DAYTONA NASCAR RACE • WALTER ARCE/DREAMSTIME
Since humans aren’t the only ones at-
family-friendly venue manages to package sci-
tracted to the waterfront, eco opportunities
ence and history with Disney-like pizzazz,
are also widely available. Visitors often witness
creating virtual experiences that include
bottlenose dolphins cavorting just offshore,
taking a walk on the moon, driving across
and from April through October, sea turtles
Mars, plus other exciting simulations related
nest on area beaches. The region’s sprawling
to outer space exploration. There are also op-
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
portunities to meet real live astronauts and
serves as a veritable showcase for critters such
tour the rocket launch area.
as alligators and endangered manatees (fws.gov/merrittisland). Moreover, due to
GET REVVED UP
this barrier island’s strategic position on the
North of the Space Coast (space-coast.com),
Atlantic Flyway, hundreds of avian species
Ormond Beach is deemed “The Birthplace of
flock there annually making it a hot spot for
Speed” thanks largely to pioneer carmakers
birdwatchers.
Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet who staged the first automobile races there. Next-door
FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST
neighbor Daytona Beach is synonymous with
Although they could not be more different,
the Daytona International Speedway, a world-
the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
famous venue that annually hosts NASCAR’s
shares the island with one of Florida’s top at-
most recognizable race—the Daytona 500
tractions: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
(daytonainternationalspeedway.com).
(kennedyspacecenter.com). The aeronau-
There are also open-air tram tours of the
tical equipment displayed at its Visitor
track where the world’s greatest race car
Complex (ranging from a Saturn V rocket to
drivers have competed.
an Apollo command module) would alone be sufficient reason to visit. However, this
MUST SEE, MUST DO Even in a state known for its stunning
SPACE SHUTTLE LIFTOFF FROM THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER • MIKE BROWN/DREAMSTIME
beaches, Canaveral National Seashore stands out. The pristine 24-mile preserve represents the longest undeveloped expanse on Florida’s Atlantic coast (nps.gov/cana). Twelve miles south of Daytona Beach, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest in Florida and among the oldest in the country (ponceinlet.org). Many of the more than 100,000 people who visit it each year climb the 203 steps to the top. The lighthouse went out of official service in 1970 and in 1998 it was named a National Historic Landmark. Its surrounding grounds feature nautical displays, a comprehensive museum and several 19th-century buildings including simple dwellings that once housed lighthouse keepers and their families. The Cocoa Beach Pier is a historical landmark and one of the most popular gathering spots on the Space Coast. Perched high above ocean waters, it is home to restaurants, bars, shops and live musical entertainment. Since 2011 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
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