Florida - Eastern USA - page 935

Sights
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex MUSEUM
( 321-449-4444; www.kennedyspacecenter.com ; adult/child $50/40, parking $10; 9am-5pm)
Once a working space-flight facility, Kennedy Space Center is shifting from a living mu-
seum to a historical one since the end of NASA's space shuttle program in 2011. Devote
most of your day to the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, IMAX theaters and
Rocket Garden , featuring replicas of classic rockets towering over the complex. And
don't miss the Shuttle Launch Simulator , which reaches a top 'speed' of 17,500mph
and feels just like a space-shuttle takeoff (but without the teary goodbyes). But first take
the hop-on, hop-off bus tour of working NASA facilities that depart every 15 minutes
from 10am to 2:45pm.
Add-on options abound, depending on how serious you are about your astronaut ex-
perience (they're popular - book in advance). Hungry space enthusiasts can have Lunch
with an Astronaut ( 866-737-5235; adult/child $30/16) , and the action-oriented Astro-
naut Training Experience (ticket $145) prepares you for space flight, should the oppor-
tunity arise.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge WILDLIFE RESERVE
( www.fws.gov/merrittisland ; I-95 exit 80; park dawn-dusk; visitor center 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri,
9am-5pm Sat & Sun, closed Sun Apr-Oct) This unspoiled 140,000-acre refuge is one of the
country's best birding spots, especially from October to May (early morning and after
4pm). More endangered and threatened species of wildlife inhabit the swamps, marshes
and hardwood hammocks here than at any other site in the continental US. The best
viewing is on Black Point Wildlife Dr.
Canaveral National Seashore PARK
( 321-267-1110; www.nps.gov/cana ; car/bike $5/1; dawn-dusk) The 24 miles of pristine,
windswept beaches comprise the longest stretch of undeveloped beach on Florida's east
coast. On the north end is family-friendly Apollo Beach , which shines in a class of its
own with gentle surf and miles of solitude. On the south end, Playalinda Beach is surfer
central. And in between the two is untrammeled Klondike Beach , a favorite of campers
and nature lovers.
Mosquito Lagoon , with islands and mangroves teeming with wildlife, hugs the west
side of the barrier island. Rent kayaks in Cocoa Beach. Rangers offer pontoon boat tours
(per person $20) from the visitor information center on most Sundays. From June