Story originally appeared on Westgate Resorts.
When it comes to Cool locations in Florida, the state is bursting full of them. From Pensacola to West Palm Beach, with things to do in Orlando like I Drive bars or staying in a Conestoga wagon at River Ranch in between, all the way to Miami and down to the Keys, you’re never too far from Cool. Sure it’s true, these places all have incredible things to do, but there is one town in Florida that takes Cool to the next level Super Cool Cocoa Beach!
Cocoa Beach Things to Do
So you’ve heard Cocoa is super cool, you’re planning your visit this summer, and looking for the perfect hotel but you want to make sure you have plenty of adventurous and memorable things to do before you arrive? We are here to help. With all kinds of activities such as water sports, Cocoa Beach bike rentals , great seafood restaurants, museums, free things to do, and yes, Rocket Launches, this list will help you save time and get to what’s important vacationing and enjoying an unforgettable time!
1 | Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort | Now if you’re searching for the coolest Cocoa Beach hotel to stay in during your upcoming adventure filled visit to the Sunshine States beautiful Atlantic Coast, then you need not look any further than Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort! Offering amazing, recently remodeled, 2 bedroom, 2 bath luxury suites complete with full kitchens, this hotel is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. These suites not only put you steps from the beach, but the resort’s wonderful splash pad, lazy river, and pool as well! Plus, no need to lug all kinds of beach gear, because when you reach the beach, you’ll have access to an amazing array of services thanks to their Beach Concierge – they will set you up with the finest lounge chairs and shade you with an umbrella, so you can stay cool and comfortable.
WHERE: 3550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 783-2230
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2 | Fly Beach Birds | Have you ever dreamed of flying like an eagle in the open air surrounding you? Well now’s your chance, with Fly Beach Birds, the coolest flight experience in Cocoa Beach and Central Florida. You’ll be flying high among the clouds in one of the Fly Beach Birds meticulously maintained Evolution Aircraft Revolt trikes (an FAA certified Light Sport Aircraft). And true to their word, each flight is structured to encourage you to experience only as much as you are comfortable with or as much as you dare So, if you are looking to just enjoy the sights and sounds around you or if you want to take a try at the air controls and feel the wing respond to you, the choice is yours! No matter what you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable time with Fly Beach Birds.
WHERE: 500 Barnes Blvd, Rockledge, FL 32955 | WHO: (321) 750-4359
3 | Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier | Where can you find a 360-degree beach with ocean views, bars, beach volleyball, fishing, shopping and the best seafood restaurants Cocoa Beach FL offers? The historic Cocoa Beach Pier thats where, and they have all this and more! With 5 restaurants and bars, a convenience shop, beachwear boutique, and marketplace, as well as the unlimited views out on the pier, there is a good chance you will set up shop and spend an entire day just right here.
WHERE: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 783-7549
4 | Rikki Tiki Tavern | At the end of the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is probably the coolest spot in all Cocoa Beach, Rikki Tiki Tavern. With jaw-dropping 360 degree views of the Atlantic and setting you a whopping 800 feet over the ocean, youll be enjoying the ocean breeze, live entertainment, and the finest cocktails around! Plus, if youre lucky, Rikki Tiki Tavern gives you front row seats to any Space X or NASA launches from nearby Cape Canaveral, how cool is that?!?!
WHERE: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 783-7549
5 | Surf School | Whats cooler than Surfing? Nothing! And since Cocoa Beach is one of the premier surfing locations in all of Florida, youre going to want to give this gnarly water sport a try! Dont be scared to be cool if youre a beginner, because lucky for you Cocoa Beach is home to some tubular Surfing Schools, like Ron Jon Surf School, that offer hourly lessons to help you get your feet on the board and your little piggies hangin ten in no time! Cowabunga dude!!!
