Chasing Space Coast Sunsets

Every time I read a piece about the best sunsets in Florida, it seems to feature a Gulf Coast or Florida Keys destination. But after spending a week on the Space Coast, I can definitively say that the Atlantic Coast has some jaw-droppingly beautiful sunsets itself.

The first was in Cocoa Beach. It was my first night in the area, and after checking in at my host hotel, the lovely Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port, full of fun space-themed décor (more on that later), I made my way to Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours for a wildlife tour of the Thousand Islands of the Banana River, one of the three estuaries that make up the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. Scientists estimate that more than 4,000 manatees take up residence here from spring through fall. The 156-mile-long estuary is also home to dolphins, ospreys, bald eagles, alligators and turtles.

The river also supports the largest brown pelican rookery on the Atlantic Coast, and indeed, pelican sightings were plentiful on our excursion.

It was a friendly tour, as my fellow riders on the 50-seat pontoon boat were generous in letting everyone know where the animals were hanging out, so we could all get a good gander. The tours are led by experienced Coast Guard master captains and naturalist first mates, who sprinkled gems of information through the two-hour experience. Their knowledge greatly enhanced the tour, as did their enthusiasm.

Watch wildlife play in the Indian River Lagoon. ©Space Coast Office of Tourism

We were halfway through our cruise when the sun started to set. The sky was full of vibrant orange and soft pink hues, and a gentle breeze that wafted through the boat was exhilarating. The temperature was perfect. I found myself being lulled by waves lapping at the side of the boat. As if on cue, a dolphin glided by. I took so many photos, I had to purchase more storage on my phone. It was picture-perfect.

When we finally returned to land, I was full of quiet contemplation, but then the rollicking atmosphere of Cocoa Beach’s nightlife quickly brought me back to the present. You can get a wonderful meal at any of the restaurants along the causeway or the adjacent Atlantic Avenue, but I love a good recommendation, and a local suggested I visit Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster & Seafood Company, which also happens to be the top-ranked Cocoa Beach restaurant on Trip-Advisor. Yes, you should have a lobster roll (with a cup of New England clam chowder); the shrimp tacos and Mahi Reuben are also divine.

Seafood at Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster & Seafood Company.

After dinner I was stuffed, so I headed back to the Hampton, and encountered more happy folks, from the staff to the vacationers. With its proximity to Port Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center and downtown Cocoa Beach, how could you not have a permanent smile on your face? The area is packed with an abundance of activities, and its down-to-earth nature makes it easy to relax. Plus, the Hampton is full of fun amenities, such as space-themed décor—including the astronaut suit I encountered upon check-in, a pool area with a great bar, plenty of seating and lots of palm trees, and large rooms perfect for families. With free breakfast every morning, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat.

After making some new friends at breakfast, it was off to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSC). For an optimal experience, it’s best to get to KSC right when it opens (or a bit earlier) to get in line and start exploring right away. I began my day at HYPERDECK, a virtual reality experience in which players collect minerals found on the Moon’s surface. This experience fills up fast, so it’s best to head there first. In the same building you’ll find the IMAX Theatre, and it’s worthing sitting in on one or two of the short, larger-than-life films to prep you for your day.

Next, pop out for a tour of the Rocket Garden to see rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs before taking a KSC bus tour. Go behind-the-scenes to learn about advancements in the space program, find out where to watch a shuttle launch and be on the lookout for wildlife the driver points out along the way, including a bald eagle’s nest with recent hatchlings.

A stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port is your launching point for all the fun. ©Hampton inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port

The bus tour takes you to Apollo/Saturn V center where, upon entry, you’re taken back in time to the launch of Apollo 8, inside a rehab of the actual control room where history was made. After watching footage of the blast off, you’ll walk out to encounter the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown.

Another must on your visit to KSC is Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®. Here, you can take one of four (or all) simulator journeys through the solar system: “Cosmic Wonders,” “Daring Explorers,” “Uncharted Worlds” and the most popular, “Red Planet.” Pro Tip: Wait in the shortest line first, then line up for the others as your stamina allows.

The Deep Space Launch Complex is also a great place to get a bite to eat; the Space Bowl Bistro lets you customize your own acai and poke bowls and won’t break your budget.

Complete your trip to the Space Coast with a visit to the ©Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex—it’s larger than life.

While you could spend the whole day at KSC, those who wish to see more of Merritt Island can wrap up a visit in a good five or six hours. In half an hour, you can get to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and you’ll feel worlds away. Established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds, the 140,000-acre refuge has habitats such as coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, scrub and pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks, providing a home for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 15 federally listed species.

There are half a dozen hiking trails (including one handicap-accessible trail) that provide mostly flat walking areas, but I headed directly to the Manatee Observation Deck, where Kennedy Parkway crosses Haulover Canal. The area is a hidden paradise, a somewhat secluded area where you’ll see small boats enjoying a sunny day on the canal, and a seating area where you can just stare off into the distance. Pro Tip: Hang to the far left of the observation area to discover a shady cove where the manatees love to hang out and munch on tender grasses. Sit there long enough, and you’ll see them surface for air.

I could have sat there for hours, but a rumble in my belly let me know that the dinner hour was quickly approaching. Not knowing what was close to me, I Googled seafood restaurants on my phone and picked one I thought sounded promising: Pier 220 in Titusville.

As I approached the restaurant, I was filled with a sense of delight. The restaurant was located at an actual fishing pier, and as I walked up, a Calypso band was playing out front. It was getting windy, so I opted to sit inside, but the restaurant had large, stunning windows that looked out over the Indian River. Tripletail, a fish like grouper, was on the menu that night, and it was so fresh I wondered if it been caught outside just minutes earlier.

But the best was yet to come. It was approaching dusk just as I was finishing my dessert, and as I looked out the windows, hues in rainbow tones came spilling out across the water. The sunset was the perfect way to cap off my active day, and yes, many more photos were taken, threatening to bump up my phone’s storage capacity yet again.