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The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex also offers a Launch Viewing , for a price, which provides transportation to the KSC viewing site seven miles from the shuttle pads.

Some of the best locations are along the Indian River on U.S.1 in downtown Titusville; from SR 528, the Bee Line Expressway, along the Banana River; and from the ocean along Cocoa Beach.

Don't Park On Side Of Road

Law enforcement across the area will be out looking for people who are watching the launch where they're not supposed to.

Troopers warn drivers that anyone they catch pulling off on the side of the Beachline to watch the launch will get a ticket. The rules are the same for all bridges.

Florida Statute prohibits stopping or parking on any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Launch Viewing:

These are the closest launch viewing sites accessible by the public and only a limited number of tickets are available for each launch!

If you would like more information, log onto the KSC Visitors Center Web site or call (321) 449-4444.

Launch ticket orders cannot be placed via email requests or by leaving a voice message. You must place your order online or by speaking to a reservation agent.

Note: Closely monitor the launch date status before finalizing your travel plans to Florida. 

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame:

This specially priced package includes a launch viewing from the Astronaut Hall of Fame and a Maximum Access Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

U.S. 1 and Titusville: Space View Park

Space View Park is located less than 15 miles directly across from the launch pads. The Park is the first and only walk in the nation that honors America's astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes who helped America lead the world in space exploration. Located 5 miles North from HWY 50 off of US1 on Broad Street on HWY 406 (Garden Street) off of Indian River Avenue.

This park provides:

• Live audio feed direct from NASA control room. Visitors will be able to listen as they sit on the river's edge with no obstruction of the shuttle and listen to the launch process from the park.
• Walk through history of space from the Chinese discovery of Rockets in 3rd century BC to Space Station Freedom.
• Compare your handprints to those of the mercury Astronauts.
• View the astronauts mission logos carved in black granite.
• Picnic areas/Shelters, Restrooms.

Be sure to get to the park at least three hours before launch. Even then it may be hard to find parking.

Parrish Park-Titusville
1 Max Brewer Causeway- SR 402, Titusville

This urban district river park is situated on both sides of SR 402 at the Max Brewer Causeway-from the east end of the draw bridge to the security gates for Kennedy Space Center. The 36.6-acre park provides convenient access to the Indian River for fishing, water sports, sunbathing and shuttle viewing. Recreational amenities include eleven picnic shelters, a barbeque grill, restrooms, a boardwalk, a 100-foot fishing dock, and a six lane lighted boat ramp with paved parking for 96 cars and 46 boat trailer spaces. Both residents and tourists alike convene at this site for windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing, water skiing, canoeing and boating.

This Park provides:

• Pavilions, Picnic areas/Shelters, Boat Ramps

Sand Point Park
10 East Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville

This popular 29.88-acre community river park on the Indian River, located at the juncture of U.S. 1 and the Max Brewer Causeway, is home to the Titusville Little League. The Astronaut Memorial is located near the south entrance to the park. A blacktop walkway with a stationed .66-mile exercise trail meanders through the open and shaded areas of the park. Facilities include picnic tables, 11 small to mid-sized pavilions, barbeque grills, playground, and restrooms. Seating up to 250, a large pavilion with kitchen is located near the shoreline where fishing is a common activity for visitors, osprey and pelicans. For facility reservation information call (321) 264-5105.

This Park provides:

• Pavilions, Picnic areas/Shelters, Boat Ramps.
• Restrooms, Playgrounds

William J. Manzo Park 
1.5 miles North from HWY 50 on US 1.

This Park provides:

• Pavilions, Picnic areas/Shelters, Restrooms.

Rotary Riverfront Park
Rotary Riverfront Park is located .6 miles North from HWY 50 on US 1.

This Park provides:

• Pavilions, Picnic areas/Shelters, Boat Ramps, Restrooms

Kennedy Point Park

Kennedy Point Park is located 1.6 miles North from HWY 405 (NASA CAUSEWAY) and .5 miles South from HWY 50 on US 1.

This Park provides:

• Pavilions, Picnic areas/shelters, Boat Ramps, Restrooms

Finding Parking:

Many businesses along U.S.1 offer their parking lots and off road parking for a fee. These prices can range from $5 to $15, depending on the launch. If you plan to park in this type of situation, bring your own soft drinks and snacks. Plan to arrive at least two or three hours before launch.

Other Options:

Both Space Shuttle and rocket liftoffs can be viewed from Jetty Park in Port Canaveral. This is not the best location to view shuttle launches but it's the best for rocket launches. There is a minimal admission fee. The park typically closes at 9 p.m. but adjusts its hours to accommodate launch viewing. Call (321) 783-7111 for more information.

These areas also provide good vantage points:

Cocoa Beach

There is nothing like watching a shuttle launch over the ocean. There are several parks and public access ways between 520 and downtown Cocoa Beach. Again, it's not the best place to see a shuttle. You have to wait until the shuttle is high enough in the sky to be seen.

Jetty Park

Jetty Park is located on the Atlantic Ocean, and it has a beautiful beach available as well as pier fishing off its 1,500-foot pier. When NASA launches Space Shuttles, Jetty Park provides a good site to watch.
Cruise ships dock in Cape Canaveral as well, and the ships coming and going provide entertainment for kids of all ages. There is a picnic pavilion, snack bar, and bait and tackle shop. Cocoa Beach is just a few minutes drive, and Ron Jon's world famous Surf Shop provides 24 hour a day shopping

From Your Boat

Boaters viewing launches should tune to Channel 16 VHF-FM for instructions from the Coast Guard pertaining to restricted areas. The Coast Guard will patrol those areas in the rivers and offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters will not be permitted north of marker 15 on the Banana River (where the high wires cross the river). Boaters may not enter the southern part of Mosquito Lagoon (past the Haulover Canal). However, the canal, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, will remain open to traffic. Boaters may not set foot on any land that is part of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station or Kennedy Space Center.

Note: Even if you follow directions there is no guarantee you will be able to find parking at a good viewing site. Use common sense and plan ahead.

Where's the best place to park to see a Space Shuttle launch?

Titusville, without a doubt, is the best place to see a Space Shuttle launch, if you haven't got a NASA pass.

While Cocoa Beach used to be best during the Mercury and Gemini days, the Apollo program moved things "up the coast", to Launch Complex 39 - directly across the Indian River from Space View Park in Titusville. Besides being part of the Space Walk-Of-Fame project, this lovely park is located two blocks south of State Route 406 (Garden Street - Exit 219 from Interstate 95), at Broad St and the Indian River. Adjacent Veteran's Memorial Park usually has a loud speaker with NASA's audio commentary (I usually watch launches from here). Many people also return launch after launch to the area of US-1 and State Route 50.

* Click here for maps and directions to Space View Park.

Can I pick up anything on my radio scanner?

Thanks to dedicated local Ham Radio operators of the Launch Information Service and Amateur Television System (LISATS), you can hear the NASA public affairs channel called "NASA Select" on the K4GCC ham radio repeater on a frequency of 146.940 MHz. You might also hear some of the usual "ham chatter" on this frequency.

Many shuttle missions now carry Ham Radio on board and can be heard on a radio scanner as the spacecraft passes overhead. ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station is usually found on 145.800 MHz. Please e-mail Ozzie@Spaceyideas.Com for more information.