Things to do in Port Canaveral

Cocoa Beach Pier

It’s an adventure 800 ft. over the ocean! This historical landmark on the Space Coast was established in 1962. Home to 5 restaurants, 4 bars, gift shops, free live musical entertainment and an 800 foot long fishing pier so YOU can land the big one! The pier also offers beach rentals, fresh water showers, regulation beach volleyball courts, lifeguards year round and some of the BEST surfing on the east coast! Annual events include beach concerts and surf festivals throughout the year! 

Restaurants:

  • Atlantic Ocean Grille

  • Marlins Good Times Bar and Grill

  • Oh Shucks Seafood Bar

  • Mai Tiki Bar

  • The Boardwalk

I Dream of Jeannie

The TV sit-com I Dream of Jeannie was set in Cocoa Beach, FL since astronaut Captain Tony Nelson lived there (on 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, FL) and worked a Cape Kennedy (later known as the Kennedy Space Center).  There is a commemorative sign and a street named "I Dream of Jeannie Lane" at Lori Wilson Park off of A1A in Cocoa Beach. These are the only real landmarks present since there is no actual Palm Drive in Cocoa Beach and the majority of the filming was actually done in Hollywood, CA.  The cast and crew only made a couple of visits to the area and visited Cape Kennedy for a launch and cameo events in the area.

Jetty Park is on the south point at the entrance to the port from the ocean.  It offers beach access, a campground, rental cabins, a pier on the south jetty to fish, watch the cruise ships, fishing boats & submarines arrive and depart as well as probably one of the best vantage points to watch a rocket launch from.  

Beaches

There are many beautiful beaches just south of Port Canaveral.  North of Port Canaveral is the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center.  There are several good options that are either family friendly or "where the party is at!!"  Most of the places in northern Cocoa Beach require you to pay to park (at the Cocoa Beach Pier, Shepard Park near Ron Jon's and the beach access on the end of each street (metered)) however there are a few good options that don't. The beach accesses to the south of Minuteman Causeway (by Coconuts) are typically free to park although space is limited.  The best free option is Lori Wilson Park.  

Family Friendly

Lori Wilson Park has two large parking lots (north and south), a playground, restrooms, volleyball area, dog park, boardwalk, maritime hammock and nature trail. There is a grassy picnic area as well as pavilions with grills.  The beach is well kept with fine sand, year around lifeguards and a gentle slope into the ocean.  Park is open sunrise until dusk.

  • Lori Wilson Park

  • 1500 N. Atlantic Ave

  • CocoaBeach, FL 32931

  • (321) 455-1380

Where the party is at!!!

Coconuts on the Beach

Come enjoy the awesome oceanfront party deck where you can gaze at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, enjoy your favorite drinks and order some of our delicious cuisine.  Coconuts on the Beach is the area’s #1 place to party on the beach, meet people and be entertained by the area’s best live performers. Visit us for a sandal-wearing, stress-free environment where you can relax and have a great time!

Cocoa Village is one of the Space Coast’s most popular destinations. Walk along the historic, tree-lined streets, shop and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a nostalgic riverside community. Dine at one of the gourmet restaurants before you catch a show at the historic Playhouse, or visit the Florida Historical Society to find out some more about Florida times past. Have a special night out with friends and enjoy casual dining – Italian, pizza, sushi, tapas or seafood – and take in the live music at one of the buzzing night spots. Spend the day shopping in some of our exquisite, specialty stores, or just relax and enjoy a walk along our beautiful riverside boardwalk; take a sunset Paddle-Boat cruise along the Indian river or drop a fishing line in or a relaxing afternoon.  Cocoa Village offers a fun and enjoyable experience to people of all ages. The youngsters can grab an ice cream cone and play in the fountain at Riverside Park. Adults can enjoy an drink from one of the cafes or bars while shopping at large selection of unique shops. 

Established as the “Aladdin” theatre, the doors opened to the public on August 18th, 1924, showing silent movies.  An audience base of 4,000 season patrons support the Playhouse each year and performances are known to sell out to the public before the run of each production is finished. Over 55,000 audience viewers participate each year.  The Playhouse opened its 23rd season on Sept. 28, 2012 with a newly renovated auditorium, expanded orchestra pit and enlarged balcony. 

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 as an overlay of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center.  Consisting of 140,000 acres, the Refuge provides a wide variety of habitats:  coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries and marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals.

Many recreational opportunities are offered at the Refuge.  Bird and wildlife observation, a wildlife drive, manatee observation deck, fishing and hunting opportunities, and boating and paddling are examples of available activities.  The Visitor Information Center is now open seven days a week 9 am to 4 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on federal holidays. Black Point Wildlife Drive and all other public areas are open from sunrise to sunset daily.  Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has an entrance fee for Black Point Wildlife Drive.  Visitors will have the option to purchase a $5/vehicle Daily Pass at any of these areas from a self-serve kiosk or from the Refuge Visitor Center.