Cape Canaveral located in Brevard County, midway between Jacksonville and Miami, is home of the Kennedy Space Center – hub of the nation’s human space program and Port Canaveral – ranked as the worlds 2nd busiest cruise ports. Also near the space center is Canaveral National Seashore, 24 miles of undeveloped beach with 1,045 plant species and 310 bird species. Being one of Florida’s most nature-adoring beach communities, you’ll find two of three area parks noted on the Great Florida Birding Trail. One of them, Jetty Park, also features a well-equipped 24-hour fishing pier; free, public boat ramps; camping; and a life-guarded beach for swimming. You can watch the cruise liners come and go from The Cove, a waterfront dining and entertainment district in Port Canaveral.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Cocoa Beach and Melbourne located in Brevard County is an hours drive east of Orlando on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast. Cocoa Beach has been called the quintessential beach town offering endless ways to enjoy recreation and leisure. Here, surf is the word – Cocoa Beach’s Ron Jon Surf Shop stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the town’s Easter Surf Festival, centered at the Cocoa Beach Pier, is one of the longest-running events in the U.S. – At Melbourne Beach surfers swear by Sebastian Inlet State Park’s consistent breaks and long rides. For off-board pursuits Melbourne offers beaches, fishing, golf, snorkeling and many other outdoor activities.  In Cocoa, head to the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory or plan a family beach day at Fischer Park. In Melbourne, take in a show at the King Center for the Performing Arts or visit the Brevard Zoo. If wildlife watching is your thing, a respectable 2,200 animal species reportedly inhabit the Indian River Lagoon.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Daytona Beach in Volusia County offers 23 miles of iconic white-sand beaches where vacationers can hike or bike miles of trails, explore parks, hit the golf links, and enjoy lots of other outdoor activities. If speed is more your style, then you’ll want to visit the Daytona International Speedway. After watching the Daytona classics – surf the Atlantic, and take a thrill ride on “The Slingshot” on the boardwalk – then check out the colorific Ocean Walk Village for souvenir shopping and refreshments. When you go to Daytona Beach, you are reminded that NASCAR headquarters are here, particularly during speed-inspired events, such as the Daytona 500 (February) and the Coke Zero 400 (July). Other engine-inspired happenings include Bike Week (late February through early March) and Biketoberfest (October). This is one of Florida’s top destinations in the East Central Region. 

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

DeLand in Volusia County is located between Orlando and Daytona Beach is home to Stetson University – Florida’s oldest college. Here you’ll find a thriving city distinct in its history with interesting and definitely unique retail shops—no run of the mill here; award winning eateries—from Zagat rated to eclectic wine, microbrew and sports bars; to a good collection of artistic and cultural venues—from first-class music, community theater and various museums. Stroll the DeLand Historic Mural Walk and watch as West Volusia’s past unfolds before you like a giant book.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

New Smyrna Beach located in Volusia County along Florida’s Central Atlantic Coast is a charming beach town rooted in local culture, art and 17 miles of white sand beaches – highly rated for surfing. Here you’ll find cutting-edge cuisine, a nationally recognized arts scene, beloved hotels, and historical ruins. Be sure to visit the artist-in-residence program exhibits at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Browse Flagler Avenue the seaside beach street lined with quaint boutiques, galleries, surf shops, restaurants, inns and more. With water all around – the Intracoastal Waterway, Mosquito Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean – creates opportunities for surfing, fishing and cruising in search of dolphins and manatees. You don’t want to miss this East Central Florida hotspot.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Merritt Island in Brevard county is one of the best spots on Florida’s Space Coast to dip into the Indian River Lagoon. While here, you can hop an eco-tour and finish out the day at one of the incredible waterfront tiki restaurants. Merritt Island also serves as home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. At the  Kennedy Space Center Complex you can tour the launch areas, meet astronauts, touch giant rockets and simulate take-off as part of its Shuttle Launch Experience. The refuge shelters bald eagles, manatees and alligators within its expansive natural wonderland.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Orlando located in Orange County is known as a magical place. Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, sports fan, water park fanatic, outdoor sportsman, arts patron, serious shopper , love to eat or hit the pub or anything in between you’re sure to find your pleasure here. The possibilities are endless. Discover fun for everyone, including world-famous holiday celebrations such as Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® in the month of August.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Ormond Beach located in Volusia County is just north of Daytona Beach along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Ormond Beach is an ideal location for a myriad of water activities. Here visitors can also enjoy a variety of cultural and recreational events offered throughout the year – and the pleasures of its historic downtown along Granada Boulevard. Walk the alternately wild and manicured grounds of Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens (look for turtles perched on water lilies), or canoe and fish waters once ruled by Timucuan Indians at Tomoka State Park.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.

Titusville in Brevard County is the only place where rockets launch, sea turtles nest and soothing sunrises give way to inviting surf. Experience a launch from Space View Park, then note the figures behind American space exploration at the park’s U.S. Space Walk of Fame. Take a trip to view vintage aircraft at the Warbird Air Museum. In Titusville, you will find something for every budget, a full range of dining options, including plenty of opportunities to taste the local delicacy known as rock shrimp, a nostalgic downtown filled with quirky shops, and rich, unspoiled natural landscapes that beckon explorers of all ages.

Explore upcoming events and festivals to help plan your next Florida vacation.