After more than 50 years since the last Apollo mission, NASA is preparing to send astronauts back to the Moon. Artemis II, targeted for launch no earlier than February 6, 2026, will mark humanity’s first crewed journey to lunar orbit since 1972. The 10-day mission will carry four astronauts around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Pad LC-39B from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch (mission specialist), along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission represents several historic firsts: Glover will become the first person of color to travel to deep space, Koch will be the first woman to venture beyond low Earth orbit, and Hansen will be the first non-American to journey to the Moon. There is also the possibility that the Artemis II crew will set a new record for the furthest humans away from Earth, but that is dependent on several different mission factors and has yet to be determined.

Getting Here

The Space Coast, and Kennedy Space Center is roughly fifty miles east of Orlando, Florida.

Flight options include Orlando, Melbourne, Florida and Sanford, Florida. Most people use Orlando.

Driving is straightforward: from the north or south of KSC, I-95 is the best way to get here. From Orlando and points west, FL-528, sometimes called “The Beachline” is the fastest route.

Launch Viewing at Kennedy Space Center

The SLS rocket completed its rollout to Launch Pad 39B on January 17, 2026. NASA is targeting a launch window that opens February 6, 2026, with backup opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11. Additional launch windows are available in March (6, 7, 8, 9, and 11) and April (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) if needed.

Important: Standard daily admission tickets and annual passes will NOT be valid for Artemis II launch viewing. Special launch viewing packages are required and typically include access for two launch attempt dates, a 30-day return visit to the Visitor Complex, and commemorative items.

For the latest information on launch viewing ticket availability, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex website and sign up for email alerts. Viewing locations include the Atlantis North Lawn and the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Banana Creek, which offers views across the water toward Launch Pad 39B.

Launch Viewing Outside Kennedy Space Center

To be added. In the meantime, this guide for viewing launches from LC-39A (the adjacent launch pad from Artemis II) is a good start. Check back on January 21 for the full write-up…it’s detailed.

Where to Stay

The Space Coast offers accommodations ranging from beachfront resorts to budget-friendly options near I-95. Book early for launch events, as hotels fill quickly.

Titusville

Titusville is the closest community to Kennedy Space Center and offers excellent views of launches from along the Indian River. The city is home to Space View Park, a popular free launch viewing location.

Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center – Features The Space Bar, a rooftop bar with spectacular views of the Kennedy Space Center launch pads. Space-themed rooms, resort-style pool, and on-site dining.

Hyatt Place Titusville / Kennedy Space Center – The closest hotel to the space center with spacious family-friendly rooms, some featuring launch views. Near the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame.

Hampton Inn Titusville/I-95 Kennedy Space Center – Located directly off I-95, about 12 miles from KSC. Free hot breakfast, outdoor pool, and free WiFi. Pet-friendly.

Holiday Inn Titusville – Kennedy Space Center – Features The Local Kitchen & Tap restaurant, outdoor pool, and 24-hour fitness center. Pet-friendly with on-site meeting facilities.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Titusville Kennedy Space Center – Free breakfast, outdoor pool, and fitness center. Conveniently located near Lockheed, NASA, and Boeing facilities.

Budget options include the Comfort Suites Titusville, Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center, and Days Inn by Wyndham Titusville Kennedy Space Center, all offering free breakfast and easy I-95 access. Some are better than others, and in all cases, paying careful attention to reviews is a wise idea.

Port St. John

Port St. John is a residential community located just south of Titusville, offering a quieter alternative with easy access to Kennedy Space Center. While the community has limited hotel options within its borders, nearby hotels in Titusville (about 3 miles north) and Cocoa (about 5 miles south) provide convenient accommodations.

The Courtyard by Marriott Titusville and Fairfield Inn & Suites Titusville are among the closest major hotels to Port St. John.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is Florida’s quintessential surf town, offering oceanfront accommodations, the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier, and a vibrant dining and entertainment scene. It’s approximately 20 minutes from Kennedy Space Center.

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront – Steps from the beach and minutes from Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Beautiful ocean views from most rooms, on-site dining, and pool.

Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort – Luxurious two-bedroom suites with direct beach access. Features the Wakulla Water Play Experience with lazy river, tiki bar, and complimentary shuttle to Cocoa Beach Pier. Pet-friendly.

The Inn at Cocoa Beach – Consistently rated #1 on TripAdvisor for Cocoa Beach. This 50-room oceanfront boutique hotel offers complimentary breakfast, beach chairs and umbrellas, and an honor bar. Adults-only atmosphere.

Beachside Hotel & Suites Cocoa Beach – Port Canaveral – Features a lazy river pool, Duck Dive poolside bar, and retro Florida vibe. Free bike and beach rentals. Popular for pre-cruise stays with Park N Cruise packages available. Pet-friendly.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cocoa Beach Oceanfront – Beachfront location with balconies offering ocean views. Free hot breakfast and walking distance to Cocoa Beach Pier.

Additional options include Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral, and Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral sits adjacent to Port Canaveral and offers convenient access to both cruise terminals and Kennedy Space Center. Many hotels here cater to cruise passengers and space enthusiasts alike.

Hyatt Place Cape Canaveral – Features rooftop Altitude360 bar with 360-degree views perfect for watching rocket launches. Modern rooms, outdoor pool, and The Placery restaurant. Pet-friendly with treats at check-in.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach – All-suite hotel with fully equipped kitchens, free hot breakfast, and complimentary Wednesday evening social. One mile from cruise ports and close to Kennedy Space Center. Features tiki bar and Peloton bikes.

SpringHill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach – All-suite hotel with separate sleep, work, and relaxation areas. Complimentary breakfast, on-site restaurant, pool, and fire pit. Minutes from Port Canaveral.

Holiday Inn Express Cape Canaveral – Located near Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral with splash zone pool and cabanas. Free hot breakfast. Just 15 miles from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Additional options include Hilton Garden Inn Cape Canaveral, Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Port Canaveral.

Merritt Island

Merritt Island sits between the mainland and the barrier islands, offering Indian River views and proximity to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Island Hotel of the Space Coast – A local option on Merritt Island offering convenient access to Kennedy Space Center.

Vacation rentals – Many visitors opt for vacation rental homes on Merritt Island, which can offer river access and private launch viewing from docks and yards.

South Cocoa Beach

The southern end of Cocoa Beach provides a quieter beach atmosphere while still offering easy access to Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

South Beach Inn – A charming beachfront option with a relaxed atmosphere. Pet-friendly with oceanfront rooms available.

Beachside Hotel & Suites – Located close to Patrick Space Force Base, offering a lazy river pool and convenient beach access. Great for families.

Satellite Beach

Just on the other side of Patrick Space Force Base, Satellite Beach is a quiet community with some decent restaurants and beaches. The area is not a resort area like Cocoa Beach, but it does have one good option for travelers: Paradise Beach Club Rentals.

Indialantic

Located south of Melbourne Beach, Indialantic offers a quieter beach experience. It’s farther from Kennedy Space Center (about 45 minutes) but provides a more relaxed atmosphere.

Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront – A full-service oceanfront resort with multiple restaurants, pools, and spa services. Excellent for those who want to combine launch viewing with a beach resort experience.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront – All-suite oceanfront property with full kitchens and private balconies.

Tuckaway Shores Resort – Boutique beachfront resort with a laid-back vibe and direct beach access.

Windemere Inn by the Sea – A bed-and-breakfast style inn right on the beach, offering a more intimate experience.

Where to Eat

The Space Coast offers diverse dining options, from waterfront seafood to Southern soul food. Here are some local favorites across the region, but don’t be afraid to explore the many other options — there are just too many good restaurants to name in a single article.

That said, in no particular order of preference:

Titusville

Playalinda Brewing Company – Brix Project (5220 S Washington Ave) – A 16,000-square-foot craft brewery and restaurant in a renovated lumberyard with 20 rotating taps, wood-fired grill, and beer garden. Creative elevated pub fare from Executive Chef Justin Medina pairs perfectly with award-winning craft beers. Outdoor patio is pet-friendly. Weekend brunch, Tuesday trivia, and live music events.

