Florida Institute of Technology Botanical Gardens, FIT Melbourne Campus, (321) 768-8000 - A one mile paved trail wends its way through over 300 species of palms, fern and other tropical foliage. An 1883 one-room schoolhouse, Brevard's oldest, has been relocated here.

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Palm Bay; (321) 952-3433 - Walk through sand pines, saw palmettos and live oaks that emerge from ancient sand dunes created 120,000 years ago on a 4,000--foot boardwalk. This is a major stopover for spring and fall migratory birds.

1463 Highland Avenue, Melbourne, 32935; (321) 242-0737. Science Center; lots of hands on activities for children: 321/254-7782.

North Wickham Road, east of I-95, Melbourne; (321) 254-9453 - The only zoo in the United States to offer guided kayaking tours on and off site, this zoo features over 480 animals from around the world, a wheelchair accessible train ride, a playground with petting zoo, a free flight aviary where you can feed the birds, a cafe and gift shop and daily behind the scenes "Wild Side" tours at 1 PM. The park and an open air pavilion are available for rentals and several weddings have been held on site. Educational programs, camps, overnight adventures and more are also offered. Free parking, group discounts on admission, train and 4 hour offsite eco-tours of the local lagoon are available.  Located 1/2 mile east of I95 from exit 73, the zoo is open daily from 10 AM - 5 PM except during special events. Between June - August, the park stays open late on Saturday nights. Call 321-254-WILD for more information.

Camp Holly Airboat Rides

Central Florida Kayaking

Eco Cruises

Cocoa Beach; (321)783-7549 - An historic 840 foot pier provides fishing, food and shops.

Cocoa Belle Indian River Steam Boat Co

(0.9 miles)

Melbourne Harbor Marina (.01 miles)

Melbourne Yacht Club (.02 miles)

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Palm Bay; (321) 952-3433 - Walk through sand pines, saw palmettos and live oaks that emerge from ancient sand dunes created 120,000 years ago on a 4,000--foot boardwalk. This is a major stopover for spring and fall migratory birds.

WITHIN 30 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE INN

Cocoa Beach; (321)783-7549 - An historic 840 foot pier provides fishing, food and shops.

Cocoa Belle Indian River Steam Boat Co

Cracker Airboat Tours

Tucked away amidst the tree lined avenues of a nostalgic riverside community, historic Cocoa Village is a charming cornucopia of unique shops, galleries, cafes and some of Florida's best gourmet restaurants. Cocoa village is an enchanting experience for the entire family. Emporiums of antiques, jewelry, art, fashion, crafts, gifts, and remnants of days gone by await you.  History, theatre, shopping, fine foods, fine arts, scenic parks, all contribute to a day in a relaxed atmosphere you'll want to repeat again and again!

Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, Melbourne Beach; (321) 984-4852 - Three miles of ocean beach are available for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. It is the only designated surfing area in Brevard County; and is the number one surfing destination in Florida, hosting several national surfing tournaments every year. Camping: a stone's throw from Sebastian Inlet and a short stroll to the Atlantic Beach. Small store; gifts; food; docking; canoe, kayak, jet ski, & power boat rentals (no gas); Ranger led boat tours (to Pelican Island). Considered one of the best fishing areas in the state of Florida. It is one of the most popular of all Florida State Parks.

Ulamay Wildlife Sanctuary, 805 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island; (321) 868-1123 - Great bird watching, canoe and hiking trails, fishing pier, guided tours.

WITHIN 45 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE INN

A Day Away Kayaking School - Titusville - Regular or arranged trips. Enjoy the Indian River or Mosquito Lagoons; Econlakhatchee, Loxahatchee or St. John's Rivers, or a Space Shuttle Launch. Exceptional birding opportunities by special arrangement.

Just west of Kennedy Space Center on SR 405 in Titusville, (321) 269-6100; ahof@spacecamp.com.  The Astronaut Hall of Fame may be one of the Space Coast's most family-friendly attractions, providing over 25 action-packed simulators and hands-on activities - without the long lines, weather dependency, and expense of other major attractions. One of the facility's most unique features is the Astronaut Adventure, a room bursting with activities to give people of any age a firsthand taste of space. The entire family can barrel-roll in an aerial dogfight, ride along on a dangerous expedition on the surface of Mars, engage in high-pressure conditioning in four times earth gravity, or walk in 1/6th gravity-and more!   Open 9AM to 6PM daily (except Christmas). General Admission prices are $13.95 adults; $9.95 children 6-12; children 5 and under are free.

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, 2201 Michigan Avenue, Cocoa; (321) 632-1830 - Walk back in time. Experience Brevard County in its earliest form. See how Native Americans lived and pioneers survived. A remarkable collection including local artifacts; collections of sea, land and air animals; a comprehensive collection of mollusks; and a remarkable reproduction of the Windover Dig which unearthed the remains of a 7000 year old Indian civilization that was found nearby. A 22 acre nature reserve showcases three ecosystems. Enjoy solitude in the Butterfly Garden. There is a wonderful hands-on discovery room for children. A variety of classes, seminars, craft programs, and special exhibits are offered all year. A remarkable local resource.

