Orlando/Port Canaveral area

[N.ID7803]

My wife and 2 boys 5 and 7 have1 day on Feb 1st in the Orlando/Port Canaveral area with a rental car. Any suggestions on cool things to do or see? We have done the airboat gator tour thing, and not opposed to doing that again, but open to other options for the family. Thanks for the input.

 

[Phaseolus]

The Kennedy Space Center is well worth your time, especially with kids, even more so if there is a launch to watch.

 

[CorbLand]

The Kennedy Space Center is well worth your time, especially with kids, even more so if there is a launch to watch.

This. I went there when I was 16ish. Really cool. We got lucky and got to watch a launch and then go the next day. If there is a launch, watch it.

 

[DuckDawg22]

Gatorland might be touristy but it's fun to get close to some big ones. The alligator "wrestling" is well worth the picture (the gators mouth is taped shut and they have your hand cover the tape for the photo) but cool to feel how much power even the 6 footers have

 

[CHSD]

Kennedy Space Center. We got there right when it opened and stayed until it closed. Did not expect to do that! It was amazing! I recommend getting there early and going straight to the Apollo bus to avoid the crazy lines!

 

[N.ID7803]

Thanks all. We caught a SpaceX launch last time we were in Cocoa Beach.

 

[Giroguy2000]

We just got back from Orlando.

We always hit one of the springs that the Manatees winter in, super cool. Silver Springs is fun if you guys want to do a glass bottom boat tour.

A bit of a drive but Crystal River you can actually get in the water with them.

Blue Springs is near but very crowded.

Also, no manatees here but renting a canoe and paddling down the Wekiva River is really fun. Always see gators and I took my fishing pole this last time and hooked into a couple bass and sunfish.

If it’s warm out Wekiwa Springs is a fun swim too. Crystal clear water and you can swim right over the actual spring.

 

[Rich M]

The space center

The springs for manatees will be crowded if you can get parking.

The springs w/o manatees are nice - nature stuff and swimming in 70 degree water.

Swiiming w manatees in crystal river is fun. I did that about 40 yrscago, still remember it all.

St Augustine is a good day trip to. Old forts and such. A fav of the locals.

 

[Fowl Play]

Space Center or springs are good recommendations. The Emerald Cut of the rock springs run is gorgeous in winter. https://www.kingslandingfl.com/daypaddlekayakrentals

 

[bigbassin]

Merritt Island NWR is an option I’d throw out as well, there’s a couple of loops that you can drive. Basically guaranteed to see a gator if it’s not too cold, should be absolutely loaded with ducks at that time of the year, plus all sorts of other birds. Slight chance at seeing hogs but that’s fairly rare along the drive in areas.

 

[Rich M]

Merritt Island NWR is an option I’d throw out as well, there’s a couple of loops that you can drive. Basically guaranteed to see a gator if it’s not too cold, should be absolutely loaded with ducks at that time of the year, plus all sorts of other birds. Slight chance at seeing hogs but that’s fairly rare along the drive in areas.

Good call. Still duck season. Black Point would have the most waterfowl cause not hunted.

We do that about once a month. Gators and hogs and bobcats are the big 3 for us. Dad likes to look at the ducks. We hunt there when can land a permit.

 

[bigbassin]

Good call. Still duck season. Black Point would have the most waterfowl cause not hunted.

We do that about once a month. Gators and hogs and bobcats are the big 3 for us. Dad likes to look at the ducks. We hunt there when can land a permit.

Saw a hog and a gator squaring off out there one time which was awesome to see. Not sure if the hog got too close to a nest or if the gator got too close to piglets.