Inexpensive outings
Inexpensive, out of the heat, family drive. Good for all, but especially good if you need something to do with young children to get out of the heat, since you are in the comfort of your own car. Breathtaking views of birds, alligators, and natural Florida. Just after sunrise and before sunset are the best times to see wildlife.
(321) 861-0667
1963 Refuge Headquarters Road
Titusville, FL 32782
Driving Directions
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, State Road 406 Exit). Drive east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for 4 miles and travel over the Max Brewer Causeway Bridge. The Refuge begins at the east side of the causeway.
To reach the Visitor Information Center, continue 4 miles past the Refuge entrance (remain to your right at the fork in the road) and the Visitor Center entrance sign will be on your right.
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Black Point Wildlife Drive
Blackpoint Wildlife DriveInexpensive, out of the heat, family drive. Good for all, but especially good if you need something to do with young children to get out of the heat, since you are in the comfort of your own car. Breathtaking views of birds, alligators, and natural Florida. Just after sunrise and before sunset are the best times to see wildlife.
(321) 861-0667
1963 Refuge Headquarters Road
Titusville, FL 32782
Driving Directions
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, State Road 406 Exit). Drive east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for 4 miles and travel over the Max Brewer Causeway Bridge. The Refuge begins at the east side of the causeway.
To reach the Visitor Information Center, continue 4 miles past the Refuge entrance (remain to your right at the fork in the road) and the Visitor Center entrance sign will be on your right.
This was a small fossil store that has been really expanding into their own fun area for kids and museums. The shop has some pretty amazing fossils, rocks, replicas, shark teeth, and the like. There is an add-on charge for the museums and the fun-area. It's a great stop on the way to the beach and it's located near Florida Seafood, one of the best local seafood eateries.
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The Dinosaur Store
250 W Cocoa Beach CausewayThis was a small fossil store that has been really expanding into their own fun area for kids and museums. The shop has some pretty amazing fossils, rocks, replicas, shark teeth, and the like. There is an add-on charge for the museums and the fun-area. It's a great stop on the way to the beach and it's located near Florida Seafood, one of the best local seafood eateries.
Manatee sightings are most active in the cold, when the manatees crowd Florida's crystal clear springs. However, manatees are active year-round in the rivers, if you have a good vantage point. Morning and early sunset is the best time to see them.
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Manatee Observation Deck
Courtenay Parkway NorthManatee sightings are most active in the cold, when the manatees crowd Florida's crystal clear springs. However, manatees are active year-round in the rivers, if you have a good vantage point. Morning and early sunset is the best time to see them.
There are a lot of ramps to get on the beach in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. There is a large family sized beach blanket, beach towels, a tote, and sunscreen in the laundry room. There are also some beach toys. We like 5th Street South for a quiet beach. If Bryan is working at Surfside theatre that day, he's happy to give a tour of the theatre, which is very close.
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Cocoa Beach
There are a lot of ramps to get on the beach in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. There is a large family sized beach blanket, beach towels, a tote, and sunscreen in the laundry room. There are also some beach toys. We like 5th Street South for a quiet beach. If Bryan is working at Surfside theatre that day, he's happy to give a tour of the theatre, which is very close.
This zoo was literally built by hand by the community at its inception under the guidance of Norman Rockwell's grandson and a local veterinarian. Susan participated in both the build and student "brickmaking" at the school where she was teaching at the time. Local companies, including the space-related industries donated their time and money to make this happen. It's a great place for the whole family! $28.00 for adults and $16.00 for kids.
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Brevard Zoo
8225 N Wickham RdThis zoo was literally built by hand by the community at its inception under the guidance of Norman Rockwell's grandson and a local veterinarian. Susan participated in both the build and student "brickmaking" at the school where she was teaching at the time. Local companies, including the space-related industries donated their time and money to make this happen. It's a great place for the whole family! $28.00 for adults and $16.00 for kids.
Note: This came up as "Enchanted Forest Road", I'm not sure why. It's a county park.
Sign in when you get there and grab a trail guide. If you are traveling with smaller children, please ask staff which trails to take. These are not particularly vigorous trails, by most standards, but it is not all boardwalk. You will not be able to keep them in a stroller.
Note: You may see feral pigs and piglets while on the trail. Keep your distance. These aren't farm pigs. They often hang out in the Magnolia loop and you'll see their tracks.
Enchanted Forest Road
Enchanted Forest RoadNote: This came up as "Enchanted Forest Road", I'm not sure why. It's a county park.
