FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emily Kruse TWsquared [email protected] 305.389.2285 Florida’s Space Coast Fast Facts Description: The Space Coast boasts 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state. The year-round warm weather, steady waves and world-class surf shops have earned the area the designation as the East Coast surfing capital of the United States. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region obtained its name from its historic relationship with the nation’s space program. Located: The Space Coast is located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando and is Orlando’s closest beach. Nature/Wildlife: There are more than 250 square miles (647 square km) of wildlife refuge, where Florida’s beautiful and rare creatures live. Bird nesting areas are found throughout the Indian River Lagoon. The beaches are home to a variety of sea turtle nesting areas. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the area is within close proximity to 40 sites on the Great Florida Birding Trail and is a perfect place to watch for migrating species. The country’s most popular birding festival, the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, is held here each January. On kayaking excursions, visitors can view pods of dolphins or herds of manatees. Destination Highlights: 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state; Kayaking and Air Boat Rides; attractions such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Cocoa Beach Surf Co.; Historic Downtowns of Melbourne, Cocoa Village, Titusville and the Eau Gallie Arts District; Port Canaveral, where Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney cruise ships dock. -more- Florida’s Space Coast, P2 Special Events: Festivals and special events are abundant on the Space Coast. Art festivals, surfing contests, golf tournaments and cultural events, including plays and Broadway productions are available throughout the year. For more information, visit www.artsbrevard.org. Attractions/Art: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the top space attraction in the United States. It features two IMAX theaters; the Shuttle Launch Experience; the Rocket Garden, showcasing historic NASA rockets, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which features rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Some other noted attractions include boat rides like the Indian River Queen paddleboat, ideal for large groups and reunions and Museum Row in Titusville, where the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, the American Police Hall of Fame Museum and the Space Walk of Fame Museum are located. Other area attractions include the Brevard Zoo, Sebastian Inlet, Cocoa Beach Pier and Historic Downtown Areas. Shopping, dining and history: The Space Coast boasts approximately 1,450 restaurants. Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint area for shopping for everything from antiques to clothing; along with great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual. Historic Downtown Melbourne, which dates back to the early 1900s and has been recently revitalized to feature a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. There are fun nightlife options catering to every taste. Downtown Titusville, established in 1850, has a range of restaurants and interesting historic markers. One of the oldest communities on the Indian River, this nostalgic area features arts and crafts shops, clothing boutiques and nearby riverside parks. It also features the North Brevard Historical Museum, where visitors can learn about the remarkable first families that settled Titusville and take a unique look into the industries that supported the early Florida pioneers. Accommodations: More than 10,000 guest rooms including hotels, motels, beach rentals as well as condominiums and rental homes. Meeting space: More than 100,000 square feet (9,000 square meters) of meeting space. Campgrounds: There are 2,500 campground and RV park sites. Access by Car: Interstate 95 (I-95) runs north and south through the area. The Beach Line Expressway (SR-528) connects from Orlando to the west. Airport Access: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is serviced by most major airlines. Melbourne International Airport (MLB) offers Delta Air Lines and US Airways. Baer Air offers flights to the Bahamas, as well as charter service. Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) services a number of charter and commercial domestic and international flights. -more- Florida’s Space Coast, P3 Weather: Winter – High 73° F (23° C) to Low 54° F (12° C) Spring –High 82° F (28° C) to Low 59° F (15° C) Summer – High 91° F (33° C) to Low 72° F (22° C) Fall – High 82° F (28° C) to Low 64° F (18° C) About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emily Kruse TWsquared [email protected] 305.389.2285 From Ship to Space to Shore, Florida’s Space Coast Boasts an Exciting Variety of Vacation Options SPACE COAST, Fla. – Visitors who drive the ocean side road that stretches along the 72 miles (110 km) of Florida’s Space Coast’s untamed beaches quickly realize that this destination is different from any other Florida destination. Located just 35 miles east (56 km) of Orlando – making it Orlando’s closest beach – the Space Coast is a nature-lover’s paradise; home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; the East Coast surfing capital of the United States; a burgeoning center for the arts and much more! As the only place in the country where visitors witnessed the 135 space shuttle launches, the countdown to a memorable vacation begins with a trip to the Space Coast, where the end of the shuttle program ushered in a new era in tourism. The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the center of America's space program. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the KSC Visitor Complex each year to see everything from the Rocket Garden, which displays NASA's early space crafts, to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which houses the rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon. At the KSC Visitor Center, there are two IMAX theaters; a life-size replica of a space shuttle that guests can tour and the Shuttle Launch Experience, an attraction designed by astronauts which gives guests the feeling they are actually taking off in a shuttle. As of 2013, visitors can also get a first hand encounter with the retired shuttle Atlantis at the Atlantis Experience. Additionally, each day, guests get the rare opportunity to meet veteran astronauts from NASA’s Astronaut Corps. Guests continue to flock to Kennedy Space Center to witness rocket launches, as private companies with NASA contracts now take to the sky with commercial launches throughout the year. The destination's diversity continues to blossom with something for virtually every traveler to enjoy: Canaveral National Seashore is the northernmost beach. As one of the last undeveloped beaches on the East Coast, visitors can experience a unique undisturbed ocean side park. Port Canaveral is the region’s popular home to Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. One of the busiest ports in the world, it’s the site where guests from all over the world come to embark on 3-, 4- and 7-day voyages to the Bahamas, eastern Caribbean or Mexico's Gulf resorts. The port also provides scenic views and great seafood restaurants such as: Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster -more- Florida’s Space Coast, P2 Bar, Grill’s Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, Milliken’s Reef and Baja Tavern and Eats. The area’s Snooze & Cruise program offers convenient parking and transportation for cruise passengers staying over at local hotels. Cocoa Beach is recognized as the East Coast surfing capital of the U.S. The beach’s steady waves, warm weather and world-class surf shops attract all levels of surfers year round. Eleven-time world-champion surfer Kelly Slater, who was born and raised in Cocoa Beach, learned his craft on these beaches. It also is home to the famed Ron Jon Surf Shop as well as Cocoa Beach Surf Co., the world’s largest surfing complex. At the Cocoa Beach Pier, where numerous world-renowned surf competitions take place, visitors can visit a variety of restaurants, shops and bars. Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint district where shoppers can find everything from antique stores to eclectic clothing. Those who want a culinary treat can sample great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual. Art lovers can’t miss the Eau Gallie Arts District. A cozy downtown area anchored by the Foosaner Art Museum. The district is the place to find great art, art supplies and adorable antiques.