Miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, and a mere 35 miles away from the major Orlando theme parks. Two navigable rivers.  One of the world’s largest wildlife refuges. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.  World famous Ron Jon’s, the Cocoa Beach Pier, Brevard Zoo, spring training baseball, international surfing competitions, countless aquatic species, and spectacular sunrises.  Brevard County is unique, wondrous and relaxed all at the same time.  No wonder the Space Coast ranks high as a great place to visit.

The Space Coast is a family-friendly spot with something for all ages and all budgets.  Many of our visitors drive in for a day of sand and sun, or perhaps a visit to the many space age attractions.  Others come for longer stays and try out one of our first class hotels or motels.  Businesses looking at a place to have an annual conference find Brevard corporate-friendly, and many of our local firms cater to the needs of all our guests.

As the launch site for all NASA manned missions into space, the Space Coast offers visitors the thrill of both a proud history and an exciting present.  Visitors come by the thousands to view Space Shuttle launches, as astronauts head for the international Space Station. 

A guest to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can spend many hours exploring real space hardware, one-of-a-kind attractions and exhibits, five-story IMAX® films, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, and even take a simulated launch aboard the Space Shuttle.    There is no place on earth quite like this one.  Everyone comes away awed by the experience.

Tourism is big business in Brevard and it is treated accordingly.  More than 30,000 people work full or part time in the travel industry.  More than 2 million people visit the Space Coast and stay overnight.  Tourism is Brevard’s second largest economic generator, according to the Tourism Development Council.

The TDC is tasked with enhancing the local economy by expanding tourism jobs and dollars.  The TDC promotes area attractions, hotels, motels and campgrounds, contributes to beach improvements and Visitor Information Centers, and helps support local locations such as the Brevard Zoo and Space Coast Stadium that are favorites of visitors and residents alike.

The daily rate for a room in Brevard averages below $99, and rooms are usually available year round.  TDC research showed that close to 40 percent of guests were here for vacations or to spend some leisure time, while 35 percent were here on business or for a convention.  The remaining rooms were for government or other reasons.

The tourism industry helps support a plethora of restaurants, ranging from world-class seafood and Continental cuisine to hot dogs, as well as many other businesses.

A must-go stop on many lists is the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, which has raised the sand and surfing lifestyle to an art form – as the sand sculptures outside the Cocoa Beach store attest.  And right next door is the Cocoa Beach Surf Company, a complete surf complex including a hotel, restaurant, retail store and other surfing related businesses.  Also in Cocoa Beach is the Cocoa Beach Pier, which boasts several restaurants, bars, shopping, fishing and a great place to sit and enjoy the view.  The Pier is located just a half mile north of SR 520.

Port Canaveral offers more opportunities for adventure.  What started as a small port for oil and commercial fishing today is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports and an increasingly important outlet for cargo to and from the sea.  The port serves as Brevard’s gateway to global commerce and is an important economic driver.

More than 17 percent of Brevard’s total economic output depends on Port Canaveral, which accounts for 34,000 jobs pumping $1.5 billion dollars into the local economy.