Mappin Monday - Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center

Welcome to Mappin' Monday, a day where we share the actual map with our actual photos of the places we have visited with the locations we were, along with honest reviews about what went right, and what went wrong when we were there! Today, our spotlight is on a trifecta of Cape Canaveral Seashore, Cocoa Beach, and the Kennedy Space Center. All in a single days drive!

And Yes, that is the actual route we took! Did I miss my exit? Yes. Am I sad about it? Nope! Got to see all the beauty twice!

No trip is complete without a stop at Cocoa Beach and the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop. While Ron Jon’s is a bit commercial and pricey, it’s great for kitschy souvenirs and beach essentials. Across the street, the beach itself is lively and crowded—perfect if you prefer a social atmosphere over solitude.

       Pros: Beach is stunningly beautiful, and you must see at least once

       Cons: Extremely commercial and busy with traffic. Parking is difficult at best.

       Pro-tip: We park at Ron Jons and walk to the beach, though parking is limited and there is a time limit. Suited our needs

Cape Canaveral National Seashore is easily one of the world's best spots for shelling. While we don't take the shells home, but we love collecting and photographing them. While there is a National Parks entrance fee, the experience is worth every penny. We saw so much wildlife including a massive tortoise crossing the road (sadly no photos- he was incredibly fast!)

         Pros: Quieter beaches, abundant wildlife, and multiple parking lot options.

         Cons: The "waterless" restrooms are notorious for their odor and are NOT 5 star hotel quality to be polite. And there is an undertow! Use extra caution when swimming, especially the kiddos!

         Pro tips: Definitely bring flip-flops—you do not want to go in the bathrooms barefoot! If one parking lot is full, just keep driving—the further you go, the emptier the beach. (We stopped at lot 7.)

Kennedy Space Center: A Must-Visit

If you're cruising out of Port Canaveral, do not skip Kennedy Space Center. It’s an incredibly well-produced, educational, and awe-inspiring experience. One day honestly isn't enough to see it all.

       Pros: The included bus tour is a total highlight—it's the perfect way to see the massive campus.

       Cons: Expect long lines for the top attractions, but look on the bright side: the longer the line, the better the exhibit.

       Pro Tip: Pack games or snacks to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Your patience will be rewarded!

Bucketers offers a variety of solutions for visiting the Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach Area, including tickets to NASA, hotel stays to tack onto cruises that depart from Port Canaveral, Car rentals, Cruise Departures, Cruise Tours, and a level of experience that will show you how to have the best possible time if you decide to make visiting here a part of your journey! Reach out today if you want to learn more!