuary, one of Florida's Audubon Parks are other fascinating natural attractions. For those who find shopping a main attraction, Main Street Titusville, Historic Cocoa Village and Downtown Melbourne offer historic settings, while surfers and sand-dwellers alike are mesmerized by world-renowned “One of a Kind” Ron Jon Surf Shop showcasing beach apparel, sporting equipment and “everything under the sun”. Awe-inspiring cultural arts and activities include everything from art galleries and science museums to musical entertainment centers and a wildly entertaining zoo. In the sporting arena of Florida's Space Coast, one of the best-kept secrets is Stick Marsh, which boasts the “best bass fishing in Florida”. Famous “fish tales” abound, with more than 30 marinas, three fishing piers and numerous charter boats and fish camps providing fresh and saltwater excursions. The Space Coast serves up some of the finest seafood and dining delicacies in Florida throughout more than 1,400 “ready-to-eat” raw bars, eclectic eateries and gourmet bistros. Along with the traditional super-fresh favorites of lobster, scallops, crawfish, shrimp, fish and crab, specialties including octopus, fried frog legs, alligator and shark, surface from the deep – of course, served with selections of steaming hot corn-on-the-cob, cole slaw and corn-bread hush puppies. Additional offerings of “landlubber” helpings – from genuine Angus steaks and slow-cooked Southern bar-b-que to mouthwatering mango pies and authentic astronaut ice cream – are dishes sure to satisfy even the most galactic appetites. Surprisingly, Space Coast accommodations provide priceless beach vacations with great family value. Whether posh or practical, more than 9,500 East Coast rooms are dotted throughout the area from popular hotels and spacious condominiums to beachside cottages and five-bedroom bungalows. CAPE CANAVERAL COCOA COCOA BEACH MELBOURNE TITUSVILLE Notable area claims-to-fame include the only place in the United States to blast man into outer space, the largest sea turtle nesting area in the country and the second largest in the world, more endangered species than any other American refuge and the second busiest passenger cruise port terminal in the world.

Getting there: Florida's Space Coast provides access by air through Orlando International Airport and the Melbourne International Airport. Ground travel is easy along primary feeders: Interstate 95, the Bee Line Expressway and Highway A1A.

Take a look at the Travel Tidings Florida FEATURES section for more in depth articles on many places and destinations in the Sunshine State. SPACE COAST At the Kennedy Space Center ORLANDO Golf in Orlando – Designed By Legends, Legendary By Design Move Over Kids – Orlando's a Playground for Adults Too Teens and Tweens Discover Action, ADventure, Thrills in Orlando DAYTONA BEACH Daytona Beach’s Proud Racing Heritage FORT LAUDERDALE Las Olas Boulevard: The New Wave of the World's Greatest Streets Taking to the "Wet Streets" of Greater Fort Lauderdale

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About Us: Travel Tidings Florida features vacation travel information for the cities and regions of Pensacola, Destin/Ft Walton Beach, Seaside/Beaches of South Walton , Panama City Beach , Marianna , Apalachicola/Port St. Joe , Tallahassee , Live Oak/Lake City , Cedar Key/Steinhatchee, Jacksonville/Amelia Island, Gainesville, St. Augustine, Flagler Beach/Palm Coast, Crystal River, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando/Kissimmee, Lakeland,Daytona Beach/New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Fort Pierce/Vero Beach, Sarasota/Bradenton, Charlotte Harbor, Fort Myers/Sanibel, Naples/Marco Island, Sebring/Arcadia, Florida Keys & Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Okeechobee, Miami, and Palm Beach and more than 500 destinations throughout the state of Florida.  Activities, entertainment and speciality interestes include everything from romantic getaways, spas and secluded parks to family themeparks and holiday resorts, busy places popular for adventure, sports and surfing. General topics covered include dining, lodging, shopping, travel accommodations, attractions, hotels and more. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information at info@traveltidingsflorida.com!