The Sanford Zoo itself is not very large in comparison to other Zoo's but it does not takeaway from the awesomeness of it. We were staying at the Inn at Cocoa Beach so Cocoa Beach was at our front and back doors. by Wikimedia Commons user Outside of the center, you can walk through a lovely nature trail where you can see more reptiles, like alligators and tortoises. Overall wonderful place to visit!! Faced with an onslaught of theme parks and shopping centres, it is easy to overlook pockets of natural beauty amidst the urban sprawl of Orlando. Park officials warn a GPS will not get you therePark Road 22 dead ends to the park entrance, and if you get lost, contact Malaquite Visitor Center. Visitors can join guided tours and discover the surrounding gardens, home to many outdoor sculptures. The gardens are home to over 500 different species of plants from all over the world, as well as a butterfly garden, nature center, and childrens play area. Micheal is an amazing bartender, and kept getting me drinks the whole night while I was losing at poker and blackjack. U.S. Route 1 runs along the eastern coast of the United States for more than 2,000 miles between Key West, Florida and Fort Kent, Maine. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Cocoa Beach. Pets are allowed on leash at this large public park with an array of land & water activities. More endangered and threatened species of wildlife inhabit the swamps, marshes and hardwood hammocks here than at any other site in the continental US. Besides sunbathing, popular activities on Daytona Beach include bicycling, horseback riding, volleyball, and water sports. Very kind staff too. Tripadvisor, Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Night Time Bioluminescence Kayak Tour, Bioluminescent Kayak Tour. Ormond Beach is the northern neighbor of Daytona Beach and is home to Tomoka State Park. Bars and Restaurants at beach hotels. The Ultimate Guide to Florida Beach Sands (386) 736-2700, 123 W. Indiana Ave I highly recommend. Well worth the $$ !! Mostly blue water, light sands and great to see everyone social distancing. The serpentarium exhibits various venomous Burmese Pythons, King Cobras, mambas, and rare reptiles such as white rattlesnakes and a taipan. Winter afternoon drive around Cocoa Beach, FL.Filmed: February 2021Cities Explored: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1dwX1FsVT4oOEgd0ldCs8SDA3H6-fmrq4&. 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, USA. Unlike other part of Florida you will not see a lot of trash or have to deal with much traffic. We were able to count over 30 different species of birds including the Scrub Jay and the Roseate Spoonbill. And if you find that previous visitors have not been as courteous, your assistance in picking up the beach would be very much appreciated. We had a great time. I actually expected more but that's probably after hearing the details of how it is on an actual rocket take off. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Print/PDF map. This home is uniquely designed with the most lively and vibrant colors to keep your energy high. Here's your list of some great Cocoa Beach attractions and activities that the whole family will enjoy. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. The Urban zones are those areas where off-beach development includes hotels, high-rise condominiums and seawalls. Thankfully, there are several beaches not too far from Disney World, and you can be on a white sand beach in just over an hour. Relaxing, less-crowded for daytime live music+ride sharing? For every exhibition you visit they take your picture. The interactive exhibits have all been designed to increase the interest of the common public in science. Jutting out nearly 1,000 feet into the Atlantic's blue waters, the pier is a popular place for walkers, fishermen, and sunset seekers. Quite the opposite is true - the beach is a fragile and ever-changing ecological wonder. Finding parking can be a challenge during these days. A photo, courtesy of Florida Memory Project, shows cars racing on Daytona Beach in 1952. Navarre Beach. used under CC BY 2.0. It also features an insect zoo, a reptile house, a childrens area with animals you can feed and pet, a splash playground, and the Seminole Aerial Adventures zip-line attraction. This is the location that launched the Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs. I thought it was kinda expensive, but after the first attraction I realized why they ask that price. . Does it typically rain all day in late May or are they showers on and off? 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA. DOWNLOAD - Passport Parking app on your mobile device or visit. If you have a chance you need to go on this tour! One can undertake activities such as surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding or just sun bathe or have a memorable Read more. Home \ Beaches \ All the Best Beaches 10 Things to Do in Cocoa Beach Want to know about fun things to do in Cocoa Beach? Even if theres no competition happening, visit the beach here, which is car-centric, allowing visitors to bring their automobiles onto the sand. Address: 1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida FL, 32120, USA Smack dab in the middle of Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a go-to destination for Orlandoans for everything and anything and that includes picnicking. All visits are by reservation only, and guests have the choice of a group experience, private visit, and special packages that allow you to spend extra time with the animals. The inside is so well preserved. The Kennedy Space Center is an hour west of central Florida but is well worth a visit. Kids ages seven and under will love exploring the expansive Kids Town area with seven