If you’re planning on visiting Cape Canaveral Florida, there are a few things you should know.
This area is known for its beautiful beaches and Kennedy Space Center, but there is so much more to see and do here!
In This Blog Post – We will discuss 10 things you should know before your trip. So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned space tourist, read on for the inside scoop on Cape Canaveral Florida.
1. Are Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center the Same?
Cape Canaveral is not the same as Kennedy Space Center (KSC). KSC is located on Merritt Island, which is divided from Cape Canaveral by the Banana River.
The historic Apollo launchpads, as well as modern NASA SpaceX Falcon Heavy rockets, take off from KSC.
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2. What Is Special about Cape Canaveral?
Cape Canaveral is home to the famous Kennedy Space Center, as well as beautiful beaches and many other attractions.
This area has a rich history, dating back to the early days of space exploration.
In recent years, Cape Canaveral has become a popular tourist destination for those interested in space travel and exploration.
Cape Canaveral KSC is of great importance for rocket launches as it is on the eastern Atlantic seaboard and there it is a perfect launch site. In the event of a mission abort due to technical failure, the rocket, having pitched downrange over the ocean will cause no harm to the public.
So too is it an easy return to Cape Canaveral Port for Atlantic based SpaceX drone ships with reclaimed boosters such as A Shortfall of Gravitas (ASOG) and Just Read the Instructions (II).
The weather is also ideal for launches, with a seasonal average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and very little rain.
3. When’s the Next Launch at Kennedy Space Center?
We are constantly updating the launch schedule to be as accurate as possible.
The Next Rocket Launch from KSC: Monday, Nov. 14 | NASA SLS Artemis I – read more here
4. Is Playalinda Beach Open During Launches?
Whether Playalinda Beach is open during launches will vary. Playalinda is a National Park and so falls under the control of the National Parks Service.
The beach is open from dawn to dusk all year round, therefore the beach is closed for after-dark launches from Kennedy Space Center.
Playalinda is generally open for daytime launches but can have restricted access, in particular when launchpad 39A is in use.
This is the closest to the launch site to the beach. For further information read our extensive article on the best places to view a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral.
5. Is Cape Canaveral a Town?
No, Cape Canaveral is classified as a city and includes Titusville and Melbourne within its metropolitan area. The city also includes the magnificent Port Canaveral.
Cape Canaveral is home to the Kennedy Space Center, which is why it is often associated with space travel and exploration.
But there is so much more to this coastal city than just rockets and astronauts!
6. When did Cape Canaveral Change to Cape Kennedy?
After the assassination of JFK in 1963, Cape Canaveral was changed to Cape Kennedy. The name reverted to Cape Canaveral in 1973, and the site has since changed designation a few times but is now called Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the most popular tourist destination in Cape Canaveral.
Here, you can take a tour of the historic launchpads, see a rocket launch, and learn about the history of space exploration.
7. Is Cape Canaveral part of NASA?
The Kennedy Space Center is operated by NASA, but the city of Cape Canaveral is not affiliated with the space agency.
8. Is Cape Canaveral a Nice Area and is it worth visiting?
Cape Canaveral in Brevard County is a beautiful coastal city with miles of white sand beaches, lush vegetation, and plenty of things to do along the Canaveral National Seashore.
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The city is also home to some of the best restaurants in Florida. You’ll certainly want to check out the local cuisine while you’re here!
Restaurants in Titusville and even a meal in ‘The Cove’ in Exploration Tower are worth a visit.
All around Port Canaveral you will see huge cruise ships and people seeking Space tourism as well as those who are spending their days relaxing at Playalinda and Cocoa beach after the hustle and bustle of Orlando and its Themeparks.
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9. Where do you fly into for Cape Canaveral?
Traveling to Cape Canaveral, the closest airport is Melbourne (MLB) (20.06 mi), and also the nearby airport in Orlando, Orlando International Airport (MCO) (42.63 mi).
10. Cape Canaveral Space Center
Most travelers are planning for a visit to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, but there is so much more to do in this coastal city.
If you’re looking for some Florida relaxation or want to explore Central Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, then make sure that you plan your itinerary around all of these things!
We hope these places and tips help you make the most of your visit to Cape Canaveral!
