Vacation In Cocoa Beach
There are several popular beaches in Cocoa Beach. These are the best beaches, most loved by the locals and tourists who visit this place regularly.
Tired of the smog? The troublesome traffic? Well, your search is over, because here is the list of coolest things to do in Cocoa Beach, Florida!
Cocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,368 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palm Bay�Melbourne�Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1962, the author Jon Baldinger wrote a humor book entitled Cocoa Beach: A Comedy of Errors. It was published by Houghton Mifflin Company, which described it on their website as: [A] hilarious story about a group of inept vacationers who don’t know what they’re doing but try anyway. The action takes place in Cocoa Beach, a popular resort area noted by one critic as ‘the only perfect place on earth.’
Cocoa Beach is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is a resort on the Atlantic Ocean and an exurb of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida. It is a fishing resort, but not just for anglers; the beaches are a prime spot for relaxing at any time of year. In addition, Cocoa Beach has been used as the setting for numerous movies and television shows: Baywatch, Lifeguard on Duty, Galaxy Quest, Perfect Stranger and others. The city features two theme parks (Cocoa Village and Quassy Amusement Park), several state parks and the seasonal Atlantic Ocean water temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
Vacation In Cocoa Beach
For two weeks each summer, the amateur rocket scientists of the Space Coast set aside their dreams of space exploration to enjoy the fruits of the planet’s only beachfront rocket launch site. It’s a community dedicated to getting off the planet – or at least into a spacecraft.
The cities of Cocoa Beach and Cocoa – two neighboring communities separated by the wide Banana River – have no shiny skyscrapers, no traffic-clogged roads, and no hustle and bustle.
Here, the pleasures come almost entirely from Mother Nature, who is kind enough to bestow this area with soft subtropical breezes, soothing waves on beautiful beaches, nesting sea turtles, and incredible sunrises and sunsets. Not to say that there aren’t a few manmade sightseeing opportunities here, though. Scratch the surface, and you’ll find evidence of the early pioneers, along with a variety of modern attractions for all ages to enjoy.
Cocoa and Cocoa Beach are ideal places to relieve the stresses of modern-day life, to unwind and savor their cultural, historical, technological, and culinary surprises. You can take a cruise, see where modern pioneers fly into the heavens, peer into the galaxies, visit a historic pioneer village, get up-close-and-personal with the local wildlife, and tee off at some of the greatest golf clubs in Florida. When you’re done, relax at one of the best resorts in Cocoa Beach.
Whatever your preference, you’ll see there’s no end of fun things to do in Cocoa Beach.
See also: Where to Stay in Cocoa Beach
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Explore the Kennedy Space Center
Located on a barrier island just north of Cocoa Beach is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the site of a glorious path of exploration, as well as some touching human tragedies and memorials. Here, the first Americans to orbit the Earth and land on the moon shot off into space.
Today, the public face of the Kennedy Space Center tells the story of humankind’s march into space – step by step, personality by personality, and mission-impossible by mission-impossible. This fascinating facility not only offers us the opportunity to follow in that path, but also allows visitors to experience some of the sights and sounds, movements and sensations experienced by these pioneers, on interactive – and totally realistic – attractions.
Other highlights include displays of historic aircraft and rockets, artifacts and memorabilia, space-related Imax movies, as well as the chance to meet a veteran astronaut. For the truly adventurous, fun-filled astronaut training experiences are also available.
Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, Florida
Official site: www.kennedyspacecenter.com
2. Spend a Day at the Beach
As its name suggests, Cocoa Beach has plenty of sand. In fact, using Cocoa Beach as a base for your Florida family vacation will give you access to no less than 72 miles of shoreline, much of it consisting of first-rate beaches.
Whether you’re here for sun and relaxation, or for the adrenaline rush caused by water pursuits such as surfing – you’ll find some of the best waves anywhere on the East Coast here – Cocoa Beach has a stretch of sand for you.
A favorite for tourists is the always popular beach adjacent to the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier. It’s a safe stretch of beach with lifeguards, where you’re as likely to catch glimpses of surfers hitting the waves as you are families and friends engaging in a game of catch or beach volleyball.
