Five Fun Things to Do in Cocoa Beach, Florida

Headed to Florida’s Space Coast? You might find yourself staying in Cocoa Beach, a family-friendly beach community near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. So what should you do in the area when you’re not busy marveling at all things Space Race and NASA? Here are our top five activities for a fun trip to Cocoa Beach.

1. Visit Cocoa Beach Pier and Boardwalk

Cocoa Beach Pier juts out from the beach, 800 feet over the Atlantic. The historic traveler hot spot is a perfect place to enjoy a stroll and spectacular views, but it’s also a favorite location for shopping and dining. Catch some live music, schedule a surf lesson on the beach below or fish from the end of the pier, for a bevy of Atlantic sea life. There are endless ways to spend an entire day.

2. Stop into the Florida Surf Museum

Situated within the local Ron Jon Surf Shop, the Florida Surf Museum pays homage to all things surfing on the East Coast. Whereas Hawaii and California get all the surfing notoriety in the States, you might just be surprised at the East’s unique surfing culture. This is a quick stop to add to your Cocoa Beach itinerary, as well as a nice respite from the heat.3. Find a Quieter Escape at Lori Wilson Park

This small beach park, at just over 32 acres, is free to visit (and park!) and offers a more low-key, laid-back, quieter environment for those who want to kick back and relax away from some of the pier crowds. Don’t forget to enjoy the boardwalk nature trail that’s surrounded by sea oats, sea grass and palmettos, as well as plenty of wildlife. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

4. Shop for Artifacts at The Dinosaur Store and Museum

This unique Cocoa Beach attraction is part-museum, part-adventure zone, part-shop. It features three floors of family fun, including the museum attractions, reptile and amphibian zoo, an arcade, cinema and more. Take a bit of the fun home with you, as you peruse the real dinosaur fossils, teeth and claws for sale in the dino store.

5. Take to the Skies, with a Florida Air Tours Helicopter Ride

What’s one of the best ways to see Cocoa Beach? From the air! See Cocoa Beach — as well as neighboring Merritt Island, Port Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center — from the bubble canopy of a Robinson R-44 helicopter. Want something a little more adventurous? Florida Air Tours also offers Cocoa Beach biplane tours, so you can enjoy the sights from the front seat of a World War II-era biplane.

Need More?

Need more ideas on fun things to do in Cocoa Beach, as well as ideas for where to stay, eat, drink and shop? Check out Discovery Map’s Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Village, Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island illustrated map, a handy guide to the best of the best activities and amenities on Florida’s Space Coast.