Working hard, keeping up with responsibilities, and catering to family needs are all important parts of life. That said, making time to get out of town and get away from it all is just as vital to living a healthy and well-rounded life! While there are many places to pick from on the map when it’s time to schedule an amazing getaway experience, those with a heart for scenic shorelines, plenty of sunshine, and proximity to fun at every turn will find everything they’re looking for and more in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Whether you’re headed this way on your own for a one-of-a-kind solo adventure, can’t wait to enjoy well-deserved time with your significant other, or happen to have a family getaway in mind, Cocoa Beach offers up a plethora of activities, landmarks, and attractions that make the voyage well worth your while. Cocoa Beach comes with the unique distinction of being integrated into Florida’s exciting Space Coast, offering up much in the way of education and innovation at every turn. It’s also a place that people come to relax and unwind on sugar-white shorelines, enjoy time on the blue waves or make the most of amazing dining and shopping options that are just as readily available to experience and enjoy.
Just an hour from Orlando and filled with coastal charm, Cocoa Beach is a beautiful place to vacation this summer or fall. When you’re ready to put the finishing touches on a one-of-a-kind itinerary, the following shouldn’t be left off when you’re committed to creating a customized and truly unforgettable stay!
Things to Do While You’re Here: From Piers and Parks to Surf Museums
There are plenty of options for fun to savor and enjoy when you visit Cocoa Beach this summer or fall, but above all, a trip this way deserves plenty of time set aside to make the most of an amazing view! Cocoa Beach is known and loved for its coastal panoramic vistas that provide access to surf, sand, and sun in abundance. One of the best places to take it all in is from a vantage point enjoyed on Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. Found at 401 Meade Avenue, the Cocoa Beach Pier is a particularly inviting and memorable 800-foot expanse that first found itself part of the Cocoa Beach landscape in 1962. Since that time, the Cocoa Beach Pier continues to be a hub for anglers and adventurers of all types. Whether you’re looking to simply stroll along the pier and take in the view or can’t wait to stop into one of the many restaurants and bars that dot this area, it’s a vibrant and simultaneously peaceful place to find yourself that offers up that unique Cocoa Beach vista so many guests can’t wait to capture for themselves.
For the Cocoa Beach traveler that’s looking to immerse themselves even further into nature’s beauty when visiting Cocoa Beach, a trip to Lori Wilson Park is a must! This scenic and inviting stop is found at 1500 N. Atlantic Avenue and is open to the public daily between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. Lori Wilson Park is the perfect place to bring a picnic lunch or a beach chair as you settle into the shoreline and watch the waves roll in. A collection of beach pavilions and picnic tables makes it simple to plan time with the family and enjoy an open-air meal while the many trails and boardwalk access make this an ideal place to go for a stroll and spend time bird-watching too. The lush landscape here paired with rolling dunes makes it a photographer’s dream come true while visitors without a camera in hand will find just as much to admire in the way of color, texture, and natural style. The sand is fine, and the surf is gentle at Lori Wilson Park, making it a popular place amongst those trying surfing, boogie boards, or stand-up paddleboard for the very first time too!
If you happen to be on the hunt for an oceanfront park that caters to little ones and offers up a sense of natural beauty perfectly paired with an urban landscape, Sidney Fischer Park will do the trick. Situated at 2200 N. Atlantic Avenue, Sidney Fischer Park offers up impeccable beach access while also providing visitors with plenty of green spaces to enjoy or let the little ones run. This park is home to great playgrounds and also offers plenty of shaded pavilions to enjoy across its 10-acres of land.
When you’ve had your fill of time on the sand or water but could stand to learn a little bit more about on-the-water activities popular in Cocoa Beach, heading over to the Florida Surf Museum is your next itinerary stop. The Florida Surf Museum is found at 4275 N. Atlantic Avenue and opens its doors to the public daily between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. The museum is actually located within Ron Jon Surf Shop making it particularly easy to spot! Inside, visitors will find a wide variety of vintage and modern surfboards on display as well as exhibits that showcase the story of surfing and its rise in popularity through the years. It’s a great way to get a better understanding of Florida’s on-the-water culture and find inspiration in the people that brought the sport through the decades to the place of prestige it enjoys today!
Outdoor Adventures in Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a captivating destination known and loved by visitors for its shoreline appeal, but it’s also a great summer or fall destination for the traveler with a heart for exploring on two wheels! If cycling is your preferred mode of transportation not to worry—Cocoa Beach offers up plenty of trails to explore and just as many rental shops if you don’t feel like bringing all of your gear and equipment with you on vacation. Beach Bum Bicycle Sales and Rentals is a great place to start if you’re looking forward to riding your way through a Cocoa Beach stay. Located at 142 N. Orlando Avenue, Beach Bum Bicycle Sales and Rentals offers guests options to pick and choose from traditional bikes as well as a variety of customized beach cruisers that are perfect for taking your exploration right on the sand.