WHERE: 150 E Columbia Ln, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 868-1980
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6 | Kennedy Space Center Tour | Just up A1A is the Kennedy Space Center, and youd be lying if you didnt think space travel, rocket launches, and jet propulsion are not quite possibly the coolest things around. At Kennedy Space Center all three of these things occur and then some. Located at Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center offers an extremely informative and worthwhile tour that shares the ins and outs of all that has occurred and continues to occur at the facility. Odds are you wont see a rocket launch during your tour, but with all the recent rocket launches, thanks to SpaceX and NASA, that doesnt mean you wont see one from the beach during your stay!
WHERE: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | WHO: (855) 433-4210
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7 | Visit Cocoa Village | Looking for something a little more grounded (pun intended) but cool nonetheless, why not take a quick jaunt on over to the Historic Cocoa Village. Located just over the Hubert Humphrey bridge on the Indian River, the quaint town of Cocoa Village brings you back to a time where less was always more. Check out all the wonderful little shops, cafs, restaurants, and pubs, you will not be disappointed. Plus, if you have time or are looking to escape the heat, be sure to catch a cool live performance or classic film at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
WHERE: 600 Florida Ave #104, Cocoa, FL 32922 | WHO: (321) 631-9075
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8 | Check out Ron Jon Surf Shop | Nothing is more Cocoa Beach than Ron Jon Surf Shop and any visit to Cocoa isnt complete with out a visit to the world famous surf shop. Filled with all your beach needs and wants, Ron Jon offers an excellent collection of surf boards, sandals, swimwear, sunglasses, and more! Plus, after youve made your purchase of whatever it is you bought, be sure to proudly display your complementary Ron Jon sticker and show the world that you in fact have been to Ron Jon Surf Shop.
WHERE: 4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 799-8888
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9 | Banana River Aquatic Preserve | Looking for a cool place to get back to nature among endless mangroves? The Banana River Aquatic Preserve is a perfect spot! Located between Merritt Island and the barrier islands that Cocoa Beach is a part of, the Banana River Aquatic Preserve offers amazing access to some of Floridas most fascinating wildlife. Dont be surprised if you see a few alligators, pelicans, and Manatees just to name a few, during your visit!
WHERE: Merritt Island, FL 32952 | WHO: (772) 429-2995
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10 | Exploration Tower | Quite possibly the coolest piece of architecture in the Cocoa Beach area is the Exploration Tower. Coming in at a massive 22,000 square feet and shaped like a sail or maybe a sea creatures fin, the 7 story Exploration Tower is located just off the ports at Cape Canaveral and offers breath taking views from its observation deck. When you visit, youll have access to nearly 5,550 feet of rotating museum exhibit space, an auditorium, caf, gift shop, and more! Plus, if you time your visit just right, Exploration Tower offers one of the best locations to view a rocket launch!
WHERE: 670 Dave Nisbet Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 | WHO: (321) 394-3408
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11 | Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area | If you think history is cool, then Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is a cant miss cool spot waiting for you! Considered the oldest standing home in Brevard County, the 600 square foot cabin was built by John H. Sams in 1875 and housed his entire family that consisted of 4 adults and 6 children. Also, on the property is the home that Mr. Sams built later in 1888. Both buildings act as museums with all kinds of cool stuff from the past, speaking of the past, there is also an amazing trail that loops around the property which takes you on a voyage through Floridas distant past with wonderful interactive stops along the way.
WHERE: 6195 N Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | WHO: (321) 449-4720
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12 | Intracoastal Brewing Company | For the of age readers on the hunt for some super cool brews, Intracoastal Brewing Company has what youre looking for. Located a quick jaunt south from Cocoa Beach in Melbourne, FL, Intracoastal Brewing offers some of the finest micro brews in all of Florida. From their thirst quenching, easy to quaff Intra Pils, their extra sticky, uber piney Dragon Point IPA, to their off the wall Belgian Quad that goes down oh so smooth (FYI, youll definitely want a DD after a few of these, they sneak up on you with a 10% abv), at Intercoastal Brewing Company, there is absolutely something for all types of tastes and beer advocates alike.
