ORLANDO & The Space Coast

All viewers: The pins in the embedded map below include key info, tips, and tricks, as well as details ported directly from Google Maps like contact info and ratings. FINALLY, all in one handy place! Check out the sample Day-ish Long Itineraries below the map to help explore these great spots to the fullest. Also, just click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to port the map directly into Google Maps as its own layer for easy navigation.

Mobile viewers: This is best viewed in landscape mode. Alternatively, click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to open the map directly in Google Maps.

 
 
 
 
 

Overview

Orlando is located in ‘Central Florida’, a somewhat nebulous term that is alternately defined by east-west boundaries (the center vertical strip that specifically does not include the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean) or north-south boundaries (a central horizontal band that stretches from Tampa to the Space Coast, but excludes South Florida and the Panhandle). Either way, it’s the middle of the state, and Orlando is in the middle of it. To the west lies Tampa, on the Gulf of Mexico, and to the east lies the Space Coast, a sprawling area of development built around Cape Canaveral, featuring the Kennedy Space Center. Orlando isn’t huge, but it’s home to some unique world-class attractions, and it’s also got a pretty rambunctious nightlife scene on the weekends.

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Day-Ish Long Itineraries

+ Space Coast

Plan for a ~90min drive from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center. Buy your ticket online to skip the lines - you'll need to specify a particular date for your visit. There’s a lot of add-on options but just do regular admission and take the included bus tour to the major sites.

  • Note: If you time your KSC visit with a rocket launch, (1) the bus tours will give you up-close views of the staging activities, and (2) for ~$20 you can add on a seat at the Banana Creek Launch Viewing Point, located beside the Apollo / Saturn V center, which has the most direct views of the launch pads. If you want to watch the launch for free but don’t care about seeing the first few seconds off the launch pad, there’s a great Rocket Launch Viewing Area on the A1A causeway across the Banana River, or head to the Jetty Park Pier.

The Space Coast region is a very laid-back coastal vacation area, so anticipate seafood and beach-themed bars. Let's talk happy hour:

  • Rising Tide Tap and Table - At the north end of Canaveral overlooks the cruise port, and has solid specials for both food and drinks.
  • Riki-Tiki Tavern - Further south on the Cocoa Beach pier, an open air spot propped up out over the water and overlooks surfers and Cape Canaveral. Happy hour drinks are the focus.

Fancier seafood dinner options with coastal views (be aware, the views lead to tourists/vacationers/cruisers and a general price surcharge):

  • Rising Tide / Fishlips - Both have solid seafood menus with classic beachy drinks.
  • Coconuts on the Beach - Located much further south, this local mainstay has lots of live music and events - check the calendar.

Cheaper and more casual “beachy” settings with fun daily food and drink specials:

  • Sandbar Sports Grill - Beware the Cat 5 Hurricane drink!
  • Jenna’s Breezeway - Lawn games and live music in the big backyard, check the band schedule.

If you do head south to Coconuts or Jenna’s, grab dessert at Fat Donkey Ice Cream or Oasis Shaved Ice. If you’re looking for a late evening out before heading back to Orlando (or are planning to overnight at the Space Coast), tack on a stop in Cocoa Village. Check the tips section of each pin for more info.

+ Local Orlando Exploration

Winter Park is an upscale suburb northeast of downtown with a lively walkable square. Accessible from downtown by SunRail in 20 minutes for $2.

Fancy brunch options:

  • Briarpatch - Classic American brunch fare.
  • Parkview - Brunch options with a wider menu.

Other Winter Park food spots:

  • The Porch - Wide, airy sports bar with a broad pub food menu.
  • Sausage Shack - Quick spot for sausages and pretzels with a small outdoor patio.
  • Swine & Sons - Hefty sandwiches are their specialty.
  • Winter Park Farmer’s Market - Saturdays only, mix of produce and prepared foods. Lots of boutique shops line Park Ave.

A couple miles south, hang out in Audubon Park:

  • Redlight Redlight - Well-known local brewery. No food on-site, just menus from local places, so eat before or after.
  • Stardust Video & Coffee - Coffee, beer, full bar, open till midnight every night, great place to work from, books and movies for rent, live performances - what's not to love?
  • East End Market - Small food hall. Farm & Haus has great options.

Downtown Orlando is a rager on Friday and Saturday nights. The police cordon off the streets to vehicles from 9PM-2AM over about four square blocks (Washington-Pine north/south, Magnolia-Gertrude’s Walk east/west).

Start at the Wall St. Alley - seven venues in one, and check their calendar for events/covers. Tons of other bars and late-night food options in the vicinity. Check the tips section of each pin for more info.

+ Theme Parks

Single day visits are possible but you’ll need to be quite selective. Walt Disneyworld World Resort alone actually four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), plus two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon). There’s also Universal Orlando Resort, with its two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure), water park (Volcano Bay), and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which actually spans both theme parks. On top of all that, there’s SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Ultimately, theme parks are outside the flashpacking style of travel, so… good luck!

LOgistics

Airport Stuff: Fly into Orlando International Airport. There’s public transportation to downtown but if you’re exploring anywhere outside of town, you basically need a car.

Getting Around: Toll roads abound, including Route 528 to Space Coast. Enroll in Visitor Toll Pass if you’re renting a vehicle at the airport, or be prepared with ~$5USD worth of quarters each way to/from the Space Coast to throw into the change buckets are the periodic toll booths. Alternatively, other routes are toll-free but somewhat slower.

Where to Stay: Downtown is a good home base. The Space Coast is also worth an overnight stay, if you want to combine Kennedy Space Center with some relaxing time on the shore and beach.