Loyd Have Mercy (3434 S Washington Ave) – Family-owned soul food restaurant serving homestyle Southern fare since 2013. Known for fried chicken with mac & cheese, BBQ meatloaf, collard greens, and sweet potato cake. Owner Loyd creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere with occasional live jazz. Lunch and dinner with catering available. Closed Mondays.

New York New York (5401 Riveredge Dr) – Italian-American dining with views across the Indian River toward Kennedy Space Center. A local favorite for watching launches from the restaurant. Don’t go here expecting fancy — it’s not, and that’s the way the locals like it. Don’t be put off by the weathered facade either – the food is great, the staff helpful and locals are friendly.

El Leoncito (4280 S Washington Ave) – Family-owned Mexican and Cuban restaurant serving the community for over 18 years. Features a patio overlooking the Indian River with views toward the space center. Jeff Bezos has eaten here, as have more astronauts than you can count. Take some time to look at the photos on the wall, you will be surprised at the sheer number of VIPs and celebrities who’ve eaten here.

Port Canaveral

Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill (610 Glen Cheek Dr) – Waterfront dining with views of cruise ships and the Canaveral Barge Canal. Known for fresh seafood, Caribbean-influenced dishes, and a laid-back tiki bar atmosphere. Their outdoor deck offers excellent views for rocket launches. Live music most evenings.

Gator’s Dockside (683 Dave Nisbet Dr) Waterfront dining across the port from SpaceX’s wharf where it unloads Falcon 9 boosters and fairings. The food is good, staff is friendly and this place is a go-to for a lot of locals.

Cocoa Beach

Coconuts on the Beach (2 Minutemen Cswy) – Iconic oceanfront bar and restaurant right on the sand in downtown Cocoa Beach. Fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and live music with stunning Atlantic views. Try the coconut crusted shrimp or fresh catch of the day. Tiki huts, full bar, and legendary sunset vibes make this a must-visit for any Space Coast trip. First come, first served – no reservations.

The Tiny Turtle (249 Minutemen Cswy) – Award-winning Caribbean fusion restaurant in the heart of downtown Cocoa Beach. Chef Moises Correa brings Puerto Rican heritage to creative dishes like island pork tacos, sofrito bowls, and the famous Tripleta sandwich. Recognized as a Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurant for sustainability efforts. Full bar with craft cocktails, outdoor tiki seating, and pet-friendly patio. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

4th Street Fillin Station (382 N Orlando Ave) – A unique gastropub housed in a converted 1950s gas station. Known for creative craft beers, elevated bar food, and homemade ice cream. The retro atmosphere and outdoor seating make it a local favorite.

Planning Tips

Book accommodations early as possible. Hotels fill up quickly for major launches, especially historic missions like Artemis II. Consider booking refundable rates in case of launch delays.

Don’t book until a launch date is announced. Launch dates and times are highly variable and they can and will change often. Rely on official sources for the best information. If you can book and cancel without penalty, things are different, of course, but there have been more than a few folks who booked a vacation around a launch only to learn that the launch date has been changed due to one reason or another.

Sign up for alerts. Register at kennedyspacecenter.com to receive email notifications about launch-viewing ticket availability.

Have backup plans. Launches can be delayed due to weather or technical issues. Build flexibility into your travel dates if possible. Refer to the launch window chart below for potential launch dates.

Explore the area. Even if you’re primarily here for the launch, take time to visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Sands Space History Center, the American Space Museum, and the beautiful beaches of the Space Coast.

Cocoa Village is the historic downtown district of Cocoa, Florida, located along the Indian River. It features unique shopping, restaurants and even a pirate museum that make a visit well worth the time.

There may be other launches: The Eastern Range is a very busy place, with over 100 launches per year. Most of those are SpaceX flights, and they make for remarkable viewing, especially if you’ve never seen a launch. Refer to Upcoming Florida Launches for more information.

Arrive early on launch day. Traffic will be heavy, and you’ll want to secure your viewing spot well in advance of the scheduled launch time. “Well in advance” means hours, not minutes, so be sure to have what you need to get you through the wait: a cellphone for keeping up with launch news, bug spray, chairs, refreshments and the like.