Cape Canaveral - Jan 17-19

Question

Hello and Happy New Year!

We are going to St.Augustine from Jan 15 to Jan 22 with a trip to Cape Canaveral from Jan 17 to Jan 19 (we will definitely rent a car). I have too many questions, sorry… it is our first time visiting both places.

1. If we don’t mind driving to Cape Canaveral from some other town (please suggest a nice one on the way from St.Augustine), is it a workable idea to book further away from the Kennedy Space Center and the Cruise Terminal? We really want to avoid cruise passengers crowd and don’t mind a longer drive to the KSC.

2. If our plan (see #1) is workable, then what hotel would you recommend and in what town? We like long walks on the beach watching sunset and comfortable modern hotel (no frills, but clean and safe).

3. Is one full day at the Kennedy Space Center sufficient? Shall we pre-book our tickets? If yes, I will do it right away.

Restaurants are not too important for us.

That’s all for now, but I am sure I will have more questions.

Thank you so much in advance!

Nora

Answer

Hi Nora, and Happy New Year!

Visiting Cape Canaveral is a fantastic addition to your St. Augustine trip, and it’s definitely workable to stay in a town a bit farther away from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to avoid the cruise crowds. With a rental car, you have the flexibility to stay in quieter beach towns while still being within reasonable driving distance to KSC.

1. Alternative towns to stay in:

Satellite Beach: About 20–25 minutes south of KSC. Quiet, residential, nice beaches, and less touristy than Cocoa Beach.
Merritt Island: Very close to KSC, but more residential and peaceful. Ideal if you want a short commute without the cruise traffic.
Indian Harbour Beach or Melbourne Beach: About 30–35 minutes south of KSC. These towns are less crowded, have long stretches of beach for walks, and still convenient for driving to KSC.
Cocoa Village / Cocoa: Offers a charming small-town feel with historic streets, but slightly closer to cruise passenger traffic than the southern beach towns.

Staying farther south is a good idea if your priority is peaceful beaches and long walks, as Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral areas can be busy with cruise passengers, especially around the Port Canaveral terminal.

2. Hotel recommendations:

Modern, comfortable hotels in Satellite Beach: Consider options like the Holiday Inn Express & Suites or Best Western in Satellite Beach. Both are clean, safe, and offer easy access to the beach for sunset walks.
Melbourne Beach / Indian Harbour Beach: Options like the Beachside Motel or small boutique inns along the coast provide basic modern comfort, ocean views, and quiet surroundings.
Merritt Island: Residence Inn or Courtyard by Marriott near the KSC area can be convenient, modern, and comfortable without the cruise crowd.

3. Kennedy Space Center visit:

One full day is generally sufficient to see the main attractions, including the Rocket Garden, Space Shuttle Atlantis, IMAX shows, and the Apollo/Saturn V exhibits. If you are very interested in tours like the KSC Bus Tour to the launch pads and Vehicle Assembly Building, plan for a slightly longer day or arrive early.
Yes, pre-booking tickets is highly recommended, especially in January, which is a busy time for tourists and cruise passengers. It ensures you get entry and can plan your day without worrying about lines.
Arrive early in the morning to maximize your day, as some exhibits and bus tours can take several hours.

Additional tips:

Evening beach walks for sunsets are best at south-facing beaches like Melbourne Beach or Satellite Beach, where the horizon is unobstructed.
With a car, you can easily explore multiple beaches in the area, such as Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, and Melbourne Beach, to find your favorite spots.
If you’re flexible, staying two nights in one of the quieter towns (Satellite Beach or Melbourne Beach) and driving to KSC on one of the days is a good strategy.

In summary, staying slightly south of Cape Canaveral allows for peaceful beach evenings and avoids the cruise traffic, while still keeping KSC accessible. Pre-book your KSC tickets, plan a full day for the Space Center, and enjoy long walks along the less crowded beaches for a relaxing but engaging visit.

Cape Canaveral - Jan 17-19

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