WHERE: 652 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935 | WHO: (321) 872-7395
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13 | Coconuts on the Beach | Truthfully, outside of the Cocoa Beach Pier and Ron Johns, Coconuts on the Beach is the quintessential super cool restaurant & bar in Cocoa. Being right on the beach with live entertainment, great seafood, wonderful service, and some of the best drinks in town has helped make Coconuts the place to be anytime you visit. The next time youre in Cocoa Beach, be sure to check out Coconuts!
WHERE: 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 784-1422
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14 | Lori Wilson Park | Lori Wilson Park offers 34 plus acres of pristine Public County Park space as well as what seems like an infinite amount of beachfront wonderland. You can spend endless hours strolling through the park, lounging on the beach, or you can even rent a board and give surfing a try! There is just so many cool things to do at Lori Wilson Park, and to top it all off parking is free!
WHERE: 1500 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
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15 | Fin & Fly Fishing Charters | There is no shortage of Fishing Charters in the Cocoa Beach area, and if you’ve never gone on a fishing charter, wow, are you in for a treat! There is one charter that stands out from the rest Fin & Fly Fishing Charters. Fin & Fly offers the absolute best in fishing charter experience, no matter what, thanks to their years of knowledge they will get you to where the fish are biting. Grouper, mackerel, Mahi Mahi, tarpon, snook, snapper, or even shark, if it swims off the coast of Cocoa Beach, Fin & Fly will help you reel it in!
WHERE: 951 Bali Rd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 652-5903
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16 | Kayaking Tour | Looking to get your paddle on and row your way up the Banana River through tunnels of mangroves the coolest way possibleon a kayak? Then youre in luck! But just like Fishing Charters there are countless Kayaking Tour companies in Cocoa Beach, yet again though, there is only one that rises to the occasion and that is Fin Expeditions. At Fin Expeditions you can expect the best in tour guides, they will not only show you the ropes when it comes to kayaking, but they will also guide you on an unforgettable journey through the Thousand Islands of Cocoa Beach. If you are in town for a couple nights during the summer months, make sure to book their Magical Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour, you will not regret it.
WHERE: 599 Ramp Rd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 698-7233
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17 | Wind Surfing | Sailing and surfing at the same time? Can it get any cooler? No, it cannot. Next time you visit Cocoa Beach be sure to give Wind Surfing a shot, and with all kinds of great places to rent and get lessons from, like Ron Jon Surf School (they also teach wind surfing), you’ll be in good hands, catching the ocean breeze and zipping around the surf in no time!
WHERE: 150 E Columbia Ln, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 868-1980
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18 | Good Breeze Kiteboarding | Lets go fly a kite up to the highest height while on a board surfing the seven seas!!! Who doesn’t like flying kites? And when you add a board and the ocean to the mix, it just takes everything to the next level of cool! I mean cmon, if kiteboarding were a Jazz musician itd be Miles Davis for sure! And where would the Miles Davis of kiteboarding go for lessons in Cocoa Beach? Why that would be Good Breeze Kiteboarding! They offer all you need, from gear rentals to lessons, to get you out on the water, flying around the sea and sand with the ocean breeze, all while having an unforgettably cool time!
WHERE: 110 Dixie Ln, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 252-5483
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19 | Paddle Boarding | Now for a more chill time on the beautiful waters surrounding Cocoa Beach, give paddle boarding a try, this aquatic board sport is sure to win you over. Again, there is no shortage of paddle board rentals, lessons, and tours in Cocoa Beach, but Epic Board Sports is great shop to check out in Cocoa. They offer paddle board lessons, tours, and rentals and their team of instructors will have you up on two feet and paddling with the best of them. Plus, the cool thing about paddle boarding in Cocoa is that you’ll have access to both the challenging Atlantic Ocean and the calmer more tranquil Banana River.
WHERE: 358 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | WHO: (321) 406-1964
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20 | Shell Searching on Cocoa Beach | After a full day of nonstop, super cool, Cocoa Beach adventuring, cool down with a nice stroll on the true reason you visited the beach. A Cocoa Beach favorite, while walking the shore line, is to scan the sandy floor for shells. When you find a shell that catches your eye, pick it up and enjoy one of the coolest souvenirs that nature has to offer.
WHERE: Cocoa Beach, N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
