Short Family Road Trips From South Florida

Space Coast

Museums and Art Galleries

1) Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex: No trip to the space coast can be complete without a visit to this venerable institution. You will get to admire NASA's space workhorse Atlantis from up close, interact with astronauts, and, most amazingly, get to enjoy a true-to-life simulated space launch experience. 

2) Air Force Space and Missile Museum: Located at Cape Canaveral, this is another famed institution that showcases the impressive American history in the field of missiles and rocketry. 

3) Art Gallery of Viera: Located in Melbourne, the Art gallery of Viera has carved for itself a name as one of the leading galleries of the region. A visit to this gallery would expose you to some dazzling works of art from local and international artists, in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pottery, acrylics, pastels, and 3D works. 

Beaches

1) Cocoa Beach Pier: Located at Meade Avenue, the Cocoa Beach Pier offers much more than just a normal beach experience. You will discover restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world, bars, live musical entertainment, and massive 800 feet long wooden fishing pier. 

2) Alan Shepard Park: Located in Cocoa Beach, the Shepard Park provides idyllic picnic spots, as well as shower and restroom facilities to visitors. There are 10 picnic pavilions, as well as several grills to make sure you and your family can enjoy an outdoor BBQ experience in tranquil surroundings. 

3) Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge: Located in Melbourne Beach, the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is deemed the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles. The best time to view sea turtles is in June and July when guided, night-time sea turtle watch programs are offered. Reservations for the programs are required. Click here for sea turtle watch program information: http://www.fws.gov/archiecarr/turtlewalks.html  Fish, Swim at the public beaches and stop by the visitor center during the non-nesting season.

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