Of course, outdoor recreation doesn’t stop where the sand meets the water. Those with a passion for getting out on the waves will want to be sure to spend at least one day of their stay renting a boat and making the most of time on crystal blue water that surrounds Cocoa Beach too. Wildlife Watersports is a one-stop shop for all things boat rentals in Cocoa Beach and they carry a large inventory of options whether you’re looking for an electric or pontoon boat during your stay. Half or full-day rentals are readily available so guests can always customize their on-the-water adventures.
While some Cocoa Beach summer and fall travelers are perfectly comfortable heading out on the water solo, others are looking for a more guided experience and there are plenty of options for that too. When you’re an angler that could use a refresher, or you’re new to the sport and can’t wait to try for the first time, booking a fishing charter in Cocoa Beach is definitely a highlight of the journey! Consider partnering up with the team at Fin & Fly Fishing Charters while you’re in town. This company specializes in customized charters that take age, ability, and skill level into account at every turn. Alongside knowledgeable guides and with all gear included in the trip, you’ll get a close look at the best places to cast a line, learn about the many species of fish that grace these waters, and have an all-around amazing experience on the waves too!
With so much lush landscape waiting for visitors in Cocoa Beach and weather typically on the sunny side, it makes sense that this is a haven of opportunity for those who enjoy spending time on the green. If you can’t imagine a Cocoa Beach getaway without a round of golf or two included, you’re in luck when you set your travel sights on Cocoa Beach. While there are many options to choose from, the Cocoa Beach Country Club is a good place to start. Book a tee time for an 18-hole experience then be sure to check out the pro shop and country club dining options before you head out on your way.
Family Fun Experiences
Heading to Cocoa Beach with the entire family in tow promises to be an amazing experience and one that everyone is sure to remember for a lifetime. There are a ton of options for family fun in town that incorporate a touch of education, focus on fun, and keep even the shortest attention spans engaged! The first place you should put on your family fun itinerary is the Dinosaur Store. If you happen to have little ones in tow who are fascinated with these prehistoric creatures, this stop is bound to be a hit. Located at 250 W SR 520, The Dinosaur Store is actually a combined store and museum experience that brings these massive creatures to life right before your eyes! Whether you’re interested in seeing a T-Rex replica or can’t wait to learn more about ancient civilizations, this place really has a little bit of it all.
For the traveling family to Cocoa Beach, that’s trying to entertain kids with a passion for adrenaline-pumping fun, time at the Cocoa Beach Skate Park is a must. Found at 1450 Minutemen Causeway, the Cocoa Beach Skate Park is the perfect place for visitors to put their skills to the test on ramps, rails, or replicated street areas for an added challenge. Even if you don’t skate, it’s fun to come and get inspired by what others put on display at this iconic area stop.
If you’re up for a little friendly competition, time at Lighthouse Cove mini-golf is also a good idea. Situated at 3811 N. Atlantic Avenue, this mini-golf course is open from 10:00 am until 11:00 pm daily, making it a convenient place to fit in anywhere on the itinerary when you could use a whimsical round or two! 18 holes of fun are yours for the enjoying that are dotted throughout water features, hills, lagoons, caves, and more.
Restaurants to Savor in Cocoa Beach
Taking time to explore Cocoa Beach is always exciting but it’s also bound to lead you to work up an appetite. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious areas options to choose from that can help you end the day on a savory note or fuel up for fun ahead. Among them, Coconuts on the Beach is a great choice when you’re looking forward to a meal that pairs a beachfront view with live music and mouthwatering menu options to choose from. If you find yourself in the mood for a fresh and healthy dining option inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, Poke Fin is the place to be. This inviting stop serves up heaping poke bowls complete with Cocoa Beach flair and is known for hosting helpful and friendly service.
Places to Happy Palm Stays
When you make your way to Cocoa Beach in the name of a great vacation, there is no shortage of options for fun and excitement. For all of the amazing scenery, flavor, and entertainment waiting to be enjoyed knowing you’ve booked accommodations that keep you close to those places you can’t wait to explore can elevate the experience even further! That’s where the team at Happy Palm Stays can help. Our collection of Cocoa Beach condos is designed with a customized stay in mind and can accommodate traveling groups of all types. No matter what design or floorplan fits your preferences, our guests can count on quality and luxury at every single turn. Reach out today to learn more about our many options available across Cocoa Beach and how we can help you start planning our one-of-kind trip. We can’t wait to see you soon in sunny Florida!
