Tampa → Downtown Tampa Waterfront
Downtown Tampa Waterfront
The Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf, Channelside and a relaxed stretch of the Riverwalk.
Best: All year; best mid-October–May
$4 USD
Space & beach day · Florida
Orlando to Kennedy Space Center, Black Point Wildlife Drive & Cocoa Beach day trip
Rockets, marsh birds and the Cocoa Beach Pier
A full day on the Space Coast from Orlando: Space Shuttle Atlantis and the bus tour to the Saturn V at Kennedy Space Center, an afternoon loop through Merritt Island's bird marshes (or Playalinda Beach instead), and dinner at the Cocoa Beach Pier, with a plan for launch days.
- Time
- 12–13 hour day
- Driving
- About 3–3½ hours driving
- Best time
- November to April
- Updated
$4 USD
One-time purchase. You own your guide forever and can return for the latest update any time.
Suggested times, not bookings
Your day at a glance
- 7:45 amLeave Orlando
- 9:00 amKennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Space Shuttle Atlantis
- 10:30 amBus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center
- 3:15 pmBlack Point Wildlife Drive
- 3:15 pmPlayalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore
- 5:30 pmCocoa Beach Pier
- 7:30 pmDrive back to Orlando
Highlights
Worth the trip
- Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Saturn V
- Spoonbills and ducks on Black Point Wildlife Drive
- Dinner at the Cocoa Beach Pier
What’s in the guide
Detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links and weather alternatives. Read it online any time, or keep it offline in the Greg’s Guides app for iPhone and iPad. See an example guide →
Plan for the conditions
Expected seasonal weather
From November to April the Space Coast is usually mild and fairly dry, with warm afternoons and cooler mornings and evenings. A passing cold front can bring a breezy, chilly day, especially on the pier, so bring a layer. From May on, expect heat, high humidity and near-daily afternoon thunderstorms with lightning, and June through November is hurricane season. Sea breezes and rip currents can make the surf rough at any time of year. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast before you go.
Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.
Another good day
More Florida day trips
Tampa → ZooTampa & Ybor City
ZooTampa & Ybor City
A morning with animals, a proper rest, then Ybor’s streets and an unhurried dinner.
Best: All year; best November–April
$4 USD
Tampa → Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
One park, a few priority rides, animal exhibits and enough breathing room to enjoy them.
Best: All year; best November–April
FreeOpen free guide
St. Petersburg → The Dalí Museum → downtown bayfront → St. Pete Pier
St. Petersburg Art & Waterfront
The Dalí Museum, a downtown lunch and the St. Pete Pier, with a separate beach variation.
Best: All year; best mid-October–May
$4 USD
Dunedin → Honeymoon Island or the Caladesi ferry → downtown Dunedin
Dunedin & the Island Beaches
Honeymoon Island for flexibility, or a Caladesi ferry outing, followed by dinner in Dunedin.
Best: All year; best March–May and October–November
$4 USD
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks → Downtown Dunedin
Tarpon Springs & Dunedin
The Sponge Docks, a long Greek lunch and an easy afternoon in Dunedin.
Best: All year; best mid-October–May
$4 USD
Orlando → Blue Spring State Park → St. Augustine
Manatees, a fort and the Nights of Lights
A winter road trip from Orlando: wintering manatees from the Blue Spring boardwalk at opening time, lunch and the Castillo de San Marcos in old St. Augustine, then the Nights of Lights after dark before the drive home.
Best: Late November to mid-January
$4 USD
Miami → Shark Valley → Tamiami Trail airboat → Homestead → Anhinga Trail
Everglades from Miami
A dry-season wildlife day in Everglades National Park from Miami: the Shark Valley tram or a bike ride to the observation tower, an optional airboat ride on the Tamiami Trail, milkshakes at Robert Is Here, and alligators and wading birds on the Anhinga Trail.
Best: December to April
$4 USD
Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon → Seven Mile Bridge → Bahia Honda → Key West → Miami
Florida Keys Weekend
A two-night drive down the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West. Friday is the reef at John Pennekamp from a glass-bottom boat or with a snorkel, tarpon at Robbie's and a bayside sunset in Islamorada, then a night in Marathon. Saturday walks the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key, visits the Turtle Hospital, swims at Bahia Honda and ends with sunset at Mallory Square. Sunday is a Key West morning, then the long drive home.
Best: December to April
$5 USD
Orlando → Winter Park → Mount Dora
Winter Park and Mount Dora
An Orlando day away from the theme parks: Tiffany glass at the Morse Museum, an hour on Winter Park's canal-linked lakes and a Park Avenue stroll, then lunch, antiques, a lakeside boardwalk and sunset in old Mount Dora.
Best: All year; best October–May
$4 USD