Space Coast and Daytona Beach Attractions
Space Coast and Daytona Beach Attractions
 | Beaches FL Spend the day -- or a week -- at the beach on your next central Florida vacation. Family-friendly beaches on the Space Coast include Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet State Park in Melbourne Beach, a favorite spot for surfing and snorkeling. In the Daytona area, check out vehicle-free Tom Renick Park and North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Alternatively, travel south to Lighthouse Point Park at Ponce Inlet, rated one of the best beaches in the U.S. by Dr. Beach. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Brevard Zoo 8225 North Wickham Road Melbourne, FL • 321-254-9453 Feed giraffes and lorikeets, paddle a kayak past animal exhibits and watch your kids splash around in a zero-entry water playground at this terrific Melbourne, Florida zoo, home to nearly 500 animals representing 130 species. Treetop Trek Aerial Adventures park, for ages 4 and up, is the newest addition to the facility -- which is small in size, but especially well designed and packed with kid-friendly attractions. Bring bathing suits for the kids. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Cracker Creek 1795 Taylor Road Port Orange, FL • 386-304-0778 Enjoy natural Florida on a trip down Spruce Creek, rumored to be the inspiration for Walt Disney's Jungle Cruise. Take a self-guided canoe or kayak tour or a scheduled pontoon boat cruise, or book a fact-filled and memorable guided eco-adventure through naturalist Wynn Hamilton's Nature Adventures of Daytona. Adjacent to the property is historic Gamble Place, a 175-acre preserve containing a citrus packing house and a striking replica of Snow White's cottage. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Daytona International Speedway 1801 West International Speedway Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL • 800-748-7467 Experience the thrill of speed on a tour of Daytona International Speedway's two-and-a-half-mile tri-oval, a must-try for any Daytona first-timer. Choose from the 90-minute All Access Tour, the 30-minute Speedway Tour or the three-hour VIP tour. The All Access Tour, best suited to ages 8 and up, takes you to the Driver's Meeting Room, Gatorade Victory Lane and the Sprint Cup garage. On non-event days, the tour tram is allowed on the track, allowing participants the opportunity to experience firsthand the 31-degree banking negotiated by NASCAR's top talent. Kids ages 5 and under are free. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Daytona Lagoon 601 Earl Street Daytona Beach, FL • 386-254-5020 Convenient to Ocean Walk Shoppes as well as a number of family-friendly lodgings, this fun-filled water park and entertainment center offers short lines and plenty of variety. In addition to a refreshingly manageable water park, a multi-level go-kart track, and outdoor mini-golf, your kids can enjoy a weather-proof indoor fun center featuring laser tag and nearly 100 arcade games, many that produce prize-bearing tickets which can be redeemed for take-home treats. The water park is open seasonally, from mid-March to late September. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, FL • 866-737-5235 Budget at least one full day for a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a must-see for any first-time central Florida visitor. At the sprawling 70-acre tribute to the nation's space program, you can meet an astronaut, experience a simulated launch and watch rockets blast off while enjoying special family-friendly events planned to coincide with scheduled missions. Plans are underway for a major expansion, including a $100 million exhibit featuring the retired Space Shuttle Atlantis as well as interactive displays that will sweeten the wait for popular attractions. If you have young children, pack snacks and bring a lightweight collapsible stroller. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Marine Science Center 100 Lighthouse Drive Ponce Inlet, FL • 386-304-5545 Pet a stingray, visit a sea turtle hospital and learn about manatees, mangroves and coral reefs at this compact and kid-friendly education center. The Marine Science Center is convenient to Lighthouse Point Park and Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Museum of Arts and Sciences 352 South Nova Road Daytona Beach, FL • 386-255-0285 Kids can build their own race cars, ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle and play CSI at the Charles and Linda Williams Children's Museum -- a 9,300-square-foot, hands-on family discovery center located within Daytona's Museum of Arts and Sciences, a Smithsonian affiliate. There's a play center for little ones ages 6 to 36 months as well as a make-your-own "Pizza Palace" that's popular among preschoolers. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Ponce Inlet Watersports 4936 South Peninsula Drive Ponce Inlet, FL • 386-405-3445 Ride a banana boat, learn to paddleboard or soar over Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and the Atlantic Ocean on a fun-filled parasailing tour. Appropriate for all ages, parasail flights are priced by height -- with five options ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet. Single, tandem and triple side-by-side tours are available. Take a free shuttle to and from your hotel. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Ron Jon Surf Shop 4151 North Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach , FL • 321-799-8888 Don't sacrifice precious sand time for souvenir shopping. You can make a pilgrimage to this local surf-wear shrine any time of the day or night. Open 24 hours, the 52,000-square-foot flagship location of the Ron Jon surf store features two floors of surf gear, beach wear and souvenirs from trademark t-shirts to logo beach towels. A water-sports rental shop (open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) is located one-half block north. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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