A little background; Prior to the 1960’s, Cocoa Beach was a sleepy little surf town. Ron Jon had their store in a shack where the Cocoa Beach Pier sits today. In the 1960’s, the area exploded when NASA starting building up the Kennedy Space Center. Today it is an eclectic mix of small town surf culture, space junkies, and nature lovers. This translates into some great happy hours and varied food offerings!

I have compiled a list of my favorite Happy Hours in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral that have food specials as well! Please take some time to explore these great local businesses while you’re on your Space Coast Adventure!

Best Views during Happy Hour: Squid Lips Overwater Grill

Located in South Cocoa Beach, Squid Lips Overwater Grill has a daily happy hour that features domestic drafts, wines, and wells. They also have a daily special, available after 4 p.m. We LOVE going for the Mountain of Shrimp on a Tuesday! It easily feeds 2 people. Pair this with a few happy hour beers, and it’s the perfect dinner on a budget! Sit on the back patio and enjoy the water lapping along the shoreline and the sunset over the Banana River!

Best Outdoor Space: 4th Street Fillin Station (M-F 3-6)

4th Street Fillin Station is located inside of an old gas station at the edge of downtown Cocoa Beach! They have a cool bar concept as well as a great “back yard” area. Happy hour here features some drafts and wells as well as a few “snacks”. We love the pretzel and popcorn, the great craft beers that they carry, as well as their crazy dessert menu! While dessert is not a part of the happy hour menu, it is worth checking out and indulging in!!! Their current happy hour menu can be found here!

Best Food and Wine: Florida’s Fresh Grill (Su-Th 4:30-6)

Florida’s Fresh Grill is consistently ranked among the top restaurants on the Space Coast! It is great for a date night or a nice family dinner. What many people may not realize is that they have an amazing happy hour here also! Specials are at the bar and the high top tables in the bar area only. Our go-to happy hour foods are the Smoked Fish Dip and the Corvina Dish. We also love the Grouper Bites and the Chicken Caesar Salad! Their Lobster Bisque (not a happy hour special) is one of the best I’ve had! For drinks, we usually go with a few tall glasses of the house Cabernet Sauvignon, but the bartenders also make great mixed drinks if you’re in the mood for that!

Best Laid-Back Location: Long Doggers (M-F 2-6)

Long Doggers Cocoa Beach embodies the chill vibe of the Space Coast! They have several locations, all with a tiki or porch area filled with picnic style tables, as well as an indoor, air conditioned section. They feature Hatteras Red Lager, a local brew, for $2.50 a glass, as well as daily specials on Loaded Chips, Boneless Wings, Shrimp, Fish Dip, and other items. Check here for their current happy hour menu!

Best Eclectic Food Options: Preacher Bar (M-F 3-6)

Preacher Bar is located in a small plaza on A1A between Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral. It features community seating in a relaxed bar and dining area. Happy hour includes a selection of discounted appetizers and a buck off drinks. We love the Bang Bang Shrimp, and their Scotch Eggs are to die for!

Best Craft and Local Beer Options: Rising Tide Tap & Table (4-6 daily)

Rising Tide Tap & Table has a great happy hour! Located in Port Canaveral, it’s easy to get to, has ample parking, and has a ton of indoor and outdoor seating options. Sitting in the bar area or on the patio, you have a great view of Exploration Tower and the Florida Sunset! Happy hour includes a handful of plates, which change regularly. We currently love the Due South Pimento! Old favorites include the nachos and sliders! Their drink specials are great also; sangria, margaritas, and frozen drinks as well as beer, wine, and wells. This is a great spot to start your evening! Current happy hour menu can be found here.

Best Vacation Vibe: Ellie Mae’s Tiki Bar (W-F 2-5)

Ellie Mae’s is a vibe! Old biker bar turned into fun tiki hangout! Happy hour features $5 tiki drinks and a rotating $5 happy hour bite! Possibilities for the bites include potstickers, sliders, hot dogs, and other items. The best place to stay up to date with their offerings is their Facebook page!

Best BBQ & Drink Selection: Big Daddy J’s 5 Great Things Watering Station & Restaurant (Daily 3-6 & 9:30-close)

Quite possibly our new favorite local happy hour (and the longest restaurant name we’ve ever seen, lol!), Big Daddy J’s has great food and drink specials and an extended happy hour! A page of drinks, with something for everyone, for five bucks, as well as pork, chicken, or brisket sliders for under $5 each, make this a must visit happy hour on the Space Coast!

Best Domestic Draft Pricing: Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill (M-F 3-6)

Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill is on the water in Port Canaveral. Be sure to get there early for Happy Hour, as it fills up quickly due to their great happy hour specials! Fishlips has an extensive happy hour food menu featuring various dips, nachos, and mussles, all less than $10 a dish! They also have great discounts on drinks including domestic drafts for under $3! If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the port activity on the water, and have some great food and drinks, you can’t go wrong with an afternoon at Fishlips!

