Vacationing in the Florida Space Coast

Visiting Florida these days, especially if you are visiting the Orlando theme parks, can be very costly. It currently costs a family of four well over $200 just to walk in the door. This doesn't even include the cost of parking, snacks, meals and souvenirs. A visit to an area on the east coast of the state, often referred to as the Space Coast, can provide enough worthwhile inexpensive activities to make your family never even miss Mickey and Minnie.

If traveling by car, the Florida Space Coast can be reached by either Interstate 75 or 95. If traveling by air, it can be reached by three airports - Orlando International, Daytona Beach and Melbourne International.

Once at the Space Coast, there are many cities to stay in - Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach are the popular choices. Yet there are other smaller coastal cities that have fine accommodations as well, such as Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Satellite Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay.

Near Titusville, you will find the Kennedy Space Center, entertaining as much as educational. For an adult price of $37 and $27 for a child, you can tour the facilities, see an IMAX movie, visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and take a bus tour to see launch sites, a control room and the Apollo 5 rocket. The only things you won't find here are Major Nelson and Jeannie.

Also near Titusville is Black Point Wildlife Drive, part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. And afternoon can be spent driving through a seven-mile course, looking for several varieties of birds and alligators as well, in their most natural habitat. Visitors are encouraged to stay in their car, but don't forget to bring your camera. The best part is that it is free.

Other than the famous beaches, Daytona Beach is also famous for its auto racing. Adjacent to the actual speedway, Daytona USA is an attraction that will make motorsports enthusiasts forget about Disney. Visitors can see interactive shows, drive race car simulators, and see an IMAX movie. All for $21.50 for adults and $15.50 for children six to twelve years old. Five and under are free.