If you live in Florida, it’s no surprise to learn that National Geographic named the Florida Space Coast one of the best places to visit in Florida for families this past November. This announcement came as part of National Geographic’s top 25 destinations on the rise for 2021 and placed the Space Coast among others like Canada, Argentina, Spain, Denmark, and Germany. What a list to be part of!
While travel came to a halt in 2020 due to the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like there may finally be some normalcy returning to life, including vacationing and travel for those who seek adventure or a little rest and relaxation. With recommendations from the CDC and other government agencies, cities across the globe are working to ensure safety for their residents and visitors alike. In addition, airlines and other forms of travel have worked to heighten health and safety measures in the wake of COVID-19.
"With all systems go for U.S. astronauts to rocket into orbit via NASA’s new Commercial Crew program, Florida’s Atlantic shoreline east of Orlando is again at the center of space exploration. The 72-mile stretch, known as the Space Coast, includes launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
"At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (open with COVID-19 restrictions), families can watch scheduled blast-offs of SpaceX and Boeing spacecrafts and walk among gigantic rockets towering over a hundred feet high. A different sort of giant, the lumbering West Indian manatee, plies the waters of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, surrounding the space center."
-National Geographic’s Destinations on the Rise for 2021
The editors at National Geographic compiled this list of 25 amazing places to inspire future journeys based on five categories: adventure, culture and history, nature, family, and sustainability.
After reading the article ourselves, we’ve gathered two very distinct reasons why National Geographic named Florida’s Space Coast one of the best places to visit in Florida for families:
- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a hands-on history lesson for all ages. With Cape Canaveral being the historic birthplace of American spaceflight, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features artifacts of NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle Programs through exhibits and attractions that tell the NASA story. There is so much to learn and do when visiting this historic landmark. If you’re really lucky, you may even catch a rocket launch. It’s one of the most amazing things you’ll ever witness... we promise!
- The nature surrounding the Florida Space Coast is unlike any other. From the miles of white sandy beaches to the Indian River Lagoon (which borders Harbor Island Beach Club) to bioluminescence tours, having an outdoor adventure in some of the most perfect weather imaginable is easy to do year-round here. As a family, you can enjoy a leisurely day at the beach or kick it up a notch by kayaking along the river. Don’t be surprised if you spot manatees, dolphins, and dare we say a shark or two! An added bonus? Getting outdoors makes for easy social distancing.
The Florida Space Coast is just a 30-minute scenic drive north of Harbor Island Beach Club, making it an easy must-see and -do destination when spending your time in beautiful Melbourne Beach, Florida. Want to learn more about this one-of-a-kind luxury resort community? Get in touch with us today!
