Florida’s Space Coast is a popular tourist region that’s located along the Atlantic side of Florida and stretches over 70 miles long!

Cocoa Beach is the premier destination in this area and is known for the pier, beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, and waterfront restaurants!

Of course, the region is known for its cruises from Port Canaveral, as well as rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center!

Cocoa Beach is just an hour east and has the closest beaches to Orlando!

A few of the cities that are near Cocoa Beach include Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Viera.

Many of the Cocoa area beaches are also nature parks and offer the perfect mix of relaxing and exploring!

Here’s a list of the best beaches around Cocoa, Florida, including other activities nearby, too!

Best Things To Do In Cocoa Beach

beach at the old pier in Cocoa Beach

Things To Do Nearby

Play mini-golf and see the reptiles at Golf N Gator.ย  They have Go Karts here, too.

Lighthouse Cove Mini Golf is just south of the pier and offers 2 mini-golf courses, ice cream, and beer and wine!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near The Cocoa Beach Pier ๐Ÿ‘‰ Hampton Inn

Cocoa Beach Pier entrance
the Rikki Tiki Tavern restaurant in Cocoa Beach FL

beach view from Alan Shepard Park

Things To Do Nearby

Nearby restaurants include Sandbar Sports Grill, Rock the Guac, and Nolan’s Irish Pub.

Grab a slice of cheesecake, pie, or a glass of wine at The Florida Key Lime Pie Company!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Alan Shepard Park ๐Ÿ‘‰ Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort

Things To Do Nearby

Check out Banana River Square Shopping Center just across the street from the park.

Nearby restaurants include Florida’s Fresh Grill, Paddy Cassidy’s Irish Pub, and Beachside Grill and Deli.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Sidney Fisher Park ๐Ÿ‘‰ Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

Photo credit – Wikimedia

beach boardwalk to Lori Wilson Park - Cocoa Beach FL

Things To Do Nearby

Come to Mambo’s Beachside Bar & Grill for Caribbean food and mixed drinks!

Gregory’s Steak and Seafood Grill is a popular establishment just south of the park, as well.

Maritime Hammock Preserve is a nearby park with hiking trails and is an ideal place for bird-watching and picnics.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Lori Wilson Park ๐Ÿ‘‰ International Palms Oceanfront Resort

Best Things To Do Nearby

aerial view of Cape Canaveral, USA

Things To Do Nearby

The Cove is a waterfront area with shops, bars, restaurants, a casino boat, and charters!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Jetty Park ๐Ÿ‘‰ Holiday Inn Club Vacations

exterior view of the Grill Tiki Bar in Cocoa Beach
outdoor dining at the Grill Tiki Bar

Things To Do Nearby

Other neighboring restaurants include Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, Gators Dockside, and Fishlips Waterfront Bar and Grill, and all are in close proximity to each other.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Grills ๐Ÿ‘‰ Homewood Suites

aerial view from the Top of Exploration tower

10. Climb To The Top Of The Exploration Tower- Cape Canaveral

The Exploration Tower in Cape Canaveral is a wonderful area attraction and just a couple blocks away from Grills Tiki Bar.

This tower has indoor and outdoor observation decks, several exhibits, a recreation theater, and a cafe.

The Exploration Tower is another place where you can typically watch the rocket launches, however, they are not hosting any launch viewings due to Covid.

Also, only the 1st-floor guest information/gift shop and 7th-floor viewing area are open to visitors right now due to limited access.ย  You also must wear a mask to get in.

The Exploration Tower is still worth going to, especially if you haven’t been to the area before.ย  Currently, there is no admission charge to get in.

Go to the top and see the stunning views of the area!

 

Things To Do Nearby

Want to see more of what Cape Canaveral has to offer? Consider booking a bike tour!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near The Exploration Tower ๐Ÿ‘‰ The Inn At Cocoa Beach

11. Cherie Down Park- Cape Canaveral

In an area filled with parks, Cherie Down Park is a 7-acre beach park, just under 2 miles north of the Cocoa Beach Pier!

Take a walk on the boardwalk past the seagrass and sand dunes.ย  This park has bbq grills, pavilions, sheltered picnic areas, and outdoor showers.

Cherie Down Park

๐Ÿ“ 8330 Ridgewood Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Things To Do Nearby

Nearby restaurants include Ellie May’s Tiki Bar, DiLorenzo’s Pizza and Subs, and Vargas Cafe.

You can also grab a beer at Florida Beer Company or Preacher Bar.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Rental Near Cherie Down Park: Radisson Resort At The Port

Sunrise at Satellite Beach Florida

12. Seagull Park- Satellite Beach

Seagull Park is located in Satellite Beach, a 20-minute drive south of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

This small beach park is less than 2 acres and there’s not a lot of available parking here, either.

Still, Seagull Park is a nice spot for its appealing landscape, beach access, fishing, and surfing.ย  There is a small picnic area here, too.

Seagull Park

๐Ÿ“ 285 Highway A1A Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Things To Do Nearby

A couple of beaches near Seagull Park include Pineda Beach Park to the north and Hightower Beach Park to the south.

For info on Hightower Beach and more beaches in Satellite Beach, go here!

Just a 5-minute drive from Seagull Park is Manatee Cove Golf Course where you can play golf and enjoy the tiki bar!

Get seafood or wings at Goombay’s Beachside, which is nearby.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Seagull Park: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Oceanfront

13. Pelican Beach Park- Satellite Beach

Just north of Indian Harbour Beach and a 25-minute drive south of the Cocoa Beach Pier, is Pelican Beach Park.

Pelican Beach Park is a nice place for a family gathering or picnic since there are several pavilions that you can rent.

The park also has BBQ grills, a playground, outdoor showers, and a sand volleyball court.