play zones, including an Orange Grove machine play area, Toddler Town, climbing structure, and more. - Lauren Tjaden Cocoa Beach Pier This pier is a historical landmark of Florida's Space Coast, and this stretch of beaches in Cocoa Beach is famous for surfing and sunning. You can take a surf lesson on the gentle, consistent waves, or just watch the pros. Enjoyed attending the Turkey Run car show. Let potential customers email you right from your listing, Allows visitors to send their friends a link to your listing, Let customers know what credit cards/payments you accept. The gardens are used for events. The owner is an environmentalist and uses his platform to promote animal and environment conservation. Please park either facing the ocean or the dunes. Plan on spending the entire day there. The park has a 0.9-mile sidewalk that surrounds the lake!. There is a year-round $20 per day per vehicle access fee to drive on the beach; this includes one same-day re-entry. Visit the Joe's Crab Shack overlooking the Atlantic for lunch with a breathtaking view or a tropical drink at their thrilling rooftop bar. used under CC BY-SA 3.0. In-season Beach Ramps- effective July 2. Sea turtle nesting in these areas is minimal. Lined with picturesque walkways, cafes, beachfront parks and host to many a different art and music festivals throughout the year, the beach is probably the most happening place in town!. But there are a few rules and regulations you need to know before hitting the sand. Though the area around Holly Hill and Daytona Beach is full of a variety of activity options, many vacationers come specifically for the abundance of sun, sand, and surf. Best Places to Stay A quiet beach area with gentle waters, Jacksonville Beach offers the perfect respite from hours on the road. We also saw the turtle movie in the dome theater. Avoid Swimming Where People are Surfing Surfers usually are found in areas where the waves peak. Maybe things have changed as I dont get beachside as often as I used to but I dont think this is a good area for that type of transportation. Our teens spent up to 15 minutes at certain exhibits that peeked their interest. The Orlando Science Center has been a popular central Florida destination for over 60 years. It was a great area for families, couples, and if you wanted to walk around solo. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Lots of animals to look at. Look for the SUN symbol for all things Parking. Both residents and non-residents must have a license in order to surffish in Florida. Definitely worth going, and I'll see myself there again! Visiting the Kennedy Space Center is an easy day trip from Orlando. Would visit again. Orlando To Cocoa Beach: Distance. Enjoy the view of the ocean with their popular melt-in-the-mouth Crab Cakes served with their special homemade ranch. The driving areas are designated by signs and wooden posts. First and foremost I have to mention the lunch spot Nourish 321; you should definitely plan to have lunch there! Visiting from out of town and my family just loved the bustle of this park. Mixed demographic, all ages. - Lauren Tjaden for VISIT FLORIDA 1. These magnificent animals emerge from the surf at night to lay their eggs in nests dug into the dry sand, then return to the sea. . Situated in Merritt Island, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the only place in the world where you can see the real space shuttle Atlantis, touch a moon rock, meet a veteran NASA astronaut, tour a NASA spaceflight facility, and get an up-close view of a real Saturn V moon rocket all in the same day. There is not a lot to do, the pier is small with just a few restaurants on it. City Hall1600 Minutemen CausewayP.O. Really want to make it back down again to see an rocket launch. 5 things to discover in Cocoa Beach - Florida Rambler Pretty gray colored fine sand with lots of shells. If you want to do the air boat ride & drive through safari you can spend a full day. You can take a bus from Port Canaveral to Cocoa Beach via Shepard Park @ Pizza Hut in around 47 min. For reptile enthusiasts and family trips with kids, visit the Reptile Discovery Center that houses one of the most venomous reptile species across the globe. The Harry P. Leu Gardens are semi-tropical and tropical gardens, minutes from downtown Orlando. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue. It was ok. Vehicles are allowed on much of this long, sandy beach with a bustling adjacent boardwalk. Driving Directions Beach Rules & Etiquette Having survived literally thousands of years of onslaught from the ravages of the ocean, one would think that the beach is indeed a hardy mass. They have sections for so many other things as well as many events. Source: It's the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, and train in a spaceflight simulator. Its a unique, charming and reflective experience with nature. Built in search to find the best places so you dont have to open 50 more tabs. Orlando Airport (MCO) to Cocoa Beach - 6 ways to travel via - Rome2rio There are pet disposal stations located at each crossover from 4th Street South to the Northside of Murkshe Park Please keep dogs off dunes and away from turtle nests. If you happen onto the scene of a beaching: Fishing from the beach, known as surfcasting, is a popular sport in Cocoa Beach. For years, beachgoers have enjoyed a leisurely drive on the wide, hard-packed sands. Take the bus to the Apollo Center to touch a Moon rock. Located in Sanford, this zoo has over 100 different species to see including giraffes, rhinos and crocodiles. Beachgoers are encouraged to follow Volusia County Beaches on Facebook and Twitterfor the latest beach information. Direct users to your Facebook & Twitter pages, Embed a YouTube video on your listing