Those are our favorite happy hours with food in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, Florida! Have you tried any of them? Do you agree with our assessments?? Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!!

Are you looking for the best things to do on the Space Coast? Click here!

This is easily one of our top five favorite drives! As you cross over into the upper Keys, the traffic slows… the blue sky… the sunshine… the beautiful water… all of it combines to relax you into the Keys mentality. The drive through the Keys has been known to take a day, a few days, a week, or a lifetime! Once you’re in the Keys, you’re on Island Time! Relax, Go Slow, and don’t stress about the clock or the agenda!

However you arrive in South Florida, the first step is to set your compass south, via the FL Turnpike, towards Florida City. (You can order a Sunpass ahead of time if you want to avoid the cash toll lines along the drive.) When you get to the end of the Turnpike, make a Right onto West Palm Drive and head to Robert is Here Fruit Stand for an amazing smoothie, as well as some fresh fruit and boiled peanuts to keep you satiated on the drive south! Get right back on the road, heading due south for Key West.

Your first (and likely only) navigational decision on your roadtrip will be which way to get to Key Largo — US 1 or Card Sound. If you choose Card Sound, be sure to have some cash in your wallet (a good decision in the Keys anyways). Your first official stop in the Florida Keys will be at Alabama Jacks! An old-school dive bar, Alabama Jacks is the perfect introduction to your Florida Keys adventure! Located on a canal, seating is outdoors, either covered or uncovered. Grab a drink and take a deep breath. Enjoy the music, the vibe, the views. Order the conch fritters if you’re feeling munchy, you’ll thank me later!

Back on the road, head through Key Largo, connecting back up with US-1. This is the only road through the rest of the Keys! As you head south, stop at Marker 88 for lunch (MM88 Bayside). This is a toes in the sand and a gorgeous water view type of place – laid back and beautiful, this is the Keys vibe that you’re looking for! Grab a drink and order a bit of food. Standouts here include the Hot Blue Crab Dip and the Blackened Tuna Sashimi.

Pocket ocean views, such as below, dot the Islamorada coastline!

Next, it’s off to the Tiki Bar at Three Waters Resort & Marina. Legend has it that this is the birthplace of the Rum Runner, and we can attest to their Rum Runner and Rum Punch being some of the best we’ve had! Located Oceanside, the views of the blue ocean, as well as boats coming and going from the marina, make this a place that you could spend an afternoon at. However, you have many miles to go!!!

Your last stop in Islamorada is at Robbie’s to hand feed the Tarpon. This is a must-do for anyone who has not been to the Keys before, or who has not fed tarpon! These giant fish, sometimes over five feet long, have been “trained” by so many people feeding them at this location, and they will practically jump out of the water for your hand-fed snacks! Be sure somebody has a camera ready for that moment that the tarpon has his gaping mouth open at your hand!!!

Be sure to make a quick stop in Marathon for a slice of Deep Fried Key Lime Pie and boat watching at Burdine’s. This is one of our favorite stops on our Southernmost Trek! Coupled with some of their addicting french fries, this is a perfect mid-afternoon snack stop!

Cross over Seven Mile Bridge (wave to Fred the tree and his little partner Wilma on the old bridge!) and make a quick stop at Bahia Honda State Park to dip your toes in the water and learn a little history about all these bridges that you’re crossing!!! There aren’t words to describe the beauty of this State Park!

Make a quick detour on Big Pine Key to No Name Pub, “a nice place if you can find it!” Watch out for Key Deer as you make your way through the small streets and back to this hidden gem! No Name Pub has a storied history, including a bait and tackle, a general store, a brothel, a gambling hall, and intermingled later, a pub and eatery. Stop in, grab a beer (and a Keys-famous pizza if you’re hungry!), and tack a dollar to the wall!

Keep heading south (you’re getting closer)!  Grab dinner at Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island. It’s tucked away and takes a bit of navigating to find it, but it’s so worth it! We recommend the Lobster Bisque and any of the Hogfish dishes! Of course, a margarita rounds it out nicely Once back in the car, you’re only about 10 minutes from Key West! Park your car and enjoy the rest of your trip!!!

While we have noted a few of our favorite “must stop” suggestions here, the length of the Florida Keys has so much more to offer! Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!! Be sure to also check out our longer articles on a bunch of these towns and islands for more detailed info on each! Happy trails!

Now that you’ve made it to Key West, check out our favorite things to do here! Click here!

Wondering where to find the best Key Lime Pie in Key West? Click here!