Pelican Beach Park

๐Ÿ“ 1525 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Things To Do Nearby

While here, you’re right next to Samsons Nature Park that’s worth exploring. Also, a popular place for bird watching, camping, boating, and more!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Pelican Beach Park: Sea Glass Inn

Historic Melbourne Beach Florida

14. Bonsteel Park, Melbourne Beach

Just under an hour’s drive south of the Cocoa Beach Pier is Bonsteel Park in Melbourne Beach!

Take a stroll on the boardwalk to the beach or hike the area trails to the Indian River.

This beach park is just over 2 acres and is also a nice place for surfing and fishing.

 

Bonsteel Beach Park

๐Ÿ“ 8455 Florida A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

 

Things To Do Nearby

Walk over to the Barrier Island Sanctuary, just north of the park, where they have kayaking/canoeing, hiking, a nature center, and gift shop, tours, and wildlife viewing.

And for more fishing, try a fishing charter!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Bonsteel Beach Park: Sea View Inn

15. Paradise Beach & Park- Melbourne

Also known as the Howard E. Futch Memorial Park, Paradise Beach boasts over 12 acres and has lots of amenities.

Things offered here are picnic areas with pavilions, BBQ grills, a playground, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, and seasonal lifeguards.

 

Paradise Beach & Park

๐Ÿ“ 2301 N Hwy A1A, Melbourne, FL 32903

 

Things To Do Nearby

Nearby restaurants include Mel’s Tiki Cafe and Bunky’s Raw Bar & Seafood Grill.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Paradise Beach: Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront

Greater Yellowlegs Gets a Sea Snail, Playalinda Beach, Merritt Island, Florida

16. Playalinda Beach- Titusville

Part of the Canaveral National Seashore, Playalinda Beach is noted for being an undeveloped stretch of beach and a popular surfing location.

It’s also one of the best spots to watch shuttle launches! This section of beach is almost 25 miles wide and less than an hour’s drive north of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

As it’s part of the national park, there are entrance fees.ย  It’s currently $20 per vehicle/day.

 

Playalinda Beach

๐Ÿ“ Florida State Road 406/402, Titusville,ย FLย 32796

Things To Do Nearby

While at Playalinda Beach, you’re not far from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

This preserve is open to the public and is known for its wide variety of habitats and many species of wildlife from birds to reptiles.

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Near Playalinda Beach: Fairfield Inn

17. Watch A Space Shuttle Launch!ย 

My friends and I came to the Space Coast to watch the Space X shuttle launch.ย  Soon after arriving, though, we discovered that the launch had been postponed due to rough weather. ย 

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to witness the launch, but there are many spots around Cocoa Beach, and on this list, that are great to watch the space shuttle launches!

Right now, some of the viewing points have changes and restrictions due to COVID-19.ย  See online for details on the best viewing locations.

And see the upcoming launch schedule here!

Space shuttle leaving launching pad, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

18. Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex- Merritt Island ย 

Kennedy Space Center is easily one of the top attractions of Florida’s Space Coast!

It’s located on Merritt Island, Florida, about 30 minutes north of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

The Kennedy Space Center has several attractions including an IMAX theater, space artifacts, shopping and dining areas, shows, interactive games, exhibits, as well as mission and training simulations.

19. Explore Historic Cocoa Village

Less than 20 minutes away from the Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Village is a fantastic place to go for shopping, food, and different events throughout the year.

When we visited the area, the Arts and Crafts Show going on so we decided to check it out.

The city has an Arts and Craft Show four weekends a year, in March, May, October, and the first weekend in December.

Here, they have a couple of hundred vendors, exhibitors, and shops selling products in the park and on the downtown streets.

 

The Arts and Crafts show in Cocoa Village has vendors from all over selling their goods

Arts and Crafts Showย 

The Arts and Crafts show has paintings, photos, food, drinks, crafts, and more for sale. They also have live music and admission is free.ย 

Definitely a fun thing to check out if you’re in the area while this is going on.

Cocoa Village also has a Holiday Boat Parade and Holiday Bicycle Parade in December and many other events throughout the year.

Other events in Cocoa Village include car shows, market days, and more.

Things To Do Nearby

While here, be sure to visit Lee Wenner Park, a waterfront park along the Indian River.

There are several restaurants nearby.ย  Grab some grub at Ryan’s Pizza and Pub or Cryderman’s Barbecue.

You can also take a Village Food Tour to explore the local foods and learn about the history of the area!

๐Ÿจ Recommended Hotel Nearby Cocoa Village: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

Final Thoughts: Best Things To Do In Cocoa Beach And Nearby

The Cocoa Beach area has some of the best beaches and lots of other things to do nearby!

See more thingsย to do in the area and check out the visitor guide And if you’re looking for more Florida beaches and adventures, go here!

Booking a last-minute trip to Cocoa Beach?ย ย 

If so, we have you covered.ย  Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!

Top Tours in Cocoa Beach

Thousand Island Tour w/ Kayaking (Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Island Guided Tour)

Dolphin Tours On The Banana River (See Dolphins And Manatees!)

Manatee And Dolphin Kayak Tourย (Guided Kayak Tour)

Sunset Catamaran Sailย (Enjoy The Wildlife And Sunset On Merritt Island)

Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour (Highest-Rated Kayak Tour In Cocoa Beach)

Top Hotels In Cocoa Beach

Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach(Perfect For Solo Travelers & Couples)

Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach-Oceanfront – (Beachfront And Poolside View)

Courtyard By Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral – (Top-Rated Nearby Beach)

Anthony’s On The Beach – (Top-Rated Budget Hotel)

ย Looking To Get Around In Cocoa Beach?ย 

Check out rental car rates here! ๐Ÿš—