Kennedy Space Center

 

The Kennedy Space Center has always been a family destination to learn about the wonders of space travel. Now it's even more so. Since the NASA Shuttle Program has ended, the Kennedy Space Center has opened the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to visitors as part of a special tour.

The VAB is a massive building where the shuttles are built and repaired before launching into space. You can see this building from miles around because of its sheer size.

When we visited, the shuttle Endeavor was on display inside the VAB, waiting for alterations before it becomes a permanent fixture as part of the Kennedy Space Center display. The shuttles will be on display in Cape Canaveral, FL; at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York; and the California Science Center in Los Angeles. 

Also at the Kennedy Space Center, you can see the Rocket garden, which are rockets (all real) that were previously used by NASA. Some of which you can sit in and experience what it would be like to be an astronaut. There's an IMAX film on space exploration, visit a launch pad, and more.

Tip A Few Tavern

 cheeseburger with potato salad

cheeseburger with onion rings

If we hadn't already had plans to stop here for dinner, there would have been no doubt that we would have driven right past Tip A Few Tavern and not have had another thought about the place.

With a small sign along the road and the building darker in the front compared to its neighbors, Tip A Few is definitely a hidden gem on Florida's Space Coast.

We both ordered cheeseburgers, as that is what the place is best known for. They were juicy, perfectly cooked, had the right amount of cheese on them, and served with lettuce and tomato; ketchup, steak sauce, Tabasco, and a few other sauces were available on the table, and our waitress brought me mayonnaise as well.

I ordered the potato salad as my side, which was done perfectly - I could have ordered an entire plate of just that and been happy. My lovely dining partner ordered the onion rings, which were crispy and onions were plentiful (not just breading).

There are tables for diners, or you can choose to sit at the bar, which is fully stocked with beers both commercial and a few locals, and liquors.

The restaurant is smoking friendly. We were sitting next to a couple who smoked, and near the bar, and other then when we walked directly past the couple, we didn't notice it (and I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke). The restaurant has a good ventilation system, keeps ceiling fans running and on a nice night, such as when we went, had the front door open.

The meal was incredibly satisfying and for two of us, totaled under $30. However, they are cash only, so come prepared. There is an ATM in the restaurant, just in case.

Courtyard Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral

The Courtyard Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral hotel is an ideal hotel for anyone looking to take a cruise from Port Canaveral and in need of a hotel the night before.  The hotel is located only 5 minutes from the port terminals, which gives you easy access to your ship.  In addition, they have "Park and Cruise" packages that will allow you to park your car there and they'll have a shuttle take you to the port. Pretty convenient!

The hotel itself has a very modern feel to it with a spacious lobby and breakfast area, which doubles as a bar at night with some food options as well.  The staff is extremely friendly and helpful.  We found the rooms to be very clean and spacious enough for our needs.  The beds were comfortable and a great way to start a trip before your cruise.  In addition, it is very close to plenty of shopping and dining.

We definitely plan on returning to this hotel for our next cruise leaving out of Port Canaveral.