Cape Canaveral offers many attractions for a romantic weekend getaway.
There is, however, so much more to Cape Canaveral and its surrounding area than space flight. Couples can plan a romantic getaway with numerous activities and places to explore.
To begin your outing, plan to make reservations at one of the numerous hotels, condominiums, resorts or numerous furnished vacation homes in the area. Once you've settled in, decide what type of activity you want to do first. There are many to choose from.
If you are vacationing in Cape Canaveral, then you, of course, must visit the Space Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center and tour the full-size replica of the space shuttle Explorer. Even though it isn't the real Explorer, it still inspires feelings of awe at the intricate details that go into flying a shuttle into outer space.
Have you ever wanted to meet an actual astronaut and find out what it is really like to go into space? Do you want to do know his or her thoughts, hopes, and fears? You can actually have this opportunity by visiting the Astronaut Encounter at the Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center, and be sure to make reservations to dine with an actual astronaut!
Next, you might visit Rocket Garden to see some impressive rockets that were never actually launched. You will get up close and personal views that show the magnitude of these rockets and the extreme technology used to build them. At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, you can see and read about the actual rocket and capsule used in space missions. Souvenirs shops abound at the Kennedy Space Center, so don't forget to do a little shopping while you are there.
Of course, space exploration isn't the only attraction that Cape Canaveral and the surrounding area have to offer. Couples can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the beautiful Canaveral National Seashore. This national seashore offers nature at its best.
There are visitor centers at either end of the park. Tourists can take part in a variety of wildlife tours on the seashore including a visit to some local Indian mounds. There are fishing piers along tidal creeks. Plenty of beachcombing, along with horseback riding, is available. If solitude is what you are looking for, then discover Klondike Beach which features primitive camping along one of the longest and prettiest stretches of Florida coast.
For more populated beaches, you can choose from nearby Cocoa Beach, Indialantic Beach, and Melbourne Beach. Cocoa Beach Pier offers one of the best views for shuttle launches, and Ron Jon's Surf Shop is famous for its souvenir extravaganza! Climb to the top of the Ponce de Leon Inlet lighthouse at Ponce Inlet for extraordinary coastline views.
There are several boating excursions available. Grasshopper Airboat Ecotours take visitors on airboat rides through the marshes of Lake Poinsett and the St. Johns River. You can board a tour boat and explore the Indian River lagoon to bird watch, and maybe encounter the shy, gentle manatee.
If baseball is your passion, don't forget to get tickets to see the Florida Marlins play ball at Space Coast Stadium. Remember that a mere 45 miles away, lays Orlando and the Magic Kingdom, along with Universal Studios, Sea World, and a host of other attractions and shopping galore.
With all that Cape Canaveral has to offer, the only problem that couples will have will be what to do first. At the end of a long, but enjoyable day, try one of the many restaurants or small pubs in and around Cape Canaveral. If you didn't have time to do everything on your list, well, there is always next year!