Just two minutes by car or a 25-minute stroll farther up from the pier is pretty Lori Wilson Park, which offers easy beach access. In addition to offering ample free parking, this 20-acre park features a boardwalk and restrooms, as well as a dedicated dog park and easy access to Ron Jon Surf Shop (both retail and rental).
Also good for families, Alan Shepard Park has plenty of picnic space, changing rooms, and is easy walking distance to restaurants and shopping.
Although a little further afield, Playalinda Beach at the Canaveral National Seashore reserve is worth visiting. In addition to its 24-mile-long stretch of quiet sandy beach, you can also explore the dunes, marshes, and lagoon without ever feeling crowded.
3. Take a Trip Back in Time at Historic Cocoa Village
Many towns refer to themselves as “historic.” But Historic Cocoa Village, the old downtown core of the city of Cocoa, truly is, and was in fact first settled in the middle of the 19th century. Now, in addition to being a shopping and entertainment district that retains its heritage ambience, it has also become a legitimate 21st-century tourist attraction. Here, the way it was, is the way it still is.
This is a colorful, historic old-time village made for walking, with surprises behind every colorful doorway and window. It’s also a tree-lined, riverside community of local merchants and artisans. Dining in any of the many restaurants is a truly gourmet experience, while other casual eateries and cafés offer hearty fare.
If time allows, be sure to visit the Florida Historical Society with its displays in the Library of Florida History. There’s also plenty of information on the other fun things to do and discover about this little piece of heaven.
There’s plenty of free parking available located just behind the shops and businesses of Historic Cocoa Village, so take your time and truly get to know the neighborhood.
Official site: www.visitcocoavillage.com
4. Take in a Broadway Show at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
Situated in the heart of Historic Cocoa Village, the Playhouse – originally named the Aladdin Theater – opened in 1924 and remains one of the most important old buildings in the city of Cocoa. It’s also one of the top venues on Florida’s east coast for those who enjoy musicals, with its regular roster of Broadway performances leading to its having earned the nickname “Broadway on Brevard.”
The attractive red-bricked building, with its white brick accents, is certainly photogenic. And it’s equally appealing inside, too. With its plush red-upholstered original wood seating, red velvet curtains, and lovely plaster cornices, taking a seat today is like stepping back in time.
More than 55,000 audience members support the theater’s performances each year, leading to it being one of the most successful community theaters in Florida. In addition to a regularly rotating roster of Broadway shows, guests can enjoy musical concerts and tributes, children’s programming, as well as movie screenings.
Address: 300 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, Florida
Official site: https://cocoavillageplayhouse.com
5. See the Wild Things at the Brevard Zoo
Just 25 minutes’ drive from the beach, the excellent Brevard Zoo is a great place to visit for interactive learning, as well as just good ol’ family fun.
In the zoo’s Paws On Play section, you can meet a variety of jumping, creepy crawly critters from various regions of the world; in Wild Florida, you can get up-close-and-personal with the diverse animals native to Florida; and in the Expedition Africa section, you’ll find yourself in the wilds of the continent. Be sure to also take the kids to La Selva. If it flies, crawls, or hangs upside down from tree branches (like the two-toed sloth), you’ll find it here.
In addition, be sure to visit the fantastic Australasia section, and check out the many additional adventure experiences, among them kayaking tours and ziplining over the zoo grounds.
Address: 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida
Official site: www.brevardzoo.org
6. Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
A visit to the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science in Cocoa is a perfect additional excursion for those planning on also visiting Brevard Zoo and spending the day away from the beach (they’re just 15 minutes’ drive apart). Set in a leafy neighborhood with plenty of free parking, this large museum features numerous artifacts and exhibits dealing with local history and science.
Among the museum’s interesting displays are the remains of the oldest human discovered to date in North America, the Windover Woman. There’s also a fascinating recreation of the Windover dig, which unearthed the remains in nearby Titusville in 1982. Other exhibits detail the lives of Native Americans and the early pioneers, as well as the early days of the railroad in Cocoa.
Be sure to allow time to explore the excellent trail network that surrounds the museum. Covering an area of some 22 acres, the trails include well-marked routes over wetlands and sand dunes, with options to choose easy routes of just a half mile to longer two-mile sections. There’s also a nice little butterfly garden that’s worth a visit.
Address: 2201 Michigan Ave, Cocoa, Florida