Category: Recommendations

Locations recommended by our team of Launch Rats. Note: our recommendations are based on our own opinions and experiences; we accept no responsibility for yours.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
★ SR 405
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
+1 (855) 433-4210

If you are a launch rat on the Space Coast, this is THE place to go. All the history, all the rockets, the Atlantis space shuttle, bus tours, IMAX movies, rocket launch viewing; space nerd paradise. Don’t bother with the multi-day ticket; buy a season pass, it will pay for itself by day 2, and you will want more days here than that. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by just about every launch rat ever.

Sands Space and History Center

www.afspacemuseum.org/historycenter/
★ 100 Spaceport Way
★ Cape Canaveral FL 32920
+1 (321) 853-1919

The Sands Museum is located outside the CCAFS gates and is open to the public. Call for availability information on launch days. Features items & history from the early days of the space program to the present, and a gift shop that offers a variety of interesting things often not found elsewhere. Pay no attention to the ambiguity of Google Maps; the museum is located behind the SpaceX Launch & Landing Control Center, not in it. Recommended by Wayward.

KSC LC-39 Observation Gantry


OSIRIS-REx, launching on an Atlas V 411 from SLC-41 on 8th September 2016, as seen from the LC-39A gantry. Photo by Lupi.

OSIRIS-REx, launching on an Atlas V 411 from SLC-41 on 8th September 2016, as seen from the LC-39A gantry. Photo by Lupi (original)

When launch viewing is offered at this site, this is the best possible viewing location. Admission to this site, when offered, is a premium surcharge on top of your KSC admission. Check KSCVC website for more info. Accessible via bus from KSCVC (parking available). Wheelchair & scooter accessible via KSCVC buses. Food & restrooms available. Recommended by Wayward.

Distance to SLC-37B: 5.5 mi / 8.85 km
Distance to LC-39A: 1.19 mi / 1.92 km
Distance to LC-39B: 2.2 mi / 3.54 km
Distance to SLC-40: 3.38 mi / 5.44 km
Distance to SLC-41: 2.26 mi / 3.64 km
Distance to LZ-1/2: 8.79 mi / 14.15 km

KSC Banana Creek/Saturn V Center Launch Viewing


On-site at KSC at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. For launches for which LC-39A gantry viewing is not offered, this is the best possible viewing location. When launches occur during normal business hours, admission to this site is often included with your KSC admission; at other times, it’s offered at a premium surcharge. Check KSCVC website for more info. Accessible via bus from KSCVC (parking available). Wheelchair & scooter accessible via KSCVC buses. Food & restrooms available. Recommended by Wayward.

Distance to SLC-37B: 8.18 mi / 13.16 km
Distance to LC-39A: 3.9 mi / 6.28 km
Distance to LC-39B: 3.29 mi / 5.29 km
Distance to SLC-40: 6.35 mi / 10.22 km
Distance to SLC-41: 5.4 mi / 8.69 km
Distance to LZ-1/2: 11.22 mi / 18.06 km

Route 401 Viewing Stands

★ Route 401
★ Port Canaveral FL

OTV-5 launch (7th September 2017) as seen from the SR-401 viewing stands. Photo by Lupi.

OTV-5 launch (7th September 2017) as seen from the SR-401 viewing stands. Photo by Lupi (original)

NOTE: As of 12 April 2019, there are strong indications that Route 401 may not be open for future launch viewing, on the request of Brevard County officials. Pay close attention to official sources of information for further updates, and plan to use an alternate viewing location for launches after this time.

Route 401 is the closest available location for viewing booster landings at LZ-1 and LZ-2. The stands are located outside the CCAFS gate, opposite SpaceX LLCC and AF Sands Space Museum. Parking available, port-o-johns uncertain. Generally accessible, but terrain can be uneven for those with limited mobility. This site is sometimes reserved for badged access only, and therefore not accessible to the public; if this is your plan, get there early and have a backup plan available. The western curve of 401, when space allows, is a good alternative. Recommended by Wayward.

Distance to SLC-37B: 8.16 mi / 13.13 km
Distance to LC-39A: 13.08 mi / 21.05 km
Distance to LC-39B: 14.42 mi / 23.21 km
Distance to SLC-40: 10.04 mi / 16.16 km
Distance to SLC-41: 11.46 mi / 18.44 km
Distance to LZ-1/2: 5.99 mi / 9.64 km

Route 401 Western Curve

★ Route 401
★ Port Canaveral FL

Falcon Heavy's debut flight, as seen from SR-401's Western Curve. Taken by Lupi on 6th February 2018.

Falcon Heavy’s debut flight, as seen from SR-401’s Western Curve, 6th February 2018. Photo by Lupi (original)

NOTE: As of 12 April 2019, there are strong indications that Route 401 may not be open for future launch viewing, on the request of Brevard County officials. Pay close attention to official sources of information for further updates, and plan to use an alternate viewing location for launches after this time.

Route 401 is the closest available public viewing for booster landings at LZ-1 and LZ-2. Publicly accessible; parking haphazard; facilities uncertain. Generally accessible, but terrain can be uneven for those with limited mobility.Cars will park along this entire stretch of road, wherever vegetation allows for a clear view, to watch launches. For popular launches, the entirety of 401 is liable to fill up VERY FAST. Get there early, and have a backup plan.

Distance to SLC-37B: 8.6 mi / 13.84 km
Distance to LC-39A: 13.15 mi / 21.16 km
Distance to LC-39B: 14.4 mi / 23.17 km
Distance to SLC-40: 10.32 mi / 16.61 km
Distance to SLC-41: 11.67 mi / 18.78 km
Distance to LZ-1/2: 6.78 mi / 10.91 km

Asian House

www.asianhousetitusville.com/
★ 407 Cheney Hwy
★ Titusville FL 32780
+1 (321) 269-8900

Highly recommended by Alicia: “Egg drop soup, very tasty, won ton soup flavor is amazing, fried wontons, omg, full of flavor. Cheap and so much leftovers, and they deliver within a 3 mile radius. Our go-to place from now on!” And by Julia: “Love Asian House!”

Fried Wontons from Asian House

Fried Wontons from Asian House, by Alicia

Pork Foo Young from Asian House

Pork Foo Young from Asian House, by Alicia

General Tso from Asian House, by Alicia

General Tso from Asian House, by Alicia