The Space Coast: Stellar events and eco-adventures
Want attendees to reach for the stars?
Meetings and events held at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can convene amidst spacecraft displays in the Apollo/Saturn V Center or in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame; other amenities include astronauts as guest speakers, behind-the-scenes tours and customized astronaut-training sessions for groups. Reinforce space themes with an event at the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory or the Brevard Museum of History and Science.
Want eco-adventures?
The Canaveral National Seashore is a 25-mile-long undeveloped barrier island with pristine beach, dune, marsh and lagoon habitats for many species of birds. The Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay is home to several endangered and rare plants and animals. Amenities include a nature center, and ranger-guided tours through the park. Attendees can hand-feed giraffe or kayak through a white rhino habitat at the Brevard Zoo. The natural beauty of the Indian River Lagoon and the Sebastian Inlet State Park make them popular destinations for eco-tours and water-based adventures. Sebastian Inlet also is one of the best places to watch surfers (or arrange group surf lessons). The Twister Airboat Rides at Lone Cabbage Fish Camp end with meals at a restaurant serving local cuisine such as alligator, frog legs and catfish; other cruises and tours are available from Indian River Cruises, Grasshopper Airboat Eco-Tours and Boggy Creek Airboat Rides.
Want to meet in creative settings?
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne performs at the Maxwell C. King Center. The Henegar Center for the Arts has a 493-seat theater that also is available for meetings and seminars. Art classes, demonstrations and workshops are available at the Central Brevard Art Center in Historic Cocoa Beach. Other unusual venues include the Brevard Museum of Art and Science and the Florida Tech Botanical Gardens.
Want group activities?
The Andretti Thrill Park has go-kart tracks, laser tag, arcade games, bumper boats and other family friendly amusements. The U.S. Basketball League team, the Brevard Blue Ducks, plays home games at Florida Tech University’s Clemente Center; other sports venues include the Space Coast Stadium (spring training stadium for the Washington Nationals) and Performance Sail & Sport. Tiger Copter gives tours of the area.
Want to meet in a place with history?
The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville has an indoor gun range and interactive displays. Visit the McLarty Treasure Museum or Sebastian Fishing Museum for inspiration, then charter a boat from Funday Discovery Tours or Inlet Explorer. Historic Cocoa Village has a playhouse, historic houses with event space and monthly Friday Fun Fests. Shake off civilization and let attendees get in touch with their inner cowherders at the Ace of Hearts Ranch. In Cocoa Beach, the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and Museum has exhibits spotlighting the sport’s history, culture, equipment and larger-than-life practitioners. The Cocoa Beach Pier is a historic landmark with shopping, dining, fishing, beach rentals and oceanfront event space.
