abrunettetravels Last updated on March 26th, 2024 at 09:30 pm
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Does a laid-back beach town with a wide variety of fun things to do sound like heaven? Cocoa Beach may be the ideal spot for you! With its wide beaches, great waves and abundance of outdoor activities, Cocoa Beach is a great escape. You could easily spend several days exploring all the area has to offer. However, many times a couple of days is all we have. Given that reality, I have put together a guide on how to spend 2 days in Cocoa Beach, so you don’t miss anything.
History
As we drove through Cocoa Beach the first time, a nostalgic feeling swept over me. After spending time with my grandparents in Florida as a child, I remember certain areas as “old Florida.” Cocoa Beach has this same throwback feeling as many of the places I visited years ago. Depending on the area you are in, you definitely feel the vintage vibe.
Cocoa Beach was settled in the 1860’s but it wasn’t fully developed until the 1920’s. Add the space boom in the 1950’s and 1960’s and you have an area that experienced explosive growth. Not surprisingly, Cocoa Beach is located on the Space Coast. Whether you prefer the beach or space, it’s easy to spend 2 days in Cocoa Beach.
Day 1
What to Do
Just a little bit of research shows there are loads of activities and places to see along this area of the Space Coast. I have narrowed it down to a few of the must do activities that are perfect for 2 days in Cocoa Beach.
Sand, Surf & Sun
The best start to the day is a good breakfast. Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery is the place to go for all of your breakfast favorites. Can’t decide on what to order? You can’t go wrong with the French toast.
Now that you are properly fueled and caffeinated, it’s time to head out to the water. Cocoa Beach is known for its consistently great waves. In fact, it is often referred to as the surfing capital of the East coast. Another fun attribute of Cocoa Beach is it’s also an excellent spot to kayak and paddleboard.
Catch a Wave
Dreaming of riding a monster wave? While you won’t find the huge waves you may be imagining, you will find great waves for your first time out. If surfing is something you have always wanted to try, check here for some excellent options for lessons.
Glide Across the Water
If you are like me, you prefer to spend your time ON the water rather than IN it. Luckily, there are several options for a kayak tour. Grab a paddle and head across the lagoon. While out there, be on the lookout for marine life and the multitude of birds in the area.
Pro Travel Tip- Book a bioluminescent kayak tour.
What is bioluminescent? Think of it as the Northern Lights but in the water. Technically, it’s a biochemical emission that comes from some of the organisms in the water. But it creates a magical trail of colors when a kayak or paddle moves in the water.
How to see it? You will want to book a tour for this, particularly one that has clear bottom kayaks. I can recommend this tour.
What time of year is best? July through September is peak season, but you will be able to see the bioluminescence year-round. No matter when you book, the absolute BEST time to see the lights is during the new moon phase. You want the sky to be as dark as possible.
Lunch
By now you have burned off breakfast and you are probably ready for a break and lunch. Rikki Tikki Tavern is a casual beach bar that sits on the ocean. Pick from one of their frozen concoctions or cocktails to cool off and put you in vacation mode.
Explore the Pier
Being that Rikki Tikki Tavern is located at the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier, now is the perfect time to check it out and walk off lunch. Take a bit of time to wander through the shops and snap some pictures of the expansive shoreline.
Toes in the Sand
After walking the pier, take some time to kick back and relax on the beach. The sugary soft sand is the ideal spot to build a sandcastle, read a book or just take in all of the beauty and activity surrounding you.
You want to make sure you have everything you need for the beach. Here are my top items for your beach bag and more for 2024.
Dinner
Cocoa Beach offers a multitude of restaurant choices for dinner. Depending on what you are in the mood for, a couple of options to consider, Florida’s Fresh Grill for steaks and seafood or Coasters Taphouse for a casual pub experience.
Note- Coasters Taphouse is closed on Tuesday.
Day 2
Go to Space
One of the coolest things about Cocoa Beach is its location on Florida’s Space Coast. For me, it would be a shame to be in the area and not visit Kennedy Space Center.
Even if a park dedicated to space travel doesn’t sound like something that would be high on your list of things to do, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Among the acres of attractions, you will find interactive exhibits, working areas of NASA and Space X and wonderful children’s exhibits. I have listed a couple of the highlights you won’t want to miss.
Race to the Moon
Fully explore the historic moon landings at this one-of-a-kind exhibit. While there, you will be able to:
- See a Saturn V rocket
- Go inside the Apollo 8 firing room and witness the first crew being sent into space.
- Better understand the technology of keeping our astronauts safe.
- Get up close to what landing on the moon looked like and the challenges of landing on the moon.
Shuttle- A Ship Like No Other
This is your chance to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis in person. Kennedy Space Center is the permanent home of the orbiter. Witness a piece of history and spend time learning more about this groundbreaking ship.
- Astronaut training simulators- see firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut.
- Shuttle Launch Experience- feel the force of blastoff in the space shuttle simulator.
- Hubble Space Telescope Theater- see an exact replica of the telescope and learn how it has answered some of our most basic questions.
Behind the Gates
This bus ride to exclusive areas of the space center is one of the highlights. Gain access to past and current launch sites and see the vehicle assembly building. You will also see the launchpad Space X currently uses.
Note- the bus ride IS included with your admission ticket.
Pro Travel Tip– You can view a launch at Kennedy Space Center.
One of the most unique things about the Space Coast and Kennedy is being able to view a launch in person.
Make sure to check the Kennedy Space Center website before your trip to see if there is a scheduled launch. If there is, you will be able to purchase tickets to secure your spot. Prices vary depending on the area you choose to view the launch from.
Basic Information
The park is open from 9:00am-5:00 or 6:00pm depending on the time of year. You will want to spend a full day as there is so much to see and experience.
Tickets are $75 for ages 12+ and $65 for children.
Check here for park hours and ticket discounts for seniors and military members. You will also find detailed information on parking and directions.
There is so much more to do at Kennedy Space Center than I have listed here. It takes a full day to see the exhibits and probably more if you want to be able to explore every exhibit. I have written a detailed post on each zone to explore and how to plan out your day.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is more than enough to keep your busy in Cocoa Beach. I hope this guide on how to spend 2 days in Cocoa Beach, so you don’t miss anything makes planning a little easier. For those of you who have a little more time, check out this post on the 8 best things to do in Cocoa Beach. I truly hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did.
If you have been to Cocoa Beach, let me know what you enjoyed most.
