Cape Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, with more than a million passengers passing through each year. Not only is it a naval and maritime port, but it also serves as a hub for millions of cruise passengers from a variety of cruise lines that sail through the port every year.
Cruise ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruises are commonly stationed in Port Canaveral, however, their routes and timetables vary. In addition, ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard Line, AIDA Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Holland America Line, and other cruise lines make frequent port calls at Port Canaveral, among others.
Port Canaveral is located in Brevard County on the east coast of the Florida peninsula, about 45 miles east of Orlando and in the center of the Space Coast. It is halfway to the east coast of the Florida peninsula. Visitors who are simply visiting for a few hours will appreciate the port’s convenient location, which puts it in a unique position to be near to a broad selection of attractions that are easily accessible. The region surrounding Cape Canaveral was first surveyed by Ponce de León more than 500 years ago, so not only is it at the forefront of technological innovation and space exploration but it is also steeped in some of the country’s most ancient historical traditions.
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In Port Canaveral, there are ten things you absolutely must do.
Close to Port Canaveral, there are a variety of attractions and one-of-a-kind locations to see. Almost all of the alternatives on this list are within a 30-minute drive of the cruise port, making them accessible regardless of whether you are driving to the port, renting a vehicle, using a ridesharing service, or arranging other modes of transportation. One of the most difficult decisions will be deciding which one to use and things to do in Cape Canaveral.
Exploration Tower
Visit Exploration Tower, a seven-story interactive series of displays that looks into the history of Harbor Canaveral, to kick off your day of adventure at Port Canaveral right at the port. From both the interior and outdoor observation decks, you can discover how harbor pilots navigate to cruise ships, learn about the port’s history, and take in beautiful views of the surrounding region – including your ship’s dock.
Skydive Space Center (Skydive Space Center)
At the Skydive Space Center in Titusville, just north of Port Canaveral, you may take your visit to new heights. This thrill-seeking facility provides the world’s highest tandem dive, which allows you to take in the views from a dizzying height of 18,000 feet above the ground. As a result, you will experience an unparalleled 1-2 minutes of freefall, followed by an 8-10 minute parachute descent. Every diving package includes two complimentary aerial tours of NASA.
Kennedy Space Center
If you have even greater expectations for your trip, a visit to the Kennedy Space Center will put you even closer to the stars. In addition to getting up close and personal with the space shuttle Atlantis and a Saturn V rocket from the Apollo program, you can also meet an astronaut and take a stroll through the rocket garden, where you can learn about ongoing efforts to launch more commercial satellites as well as prepare for Mars missions so it’s the things to do near Cape Canaveral.
Aerial Adventures in Cocoa Beach, FL
Aerial Adventures, located only a few minutes south of the harbor, is a great option for those who want to get a little elevation but want to keep their feet on solid ground. A total of 50 different bridges, wires, swings, walls, and other obstacles await visitors on this adventure course, which features three separate routes with varying degrees of difficulty for everyone to experience. There is no prior experience required, and all essential safety equipment is given.
Golf’n’Gator is a game of golf and gator.
Alligators are a popular Florida tourist attraction, and at Golf’n’Gator, you can get up and personal with some of them. Not only does this attraction contain two 18-hole miniature golf courses, but you can also get up and personal with alligators, hold them, and have your picture taken with them. Snakes, exotic birds, lizards, and a tortoise are among frequent visitors, and you may pan for diamonds, gold, or fossils in the mining trough to take home as mementos.
Port Canaveral
During your thrilling day at Port Canaveral, you’ll need to replenish your energy, and the Florida Key Lime Pie Company is the perfect place to do it. From freshly baked key lime pie to handmade ice cream, cheesecakes, local Florida craft beer, rum cakes, gator jerky, tropical wines, spicy sauces, marmalades, saltwater taffy, and other delectables, this brightly coloured shop has something to entice every palate.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a 140,000-acre refuge close to the Kennedy Space Center, and take a walk on the wild side of the road to look for cape Canaveral things to do. It is possible to go on vehicle excursions or hike on designated routes, and the refuge is home to hundreds of different species of birds, butterflies, reptiles, and animals. Some of the wildlife you could see here are alligators, wood storks (which are sometimes known as wood ducks), manatees, bobcats, river otters, and gopher tortoises.
The Dinosaur Store and Museum is a must-see for any dinosaur enthusiast.
However, although the Space Coast is most renowned for its cutting-edge technology, it also has an ancient site, which you can explore at the Dinosaur Store and Museum. There is also a shop that sells dinosaur fossils, as well as eggs, teeth, claws, and other related products. The two-story museum has beautiful displays and dioramas that depict not only dinosaurs but also ancient civilizations from China, Egypt, Mexico, and South America.
Brevard Veterans Memorial Centre
At the Brevard Veterans Memorial Centre on Merritt Island, you may get a new perspective on the area’s history and military links, which include the naval facility at Port Canaveral. It is a free museum and library that includes an outdoor plaza with several helicopters, planes, armor, and other military vehicles on exhibit, as well as an inside museum with items dating back to the Revolutionary War and up to present-day conflicts.
Cafe Monte Carlo is a popular hangout for celebrities and high-rollers alike.
Many tourists to Florida find that after a hard day on their feet in the Florida heat, they want some afternoon fortification; sugar and caffeine are often precisely what the doctor prescribed. From organic coffee and freshly baked croissants to macchiatos and handmade lemonade, Café Monte Carlo on North Atlantic Avenue is certain to have something for everyone, no matter how picky their palate may be. “It’s a little bit of everything,” says the owner.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating at Café Monte Carlo, which is a popular stop for tourists on excursions or who have just landed from cruise ships at the local port. Previous customers have remarked on the ability of the baristas to personalize beverages to suit individual preferences, as well as the speed with which products ordered for takeout were delivered.