Do you love camping, but think the Florida Keys are too developed for you to camp your way through? The Keys offer something for every camper, from luxury RV resorts to State Parks with tons of outdoor activities. No matter if you travel with a camper or a tent, you will experience amazing sunrises or sunsets, depending on which side of the islands you’re on.

Below are our top picks for both RV and tenting options in the Florida Keys!

Keys Palms Luxury RV Resort

Located at MM104 Bayside, Keys Palms Luxury RV Resort has our favorite RV sites in Key Largo! With only 30 sites, this small park is a bit more expensive than others in the area, but their amenities more than make up for it. Sites include full hook-ups of electric, water, sewer, and cable. They have a heated pool and spa, dog park, Wi-Fi, laundry, gym, and waterfront sites. Sites are separated by beautiful landscaping. The sandy point makes a perfect place to relax and sunbathe during the day and to enjoy the famous Keys Sunsets in the evening. This quiet park is great for anyone looking for a calm, quiet place to park and enjoy the Keys Lifestyle!

Curry Hammock State Park

Almost half way down the Keys, Curry Hammock State Park is located on Little Crawl Key (MM56 Oceanside) and has 28 sites within view of the Atlantic Ocean available for tents and RVs. Each site has electric & water hook-ups as well as a picnic table and charcoal grill. Showers and bathrooms are well kept. This park is gorgeous, space sizes are generous, and the sunrises are unrivaled! There’s a beach area that’s popular with kite surfers and kayak / bicycle / snorkel rentals during the day. Leashed pets are welcome in your campsite, but not on the beaches. Book early — since the state park rates are better than any private park, they tend to book up early!

Coconut Cay RV Resort

Newly opened Coconut Cay RV Resort at MM51 Bayside in Marathon provides 25 sites with electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. Sites back up to mangroves, so these sites are not considered waterfront, however, opening your awning towards the mangroves gives you a secluded feeling to your outdoor space. This property has ample space at each site, a pool, boat dockage, laundry/shower facilities and a private sunset point with an AMAZING sunset view!!! Snorkeling can also be done off of this point, offering views of patch coral, sea grass beds, mangrove habitats, sponge gardens, and various sea life. This resort is a great option if you’re looking for a jumping off point in the middle of the keys to do day trips up and down the keys. 

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge (BPKFL)

Located on the water at MM33 Oceanside on Big Pine Key, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge is a treat to stay at! Our favorite family-friendly location in the Keys, they offer 97 full hook-up (FHU) RV sites, 72 rustic sites, and a motel. 19 of the FHU sites have adjacent boat slips available for an additional charge (not all sites are waterfront). This place has so much going for it — it’s waterfront, with a heated pool, boat ramp, laundry facilities, clean bathrooms, hot showers, amazing views, billiards, shuffleboard, fish cleaning station, and a camp store! The atmosphere is friendly and inviting and the campground offers nightly campfires, complete with s’mores and limbo! You may also get a visit from an endangered Key Deer right at your site!

Bahia Honda State Park

Book early and prepare to be wowed at Bahia Honda State Park! Offering both RV and tent sites, they tend to book up at least 6 months in advance. There are 3 camping areas with 80 total campsites (As of 7/2021, 57 sites are available as 23 are still closed due to damage from Hurricane Irma). There are also 5 cabins that can accommodate up to 6 people per cabin. RV sites are gravel and have electric and water hook-ups. 8 Bayside tent only sites have no water/power, but are situated around a basin that’s great for fishing! Park amenities are amazing! Snorkel right from shore or take a boat trip to Looe Key Reef! There are also several beaches, historical walking trails (the old RR bridge is right in the park), kayak rentals, 2 boat ramps and a 19-slip marina, biking, fishing, and a nature center.

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Boyd’s Key West Campground, located on Stock Island, is the closest campground to Key West. This campground is welcoming, fun, and family-friendly (including your four-legged family members). They offer 32 tent only sites and 163 RV sites, some waterfront, as well as a pool and boat ramp. The campground is clean and well maintained with clean and well stocked facilities. They have kayak and paddleboard rentals on site. There’s even a food truck that offers breakfast and a camp store in case you forgot anything! This is a great value for a Key West Vacation and one that your kids will remember!

Go Off Grid in the Dry Tortugas!!!

Are you looking for a bucket list type of camping adventure? The Dry Tortugas National Park will check that box! They offer tent camping only (or you can stay on a boat in the harbor if you have one big enough to get there!). Campers usually have to plan months to YEARS in advance for this trip, but the outcome is worth it!

Camping at the Dry Tortugas is unlike camping anywhere else! You are 70 miles west of Key West, in the middle of the Caribbean, with almost no manmade light. The amateur astronomy and nighttime photography are breathtaking! Snorkeling around the Fort, in these federally protected waters, can yield some amazing discoveries of fish, corals, sponges, and even Civil War relics! The history of the Fort is surprising and eerie. If you brought a kayak, you can even travel to some of the other keys surrounding Fort Jefferson, weather permitting.

There are two main ways to get to the Dry Tortugas, via a fast ferry, the Yankee Freedom, that operates daily, or via a seaplane. The seaplane only offers day trips at this time. The fast ferry can transport up to 10 campers per day (and their gear). You can stay for up to 4 days (3 nights) on the island, and we definitely recommend that you make a full 4 day reservation, if your schedule and the ferry itinerary allow. Details on the amount and recommended type of gear is on the Yankee Freedom’s website, as well as a host of helpful information.

There are few facilities at this “campground.” Your site will have a picnic table and a fire ring. It will be assigned when you arrive on the island. You can bring charcoal to cook over, but cannot use wood to make an open fire (If traveling via ferry, you also cannot bring any type of liquid fuels). There is a composting toilet, but no fresh running water (for either drinking or bathing). When the ferry is docked on the island, they have a fresh water rinse that you can utilize, as well as air conditioning to cool off, snacks and ice to purchase, and possibly even electric to charge your devices. You should plan to take everything with you that you will need for your entire camping experience, though — water (drinking and personal hygiene), batteries, food, clothes, and personal items.

How to Choose?!

With so many great options for camping in the Keys, how do you choose? Sometimes the easiest way is the path of least resistance! Are you planning your trip within the next few weeks or months? Some of these parks book up months in advance, as mentioned, so if you have a park or two that you definitely want to stay at, check their calendars through the links above or give them a call. You could park hop, giving you the opportunity to experience all that the Florida Keys has to offer, from the kitchy charm of Key Largo, the fishing in Islamorada and the family friendliness of the Middle Keys, to the fun and water activities of the Lower Keys! We are sure that any of these choices will be big winners for your next Florida Keys adventure!!!

Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!!

Making the drive from South Florida to Key West and want to know where you need to stop? Click here!

Want to spend a few days in Marathon (even a day trip is worth it!)? Click here for our favorite stuff to do and places to eat in Marathon!

Wondering where to find the best Key Lime Pie in Key West? Click here!

Thinking about heading into Key West, check out our favorite things to do there! Click here!

With its laid-back island vibe, Key West is a magical town, where the Caribbean can be experienced while still in the continental US! Key West is just a short flight from anywhere in the southeast, making it perfect long weekend tropical escape!

Want to see it all and do it all? Check out this packed itinerary for a sampling of the best of Key West!

Day 1: Around Town Day

Key West is not large, and there are a few great ways to explore! We prefer to rent bikes and take a leisurely ride around the island! Be sure to make your first stop one of the many great breakfast spots on the island! If you like lobster, try the lobster benedict or lobster omelet at Blue Heaven. My favorite breakfast there, though, is the Beef Tenderloin Benedict wtih Key Lime Hollindaise and some asparagus added! Save room for dessert, their Key Lime Pie is consistently rated as one of the best!

There are a few directions your day can take from breakfast — if you like History, you could spend some time exploring The Hemmingway Home & Museum and the Lighthouse (OMG, the views!!!), or the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House. You could also opt for the Conch Train Tour, which takes you around town and does a mobile history lesson of sorts. These all offer some really cool glimpses into Old Key West!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, check out Moondog Café & Bakery – this is a great place to take a break mid-day. We usually opt for pizzas and dessert here! After lunch, either continue your history hopping or head to the southernmost point for your obligatory Key West Buoy Picture! From there, you could sneak back along Duval Street, checking out the artists shops along the way and people watching.

Alternately, you can do the time-honored tradition of “The Duval Crawl”, starting at one end of Duval Street and making your way down the street, stopping at [most of] the bars between one end and the other, if you can make it! Upside of this option, bragging rights! Downside, you may not remember your day! Don’t forget to grab some lunch — just a block off of Duval, Moondog is still a great lunch option!

The Sunset Festival in Mallory Square is a festival in the truest sense of the word! There are street performers, artisans, vendors of food and wares, tourists, chickens, and cats! The excitement in the air is palpable. As the sun dips towards the horizon, everything stops — the music, the performers — and a hush falls over the crowd. The sunset is the main attraction every night. Take it in, breathe deeply, it’s a magical time of day. After the sunset, the performers all do one more show, then you can start the next part of your evening (Key West doesn’t sleep!)

For dinner, head to Eaton Street Seafood Market for amazing Stone Crab Claws (if they’re in season) or a lobster roll if they’re not! Order inside the Seafood Market, right at the coolers, and sit outside under an awning, enjoying your bounty of the sea! After dinner, if you have room (save room!), head to Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe and get your fill of Key Lime Desserts! Walk along the waterfront and check out all of the boats!

Day 2: Get on the Water!

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day — the breakfast club, too, at the Historic Seaport, is worth getting out of bed early for! This open air restaurant is popular enough to warrant a wait during peak breakfast hours. Be ready to carb load here! Popular dishes include pancake charcuterie boards, stuffed french toast, and waffles! If you’re still looking for your seafood fill, the shrimp and grits or the lobster bennie will do the job! Of course, Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas are always popular to wash everything down.

Choose a full-day water-based adventure with one of the many outfitters on the island. We recommend Danger Charters Full Day Sail, Snorkel, Kayak trip or the Fury’s Ultimate Adventure H2.0. Guests have a bit more room to spread out on Danger’s trips. Lunch and drinks are included with both.

After a day on the water, you might not be up for too exciting of a night. Grab some tacos at Garbo’s Grill and a drink from inside at Hanks Hair of the Dog Saloon. Garbo’s is a food truck in the back yard of Hanks! Trust us, it’s worth it; these aren’t your average tacos!!! Relax and decide if it’s time to call it a night. If not, check out some music — maybe Green Parrot, Sloppy Joe’s Bar, or Irish Kevin’s. Walk around Key West after dark and the music will find you!

Day 3: Beach Day!

You’re on an island, relax mon! It’s true that the Keys are not known for their beaches, but there are still some fun spots to spend some time on the island! Start your day at Ana’s Cafe & Southernmost Grocery. This cuban cafe has a wrap around porch with an extensive menu — we opt for bacon, egg, & cheese sandwiches on cuban bread and a pair of cafe con leche! Order at the counter, relax on the porch, and watch the roosters start their day. Grab some sandwiches from here to throw in the cooler for lunch later!

After breakfast, head towards Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. On the way there, be sure to stop in the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Informational, educational, and fun – this is a great quick stop (and it’s free!). Once inside Ft Zach State Park, choose to either head straight for the beach, or do a self-guided tour of the fort. Either way, check out the fort at some point during the day! We always choose the first beach entrance at the beach, where we have a little more space to spread out, set up hammocks, and chill. The shoreline is rocky, so bring appropriate footwear. If you didn’t pack sandwiches, you can get some grub at the grill that’s just down the beach. There’s also chair and umbrella rentals there as well as an informational display from Mote Marine — they constructed a snorkel trail located just offshore if you’re feeling adventurous! 

For an early dinner, check out Santiago’s Bodega for some sangria and tapas on happy hour! We always opt for a pitcher of red sangria and the cheeseboard, as well as whatever treats they happen to have on their happy hour menu at the time!

For your last evening in Key West, you need to experience the Sunset from a different vantage point — from a sailboat! We heartily recommend the Schooner America 2.0 for a beautiful, premium sailing experience! This historic ship is stunning and the perfect place to spend a few hours watching the sun dip below the horizon. Your sailing experience includes beer, wine, and champagne to enjoy, as well as a nice selection of munchies including a cheese tray, veggies, and shrimp. If you’re lucky, the captain may even let you steer the boat!!!

That wraps up the perfect three days in Key West, Florida! Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!!

Making the drive from South Florida to Key West and want to know where you need to stop? Click here!

Wondering where to find the best Key Lime Pie in Key West? Click here!

Want to spend a few days in Marathon (even a day trip is worth it!)? Click here for our favorite stuff to do and places to eat in Marathon!

Cocoa Beach and the surrounding areas exploded in the 1960’s when NASA came to town. Today, the area is a mix of small town surf culture, space junkies, and nature lovers. Located less than an hour from the Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Space Coast is the ideal place to spend a long weekend exploring!

This three-day itinerary is the perfect combination of all that the area has to offer!

Day 1: Cocoa Beach – Beach Day & Kayaking with Fin Expeditions!

You’re at the Beach!!! Plan at least one day to hang on World Famous Cocoa Beach! Rent surfboards and water toys at Ron Jon Rentals, or just plop down your chair, put up your umbrella, and enjoy the crashing waves! Visitors usually choose either the Cocoa Beach Pier area, Alan Shepherd Park, Lori Wilson Park, or Downtown Cocoa Beach. Of these, only Lori Wilson offers free parking. Don’t disregard the parking signs and meters at the other locations, or you will come back to find your vehicle gone!!!

Our favorite beach spot is 2nd Street South. It’s a block from the craziness of the downtown beach, but close enough to enjoy all of the amenities that Cocoa Beach has to offer! Start your day with a coffee and breakfast sandwich from Juice and Java Café, then head to the beach to set up for the day. Spend the morning walking the beach (south for peace and solitude, north for people watching). Be sure to look for tracks from turtles that may have pulled themselves into the dunes the night prior to lay their eggs! For lunch, take a quick walk to The Tiny Turtle for the best tacos at the beach! After lunch, grab an ice cream from The Fat Donkey (you’ll thank me later). Spend some time checking out the art shops downtown as you stroll, then head back to the beach for the afternoon to soak up the sand and sun.

When you’ve reached that perfect golden brown, it’s time to head back to your hotel and get ready for the evening! Notable dinner spots include Long Doggers (laid back and kid friendly) or Florida’s Fresh Grill in the Publix Plaza (this is a great date-night type of spot!)

The perfect end to your first night in Cocoa Beach is a kayaking trip through the 1000 Islands Conservation Area! Depending on the time of year, you can choose a sunset tour or a bioluminescence tour. The lagoon in Cocoa Beach is not only home to a remarkable amount of wildlife, from fish, rays, crabs, sharks, dolphins, and manatees, but it also has amazing bioluminescence (the water literally lights up as you paddle through it!!!!) Fin Expeditions does tours nightly and we highly recommend them!

Day 2: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center & Playalinda Brix Project

Start your day with breakfast at Sunrise Diner in Cocoa Beach. This is an old-school, small-town diner, with great coffee, great food, and a friendly owner and staff! Next, get ready to nerd out at Kennedy Space Center! Located about 30 minutes north of Cocoa Beach on 144,000 acres, KSC is NASA’s primary launch center of human spaceflight! You can learn about past missions, see the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis and Saturn V, check out simulators, see what NASA is doing now — including building the SLS Rocket and finding ways to live and work on Mars — and maybe meet an astronaut! If you’re lucky, there may be a launch scheduled while you’re on the Space Coast; click here to find out!

Before you head back to your hotel, head to Playalinda Brix Project for a great dinner and craft-beer selection (they make all of their beers in Titusville). Favorites are the Irish nachos, steak fajita flatbread, rib roast sandwich, and mahi platter. Be sure to check out their building and furnishings – a former lumberyard that they converted to the brewery. Many of the building supplies used in renovations were salvaged from the original building and repurposed to what you see today! A quick note, Brix is both kid and pet friendly!

Day 3: Breakfast at Backwater, Brevard Zoo & Historic Cocoa Village

Whether a kid or a kid at heart, the Brevard Zoo is amazing! Start your day with breakfast at Backwater in Downtown Melbourne. Make pancakes with any number of additions (chocolate chips, fruit, sprinkles, Oreo crumbles, cotton candy, cookie dough) on a built-in flat top right at your table! Or you can choose one of our favorites from the regular menu; Shrimp and Grits, Okeechobee Ice Cream, or The Breakfast Club, and don’t forget a side of Gator Gumbo! They locally source as much of their food as they can, and they support several local non-profits. They also have killer mimosas if you’re feeling like treating yourself!

Now it’s time for the zoo!!!! The Brevard Zoo is currently requiring reservations for timed entries, so be sure to check on that before you head over. They are home to animals from all over the world and have tons of ways to interact with them, from feeding Giraffes, Lorikeets and Cockatiels, to walking through an open kangaroo habitat! This is so cool! The zoo also has several unique and exciting experiences in addition to exploring the actual zoo… You can kayak through animal habitats or climb high above them on a ropes course that runs through the park! In addition to what you can see and do there, the zoo also plants oyster mats in the Indian River Lagoon to help restore the health of the lagoon, rescues sick and injured sea turtles, and has monitoring programs for several critically-endangered animals.

After a day at the zoo, it’s time to head back to the hotel to freshen up then head out for an evening in Historic Cocoa Village! If you’re looking for a laid-back and delicious dinner, head to Crydermans Barbecue for the best barbeque on the Space Coast! Their seating is all outside at large picnic tables. Want another option? Milpa Tacos y Tortillas has fabulous, scratch made mexican food! We have loved everything we’ve tried there, and drool for the Chicken Mole. If you have kids with you, check out REC 225 for a fun dining and game night. If you don’t have the kids along, stop in Bugnutty Brewing Company for a locally crafted beer (the owners are former NASA employees!) and stop at Stumpy’s Hatchet House to show off your slaying abilities!!! Stroll along the waterfront as the sun sets on another amazing day!

That wraps up the perfect three days on the Space Coast! Was this itinerary spot on? Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!!

Cumberland Island is Georgia’s southernmost barrier island. It is (mostly) undeveloped, filled with lush live oaks and palmetto palms, tidal marshes, and miles of beaches and dunes. There are no roads to this island, and the only vehicles on it are permanent — either shuttling Park Service workers to various projects, tour vehicles (there are some seasonal tours available for a fee), and a few private vehicles belonging to some of the few private properties on the island. Cumberland Island is wild, beautiful, and peaceful.

Day 0: Reservations!

Before you can consider this multi-day adventure, you will have to make reservations. Camping reservations often need to be made in advance — in fact, they open reservations six months out! If you don’t make plans that far ahead (we don’t!), don’t fret! If you’re flexible, the reservation system allows you to “build your itinerary” with the number of campers in your group, and it will show you availability at all the sites for you to choose what works best for your schedule. Campers can stay for up to seven consecutive nights. Remember to consult the ferry schedule before finalizing your booking, especially in winter (there are no Tues/Wed ferries  Dec 1 to Feb 28). Camping fees will be paid online. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass (link), you can enter that number while making the reservation for 50% off camping fees at individual sites! Be sure to review the NPS camping page for helpful information before making your reservation.

There are multiple campgrounds available, but we like Sea Camp! This campground has potable water, toilets, and cold showers. It’s about a 1/2 mile from the ferry dock. Carts are available (for a fee) to get your stuff moved, thus allowing you to be a little more generous with your gear, food, and drink choices! You are also close enough to the ferry dock to buy more ice if you need it, or to rent bikes for the day, if you choose!

Stafford Beach Campground offers toilets, cold shower, and water (must be treated), and is 3.5 miles from the ferry dock. You *cannot* use their carts to move your items here. The remaining three campgrounds are in Cumberland Island’s Designated Wilderness. They are 5.5, 7.5, and 10.5 miles north of the ferry dock. 

Step 2 is to make a ferry reservation. Your return to St. Marys will be on the 10:15 a.m. ferry (if you’re camping at Sea Camp). If you’d like to take a personal bicycle, the ferry now allows a limited number of bikes, and you can book this at the same time as your ferry ticket. Be aware that bikes are not allowed everywhere on the island — they are mainly allowed on the roads and on the beach *between* the Sea Camp and Dungeness Beach Crossovers. You will want a bike with wide tires (like a beach cruiser), as none of the roads are paved. If you’d prefer not to haul a bike with you, you may be able to rent a bike on the island. As of this writing, the bike rentals were unavailable, but they may be again in the future. 

Park entrance fees will be paid when you check into the ferry on Day 1. Be sure to print a copy of your camping permit and keep it with you at your campsite.

Day 0 plus 1 (since you’re still traveling, we won’t count today into your 3 days!!!)

Arrive on the morning of your scheduled ferry with a confirmation or printed ticket. Visit the museum and gift shop to learn about the rich history of the island. Check in begins 1 hour before ferry departure. Be sure to check in and then unload your camping supplies. Once your vehicle is unloaded, overnight parking is available one block west of the Visitor Center (staff can direct you to location). Don’t leave valuables in your car! NPS and ferry staff will direct you to load your supplies (and bikes, if applicable) onto the boat, followed by loading all passengers. If you’re taking the 11:45 a.m. ferry, pack a small cooler separately and have lunch on the ride over! The ferry has booths with large windows, so you can enjoy your food as well as the leisurely backwater ride from St Marys to Cumberland Island! The ferry ride is about 45 minutes each way. Sometime during the ride, switch your phone to airplane mode – this will allow you to take pictures of the beauty all around you over the next few days, and to really be present with your family, friends, or whoever you came camping with! Besides, nobody wants to hear a cell phone ring in the middle of a forest or on a deserted beach! 

Upon arrival at the island, you will unload your supplies from the ferry, decide if you’d like to purchase firewood for tonight (you should!), then proceed to move your supplies to your designated campsite. The easiest way to do this is with the use of one of the island’s carts, rented for a fee and returnable in an hour. These carts allow you to bring coolers filled with cold goodies (think steaks & beers for dinner or bacon & eggs for breakfast). They also mean that you can bring a bigger tent, an air mattress, maybe even a cot!!! Think about how to make your camping experience a little cushier — this is your opportunity to do that! We will share some of our favorite items to take camping on Cumbie at the end of this article!!!!

Let’s fast forward — supplies are all moved to your site, and you have everything set up. What to do now?! Sit down, take a deep breath, admire your handiwork, and revel in the quiet of “home” for the next few days! If you’re still itching to move, go jump in the ocean for a quick swim before dinner! Rinse off at the bathhouse and head back to prepare dinner. Unlike our more urban articles, our dinner suggestions here will not take you to exciting restaurants, but we will still provide some great meal options to jog your brain as you plan for this adventure! Our favorite first night meal is tacos! We usually pre-prepare them at home, so we just have to heat some items up — this makes the first night much more relaxing and enjoyable! After dinner, make a fire, roast a marshmallow, and enjoy the quiet and solitude that’s all around you!

Day 2

Good morning! Today is all about slowing down — putter around camp for a bit, maybe rekindle the fire or take a brisk morning swim in the ocean. When you’re ready for breakfast, pull out the camp stove and light it up! Bacon, eggs, and potatoes are on the menu for this morning! After breakfast, tidy up around camp, prepare sandwiches for lunch, fill water bottles for your adventure ahead, and map out your day! (As of the writing of this article, the tours and educational programming are all closed. If they have resumed by the time of your visit, we heartily recommend participating in one/some of those activities to learn more about this wonderful island!)

