Vacationing in Florida and want to catch a rocket launch? Here's what to know
After all, Florida has resoundingly etched its name in U.S. spaceflight history. Since NASA's space program took off in the 1960s, Florida's 'Cape' has been the site where plenty of monumental missions have gotten off the ground – from NASA's Apollo moon missions to its twin Voyager probes.
Have plans to visit Florida in the near future? Between visits to Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, don't rule out making a short day trip about an hour's drive east to Cape Canaveral to catch a rocket launch.
Here's everything you need to know if you're planning a vacation in Florida and seeing a rocket launch is on the list.
Florida's Space Coast gained fame as the most active region in the United States for rocket launches.
On any given week, it's typical for multiple commercial, civil and military spacecraft – most of them uncrewed or sans astronauts – to take off from either NASA's Kennedy Space Center or the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Located on the east coast of Florida on Merritt Island in Brevard County, the Kennedy Space Center is NASA's primary spaceport where a majority of the space agency's missions get off the ground.
The center manages the launches of both crewed and uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station and partners with commercial companies like SpaceX, which conduct their own rocket launches at the site. Most of the launches take place from the historic Launch Complex 39A – the site of NASA's Apollo moon mission launches.
Kennedy Space Center is also home to facilities where research is being conducted for future spaceflight missions, including upcoming human missions to the moon and Mars under NASA's Artemis campaign.
Tourists in Florida interested in seeing a rocket launch can head over to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Funded entirely by revenue from guests, the visitor center – operated by Delaware North on behalf of NASA – features an array of exhibits and displays, as well as historic spacecraft and memorabilia. It's also where space enthusiasts can purchase tickets for bus tours of the spaceport and even see a rocket launch up close. The space theme park hosts astronaut meet-and-greets, too.
Spectators who purchase a ticket for a rocket launch will be able to watch from bleachers located behind NASA's gates at Kennedy Space Center. Typically, viewing is included with admission if the launch window is within the normal operating hours of the visitor complex.
But a word of caution: Not every launch is available for public viewing from there. Instead, viewing opportunities are determined by a number of factors, including the time of the launch window and anticipated public interest.
For human spaceflights such as the upcoming Artemis moon missions or milestone missions like the Europa Clipper that launched in October 2024, the visitor complex offers launch viewing packages that include a return visit in case the launch is scrubbed.
The Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is near Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach in Brevard County, Florida.
Though it is part of the Patrick Space Force Base, the station is also a launch site for civil NASA missions and commercial missions like SpaceX's Starlink satellite deployments.
But because it is a military base, the public is not able to view launches from the site itself.
Both Florida launch sites host a regular cadence of missions, both with and without astronauts aboard.
Among the most common rocket launches on Florida's Space Coast are SpaceX's Starlink satellite deployments, which use the company's famous Falcon 9 rocket to assist with the orbital delivery.
SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is also making plans to launch its developmental Starship rocket from Florida by the end of 2025. The rocket, which stands nearly 400 feet tall when fully stacked, has so far only launched on flight tests from SpaceX's Starbase in South Texas.
Blue Origin and Amazon, both owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, are also increasing rocket launches from Florida. Amazon's Project Kuiper – a direct competitor to Starlink – has now launched two rounds of satellites into orbit, while Blue Origin continues to test its massive New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral.
Astronauts also routinely board crew capsules stacked atop rockets for trips to the International Space Station.
The most recent crewed launch occurred June 28, 2025, when four international astronauts selected for a private two-week venture known as Axiom Mission 4 launched on a SpaceX Dragon capsule that was propelled into orbit on a Falcon 9.
Up next, four more spacefarers are preparing to head to the space station in late July or early August as part of a joint NASA and SpaceX mission known as Crew-11. Once they arrive, they'll relieve the Crew-10 contingent, who have been at the orbital laboratory since late March.
Floridians and tourists alike have plenty of public places to catch the site of a massive, thundering spacecraft rocketing into orbit.
Pretty much anywhere in Brevard County affords a view of a rocket launch. Better yet, if you're in certain areas, you can even get an amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the launch pads.
But the best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. Visibility, though, will depend on weather conditions.
Also, make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges, and to follow posted rules at beaches.
If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.
If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the launch pad from some spots).
Some hotspots to check out:
Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there's a charge to park.
Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there's a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn't always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.
Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville
Sand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docks
Various parks on Merritt Island
Rotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port
Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.
Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.
Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen Causeway
Tables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
Pineda Causeway
Eau Gallie Causeway
Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne
Indialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
Paradise Beach Park, aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)
Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)
You don't even necessarily need to be at the Space Coast to see a rocket launch.
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Florida's Space Coast could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach to as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach.
Here's a look at some recommended spots, county by county:
Duval County or Jacksonville area:
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Neptune Beach, Florida
Atlantic Beach and West Atlantic Beach, Florida
Mayport, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which touches south Jacksonville Beach
St. Augustine, Florida, which is less than an hour away
Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County and home of Daytona International Speedway:
South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore)
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park.
Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.
Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County.
Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill
Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill
Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill
Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill
Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill
Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill
Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill
A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill
Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above)
Rose Bay in Port Orange
beaches along New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach Inlet, New Smyrna Beach lifeguard station
Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach
Ormond-by-the-Sea in Ormond Beach
George R. Kennedy Memorial Park in Edgewater
Indian River County, south of Brevard County:
Sebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (cost to enter)
Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso
Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach
Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach
St. Lucie County:
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce
Blind Creek Beachside North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Blue Heron Beach, 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Dollman Park Beachside, 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach
Herman's Bay Beach, 7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach
John Brooks Park Beachside, 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Middle Cove Beach, 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach
Pepper Park Beachside, 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce
Walton Rocks Beach, 6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach (dog park)
Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach
Martin County:
State Road A1A causeway in Stuart
House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart
Palm Beach County, which includes Mar-a-Lago:
Juno Beach Pier: 14775 U.S. 1, Juno Beach
South Cove Natural Area boardwalk: Downtown West Palm Beach, 620 South Flagler Drive
Town of Palm Beach's Midtown beach: 300 block of South Ocean Boulevard
Bingham Island: If you don't know, this is the island that connects Palm Beach and West Palm Beach on Southern Boulevard (near Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club known as the Winter White House or Southern White House). There's a bridge with a pedestrian walkway over Bingham Island, on Southern Boulevard.
Lake Worth Pier: 10 South Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth Beach
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge: 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach
South Beach Park: 400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton
Contributing: Gianna Montesano, TCPalm, and Kimberly Miller, Palm Beach Post
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Everything Florida tourists should know about watching a rocket launch
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