| Being a local Floridian, I've had the chance all my life | | | | Well it was for me, so a few of my buddies headed |
| to see the Space Shuttle launch off from Kennedy | | | | just south of the Pier to a restaurant named |
| Space Center in Cape Canaveral. However, nothing | | | | Coconuts on the Beach and enjoyed some drinks and |
| was like the time on that wonderful Spring day on | | | | a bite to eat. Heading north back to my home town |
| the beach, in Cape Canaveral. The sun was warm, | | | | of Cape Canaveral, there are some of the closest |
| the water cool, the people were active, and food | | | | land-based places you can legally get to see the |
| was being cooked and served. All up and down the | | | | Launch. The majority of these places are located at |
| area of the Florida Space Coast, people were out | | | | Port Canaveral; a place of fun and excitement all of |
| and about, enjoying their day until they could see the | | | | the time. Now, if you plan to visit the Port or one of |
| Space Shuttle Discovery launch that night at 7:43 PM. | | | | its restaurants, be sure to call ahead and get a |
| Their mission? To take off and head to the | | | | reservation, or you may not get a spot! But if you |
| International Space Station, bringing along with them | | | | really want to enjoy fine dining and enjoy your view |
| the final pair of US-built Solar Wings and the last | | | | of the Launch Pad, I'd recommend Grills, Fish Lips and |
| segment of the Space Station's backbone-like main | | | | Milliken's Reef. All have a fine dining style of food and |
| truss for Mission STS-119. Around the initial launch | | | | service with two different atmospheres to choose |
| pad, the cities of Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, and | | | | from: Fine Dining inside and Party/Laid-Back style |
| Cocoa Beach were sprawling with business and | | | | outside. |
| activities. | | | | However, if you're not into eating or drinking at a |
| Everywhere you went, people had found their place | | | | restaurant, then you can simply pay homage to |
| to see the launch from. In Merritt Island, people were | | | | Mother Nature and enjoy one it's most beautiful |
| parked all up and down the Merritt Island Causeway, | | | | creations, much like I did: The Beach! Bring your own |
| enjoying the Indian River and watching the wind | | | | food and drink and camp out with all of the rest of |
| surfers ride around. Places such as Applebee's Tiki | | | | us, basking in the sun and watching the waves. From |
| bar, also located on Merritt Island, allowed for cold | | | | the Cape Canaveral beaches, you can look north and |
| drinks and hot food to be consumed while sitting at | | | | see Port Canaveral and the Delta Two Rocket |
| and around the Tiki bar or just outside on it's deck, | | | | Launch Pads, and turn around south to see the |
| both with a clear view of the river and over towards | | | | Cocoa Beach Pier. With only a few houses or |
| the Launch Pad itself. In Cocoa Beach, the ever | | | | apartments to shield you from the shockwave of |
| packed Cocoa Beach Pier barely had walking room, | | | | sound, the Cape Canaveral beaches allow the |
| as many locals and tourist knew it to be one of the | | | | ultimate viewing, hearing and relaxation experience of |
| best locations for "Launch Days". Too much for you? | | | | Space Shuttle and Delta Two Rocket Launches. |