Sign in when you get there and grab a trail guide. If you are traveling with smaller children, please ask staff which trails to take. These are not particularly vigorous trails, by most standards, but it is not all boardwalk. You will not be able to keep them in a stroller.
Note: You may see feral pigs and piglets while on the trail. Keep your distance. These aren't farm pigs. They often hang out in the Magnolia loop and you'll see their tracks.
It's a big, wide open beach with a view of massive cruise ships. There are showers, bathrooms, a baitshop, concessions, a restaurant, playgrounds. IMPORTANT: If you need a beach wheelchair, the park will assist you at no charge. Please call them for details.
Here's a youtube video that explains the amenities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RjYT89BsoQ
There are limited day passes, which you will buy online. It's by the carload at about $15.00 per day. Plan ahead to ensure a pass. Here's the link: https://shop.portcanaveral.com/collections/admission-tickets/products/jetty-park
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Jetty Park
100 Jetty Park RdIt's a big, wide open beach with a view of massive cruise ships. There are showers, bathrooms, a baitshop, concessions, a restaurant, playgrounds. IMPORTANT: If you need a beach wheelchair, the park will assist you at no charge. Please call them for details.
Here's a youtube video that explains the amenities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RjYT89BsoQ
There are limited day passes, which you will buy online. It's by the carload at about $15.00 per day. Plan ahead to ensure a pass. Here's the link: https://shop.portcanaveral.com/collections/admission-tickets/products/jetty-park
This is the community park that's located a few minutes by car from Rocketview.
Fay Lake Wilderness Park
6300 Fay BoulevardThis is the community park that's located a few minutes by car from Rocketview.
Sightseeing
KSC Visitor's center has really stepped up its game, with interactive STEM activities for kids; the Atlantis exhibit, where you can walk above, under, and around this decommissioned shuttle; eye-popping IMAX movies with Hubble footage; Mars exhibits; and the ever-popular bus tours through the center (which now stop at the Saturn museum as part of the rid).
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NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce WayKSC Visitor's center has really stepped up its game, with interactive STEM activities for kids; the Atlantis exhibit, where you can walk above, under, and around this decommissioned shuttle; eye-popping IMAX movies with Hubble footage; Mars exhibits; and the ever-popular bus tours through the center (which now stop at the Saturn museum as part of the rid).
Food scene
Restaurant at Jetty Park. Convenient if you're already there for the day.
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Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
610 Glen Cheek DrRestaurant at Jetty Park. Convenient if you're already there for the day.
Right across the water from the VAB (iconic NASA Vehicle Assembly Building), this is the best Mexican/Cuban restaurant in the county (they have two other restaurants in the county). If you've never tried Cuban food, you might want to relax with a Mojito (a rum cocktail) and Picadillo entree (beef over rice with plantains). Great Mexican dishes and friendly waiters. Don't forget to grab some Key Lime hard candies (gratis) from the front desk on the way out.
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El Leoncito Mexican and Cuban Restaurant
4280 S Washington AveRight across the water from the VAB (iconic NASA Vehicle Assembly Building), this is the best Mexican/Cuban restaurant in the county (they have two other restaurants in the county). If you've never tried Cuban food, you might want to relax with a Mojito (a rum cocktail) and Picadillo entree (beef over rice with plantains). Great Mexican dishes and friendly waiters. Don't forget to grab some Key Lime hard candies (gratis) from the front desk on the way out.
There are many locations, but this one is a few miles from the house. Great Italian food in a classic setting.
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Kelsey's Pizzeria
6811 N Cocoa BlvdThere are many locations, but this one is a few miles from the house. Great Italian food in a classic setting.
Indian Sizzler
3520 South Washington AvenueThe closest Indian Restaurant. Excellent kadai and curry!
Florida has a large Vietnamese population and we are blessed with a number of Vietnamese restaurants. Pho 95's soup is fragrant and fresh. The restaurant itself is a little worn looking, but the staff is friendly.
Pho 95 Vietnamese cuisine
938 Dixon BoulevardFlorida has a large Vietnamese population and we are blessed with a number of Vietnamese restaurants. Pho 95's soup is fragrant and fresh. The restaurant itself is a little worn looking, but the staff is friendly.
This has a vast menu of Asian fusion, including sushi, Thai food, and more. Very popular! Sue is in love with the Chili Fish.
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Pacific Rim
300 N Courtenay PkwyThis has a vast menu of Asian fusion, including sushi, Thai food, and more. Very popular! Sue is in love with the Chili Fish.
