Mornign all ,
I'm trying to put together a vacation for my 7 yo daughter and I for middle of July. I've decided on Florida's "space coast" because it checked so many boxes.
1. Near beaches
2. Bioluminescent tours
3.Manatee and other sea life
4.Potential SpaceX launch
Was wondering if anyone had any helpful tips to share and see if anyone had been on any of the tours offered in the area.
Also if anyone has any insider info regarding July's launch schedule would be awesome. I know the Boeing Starliner is launching July 21st but was wondering if anyone knows if there will be any spaceX launches either the week before or after the Starliner.
Thanks!!
I track our launches at Space Launch Schedule.
And is the Space Center offering the launch pad tours? I know they stopped for a while. If they’re back on the schedule, try to do one. It takes up like half the day but was way worth it.
For Florida wildlife:
You can see manatees at Haulover Canal in Merritt Island.
You can see gators at Orlando Wetlands Park.
I don't know if they announce Starlink launches all that far in advance, but given that SpaceX is popping off a rocket every 4-5 days you've got a pretty good chance at catching one.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Thanks David for the info. I see kayak tours available for both bioluminescence and manatee but the concern about gators make me think a boat tour is the better choice.
Do you think that's an unreasonable fear to have?
In reply to dankspeed :
Do the kayak, gators are mostly on the shores and will not bother you.
The manatee population has been affected quite a bit due to the lack of food. Releases from Lake Okeechobee have decimated some of the algae that they feed on. My point is that there are not as many as there used to be in previous years, so go to a spot that is known for sure manatee sightings.
In reply to dankspeed :
I tend to stay out of the water. I figure the gators were here first.
I'll echo what Keith said about the Starlink launches. They usually come up on short notice. There are a total of close to 90 launches scheduled this year so you can hardly miss. I see a Falcon Heavy on 7/7 and an Atlas V on 7/21. I still see Starliner as TBD. One place to visit for dining is Cocoa Village. It is the old town part of Cocoa on the mainland and has a very high density of decent food (also bars but that may not be on the agenda).
In reply to Entropyman and Keith Tanner :
I've checked several websites and I don't see anything announced that far out except for Starliner on the 21st.
I can't decide between the 14th and fingers crossed we get to see a Space X launch or the 21st and see the Boeing Starliner.
My daughters indifferent about launches. She'd be happy if she got to see dolphins or manatee.
We've got Cocoa and Melbourne beach, Brevard zoo , Kennedy space center, and at least a bioluminescence tour of some kind.(boat or kayak)
Saw something about evening turtle walks also that we could also try and squeeze in.
I have done the turtle walk once. There can be alot of waiting involved and it can be pretty late at night before you get to see anything. It is TOTALLY worth it but be prepared. Also wear insect repellant. Bugs were thick when I went.
In reply to dankspeed :
This list shows the following:
Jul 7: Falcon Heavy (biggest rocket currently in use, that would be a show)
Jul 15: Falcon 9
Jul 21: Starliner. I'm not sure if they're using solid boosters for this, but if so it'll be sporty.
There are a bunch of others without hard dates yet, and of course there's always a good chance of a Starlink launch. Given the SpaceX cadence, if you give yourself a bit of flexibility during your stay I'll bet you can work around an announced launch.
I got a chance to visit the space center at a low point. The shuttle wasn't flying, the display shuttle wasn't there yet and SpaceX hadn't starting launching out of Florida. It was a sad place. I really want to go back now that it's a very lively spaceport. I will suggest that you go to the Saturn V exhibit first, as it closes before the rest of the center. We went there last and got scooted out without enough time to look around.
The Kennedy Space center visitor complex is totally worth going to for a day. Definitely a lot to do and they have bus tours of the complex too.
We stayed in Melbourne Beach a couple of years ago in June the turtles were thick on the sand every night. Also in the water getting their turtle snu-snu on most all day.
The local zoo is a pretty good one for kids. July will be hot so someplace with a pool and/or beach frontage is crucial.
We did this Paddleboard tour while staying in Cocoa Beach a few years ago and had a blast!
Too hot - head up to the cooler part of the country - Hayward, Wisconsin. Who doesn't want to visit the worlds largest musky?
In reply to ChrisTropea :
I was going to suggest the Kennedy Space Center as well. I went there 10(?) years ago and it was amazing. The space shuttle launch experience was still being built at that time but there was still a massive amount to see.
