Cocoa Beach Area 2-Day Vacation Guide

The central part of the Space coast encompasses Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Merritt Island and Rockledge with many choices for accommodations and entertainment. From the St. John's River to the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean, the Cocoa Beach Area is surrounded by water and offers many ways to get out and enjoy it! Go parasailing at the Port, kayak the Thousand Islands, take an airboat ride into the cypress swamp or head offshore to try your luck at deep sea fishing or roll the dice on a casino ship. Every type of accommodation is available as well as great shopping choices and many dining possibilities.

The city of cocoa was founded by fishermen very early in Florida's history.  An authentic, historical account states that the first families arrived in cocoa around 1860.  Originally the  name of the city was to Indian River City but the name was unacceptable to the US Postal authorities who claimed it was too long for use on a postmark.  The legend on how Cocoa got its name dates back to 1884 when a t a town meeting those in attendance focused on naming the town after a local product or characteristic feature of the area.  After seeing a carton of Baker's Cocoa dropped off a t Willard's General store and knowing the coco-plum plant was very abundant, the infant settlement chose the name of their city to be Cocoa.

Day 1 Vacation Activities

It's time to hang ten! And there's no better place to experience your first wave than at Ron Jon Surf School.  Known as the king of East coast surfing, Ron Jon Surf School offers plenty of options to learn to surf right in the heart of Cocoa Beach. After catching a few waves, it's now time to catch lunch at  Coconuts on the beach.  Located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, Coconuts on the Beach serves everything from aware-winning clam chowder to full meals including fresh florida seafood caught by our local fishing fleet.  Ever wonder where the name Thousand Island Dressing came from?  Why the Space Coast of course...just kidding, but we do have our own thousand Islands and a Florida Experience will be more than happy to help you explore them! 

Your sailing sightseeing adventure located on the Banana river includes views of Cocoa Beach's diverse Thousand Islands area, the jewel of the Space Coast, consisting of mangrove and spoil islands inhabited by many mammal, fish, bird and plant species.  Not quite ready to leave the water behind?  How about dinner 500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Grill.  Voted "Best Restaurant with a View" by Florida Today Newspaper readers for seven consecutive years, the Atlantic Ocean Grill offers such specialties as fresh seafood and succulent steaks cooked by your direction.  Need to burn off a few calories?  Then cruise over to Funtasia Family fun Center.  The Funtasia Fantasy Golf Park is 18-hole miniature course and arcade.

Day 2 Vacation Activities

Ready to see all that the St. John's River has to offer?  Well, hop on with Twister Airboat Rides offering 30, 60 & 90 minute airboat rides.  Twister gives you the opportunity to see alligators, migrating birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat.  After taking in all the wildlife on the St. John's River, try a little for dinner at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp.  Located on the banks of the St. John's river, Lone Cabbage Fish Camp offers local favorites such as gator tail, frog legs, turtle or catfish as well as the rest of their 41 item menu. 

After exploring the wonders of the St. John's River, step back in time and enjoy your free time shopping or people watching inn Historic Downtown cocoa Village, located between US1 and the Indian River, adjacent to State Road 520.  Walk along the Indian River shoreline, explore antique stores housed in historic buildings, eat an old fashioned ice cream cone, or rest a spell with a cup of coffee in a Victorian style coffee house.  Whatever it is you decide to do, Historic Downtown Cocoa Village offers a memorable experience.  Since you're already in the area, grab a meal at the Ulysses' Prime Steakhouse.  Ulysses' offers fine wines, prime steaks and mouth watering desserts all inn a nostalgic atmosphere. 

After dinner, top off your evening exploring the stars at the Astronaut memorial Planetarium & Observatory. The Planetarium features a continuous schedule of planetarium shows, roof-top observatory, night-time special "Iwerks" movie presentations and "Rock" Laser Shows.