Activities

ETOP 2023

Explore Florida

In addition to the structured activities we have planned in and around Cocoa Beach, we recommend the following unstructured activities that will be on your own. Please check the schedule of events before you make plans!

RESTAURANTS

Recommended by one of our Program Committee Members who is a local!

4th Street Fillin Station

Casual dining, outdoor seating, vegan options, and lots of craft beers. Serves breakfast.

382 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-613-2462

The Pig and Whistle

Casual dining, outdoor seating, pub-style food, serves breakfast.

Address: 240 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-799-0726

Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster

Casual dining, outdoor seating, best lobster in Florida. Great bar.

Address: 210 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-613-3993

Simply Delicious Cafe

Excellent breakfast and lunch. Small place sometimes a wait but worth it.

Address: 125 N Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-783-2012

Coconuts on the Beach

On the beach, good food, and live music.

Address: 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 3293

Phone: 321-784-1422

Cafe Surfinista
Casual dining, good breakfast, fun atmosphere. Downtown Cocoa Beach

Address: 86 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-613-3864

Flavour Kitchen

Casual dining, tapas-type food, good wines, and a great atmosphere.

Address: 15 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-613-3573

Luna Food and Wine

Excellent food, expensive but worthwhile and great atmosphere.

Address: 8 Minuteman Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-613-5796 (Need to make a reservation, only open certain days)

The Fat Snook

Upscale casual dining, excellent food, happy hour Monday through Friday. Recommend reservations.

Address: 2464 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Phone: 321-784-1190

Rusty’s Seafood

Casual dining, great oysters, outdoor dining, and you can watch the cruise ships.

Address: 628 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Phone: 321-783-2033

Grills Seafood

Casual dining, great food and drinks, outdoor dining, and you can watch the cruise ships.

Address: 505 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Phone: 321-868-2224

ATTRACTIONS

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center

Come to Florida early and visit the Kennedy Space Center, home to Atlantis, a Saturn V Rocket from the Apollo era and an active launch facility. There is even a chance to witness a rocket launch.

Learn More>>

Space News Feed

Europe’s future in space: Vega cadence to increase, HyImpulse’s hybrid rocket

European companies in the space sector have been developing novel technology to find their unique… The post Europe’s future in space: Vega cadence to increase, HyImpulse’s hybrid rocket appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX, China, and Russia maintain busy launch manifests through the holidays

So far in December, there have been 24 launch attempts worldwide. There will be no… The post Launch Roundup: SpaceX, China, and Russia maintain busy launch manifests through the holidays appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
SpaceX launches Bandwagon-2 rideshare from Vandenberg

On Saturday, Dec. 21st, SpaceX launched the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4E… The post SpaceX launches Bandwagon-2 rideshare from Vandenberg appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
FAA gives Flight 7 the Go Ahead, SpaceX to complete final steps ahead of launch

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved SpaceX’s Flight 7 of Starship. The news came… The post FAA gives Flight 7 the Go Ahead, SpaceX to complete final steps ahead of launch appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
Chang Zheng 12, ZhuQue-2E fly maiden missions; Hainan spaceport and mega constellations expand

In late November, two new Chinese rockets took their maiden flights within four days of… The post Chang Zheng 12, ZhuQue-2E fly maiden missions; Hainan spaceport and mega constellations expand appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX plans for five customer missions; Rocket Lab launch mission for Synspective

The orbital launch manifest for the week of Dec. 16 through Dec. 22 has been… The post Launch Roundup: SpaceX plans for five customer missions; Rocket Lab launch mission for Synspective appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Airboat Rides at Midway

Located midway between Orlando and the beaches Midway airboat adventures allow you to explore the unique ecology of the St. John’s River, including some of the resident alligators!

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Coach Beach Dolphin Tours

Enjoy a memorable trip through Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands, as you cruise hundreds of natural mangroves, home to some of Florida’s amazing wildlife. You will get an extraordinary chance to see dolphins, manatees, pelicans and other native habitat while cruising thru the calm and protected waters of the Banana River.
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CREOL and Valencia College Tour

Leaving the hotel at 10 am, visit CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics and Valencia College on May 15. At CREOL, you will see several research labs and the ficonTEC Photonics Assembly and Testing Lab. After an included lunch we will visit the laser teaching labs at Valencia College. Advance registration is required, but you can drive on your own or take the bus from the hotel (limited seating).