Things to do in Brevard County

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

John F. Kennedy Space Center

The John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island along the east coast of Florida, USA. It is a NASA manned space launch site named in honor of President Kennedy, who proposed the moon landing initiative. The Apollo spacecraft that sent astronauts to the moon and all space shuttles were launched from here, and it remains an active spaceport for current missions. The core area open to the public is the visitors center: the Rocket Garden displays actual rockets from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs; the space shuttle Atlantis is suspended with its cargo bay doors open, surrounded by dozens of interactive exhibits and a shuttle launch simulator; the Gateway deep-space exhibit hall features a flown Falcon Heavy booster suspended overhead, while the IMAX theater screens space-themed films year-round. Taking a bus past NASA's gates into the working area is a unique experience that sets this place apart from ordinary aerospace museums. The bus passes by the massive aircraft assembly building and stops at an elevated viewing platform overlooking launch pad 39, where you might even spot an active rocket on the pad if you're lucky. Along the way, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is home to frequent sightings of alligators and bald eagles. Another stop on the bus route is the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where a full-scale Saturn V rocket over 100 m long is displayed. You can relive the countdown to the Apollo 8 launch in the firing room theater, watch a reenactment of the Apollo 11 moon landing in the lunar theater, and even touch a real moon rock. It's recommended to schedule the bus tour early after entering to avoid missing the departure time slots for the core area. The visitors center also hosts year-round meet-and-greets with astronauts, where you can listen to veteran astronauts share their space experiences and ask them questions. △ It consists of a work area, a launch center, and a travelers center. The travelers center houses multiple museums and two IMAX theaters. △ You can visit the work area and launch site to learn the story behind rocket launches, and also experience the feeling of Apollo 11's takeoff and landing. △ Various exhibits also allow you to learn about the history of American aerospace and related knowledge.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Brevard County

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located on Merritt Island, Florida. As the official visitor center for NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, it has served as a key window for aerospace education in the United States since opening in 1967. It is also a place where you can see a large collection of authentic rockets and spacecraft. The Rocket Garden at the entrance features retired rockets that launched early U.S. satellites and crewed spacecraft, such as the Juno I, Redstone, and Titan II, which you can view up close. The retired Space Shuttle Atlantis is displayed at an angle in its own dedicated exhibit with its cargo bay doors open, and you can also experience a simulated space shuttle launch in the same building. The "Heroes & Legends" exhibit houses the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Gemini 9 capsule. The "Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex" exhibit displays hardware for future deep space exploration, such as a Falcon Heavy booster. Two IMAX theaters in the complex screen space-themed giant-screen films year-round, and astronauts often take the stage to share their personal experiences. The tour bus is available on a first-come, first-served basis, passing by the massive Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Pad 39, where you can sometimes spot active rockets parked on the pad. The bus stops at the launch site viewing gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. You can climb the gantry for a panoramic view of the entire launch site, and see a full-scale moon rocket and a touchable moon rock inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

NASA KT

美国太空总署 is an important space launch and testing base in the United States and one of the most influential space launch sites. Brevard County borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east and is known as the "Space Coast" due to its dense space launch activities. The center was located in Brevard County primarily because of its low latitude, which allows rockets launched eastward to save fuel by utilizing the Earth's rotation. To the east lies the vast Atlantic Ocean, ensuring high safety as launch debris falls into the sea. The center's core facilities include the 160m tall Vehicle Assembly Building and launch complexes. The park is also adjacent to a wildlife refuge, creating a unique view where space facilities and natural ecology coexist. Visitors can see real rockets, space shuttles, and lunar modules up close here. As an active space launch site, it is both a witness to the history of space exploration in the United States and an important starting point for deep space exploration and commercial spaceflight.

No. 14 of Family-friendly Attractions in Florida

NASA's Kennedy Space Center

NASA's Kennedy Space Center is a key space launch and mission operations base for NASA, and one of the world's most famous space facilities. Since the 1960s, the center has been responsible for human spaceflight and deep space exploration missions, including the Apollo moon landing program, the Space Shuttle program, and the current Artemis moon landing program. The campus features massive spacecraft assembly buildings, launch pads, and mission control facilities that support the entire process from rocket assembly and testing to launch. In addition, there is a visitor center open to the public where you can learn about rockets, space shuttles, and astronaut training up close, as well as view historical mission exhibitions and enjoy simulation experiences. With its rich space history and ongoing launch activities, NASA's Kennedy Space Center is not only a core base for scientific research and engineering but also a key destination for space enthusiasts worldwide.

Brevard Zoo

It is home to numerous wild animals from Florida, South America, Africa, and Australia. The zoo's specially designed enclosures blend with the shrubbery and free-flight aviaries, giving visitors the feeling of walking through the wilderness.

Disney Cruise Line, Port Canaveral Terminals

Lori Wilson Park

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space Shuttle Atlantis is one of the space shuttles built by NASA and is the fifth operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle Program. Since its launch in 1985, Atlantis has performed a total of 33 missions, including sending satellites into orbit, providing supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS), and conducting scientific experiments. Atlantis has won wide acclaim for its efficient performance and reliable performance. During its service, Atlantis participated in many important space missions, such as the maintenance and repair mission of the Hubble Space Telescope and the docking mission with the Russian Mir Space Station. In July 2011, Atlantis stopped flying after performing one mission, marking the end of an era. Today, Space Shuttle Atlantis is permanently displayed at the Visitor Center of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as an educational and commemorative exhibition to show the public the glorious history of the Space Shuttle Program and its contribution to space exploration.

Wickham Park

Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier