An Article By Isla Campbell
One of the major attractions often overlooked by visitors to Central Florida is the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic coast. Although only a 60 minute drive or coach ride from the heart of downtown Orlando, it is frequently left off busy itineraries by families desperate to get as much time in the Disney and Universal theme parks as possible.
However, those visitors are really missing out, not only on a fantastic one-off educational experience but also because there are plenty of exciting activities and rides to be experienced at the Center. In addition, the Center is NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) operational launch pad for space shuttle missions and frequently hosts spectacular launches which can be viewed from only a few miles away.
Indeed, a limited number of visitors’ tickets are available to watch the launch from within the grounds of the Space Center, but other vantage points can also be secured by parking at the side of local roads and highways or in one of the prominent local national parks.
The shuttle is currently being used as the primary mode of transport for vital construction elements of the International Space Station, as well as for other important research and because of that Endeavour, Atlantis and Discovery are all due to launch throughout the latter part of 2008 and early months of 2009.
But, if the thought of watching a live shuttle launch isn’t exciting enough to tempt you onto one of the many holiday flights to Orlando, how about considering what else is on offer at the Space Center? Although there may be plenty of adrenaline fuelled thrill rides available at the big theme parks based in Kissimmee and Orlando, none of them offer an authentic ‘Shuttle Launch Experience’ - the latest Kennedy Space Center attraction.
The ride takes you through the full experience from mounting the docking gantry to a simulated launch and all only a couple of miles from where the real thing takes place. For a more sedate experience the Rocket Garden is filled with spacecraft and orbital vehicles from previous generations, many standing as tall as they would have appeared on the launch pad forming an impressive skyline in the bright Floridian sunshine. In addition, there is a museum and many exhibits dedicated to the Saturn rockets family in which intrepid astronauts headed for the moon during the 1960s and 1970s; many of whom are listed in the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
If you are one of the many visitors thinking of heading to Orlando this year, then try to squeeze a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center into your crowded itinerary; it’s an experience that is not to be missed.
Where to Stay:
How to get There:
The closest regional airport is, of course, Orlando International Airport. The airport is served by Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, Northwest, and by international airlines from around the world.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
- Compare Prices on Airfare to Orlando
- Compare Prices on Rental Cars
Contact:
Hyatt regency Grand Cypress, One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando, Florida, USA 32836 Tel: +1 407 239 1234 Fax: +1 407 239 3800.
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter.
This article was written by Isla Campbell