page, Show menus, flyers, forms and more to your customers, Appear at the top of your listing category. Depending on your hotel location, there are MANY walkable options for restaurants and the beach. waves looked fairly gentle, a lot of fishing and a lot of families having good times in the sun. There is a 0.9-mile pathway surrounding the park that is perfect for strolling and it is a common place for markets and festivals. There are also boards for rent, but we rented one from Ron Jon. The concentration of people in these areas generally is less intense most of the year. (321) 783-7111. Visitors arriving at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will encounter a number of exhibits featuring exciting items like an Apollo capsule, the real Lunar Module 9, Apollo spacesuits, and the giant Saturn V rocket (the largest to ever flow through space). Public driving and parking is not allowed in the Natural beach areas. A must do to see spectacular sunrises!! If you have fun at Cocoa Beach Pier, you'll love Golf-N-Gator and East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, both located nearby. However, you can take the shuttle to Cocoa Beach, FL - Pilot Gas, take the walk to SR 520 / Townsend Rd NE Corner, take the line 8 bus to Transit Center Cocoa, take the line 4 bus to Shepard . Museum is well kept and has plenty to see. She had to use a hair brush to get it out. Volusia's beaches are divided into three experience zones -- Natural, Transitional and Urban. Can you tell me which area would be best if we would like to rent a golf cart/LSV to use to get around when going to the beach or out to eat? 5 reviews 3 helpful votes Cocoa Beach with no car 11 years ago Save I didn't really want to have to rent one as I just want to relax and not worry about anything. This pier is colorful and very trendy, in it visitors find an area for fishing, coffee shops, bars and souvenir shops by the sea, where souvenirs and souvenirs of the trip are sold, such as key chains, magnets, t-shirts, mugs and more, besides from the famous Cocoa Beach Pier restaurant. See the website for details on outdoor movies, storytelling and live music. There is so much to see. I called to get information on the beach if they were going to be open today. Its an intimate experience with animals who are obviously well taken care of. I'll start by saying I'm not a huge space nerd or anything (though a general nerd for sure! Parking was $10 . Alan Shepherd Park: 28 21'28.10" N 80 36'17.19" W: Yes 200+/-Yes Pedestrian access Fun fact: long before there was NASCAR and the Daytona 400, people were driving on the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach, which hosted its first auto and motorcycles race in 1902. Cocoa Beach Pier - 401 Meade Ave Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 - Open 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily - Charges $15 - $20.00 to park. 123 W. Indiana Ave. Lots of sunshine snd blue sky. Beach driving and parking is regulated. Dog friendly, great trails to walk leading right to the beach. Definitely recommend! We were there for 5 hours and sufficiently tried and saw everything we wanted to see. People have to find clues and decrypt the message that leads you to the treasure. Map It: Google Maps | Phone: (855) 433-4210 | Website | Hours: 9 am 5 pm daily | Entrance: starting at $57 for adults | Browse Space Center Tours on Viator. Near the beach, you'll find many stores to get souvenirs and different stuff. Please be a responsible beach driver by driving only in designated areas and observing the speed limit. The concentration of people is the most intense most of the year. The penalty is a fine. There is an opportunity to find snacks along the way. This 50-acre botanic garden & estate on Lake Rowena includes roses, camellias & a butterfly garden. Call the Cocoa Beach Police Department (868-3251) and ask them to call Sea World; and 2.) 838 E International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, USA. Would definitely go again. (Really, theyre huge.) flying fish and dolphins and manatee all of which I have seen myself. This off-road trail costs $10 per car and has a dozen places to stop and walk around. The Orlando Science Center showcases several branches of science, from mechanics to biology and applied technology. A1A is the main, congested drag. The boardwalk and pier emphasize two key aspects of any vacation: pleasure and food. We found a spot to hang out about 1/2 mile north of the pier and a small public parking lot by searching on Google and Trip advisor. If we had more time we would have laid out a blanket and enjoy the sun and water. Experience the exhibit Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, which includes a live interactive theater presentation about the Red Planet. The spaces are separated into exhibit halls covering different aspects of science from the prehistoric world of dinosaurs to our planet to science fictions real science. If you have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This family-friendly spot offers a great time by the sea where you can enjoy the waves and smell the refreshing breeze of the ocean. 20 minutes off the main route, 74% of way to Daytona Beach. First time here and I truly loved it. The main experience is taking Black Point Wildlife Drive. Got there at 9am and left at about 4:45pm. Box 322430Cocoa Beach, FL 32932, City Hall1600 Minutemen CausewayP.O. Walking out to the beach here is a rite of passage between two notorious watering holes Coconuts on the Beach with its sprawling outdoor deck and bikini parade, and the Beach Shack, a dive bar that favors locals. Not that the last part is a bad thing but the sand was just right to draw a huge dino and write gay in the sand multiple times because Florida!!