Very close to the house, it has outdoor dining and a good menu. Think upscale burgers, beer, tacos. It has an outdoor patio or indoor dining.
PSJ Cellar
3780 Curtis BoulevardVery close to the house, it has outdoor dining and a good menu. Think upscale burgers, beer, tacos. It has an outdoor patio or indoor dining.
Dixie Crossroads
1475 Garden StGreat seafood, very informal, great staff!
My favorite informal seafood restaurant. Great oysters!
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Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill
480 W Cocoa Beach CausewayMy favorite informal seafood restaurant. Great oysters!
Country Cookin Diner - Port St. John
704 West AveClose to the house. VERY inexpensive country breakfast.
Fabulous food, great selection of beer! Good for families, too.
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Playalinda Brewing Company - Brix Project
5220 S Washington AveFabulous food, great selection of beer! Good for families, too.
This little bakery sells out quick and is only open weird hours (see below) but you can order ahead. Killer desserts, cakes, and cupcakes.
Hours:
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10AM–3:30PM
Thursday 10AM–3:30PM
Friday 10AM–3:30PM
Saturday 10AM–12PM
Something Sweet Cake Studio
3740 Curtis BlvdThis little bakery sells out quick and is only open weird hours (see below) but you can order ahead. Killer desserts, cakes, and cupcakes.
Hours:
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10AM–3:30PM
Thursday 10AM–3:30PM
Friday 10AM–3:30PM
Saturday 10AM–12PM
The restaurant is right on the river. Great views! Good food, particularly the seafood skewers. Great “Floribbean” food.
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Pier 220 Seafood and Grill
2 A. Max Brewer Memorial PkwyThe restaurant is right on the river. Great views! Good food, particularly the seafood skewers. Great “Floribbean” food.
Theme Parks
It's the most magical place on earth. Talk to Sue for tips before you go that can make your day much better!
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Magic Kingdom
1180 Seven Seas Drive It's the most magical place on earth. Talk to Sue for tips before you go that can make your day much better!
This park is a wonderful animal-centered park. In our experience, this park is best in the Spring and Fall, since it doesn't have all the indoor rides to take cover from the heat like the other parks do.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Themenpark
2901 Osceola PkwyThis park is a wonderful animal-centered park. In our experience, this park is best in the Spring and Fall, since it doesn't have all the indoor rides to take cover from the heat like the other parks do.
This park has a lot of brand new rides with a futuristic theme. The World Showcase is in the back of the park. Start there and veer left (Everyone wants to do the ride in the silver sphere first but that's a nice cool ride to hit after the lines are down and you need a retreat from the heat). There is a temporary manatee aquarium in this park.
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Epcot
200 Epcot Center DrThis park has a lot of brand new rides with a futuristic theme. The World Showcase is in the back of the park. Start there and veer left (Everyone wants to do the ride in the silver sphere first but that's a nice cool ride to hit after the lines are down and you need a retreat from the heat). There is a temporary manatee aquarium in this park.
Aquatic is an amazing water park. Sea World has been mending its reputation by ramping up it's Manatee Rescue team and readjusting their mission. You can see manatees here.
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SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World DrAquatic is an amazing water park. Sea World has been mending its reputation by ramping up it's Manatee Rescue team and readjusting their mission. You can see manatees here.
This is a major theme park, on par with Disney. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is here!
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Universal Studios Florida
6000 Universal BlvdThis is a major theme park, on par with Disney. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is here!
Groceries
This is the best grocery store in the area. They are known for excellent produce and meats.
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Publix Super Market at Indiavista Center
7325 US-1This is the best grocery store in the area. They are known for excellent produce and meats.
Medical
This is a walk-in urgent care clinic, available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week. Located very close to the house. It is not a hospital.
Port St John MedFast Urgent Care | Walk In Clinic | Emergency Quick Care
5005 Port Saint John PkwyThis is a walk-in urgent care clinic, available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week. Located very close to the house. It is not a hospital.
CVS
4292 N Atlantic AvePharmacy close to the house.
Walgreens
785 Lockwood BlvdPharmacy close to the house and near the grocery store.
Parrish Medical Center
951 N Washington AveExcellent hospital that you, hopefully, won't need!
P S J Pediatrics LLC
3765 Kings HighwayIt's the closest medical office for pediatrics.
Spa
Massage Envy - Titusville
2530 South Washington Avenue