Florida's Space Coast hidden gems: The inland communities

Titusville in the north of the region is close to Kennedy Space Center and NASA grounds offering excellent viewing spots for the next rocket launch. The area is home to the American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame, the museum offering a different perspective to the history of space discovery having been complied by the space workers themselves. Three key cycling routes also run through the Titusville area: the Coast to Coast Trail; St. John´s River to Sea Loop and the East Coast Greenway, while the downtown area offers authentic Florida cuisine and brewing. 

The thriving beach communities are often complimented by a corresponding town inland, such as Cocoa Village just across the causeways from Cocoa Beach. This was one of the first towns established on the Space Coast and presents historic homes and buildings, such as the Cocoa Village Playhouse, restaurants, art galleries and boutique shopping. In a similar way Melbourne is located inland from Melbourne Beach and is a town full of local restaurants, prime shopping and a starting point for nature activities in the area. Both Cocoa Village and Melbourne offer food walking tours of the downtown areas with a special emphasis on the local cuisine. Just north of the heart of Melbourne visitors can explore the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD) with an award-winning Florida Main Street and an authentic neighbourhood dating back to 1860. EGAD is to experience as an outdoor museum, with over 20 murals awaiting discovery along the streets. Every first Friday in the month is a set date for a “First Friday” event when visitors can stroll down Highland Avenue and experience individual events in the shops, galleries and taverns.  

A must-see spot on the Space Coast is the town of Viera, popular with both visitors and locals alike and centrally located in the region. Two main attractions in this larger town are the Brevard Zoo presenting over 800 animals including those typical to Florida and a Sea Turtle Healing Center alongside additional activities such as giraffe feedings, kayaking and train rides through the zoo and ziplining; while shopping enthusiasts enjoy The Avenue Viera, one of the best shopping spots in the region and with outdoor access to the stores and specialized restaurants.  

The largest community on the Space Coast is Palm Bay in the very South of the region; it is an oasis for nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts. Children visiting enjoy the waterparks, kayak rides or even fishing from a pier, while adults can try out paddleboarding or the nature trails.