Make plans from here based on the temperature, time of year, and your tolerance for heat. Our day would look something like this: from camp, head out to the beach and turn right. Bike or hike south along the beach to Dungeness Crossover. Make your way west to the beautiful and haunting ruins of Dungeness. Explore the ruins and grounds. Relax on the expansive lawn. Throw a frisbee. Play bocce (check out this traveling bocce set that we love!!!). Walk along the marsh looking for birds, gators, and fish. Eat lunch. Drink a beer. Take some photos. Take a nap. Find animal shapes in the clouds. When you’re ready to start heading back towards camp, take Coleman Avenue and keep your eye on the ground! Roads are regularly graded with material dredged from just offshore, and lots of people find sharks teeth here! When you reach the Ice House Museum, refill your water bottles, use the restrooms, and head north, taking the River Trail back to the ferry dock. From here, it’s a quick 1/2 mile back to camp.

Once back at camp, prep for dinner and relaxing around the fire. Our second night dinner faves include Pasta Primavera,  Chicken Tacos, or Chicken Ramen – simplify). Afterwards, be sure to take a walk out to the beach well after dark, lay down a blanket, listen to the ocean waves, and watch the stars slowly move overhead. If you’re lucky, you may see a shooting star!

Day 3

Technically, today is day 3. If you were only able to steal away for 2 nights, it’s time to pack up camp, eat a quick breakfast, and make your way back to the ferry. The ferry leaves at 10:45, so be there by 9:45 a.m. for check in and loading gear. Oatmeal or granola bars are a great meal for this morning. If you were able to snag a third night at your campsite, save these suggestions for tomorrow!

If you’re staying on the island one more day, plan for a similarly relaxing day (are you seeing a theme here?!?) For breakfast today, we recommend omelets — this will get rid of the rest of your eggs, bacon, and veggies. (Be sure to save what you need for dinner tonight!) After breakfast, tidy up camp and prepare for your day. Pack sandwiches and water for lunch. Today, you will head north!!! You’re in search of historic properties, horses, and beautiful solitude. Head out to Main Road and make a right, heading north. Take a leisurely ride north, stopping at Stafford Cemetery (there’s a nearby bathroom at Stafford Beach Campground), and making your way towards Plum Orchard Mansion, donated by the Carnegie family. Fill your water bottles here, if necessary. Spend some quiet time relaxing on the front lawn of this beautiful property. You will likely have less company here than at Dungeness, as it takes a bit more effort to get to Plum Orchard!

After some relaxing at the mansion, you may want to consider starting back towards Sea Camp. The last time that we made this trek, the road was VERY soft sand, making for a very long slog north. We will not encourage biking on the beach if it’s not allowed, but… if it is, we definitely recommend making your way to the shoreline and heading south with the waves on your left! If you’re lucky, you’ll see some wild horses in the dunes on the return trip!

Once back at camp, take a quick jump in the ocean and/or a shower to cool off! Fall into your hammock for a bit (you’ve just ridden about 15 miles!!!) and daydream about dinner!!! Eventually, peel yourself out of your hammock, have an adult beverage if you’re so inclined, and start dinner prep. We suggest burgers and chips! You can use any leftover lettuce, tomatoes, and onions from taco night, and fill up on some carb-y goodness after that long ride! Our favorite burgers include grilled mushrooms, onions, jalapenos, and barbeque sauce, in addition to some gooey cheddar cheese! Clean everything well after dinner, as tomorrow it’s time to pack and leave

For tonight’s campfire, break out the s’mores! One more night of peace… quiet… solitude… Enjoy the stillness of this magical place!

Day 3 plus 1

Wake up early for one final sunrise and dip in the Atlantic. Now, it’s time to pack up camp, eat a quick breakfast, and make your way back to the ferry. The ferry leaves at 10:45, so be there by 9:45 a.m. for check in and loading gear. Oatmeal or granola bars are a great meal for this morning. Once on the boat, head to the top deck for a bit more sun on your shoulders and wind in your hair. DO NOT take your phone off airplane mode yet! No doubt, you have some great new memories that you made on this beautiful island! Share your favorite moments of the trip with your group and decide to come back… soon!

Once shoreside, unload and pack your vehicle. Head to St. Marys Seafood & More for a great lunch! You really can’t go wrong with anything here; we recommend the Blackened Grouper or the Fried Shrimp, Scallops, and/or Oysters! After lunch, head back to the museum, which is open from 1-4 most days.

We hope you had a great time on Cumbie! Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!! Happy Trails!!!

(You can [sadly] take your phone off airplane mode, but be prepared for the onslaught of electronic noise)