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Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is becoming one of Florida's premium resorts, as it is close to Orlando's major theme park and Cape Canaveral, and boasts the Kennedy Space Center. Sited on a six-mile (10km) long barrier island, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon, Cocoa Beach offers the chance to watch a space launch from the beach or ride the waves on which several surfing champions have cut their teeth. The town has a large permanent population made up largely of retirees, but this more than doubles during peak season when the local hotels, motels, timeshares and condominium rentals are filled with holidaymakers and sightseers. The quintessential beach town, Cocoa Beach has an oceanfront running the entire length of its city limits, fronted by numerous dining spots, shops and cafes. There is also an historic pier, stretching 840ft (256m) into the ocean, lined with restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops and providing for good fishing. A few minutes away is man-made Port Canaveral, port of call for numerous cruise liners, where there are also operators offering day sails, casino cruises and deep-sea fishing charters. Cocoa Beach is connected to Port Canaveral and various stops in-between by the Beach Trolley service.
Cocoa beach is the surfing capital on the Florida coastline and the shops there offer a spectacular choice in surfboards and surfing equipment. Ron Jon's Surfers Paradise a block from the beach claims to be the biggest surf shop in the world. This typical beach resort is also well stocked with fashionable beachwear and accessories, souvenir and gift stores. Most shops are located in the tree-lined streets of historic Cocoa Village. The town's main mall, with some anchor department stores, 100 speciality stores and restaurants, and a movie theatre is on Merritt Square on the Merritt Island Causeway.
Cocoa beach is home to over two hundred and fifty restaurants, ranging from gourmet delights to snack bars and offering local and international cuisine. In the space of one block you can choose between Chinese, German, Thai, Cuban or American seafood and steak. Seafood is always a favourite with visitors. Recommended often is the open air Oh Shucks Seafood Bar right on the beach. Port Canaveral has become known as the hub of some sumptuous seafood restaurants.
The resort offers a lively choice in after dark entertainment, from dancing the night away to relaxing in front of a movie. Cocoa Beach and surrounds is packed with casual bars and hip clubs, most centred along Atlantic Avenue. Rated one of the hottest spots by the bikini and beach set is Coconuts on the Beach on Minuteman Causeway, where partying goes on till the wee hours. For jazz and blues Big Daddy Dave's in Cocoa Village is a sure winner.
The vast array of activities and attractions mean that on a holiday to Cocoa Beach visitors are more likely to run out of time than things to do, as strolling around the pretty resort, sunbathing in the endless sunshine, going swimming and surfing on the miles of pristine beach are just the appetiser. At least two days are required for experiencing the high-tech space adventures at the Kennedy Space Center and the Astronaut Hall of Fame where you can touch a piece of the moon or take a trip into space in the Imax theatre. By contrast the area's wildlife sanctuaries can be explored by airboat, kayak or riverboat, or if you prefer nature in a more concentrated environment there is an excellent zoo. Soak up history in the tree-lined streets of historic Cocoa Village and local museums. Ride a horse or a go-cart, or take a boat trip from Port Canaveral. The Sterling Casino Lines gaming cruise ship sails twice daily for those wishing to try their luck. The Cocoa Beach pier can claim you for an afternoon's shopping, eating and fishing. Golfers have a choice of several great courses, while the children can enjoy miniature golf or tenpin bowling, or take in a movie. On a down side, the resort is very busy during the peak seasons and despite the beach being vast enough to offer space to it's many visitors, the bars and restaurants can become crowded.
Attractions
Cape Canaveral is home to the John F Kennedy Space Centre and just forty-six miles south of fantasyland of Orlando on the east coast of Florida. Visitors to the centre follow the story of NASA's exploration of space through interactive exhibits, movies and tours. Guests can tour a full-size replica of the space shuttle 'Explorer'; walk through a giant model of a module from the new International Space Station; view films about Mars and the Pathfinder exploration; view historic authentic rockets, like that piloted by pioneer astronaut, John Glenn; and marvel at the Apollo/Saturn Centre, which houses all the artefacts from the historic moon landing. The Space Centre requires several hours to digest, and on the same site is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, established on the land NASA did not require for its space operations. The 220-square-mile (570 sq km) refuge contains more endangered species than any other wildlife refuge in the US, including the southern bald eagle and Atlantic loggerhead turtle. The US Astronaut Hall of Fame, in the nearby town of Titusville, is another of the area's attractions.
Sea World is located around Lake Buena Vista and the Disney attractions in downtown Orlando and is a world famous marine attraction, which is over fifty years old. The park, owned and operated by Annheuser-Busch, is designed to give an interactive look at the sea and all its facets, featuring themed animal habitats from tidal pools to iceberg lakes. In addition visitors can hug a dolphin or kiss a killer whale, and watch the famous aquatic Sea World stars go through their paces in various shows. The park also features fun rides like the very popular water roller coaster thrill ride called Journey to Atlantis.
Universal Studios is vast entertainment complex in Orlando and people who have been to it previously recommend that two days will be required to fully explore the attractions there, as it is home to two theme parks: the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The movie-themed park with its thrilling, innovative fun-rides, production studios and film sets also has three superb luxury on-site hotels so spending a night is a good idea. At Universal Studios visitors are invited to go behind the scenes and become involved in the movie action, while Islands of Adventure offers thrilling rides, shows and attractions from five different islands
The most famous attraction in Orlando is Walt Disney World, home to Cinderella's turreted castle, the Magic Kingdom and the original Disney theme park. The park was opened in 1971 and has been making childhood fantasies come true ever since. Today it is just one of four Disney parks that cover more than 28,000 acres of Orange and Osceola counties in central Florida, with accompanying resorts, shopping complexes, hotels and water parks. Apart from the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Orlando now includes Epcot, a futuristic showcase of the world's different cultures and traditions; MGM Studios, a working animation and television studio; and Animal Kingdom, where a huge variety of animals are kept in themed surroundings along with a cast of Disney characters. Wet 'n Wild : One of Orlando's numerous water parks, Wet 'n Wild has the distinction of being the most popular water attraction in the area and also the world's first amusement park devoted solely to water flumes, pools and slides. The park was designed by George Millay, creative genius behind the Sea World parks in San Diego and Orlando, and has been operating since 1977. Thrilling rides like The Storm, The Surge and The Bubba Tub are there to be enjoyed, along with numerous other attractions and facilities.