Canaveral National Seashore, Route 402 from North Titusville; 321-267-1110 - Twenty four miles of undeveloped barrier island provide the pristine Atlantic beaches of Playalinda, Klondike and Apollo. Inland are the dune, marsh, and lagoon habitats for a tremendous variety of wildlife. It is a major destination for bird lovers. The beaches are known world-wide for excellent surfing and surf fishing. This is part of the largest sea turtle nesting area in the United States. More than 6,000 loggerheads, green seas and leatherbacks lay up to 600 eggs each on Brevard beaches from May - August. Guided tours, after sundown, let you witness these one ton endangered animals nesting. See our Program schedule for the many activities that are available for the public.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse - Located on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and generally not open for public access. You can see the lighthouse from either Canaveral Harbor Road or from the beach at Cocoa Beach southward.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary - North side of Route 405, 1/2 mile west of US Route 1, south of Titusville; 321-267-7367. A beautiful, safe place to enjoy a remarkable diversity of natural trails. Picnic Tables. Open: Wed. & Sat. from 8:30am to 3:00pm; Sun. from 2:00 - 5:00pm. Guides are generally available 1/2 hour after opening to walk with you and discuss how the remarkable diversity of the Enchanted Forest came to be. Special tours arranged for Schools, Scouts and other groups - call 633-9835 and leave a message. Earth Day Festival each year near April 22nd.

Grasshopper Airboat Tours - Titusville - Ecotours on the grassy marshes of the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett. See birds, alligators, other wildlife, and spectacular scenery on a personally guided tour.

- Titusville - Route 405 5 miles east of Route U.S. 1;   321-452-2121 Experience the glorious past, inspiring present and exciting future of the American Space Program. Tour this working NASA facility and see where space shuttles launch, how history was made when man landed on the moon, and the future of space travel at the International Space Station.  Walk for 363 feet under an awesomely powerful Saturn V moon rocket. Discover some of the many spin-offs of the space program that make everyday life easier for all of us.  View Spectacular, large-format IMAX films that bring space closer than you have ever been before. Complete your visit by touring a full-scale shuttle replica and visiting the inspiring tribute to America's fallen astronauts, The Astronaut Memorial.

Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral; (321) 783-7831 - The Port has developed a wide variety of recreational facilities including biking, beaches, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, sailing, snorkeling, diving and, sail boarding. With three marinas, ten restaurants, private shops and public parks provide something for everyone. Carnival Cruise Lines 'PRIDE' departs weekly on 7 day Caribbean cruise, and the Disney Cruise Lines.

St. Johns River Water Management District; 904-329-4540 - The St. Johns River Water Management District acquires lands to provide flood protection, protect water supplies, restore and preserve water bodies, maintain wildlife habitats and provide recreation to the public. They manage many properties that have excellent hiking, canoeing, hunting and fishing. Guided tours of some of the lands are available.

Schooner Sails sets sail daily for relaxing sails out of Port Canaveral on the Wanderer. It's a replica of a Grand Banks fishing schooner from the 1800s and it's a rare treat to float along listening to the wind in the rigging and dreaming about those olden days. 

Space Coast Nature Tours - 90 minute narrated boat cruises on the Indian River Lagoon. View birds, dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife. Shuttle launch, sunset, school, charter, meeting, space & nature cruises.

Tosohatchee State Preserve - 3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas, FL 32708; (407) 568-5893 - 28,000-acres, with 19 miles of frontage on the St. Johns River. Recreational activities including hiking, nature study, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking and limited hunting with a special permit. It is recommended that you contact the reserve prior to your visit.

US Space Walk of Fame - Titusville - The U. S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation in cooperation with the city of Titusville is providing space exhibits along the river front commemorating Americas various space programs with special emphasis being given to the space workers themselves. Edging the Indian River and overlooking Kennedy Space Center, the riverwalk preserves America's history in space through a progressive maze of memorabilia, interpretive plaques, public art, sculptures and bronze markers. The waterfront terrace of the riverwalk has become a favorite viewing platform during NASA shuttle lift-offs.

Valiant Air Command - Warbird Museum

Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier - Titusville - Off SR 406 at the Indian River, 321-383-2464 -- This 620 foot landmark offers great fishing for sea trout, whiting, redfish, sailcat, and shrimping and crabbing. Bait, gear and food are available.

WITHIN 1 HOUR DRIVE FROM THE INN

Wildlife like Alligators and Eagles, 90 Minute Private Day or Night Real Airboat Tours on the Marshes of the scenic St. Johns River. Captain John: over 30 Years Experience.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Warbird Adventures, Inc. Kissimmee Municipal Airport 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 

WITHIN 1.5 HOUR DRIVE FROM THE INN

Capone's Dinner & Show - 4740 West Highway 192, Kissimmee (reservations 1-800-220-8428) is taken right out of the time when Chicago was ruled by the notorious gangster Al Capone, at the height of the prohibition era.  Smaller in size than some of its counterparts, it has stood the test of time. An Italian Buffet is included and is all part of the performance.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - 4510 West Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee (reservations 1-800-229-8300) - All guests receive a four-course 'Medieval-Style' dinner while cheering on their favorite knight battling in various levels of competition, including sword fights and jousting matches.  A complimentary dinner and show is included for younger guests on their birthday when accompanied by at least one full paying adult Of special extra interest is Medieval Life, right next door.  A living museum of medieval history that showcases an assortment of artisans and crafts including: coppersmiths, weavers, potters and blacksmiths - all in an authentic medieval setting. 

- 5770 W. Highway 192, Kissimmee

907 E. Melbourne Ave
Melbourne, Florida 32901
321.768.6416